Extendable Sewer Guide Tube for Variable Channel Diameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sewer inspection and maintenance systems require multiple guide tubes of different lengths for various channel diameters, leading to increased complexity, safety risks, and effort due to the need for separate lowering and raising of components through manholes, especially in channels with changing diameters.
Innovation Solution
A sewer inspection and maintenance system with an extendable, unfoldable, and roll-out guide device that can be compactly stored for easy entry through manholes and adapted to different channel diameters without the need for multiple guide tubes, featuring telescopic, swivel, or spring plate designs to increase the effective length as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple guide tubes of different lengths are used for various channel diameters, then the system can adapt to different channel sizes, but the device complexity and quantity of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide device is designed with telescopic elements that can extend and retract, transforming from a static fixed-length structure to a dynamic adjustable-length structure. This allows a single guide device to adapt to different channel diameters by extending to the required length, eliminating the need for multiple fixed-length guide tubes.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic guide device serves multiple functions: it can be adjusted to different lengths for various channel diameters, and it can be retracted to a compact size for easy transport through manholes. This multi-functionality replaces the need for multiple specialized guide tubes.
2Reliability
If long guide tubes are used for large channel diameters, then the satellite system can be introduced securely into side channels, but the guide tube cannot be brought through manholes in one piece
Solution Approach 1:
The guide device transforms from a long rigid structure to a compact form by retracting its telescopic elements, enabling it to pass through manholes. When needed in large channels, it extends to provide the required length for secure satellite system introduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic guide device employs a nested structure where inner sections are housed within outer sections, allowing the long guide tube to be compacted into a small package that can be transported through manholes, then deployed to full length when needed.
3Length of moving object
If short guide tubes are used for small channel diameters, then the guide device fits through manholes, but the satellite system cannot be introduced securely into side channels
Solution Approach 1:
The guide device can extend to provide sufficient length for secure satellite system introduction when working in smaller channels, while maintaining the ability to retract to a compact size for manhole access, thus resolving the contradiction between length and accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A sewer inspection or maintenance system is provided, at least comprising a carrier system, a satellite system which is movable relative to the carrier system, and a guide device coupled to the carrier system, along which the satellite system can be guided during a movement relative to the carrier system. The guide device can be extended or unfolded or rolled out from a stowed position into at least one position of use, so that the effective length of the guide device can be increased.