Wireless Charging Pipe Inspection Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe inspection and maintenance systems face challenges with limited electrical power supply due to fixed cable lengths, require complex and costly sealing of interfaces for charging, and are prone to corrosion and damage during charging processes.
Innovation Solution
A pipe inspection and maintenance device with a housing that allows wireless inductive charging and data transmission, eliminating the need for external cables and plug interfaces, ensuring a fluid-tight and gas-tight design without the need for special sealing measures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If cable connections are used for power and data transmission, then electrical power can be transmitted, but the cable cross-section and length are fixed, limiting the available electrical power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with an inductive power transmission system using electromagnetic fields. The pipe inspection device includes a receiver coil that wirelessly receives power from a transmitter, eliminating the fixed cable constraints and enabling flexible power delivery without physical connection limitations.
2Power
If additional accumulators or batteries are added to increase power availability, then higher power can be provided, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy battery/accumulator systems with wireless inductive power transmission. Instead of carrying large energy storage devices within the pipe inspection unit, power is delivered wirelessly through electromagnetic coupling, significantly reducing device weight and complexity while maintaining high power availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an external power transmitter as an intermediary device that provides power wirelessly to the pipe inspection device. This external power source acts as a mediator, delivering energy without requiring physical connection or internal energy storage in the inspection device itself.
3Power
If cable connections are used for charging, then power can be transmitted, but the cable interfaces require complex sealing to prevent gas and liquid penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical cable connections and their associated sealing requirements by implementing wireless inductive power transmission. The electromagnetic field coupling requires no physical penetrations through the device housing, completely removing the need for complex cable seals and interface protections.
4Ease of operation
If contact points or connector interfaces are provided for charging, then charging can be performed, but the contact points corrode quickly due to environmental conditions in pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical contact points and connectors with wireless inductive coupling. The electromagnetic field-based power transmission eliminates all metal-to-metal contact interfaces that would be exposed to corrosive pipe environments, thereby completely preventing corrosion issues associated with traditional charging connectors.
5Ease of operation
If the accumulator is removed and replaced with another accumulator, then charging can be achieved, but the receiving compartment requires fluid-tight and gas-tight covering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical accumulator removal and reinsertion process with wireless inductive charging. Power is transmitted through electromagnetic fields without requiring any opening or access to the device interior, eliminating the need for removable covers or seals on accumulator compartments.
6Ease of operation
If plug interfaces are provided for charging, then power transmission is enabled, but the interfaces become dirty and damaged during inspection or maintenance processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates physical plug interfaces by implementing wireless inductive power transmission. The electromagnetic coupling requires no exposed electrical contacts on the pipe inspection device, completely preventing dirt accumulation and physical damage to charging interfaces that would occur during pipe inspection operations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Simplifies the charging process, reduces the risk of damage and corrosion, and enhances the sealing of the device, allowing for more flexible arrangement and efficient energy and data transfer without the need for complex cable management.
Implementation Method 1
the charging device (50) being adapted to interact with a charging unit (60) that can be arranged outside of the housing (20) in order to wirelessly transmit electrical energy from the charging unit (60) to the charging device (50)
Data Source
Figure 1~2(b)
Figure 3
AI summary
A pipe inspection and/or maintenance device for a pipe inspection and/or maintenance system is provided, comprising: - a housing, - an electrical and/or electronic component arranged in the housing, - an accumulator arranged in the housing and coupled to the electrical and/or electronic component, wherein - the electrical/electronic component and the accumulator are arranged in the housing in a fluid- and gas-tight manner, and - the accumulator is coupled to a charging device which is also arranged in the housing in a fluid- and gas-tight manner, wherein the charging device is adapted - to cooperate with a charging unit which can be arranged outside the housing in order to wirelessly transmit electrical energy from the charging unit to the charging device, and - to at least partially charge the accumulator with the transmitted electrical energy.Furthermore, a pipe inspection and/or maintenance system is provided, comprising a pipe inspection and/or maintenance device according to the invention, a charging unit and a power supply module for a pipe inspection and/or maintenance device according to the invention.