In the field of pipeline inspection, "invisibility" has always been a core challenge for technicians. Whether it is deep blockages in municipal drainage pipelines, internal corrosion in industrial transmission pipelines, or hidden leaks in building water supply and drainage pipelines, traditional inspection methods either rely on manual excavation (high cost and low efficiency) or simple tools (unable to capture details), making it difficult to meet the needs of precise and efficient inspection. The emergence of the endoscope camera module is like equipping pipeline inspection with a "visual eye". With its compact size, clear imaging, and flexible adaptability, it has completely changed the operation mode of pipeline inspection and become an indispensable core equipment in modern pipeline maintenance and safety inspection.
From the perspective of actual inspection scenarios, the role of the endoscope camera module is first reflected in "breaking through space limitations and realizing non-excavation inspection". Taking urban municipal drainage pipelines as an example, most pipelines have small diameters (some are only 10-20 cm) and are buried several meters deep, making it impossible for humans to enter directly. If excavation inspection is adopted, it will not only damage the road surface and affect traffic but also significantly increase the inspection cost. However, the module involved in this article is equipped with a 3.5mm diameter lens with a steel sleeve, which can easily extend into the pipeline through reserved interfaces or inspection holes. The steel sleeve of the lens can resist friction and collision from gravel and sludge inside the pipeline, preventing equipment damage. At the same time, the module integrates 4 LED beads, which can provide a stable light source in the dim environment inside the pipeline, solving the problem of "unclear visibility in dark areas". This allows technicians to visually observe the internal state of the pipeline without excavation, greatly reducing inspection costs and operational difficulties.
Secondly, relying on "high-definition imaging and precise focusing", the module enables "accurate identification and quantitative judgment of pipeline defects". In industrial pipeline inspection, if minor defects such as slight corrosion (depth less than 1 mm) on the inner wall of the pipeline and weld cracks are not detected in time, they may lead to serious consequences such as medium leakage and equipment shutdown. This module is equipped with the OmniVision OV9734 CMOS color image sensor, supporting 1280x720 resolution and 30FPS frame rate, which can output clear images without trailing. The 1.4μmx1.4μm pixel size improves light sensitivity, enabling it to restore the detailed characteristics of corrosion spots and cracks even in low-light environments. At the same time, the module supports a focusing range of 5-15 mm and manual focusing function. Technicians can accurately focus on suspected defect areas, such as magnifying to observe the flatness of pipeline welds, measuring the size of corrosion pits, and even judging the development trend of defects through image comparison. This provides a quantitative basis for formulating subsequent maintenance plans (such as local repair and overall replacement) and avoids problems such as "missed inspection" and "misjudgment".
In addition, the "convenient adaptability and stable performance" of the module can also improve the "efficiency and reliability" of pipeline inspection. In the acceptance scenario of building water supply and drainage pipelines, inspectors need to carry equipment to work quickly in different floors and areas, which places high requirements on the portability and stability of the equipment. This module adopts a Type-C interface and supports the UVC protocol, eliminating the need for additional driver installation. It can be used "plug-and-play" after connecting to a laptop or tablet, reducing equipment debugging time. The USB 2.0 speed can meet the needs of real-time image transmission, allowing technicians to record while inspecting and avoiding repeated operations. At the same time, the module is produced through SMT (Surface Mount Technology) and AA (Active Alignment) processes, ensuring firm soldering of components and high alignment accuracy of optical components. Even if it encounters pipeline vibration and temperature fluctuations (such as in industrial high-temperature pipeline inspection) during the inspection process, it can maintain stable imaging, avoid inspection interruption due to equipment failure, and ensure operational efficiency and data reliability.
From a safety perspective, the endoscope camera module can also "reduce operational risks and ensure personnel safety". In gas pipeline inspection, flammable and explosive gases may remain inside the pipeline, and manual entry for inspection poses great safety hazards. The module can extend into the pipeline remotely, allowing technicians to observe images through the screen in a safe area without contacting the dangerous environment. At the same time, the 102° wide field of view of the module can cover a wider inspection range, reducing the number of lens movements, shortening the inspection time, and further reducing risks such as gas leakage.
Nowadays, with the increasing demand for "refinement and intelligence" in pipeline inspection, the role of the endoscope camera module is still continuously expanding - for example, combining AI algorithms to realize automatic defect identification and establishing a "health file" for pipelines through data storage functions. However, no matter how the technology is upgraded, its core value always revolves around "making the inside of the pipeline 'visible, clear, and accurate'". It can be said that the endoscope camera module is not only a tool for pipeline inspection but also an "invisible guardian" that ensures the safety of urban infrastructure, the stability of industrial production, and the convenience of residents' lives, providing key technical support for the whole-life cycle maintenance and management of pipelines.
