3D Surveying Polygon Method for High-Accuracy Reference Point Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reference point surveying methods, such as the open-traverse surveying method, accumulate measurement errors due to the need to align the surveying instrument with each reference point, limiting the accuracy of 3D coordinate determination to beyond 1 mm, which is insufficient for precise installation of large apparatuses requiring tolerances of 10 μm to 100 μm.
Innovation Solution
Employing 3D measuring instruments like laser trackers or 3D total stations to survey reference points without aligning the instrument center, measuring 3D vectors from any location, and dividing reference points into polygons for equalized measurement distances to minimize error accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional open-traverse surveying method is used, then surveying process is simple and sequential, but measurement errors accumulate and 3D coordinate accuracy deteriorates to beyond 1 mm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the surveying area into multiple polygons, with each polygon containing multiple reference points. Instead of sequentially surveying all points in a single traverse, the surveying process is segmented into multiple polygon-based measurement cycles. Each cycle measures points within a specific polygon from a central instrument location, preventing error accumulation across the entire survey area while maintaining manageable process complexity through systematic division.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D traverse surveying to 3D polygon-based surveying. By establishing central instrument locations and measuring reference points in three-dimensional space within polygon boundaries, the method creates a new measurement dimension framework. This allows simultaneous measurement of multiple points from a single location, eliminating sequential error accumulation while providing spatial redundancy for accuracy verification.
2Measurement precision
If surveying instrument is aligned with each reference point sequentially, then measurement process is straightforward, but alignment errors accumulate and reduce overall measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary establishment of polygon boundaries and central instrument locations before actual reference point measurement. By pre-defining the measurement framework with polygons and central stations, the method eliminates the need for sequential alignment with each reference point. The instrument is positioned once at each central location, and all reference points within that polygon are measured from this fixed position, preventing alignment error accumulation while reducing total surveying time through parallel measurement capability.
3Measurement precision
If measurement distances vary significantly among reference points, then surveying flexibility is maintained, but measurement errors vary and accuracy consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates equipotential measurement conditions by positioning the surveying instrument at central locations within each polygon. This central positioning ensures that all reference points within a polygon are measured from an equidistant or near-equidistant position, equalizing the measurement conditions and minimizing variations in measurement error. The polygon geometry is specifically designed to achieve this equipotential state, where the central instrument location provides balanced measurement distances to all vertices, ensuring consistent accuracy across all reference points while maintaining operational flexibility through the polygon framework.
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
This approach allows for high-accuracy 3D coordinate determination of reference points with tolerances of 6 μm to 10 μm, reducing measurement errors and enabling efficient surveying of multiple points by equalizing measurement distances and checking measurement accuracy through polygon misclosure calculations.
Implementation Method 1
a 3D measuring instrument 18 collimating the targets 10 to output 3D vectors for the targets 10
Data Source
AI summary
Respective targets 10 are set at a plurality of reference points S1 to S16 provided on a construction. 3D measuring instrument 18 is firstly installed at a central site O of the first polygon G1 that has apexes at three or more of the reference points S, and measures 3D coordinates of the reference points in the first polygon G1 in a predetermined coordinate system, from 3D vectors for the apexes of the first polygon G1 which are collimated by the 3D measuring instrument 18. The 3D measuring instrument 16 is then moved to a central site P(n) of an n-th polygon G(n) (n being an integer of 2 or more) that has apexes at three or more of the reference points whose coordinates have been measured and one or more of the reference points whose coordinates have not been measured, and measures 3D coordinates of the post-movement location P(n) of the measuring instrument 18 and the reference points in the n-th polygon G(n) whose coordinates have not been measured in the predetermined coordinate system, from 3D vectors for the apexes of the n-th polygon G(n) which are collimated by the measuring instrument 18. After measuring 3D coordinates of all the reference points on the construction by repeating a cycle from the step of moving the 3D measuring instrument 18 to the central site of the n-th polygon G(n) to the step of measuring 3D coordinates of the reference points in the n-th polygon G(n) whose coordinates have not been measured, 3D coordinates of each reference point S are determined through network-adjustment calculation.