Articulating Level for Tubular Structure Angle Verification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Construction workers face challenges in verifying the angular displacement of tubular structures during bending, as existing tools lack a convenient and accurate method to confirm if the structure has been brought to a predetermined angle, especially in manual bending processes.
Innovation Solution
An articulating level with a rotatable design and user-selectable angle settings, featuring a bubble vial for angular orientation verification, and a connector mechanism for secure attachment to tubular structures, allowing for precise adjustment and confirmation of angles up to 90 degrees.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional level tools are used to verify angles during tubular structure bending, then the basic level function is provided, but the tool cannot accurately confirm predetermined angle settings or provide user-selectable angle configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The level tool incorporates an articulating arm that can be adjusted to various angles and locked into place, allowing the bubble vial to be positioned at different angular orientations. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the tool to verify multiple predetermined angle settings while maintaining measurement accuracy through the bubble indication system.
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows users to change the angular parameter by adjusting the articulating arm to different positions. Each position corresponds to a specific angle setting, enabling the tool to adapt to various angle verification requirements while maintaining precise measurement capability through the bubble vial alignment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-level tool is used for angle verification, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate multiple angle settings or verify angular displacement from level
Solution Approach 1:
The level tool is divided into separate functional segments: a base portion, an articulating arm, and a bubble vial assembly. This segmentation allows the articulating arm to be independently adjusted to different angles while the bubble vial remains positioned to indicate level orientation, providing multi-angle verification capability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulating arm serves as an intermediary element between the base and the bubble vial, allowing angular displacement while maintaining the bubble vial's level indication function. This intermediary mechanism enables the tool to verify angles relative to level without requiring complex multi-axis adjustment systems.
3Measurement precision
If manual angle estimation is used during bending, then the process is simple and quick, but the angular displacement cannot be accurately confirmed
Solution Approach 1:
The level tool is designed to be self-aligning through its articulating mechanism. The user simply positions the tool on the tubular structure at the desired angle, and the bubble vial automatically indicates whether the structure is level or shows the angular displacement from level, providing accurate measurement without complex operation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The bubble vial provides visual feedback through the position of the bubble within the vial, creating a clear visual indication of angular displacement. This visual cue system maintains ease of operation by providing immediate, intuitive feedback without requiring complex measurement procedures or calculations.
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
The articulating level provides a straightforward and accurate method for confirming the angular displacement of tubular structures, ensuring they are bent to the desired angle, enhancing the precision and efficiency of manual bending procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a bubble vial operably associated with the second body portion and configured to indicate the angular orientation of the articulating level
Data Source
AI summary
A specially designed bubble level having an articulating portion that may be used to verify that an angle made in a tubular structure for example, electrical conduit, is level. The level apparatus of the present disclosure may also be used to verify the angular displacement of the tubular structure about a bend, using a bubble level as reference. The apparatus is particularly useful during manual bending of electrical conduit and similar field-modified tubular structures as the apparatus provides a convenient and readily-discernible indication when a tubular structure that is being bent has been brought to a predetermined bend angle.