Beam Exit Cover Locking for Safer Measuring Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing measuring devices are prone to damage from accidental activation and beam exit apertures are unprotected when not in use, leading to potential harm and unintended operation.

Innovation Solution

A sliding element is designed to cover beam exit openings and prevent pivoting of the cover when not in use, ensuring the openings are protected and the device remains switched off until intentionally activated.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the cover element is made pivotable for easy handling, then ease of operation is improved, but the beam exit aperture remains unprotected when not in use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of handlingVSAvoidunprotected beam exit aperture

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cover is divided into a main cover element and a separate sliding element. The sliding element can be independently positioned to cover the beam exit aperture while the main cover remains pivotable for handling. This segmentation allows the protective function to be activated separately from the handling function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sliding element is designed to be positioned in advance to cover the beam exit aperture before the device is operated. This preliminary protective action ensures the aperture is protected during storage or transport, while the pivotable cover can still be easily manipulated when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the device allows free pivoting for versatility, then adaptability is improved, but uncontrolled activation and damage risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepivoting capabilityVSAvoiduncontrolled activation prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding element acts as an intermediary mechanism between the pivotable cover and the device activation. When the sliding element covers the beam exit aperture, it physically blocks the laser beam path, serving as a safety intermediary that prevents activation even if the device is accidentally switched on.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sliding element provides preliminary protective action by covering the beam exit aperture before any potential harmful activation can occur. This pre-established barrier prevents damage from accidental activation while maintaining the adaptability of the pivotable cover design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Ease of operation

If the opening is left exposed for operational access, then ease of operation is improved, but damage risk to the aperture increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam exit accessVSAvoiddamage to beam exit aperture

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective system is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The sliding element can be easily moved to cover or expose the beam exit aperture as needed, providing protection during storage and easy access during operation. This dynamic approach maintains operational ease while reducing damage risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4679033A1Measuring device

Publication Date: 2026.01.14 STABILA MESSGERATE GUSTAV ULLRICH GMBH & CO KG

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a measuring device (10) comprising a housing (12) with side walls (18, 20) and an end wall (22) with an opening (26) for a beam exit. A cover element (28), pivotably connected to the housing, extends along the end wall with the opening in a home position. A sliding element (40) is slidably arranged along the side wall with the opening, and, when the cover element (28) is in its home position, can be slid into a first end position that closes the opening in the side wall. When the sliding element is in the first end position, the cover element is not pivotable.