Caliper with Modular Extension Standards for Extended Measurement Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Calipers have a limited measurement range that cannot exceed their own length, making it difficult to measure dimensions and gaps of bodies with lengths beyond the caliper's capacity.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a caliper with a frame, fixed and moving fingers, and accessories including measuring standards and clamps that allow the caliper to extend its measurement range by adding the lengths of these standards to the measured distance, enabling the measurement of longer lengths and gaps by positioning the measuring faces on the body and using a meter for visual or digital indication of the total length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the caliper structure is kept simple and compact, then the device complexity is low and ease of operation is maintained, but the measurement range is limited to the caliper's length
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring system is divided into separate modular components: the base caliper and detachable extension standards. Each extension standard can be independently attached to the caliper jaws, allowing the measurement range to be segmented and extended without redesigning the entire caliper structure. This segmentation enables the measurement range to exceed the original caliper length while maintaining the simplicity of the base device.
Solution Approach 2:
The caliper is designed with universal mounting features that allow it to work with multiple types of extension standards. The fixed jaw and moving jaw both incorporate mounting mechanisms that can accommodate various extension standards, making the caliper system multi-functional and adaptable to different measurement requirements beyond its original length limitation.
2Length of moving object
If extension accessories are added to increase measurement range, then the measurement range exceeds the caliper's length, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extension standards are pre-configured with mounting features that align with the caliper's jaw structures. The threading patterns and mounting geometries are designed in advance to match, allowing users to attach extension standards without complex alignment procedures. This preliminary design of compatible interfaces maintains ease of operation despite adding extension capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting threads and interface features act as intermediaries between the caliper jaws and the extension standards. These intermediary elements simplify the connection process by providing standardized attachment points, reducing the operational complexity that would otherwise result from adding extension accessories.
Data Source
AI summary
A tool for measurement of a body is proposed. It includes a caliper furnished with a slider, a fixed finger, a moving finger, and accessories including a first clamp mounted on the fixed finger, a first measuring standard associated with the fixed finger, a fixed leg having a first measuring face and a head securing the first measuring standard, a second clamp mounted on the moving finger, a second measuring standard associated with the moving finger, a moving leg having a second measuring face and a head securing the second measuring standard therein. The first measuring face is disposed to contact a first point of the body and, moving the slider, the second measuring face is disposed to contact a second point of the body, providing for measuring a length between the points, generally being greater than the caliper's length. The tool may additionally have intermediate measuring standards.