Telescopic Case-Mounted Stand for Hands-Free Inspection Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inspection operators face risks of damaging inspection equipment during manual handling and positioning challenges when conducting asset inspections in industrial environments, as they need to manipulate devices while maintaining control over the equipment and the asset being inspected.
Innovation Solution
A mounting apparatus and system that includes a telescopic structure with adjustable segments and a device holder, allowing the inspection device to be securely attached to a case, providing a hands-free operation with adjustable height and gimballed positioning, enabling safe and efficient inspection without additional support structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the inspection device is held manually during inspection, then the operator can manipulate the device, but the risk of damaging the equipment increases due to potential dropping or collision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a stand as an intermediary support structure between the inspection device and the operator. The stand includes a base, vertical support, and mounting structure that holds the inspection device at an elevated position, allowing the operator to manipulate the asset or device controls without directly holding the inspection device, thereby reducing the risk of dropping or colliding with it
Solution Approach 2:
The stand is divided into multiple separable components including a base portion, vertical support portion, and mounting portion. This segmentation allows the stand to be assembled and disassembled easily, and stored within the equipment case when not in use, while providing stable support during inspection operations
2Ease of operation
If the inspection device is positioned in a fixed location, then hands-free operation is enabled, but the ability to adjust positioning relative to the asset and operator is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The stand incorporates adjustable features including height adjustment of the vertical support and angular adjustment of the mounting portion. These dynamic adjustment capabilities allow the inspection device to be positioned at optimal locations for different inspection scenarios while maintaining hands-free operation during actual inspection
Solution Approach 2:
The stand allows changing of physical parameters such as height, angle, and horizontal position of the inspection device. The vertical support can be adjusted to different heights, and the mounting portion can be angled to orient the device appropriately for various asset configurations and operator positions
3Reliability
If additional support structures are used for the inspection device, then equipment safety is improved, but the complexity of the inspection setup increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stand is designed to be integrated with and stored within the equipment case that already contains the inspection device. This merging of the support structure with the existing equipment case eliminates the need for separate external support structures, reducing overall setup complexity while maintaining equipment safety
Solution Approach 2:
The stand is designed to be self-contained with all necessary components (base, vertical support, mounting structure) included in the equipment case. The operator can assemble and use the stand without requiring additional external support structures or complex setup procedures
Data Source
AI summary
A system for mounting an inspection device to a case are provided. The system can include a case including a mounting base configured on a side of the case. The system can also include an adjustable stand removably coupled to the case via the mounting base. The adjustable stand can include a receiving portion removably coupled to the mounting base. The adjustable stand can also include a telescopic structure. The telescopic structure can have a plurality of segments. At least one segment can extend longitudinally from a second segment via at least one adjustment mechanism configured on the second segment. The adjustable stand can also include a device holder removably coupled to the second end of the telescopic structure. The device holder can be configured to removably couple with an inspection device. Apparatus and methods of mounting an inspection device to a case are also provided.