Cylindrical Airbag Protection for Tripod Measuring Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective devices for measuring apparatuses, such as total stations and laser scanners, are cumbersome and can hinder operation due to the need for multiple airbags and an external gas container, risking damage during falls and operational interference.
Innovation Solution
A compact protective device with a cylindrical airbag design that surrounds the measuring apparatus, featuring multiple interconnected chambers for efficient energy distribution and absorption, minimizing energy transfer during impacts, and a gas filling system that ensures rapid inflation without obstructing the user's operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple airbags and an external gas container are used, then protection reliability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple airbags into a single cylindrical airbag structure that surrounds the measuring apparatus. The gas container is integrated inside the housing rather than being external. This merging maintains protection reliability while significantly reducing device complexity and improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas container is nested inside the housing, and the cylindrical airbag is arranged within the housing structure. This nested arrangement allows the filling device to be compact and integrated, reducing the overall footprint and eliminating the need for external components.
2Reliability
If four airbags arranged in angular regions are used, then protection coverage is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to operational hindrance
Solution Approach 1:
Four separate airbags arranged in angular regions are merged into a single cylindrical airbag that provides 360-degree protection. This eliminates the gaps between multiple airbags while maintaining comprehensive coverage, and removes physical obstructions that hindered user operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical (curved) shape of the airbag provides continuous circumferential protection around the measuring apparatus, replacing the angular arrangement of four separate airbags. This curved design ensures uniform protection coverage while eliminating the segmented structure that caused operational interference.
3Productivity
If the gas container is set up close to the tripod, then filling efficiency is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to tripping hazard
Solution Approach 1:
The gas container is nested inside the protective device housing, eliminating the need for an external container positioned near the tripod. This integrated arrangement maintains rapid filling capability while removing the tripping hazard and improving safety and ease of operation.
4Ease of operation
If a compact protective device design is used, then ease of operation is improved, but protection reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The compact design merges multiple airbags into a single cylindrical structure and integrates the gas container within the housing. This consolidation maintains comprehensive protection reliability while achieving a compact form factor that does not hinder operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical airbag uses a flexible membrane structure that can be compactly stored in the housing and rapidly deployed when needed. This flexible design allows for a compact protective device that maintains full protection capability when inflated.
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 solution effectively protects measuring apparatuses from damage by distributing impact energy efficiently, reducing the risk of further injury and maintaining operational ease, as the airbag design minimizes energy transfer to the apparatus while allowing for quick inflation without obstructing the user's access.
Implementation Method 1
The airbag offers adequate protection. The airbag surrounds the measuring apparatus and distributes the energy introduced during the impact
Data Source
AI summary
A protective device for a measuring apparatus which can be arranged on a tripod includes a housing having a threaded hole and a threaded pin, where the threaded hole is disposed in a housing lower side of the housing and the threaded pin is disposed in a housing upper side of the housing. The protective device further includes an airbag and a filling device having at least one gas-filled gas container, a control device, and an energy source. A connecting line connects the airbag and the filling device for gas exchange. The airbag surrounds a cylindrical interior space in an inflated state.