Deactivatable Measurement Probe Lifetime Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Measurement devices often continue to operate beyond their optimal accuracy levels due to lack of predetermined operational lifetimes, leading to reduced performance and potential misuse, and the high upfront cost of precision measurement tools can be a barrier for adoption.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a deactivation mechanism that inhibits normal operation based on predetermined criteria such as usage count or time, allowing for controlled refresh and recalibration, and using an associated unit to manage and update usage information, ensuring consistent measurement accuracy and extending the operational lifetime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If measurement apparatus is provided without predetermined operational lifetime, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates over time due to lack of recalibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-programming the measurement apparatus with a predetermined operational lifetime and automatic deactivation criteria before use. The apparatus is configured to automatically deactivate after a set number of measurements or time period, ensuring that measurement precision is maintained through planned recalibration cycles rather than requiring continuous monitoring or user intervention.
2Reliability
If measurement apparatus operates indefinitely, then productivity is improved and loss of time is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to accumulated errors and lack of maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by establishing a predetermined operational lifetime with automatic deactivation after a set number of measurements or time period. This periodic limitation ensures reliability by forcing scheduled recalibration and maintenance cycles, preventing accumulated errors while maintaining continuous productivity through automated management of the operational cycle.
3Reliability
If measurement apparatus has predetermined operational lifetime, then reliability is improved through controlled refresh cycles, but loss of time increases due to deactivation and recalibration periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by implementing automatic deactivation and deactivation portion that monitors operational criteria and autonomously manages the transition to recalibration cycles. The apparatus self-manages its operational lifetime without requiring user intervention, reducing the perceived loss of time by automating the timing and scheduling of maintenance activities.
4Measurement precision
If measurement apparatus is deactivated after predetermined usage, then measurement precision is maintained through forced recalibration, but ease of operation deteriorates due to automatic deactivation restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by incorporating a deactivation portion that continuously monitors operational criteria such as number of measurements or time elapsed, and automatically responds when predetermined thresholds are reached. This feedback mechanism maintains measurement precision through automated recalibration scheduling while minimizing operational disruption by handling the deactivation and reactivation processes automatically without requiring user intervention.
Data Source
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AI summary
Measurement apparatus (2;90;100;150;200;250) is described that comprises a measurement portion (6;158;254) for acquiring object measurements and an output portion (8;46) for outputting measurement data relating to the acquired object measurements. A deactivation portion (10;58;260) is provided for inhibiting normal operation of the measurement apparatus such that output of the measurement data is prevented. The deactivation portion (10;58;260), in use, reads apparatus usage information from an apparatus usage module (18;114b;162;206;268) and inhibits normal operation of the measurement apparatus if said apparatus usage information fails to meet one or more predetermined criteria. The apparatus usage module may be provided as an integral part of the measurement apparatus (114b;162;206) or as a separate activation button (18;268). The measurement apparatus may comprise a measurement probe (2;90; 100; 150;200) such as a touch trigger measurement probe.