Digital Angle Gauge with Multi-Surface Light Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital angle gauges face difficulties in user visibility and ease of use, as it can be challenging for users to determine when the device is level due to the orientation of the screen relative to the user.
Innovation Solution
A digital angle gauge with a housing body featuring multiple light openings and an orientation sensor, accompanied by light guides and a processor that emits colored light based on the deviation from a target orientation, allowing users to easily determine levelness through visible light indicators regardless of the device's orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a digital angle finder uses a screen to display angle information, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because it becomes difficult for users to see the screen and determine when the device is level depending on orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color-changing light sources (red, green, yellow LEDs) that automatically indicate the level status of the device based on orientation. The light source changes color according to the angle deviation from level, providing immediate visual feedback without requiring the user to read a screen. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining precise measurement capability while dramatically improving ease of operation through intuitive color-coded indicators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical liquid bubble level system with a digital electronic system that uses orientation sensors and electronic light indicators. This substitution maintains or improves measurement precision through digital sensing while enhancing ease of operation through automated, orientation-dependent visual feedback that works regardless of device orientation.
2Measurement precision
If the digital angle finder displays information on a screen, then measurement precision is improved, but illumination intensity requirements increase making it harder to read in certain orientations
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on a single intensity level screen, the system uses multiple colored light sources with different emission characteristics. The colored LEDs provide sufficient illumination intensity across various viewing angles while simultaneously conveying information about level status. This eliminates the need for high-intensity screens that are difficult to read in certain orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional screen display to a three-dimensional light emission system with multiple openings in different orientations. The light sources are positioned to emit in multiple directions simultaneously, ensuring that users can see the indicators regardless of their viewing angle or device orientation, thereby eliminating the illumination intensity problem associated with single-direction screen displays.
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
Enhances user experience by providing quick and easy reading of the device's levelness through visible light cues, improving usability and accuracy in determining the orientation relative to gravity.
Implementation Method 1
a first light guide, disposed in the housing body, directing the light from the first light source to the first light opening, the third light opening, and the fifth light opening
Implementation Method 2
The first light source and the second light source emit light based on the measured orientation of the housing body
Data Source
AI summary
A digital angle gauge includes a housing body. The housing body includes a first surface having a first light opening, a second surface, opposing the first surface, having a second light opening, and a third surface, adjacent the first surface and the second surface, having a third light opening. The digital angle gauge includes an orientation sensor configured to measure an orientation of the housing body with respect to gravity. The digital angle gauge includes a light source, wherein the light source emits light based on the measured orientation of the housing body. The digital angle gauge includes a light guide, disposed in the housing body, directing the light from light source to the first light opening, the second light opening, and the third light opening.