Digital Feeler Gauge With Automated Leaf Position Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current feeler gauges require manual and error-prone processes for measuring and recording gap or clearance measurements, often necessitating two workers and leading to human-induced errors and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A feeler gauge with a housing and rotatably coupled measuring leaves that can be moved between a home and extended position, featuring a measurement determination mechanism to automatically detect and display or transmit the gap thickness, allowing for digital determination and reduction of manual steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual measurement and recording process is used, then two workers are required and human-induced errors occur, but the process is simple and requires no additional mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical measurement process with an automated measurement determination mechanism that includes sensors, processors, and display elements. This mechanism automatically detects which leaves are extended and calculates the gap thickness, eliminating human-induced errors in manual reading and recording while maintaining operational simplicity through electronic automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement determination mechanism enables the feeler gauge to automatically determine and display its own measurement results without requiring external recording by workers. The system self-detects the leaf positions, self-calculates the thickness, and self-displays the result, reducing the need for multiple operators while improving reliability.
2Productivity
If multiple workers are used for measurement and recording, then manual error is reduced through verification, but productivity decreases and time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated measurement determination mechanism replaces the time-consuming manual process of reading, calculating, and recording measurements with electronic detection and display. The system instantly identifies extended leaves and computes the gap thickness, eliminating the sequential operations performed by multiple workers and significantly reducing measurement time while increasing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement determination mechanism provides immediate visual feedback through display elements that show the measured gap thickness directly to the operator. This real-time feedback eliminates the delay associated with manual recording and subsequent data processing, allowing for faster decision-making and improved measurement throughput.
3Measurement precision
If manual reading and summation of leaf thicknesses is performed, then no additional components are needed, but human error in reading and calculation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors and a processor that automatically detect the position of each leaf and calculate the total thickness by summing the thicknesses of extended leaves. This electronic substitution eliminates human reading and calculation errors while maintaining the basic mechanical structure of the feeler gauge, adding only minimal electronic components for enhanced precision.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present application provides for feeler gauges. The feeler gauges include a plurality of elongate measuring leaves rotatably coupled on a common axis of rotation with an elongate housing. The leaves may be manually, selectively rotatable between a "home" position wherein the leaves are substantially aligned with the housing and an "extended" position wherein the leaves are spaced from the housing. The leaves may be relatively flexible and substantially flat such that they define a substantially constant thickness. One or more extended leaves may be used to measure the thickness of a clearance or gap. The gauges may be configured to detect, determine or measure the thickness of the leaves that are in the "home" position and/or the "extended" position, and thereby determine the total thickness of a clearance or gap measured by the extended leaves.