Digital Tape Measure With Angle-Finder Capture to Prevent Transfer Errors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current woodworking and metalworking tools require separate measurements for length and angle, leading to errors and inefficiencies, especially in precision projects.
Innovation Solution
A digital tape measure system integrated with a digital angle-finder that records and transmits both length and angle measurements simultaneously, allowing for accurate and efficient cuts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If separate tape measure and angle-finder tools are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to manual transfer errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a tape measure and angle-finder into a single integrated device. The tape measure component measures linear dimensions while the angle-finder component measures angles, and both measurements are captured simultaneously by a controller, eliminating manual transfer errors and improving measurement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device performs multiple measurement functions (linear measurement and angular measurement) simultaneously. The controller captures both types of measurements and can transmit them together to external devices, allowing one tool to replace multiple separate tools while maintaining or improving measurement accuracy.
2Device complexity
If manual recording of measurements is used, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time increases due to separate measurement and recording steps
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated device automatically captures both linear and angular measurements without requiring manual intervention for recording. The controller automatically stores the measurements and can transmit them to external devices or cutting systems, eliminating the time-consuming manual transfer process while keeping the device operationally simple.
3Measurement precision
If digital encoding on tape blade is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture worsens due to specialized tick mark patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The tape blade features specialized tick mark patterns in specific locations that enable digital encoding. These unique tick mark designs are placed strategically on the blade to provide both visual readability for users and digital encodability for the optical sensor, allowing the blade to serve dual purposes with localized specialized features rather than requiring complete redesign of the entire blade.
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
Minimizes measurement errors and saves time by allowing simultaneous recording and transmission of length and angle data, enhancing precision and reducing manual transfer errors.
Implementation Method 1
a linear encoder used to read special tick marks on the tape measure blade that are used to encode position
Implementation Method 2
the digital tape measure reader may use a sensor that shines a light on the tape measure and measures how reflective the surface is
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure extends to systems, apparatus, and methods related to digital tape measure systems including a digital angle-finder, which are able to record and store or transmit to an external device both a length measurement and an angle measurement. These measurements may be able to be recorded individually or together in one “capture” motion, such as pushing a “record” button. Such a system allows a user to easily record a length of material and an angle indicating where and how the material needs to be cut.In some illustrative embodiments, systems in accordance with the present disclosure utilized units of measurement that are displayed by the digital tape measure in a form that can easily be recorded by hand by simple visual reading of the numbers, while simultaneously allowing measurements from the system to be displayed or recorded by the onboard computer.