Dual Tilt Sensor Leveling for Measuring Device Accuracy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measuring devices face challenges in efficiently performing leveling operations due to the trade-off between followability and stability of liquid surfaces in tilt sensors, where higher viscosity improves stability but reduces followability, and lower viscosity enhances followability but decreases stability, affecting measurement accuracy and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A measuring device incorporating a first tilt angle measuring device with a discoid container and a second tilt angle measuring device for wider range detection, along with flow resistance elements and a flow control plate, to stabilize the liquid surface and improve responsiveness, allowing for rapid and accurate leveling by the control unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a liquid with higher viscosity is used in the tilt sensor, then the stability of the free liquid surface is improved, but the followability with respect to tilt changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tilt detection function into two separate sensors: a first tilt sensor using a high-viscosity liquid for stable, accurate detection within a limited range, and a second tilt sensor (acceleration sensor) for detecting larger tilt angles with faster response. This segmentation allows each sensor to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between stability and followability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the outputs of two different tilt sensors with complementary characteristics. The first tilt sensor provides high-precision data for small angles, while the second sensor captures larger angle ranges. By merging these data sources and using the first sensor's output as a reference for the second, the system achieves both stability and wide-range responsiveness.
2Speed
If a liquid with lower viscosity is used in the tilt sensor, then the followability of the liquid surface is improved, but the stability deteriorates making it susceptible to vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns the low-viscosity acceleration sensor to handle only the initial, rapid detection of large tilt angles, while the high-viscosity liquid tilt sensor takes over for precise, stable measurement within its optimal range. This segmentation prevents the low-viscosity liquid from being used where it would be susceptible to vibration, while still benefiting from its fast response capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that processes data from both sensors. It uses the acceleration sensor's fast response to detect when the device is within the measurable range of the liquid tilt sensor, then switches to or references the liquid tilt sensor's more stable output for final measurement, mediating between the two sensor types' complementary strengths.
3Measurement precision
If a tilt sensor with higher viscosity liquid is adopted for measurement accuracy, then the stability is improved, but the leveling time increases due to poor followability
Solution Approach 1:
The acceleration sensor performs preliminary detection of the device's tilt state immediately upon installation. This preliminary action quickly determines whether the device is within the measurable range of the liquid tilt sensor, allowing the system to bypass the lengthy stabilization period that would be required if only the high-viscosity liquid sensor were used.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors the output of the acceleration sensor and uses this feedback to determine when the device has been leveled sufficiently. Once the acceleration sensor indicates the tilt angle is within the liquid sensor's measurable range, the system switches to or references the liquid sensor's output, using the feedback loop to minimize total leveling time while ensuring accuracy.
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 enables rapid and accurate leveling with improved stability and reliability, optimizing the leveling operation by determining the device's install posture and position, reducing unnecessary leveling and enhancing measurement reliability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting source for allowing a detection light to enter the free liquid surface, a photodetector for receiving the detection light reflected on the free liquid surface
Implementation Method 2
the container has a groove formed concentrically with a center of the container on a bottom portion and a central portion formed at the center of the container and upheaved from the groove, and wherein the liquid fills the groove and is stored so that a shallowest portion is formed at the central portion
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
The present invention provides a measuring device, which comprises a leveling unit (43), a measuring device main body (44) provided on the leveling unit (43), a control unit (51), a first tilt angle measuring device (54) for detecting a horizontality with high accuracy, and a second tilt angle measuring device (55) for detecting a tilt angle in a wider range than a range of the first tilt angle measuring device and having a higher responsiveness than a responsiveness of the first tilt angle measuring device, wherein the control unit, the first tilt angle measuring device and the second tilt angle measuring device are provided in the measuring device main body and wherein the control unit drives the leveling unit based on a detection result of the second tilt angle measuring device, performs a rough leveling until a tilt angle detected by the second tilt angle measuring device reaches within a range in which the first tilt angle measuring device is capable of detecting and levels the measuring device main body horizontally based on a detection result of the first tilt angle measuring device.