Electronic Measuring Tape Roller Angle Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measuring tapes, especially those used in forestry, suffer from manual measurement errors due to the need for human interpretation and potential environmental factors like temperature and snow, which can affect accuracy, and lack electronic data storage capabilities, leading to incorrect log lengths and diameters.
Innovation Solution
An electronic measuring tape with a roller-based design featuring an angle sensor and electronic circuit that converts rotation into length measurements, allowing for absolute value recording and wireless data transfer to a hand-held computer, eliminating the need for manual reading and reducing errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual measurement with traditional measuring tapes is used, then the device is simple and easy to operate, but measurement precision deteriorates due to human reading errors and concentration fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical reading system with an electronic sensor system. A light source illuminates the vernier scale, and a sensor detects the position of the movable scale to electronically determine measurement values, eliminating manual reading errors and fatigue while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary between the mechanical measuring tape and the electronic recording system. Light passes through holes in the vernier scale to activate sensors, creating an optical mediation layer that enables accurate electronic detection without complex mechanical components.
2Measurement precision
If electronic measuring tapes with holes and light-emitting diodes are used, then measurement precision improves through electronic registration, but the device becomes unsuitable for forest environments due to holes in the structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light-emitting function from the traditional hole-based system. Instead of using holes in the vernier scale to allow light passage, the invention uses a solid structure with light sources positioned to illuminate the scale from behind, eliminating vulnerable holes while maintaining electronic registration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a continuous, hole-free vernier scale structure that can be illuminated from behind by LED strips. This solid film-like structure protects against environmental factors such as moisture and debris while still allowing optical detection through the scale markings.
3Reliability
If manual reading and data entry is performed, then device complexity remains low, but reliability deteriorates due to reading errors and incorrect data input into computers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic feedback from the sensor detection system directly to the data recording system. The sensor continuously monitors the vernier scale position and automatically transmits measurement data to digital storage, creating a closed-loop system that eliminates manual data entry errors and ensures data integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring tape performs its own data recording function through integrated sensors and electronic circuits. The system automatically detects, processes, and stores measurement values without requiring external manual intervention, making the device self-sufficient and eliminating human error in data capture.
4Productivity
If rollers with protruding pegs are used for tree measurement, then the measurement process is automated, but measurement precision deteriorates due to varying penetration depths affecting roller effective diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical roller-based measurement system with a direct electronic measuring tape system. The measuring tape uses optical sensors and vernier scales to directly measure tree dimensions without physical contact, eliminating the problem of varying roller penetration depths and their effect on measurement 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 electronic measuring tape provides accurate, automatic length and diameter measurements, reducing human error and enabling efficient data storage for improved forestry operations, ensuring correct log lengths and diameters for calibration and processing.
Implementation Method 1
an angle sensor is arranged at the roller arranged to record an angle of rotation during the rotation of the roller
Implementation Method 2
an electronic circuit is arranged to convert the said angle of rotation into a length that corresponds to the length by which the measuring tape has been withdrawn from the said housing
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic measuring tape that includes a roller onto which the measuring tape is arranged to be wound up onto and wound out from through the roller being rotated, a first end of the measuring tape is attached in the roller, and where the roller is located inside a housing. A rolled up measuring tape is arranged in loops on the roller. All loops are in direct contact with the surface of the roller, an angle sensor is arranged at the roller to record an angle of rotation during rotation of the roller. An electronic circuit converts the angle of rotation into a length that corresponds to the length by which the measuring tape has been withdrawn from the housing, and the measuring tape records absolute values.