Expandable Level With Visible Bubbles in Closed Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing expandable levels obstruct the view of the center bubble when in the closed position, limiting their versatility to only indicating horizontal and 45-degree orientations, making it impossible to determine vertical surface orientations.
Innovation Solution
An expandable level design featuring a central body with slide portions that allow all three orientations (horizontal, vertical, and 45° diagonal) to be visible in both open and closed positions, with additional bubbles exposed in the expanded position, ensuring full functionality and portability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If extendable body members are pushed into a fully closed position along the frame, then the level is compact for transport and storage, but the body members obstruct the view of the center bubble, making it impossible to use the level for indicating vertical surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The level is divided into a fixed frame and extendable body members that can be independently positioned. The frame contains the center bubble while the body members can be extended or retracted, allowing the center bubble to remain visible and functional even when the level is in closed position. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the viewing path of the center bubble from the extendable components.
Solution Approach 2:
The extendable body members are designed to nest within or alongside the frame structure when retracted, rather than completely blocking the frame. This nesting arrangement allows the body members to occupy minimal space in closed position while maintaining clear visibility of the center bubble, thus preserving functional versatility without sacrificing compactness.
2Length of moving object
If the level is designed to be expandable for easier transport and storage, then portability is improved, but the ability to indicate all three orientations (horizontal, vertical, and 45-degree) is limited when closed
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the level are assigned different functions: the fixed frame contains the center bubble for vertical indication, while the extendable body members contain additional bubbles for horizontal and 45-degree indications. When retracted, the body members are positioned to not interfere with the frame's center bubble, ensuring that all three orientation capabilities are maintained in both extended and retracted states.
Solution Approach 2:
The body members are designed with dynamic extendability, allowing them to be adjusted between extended and retracted positions based on usage requirements. This dynamic positioning enables the level to maintain full functional capability across different states, resolving the contradiction between portability and versatility.
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 level maintains full functionality in both positions, allowing for the determination of all three orientations even when closed, enhancing versatility and usability, and fits conveniently in tool slots or pockets for easy storage and use.
Implementation Method 1
a common instrument used for this purpose is called a level... one or more clear cylinders filled with a fluid, the fluid also having an air bubble that moves between two symmetrically placed lines along the cylinder so as to indicate the orientation of a surface
Data Source
AI summary
An expandable level capable of expanding from a fully closed position to a fully open position, with full functionality in both positions. The expandable level includes a central body having at least one horizontal bubble, and two slide portions each having two bubbles, where one bubble on each slide portion is also a horizontal bubble. Even when the expandable level is fully closed, the vertical bubble, the diagonal bubble, and both horizontal bubbles on the slide portions are visible. When the expandable level is fully opened, at least one additional horizontal bubble of the central body becomes visible, thereby showing at least five bubbles. The expandable level can be made in a size that makes it easy to carry and store when closed, nevertheless providing a fully-functional and convenient level tool when open. Thus, the expandable level eliminates the need to carry more than one non-expandable level of different sizes.