Leveling System Using Fluorescent Depth-Indicator Targets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional leveling tools are inadequate for accurately measuring surface tolerance requirements of large-format stone slabs and intricate surfaces, leading to potential damage during installation due to insufficient precision.
Innovation Solution
A leveling system utilizing a light source that emits a plane of light and depth-indicator targets with fluorescent layers of different colors to indicate high, low, and level areas relative to a reference plane, allowing for precise identification of surface irregularities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional leveling tools are used, then the installation process is simple, but the measurement precision is insufficient to meet the tolerance requirements of large-format stone slabs
Solution Approach 1:
The target is divided into multiple fluorescent layers (first layer, second layer, third layer) with different colors, each representing a different height range. This segmentation allows the system to measure surface levelness with high precision across multiple tolerance thresholds simultaneously, resolving the contradiction by breaking down the measurement function into discrete, manageable segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses fluorescent layers that emit different colors when illuminated, where each color indicates a specific height range relative to the reference plane. This color-based visual feedback system provides intuitive, high-precision measurement information without requiring complex electronic displays or processing, thus improving measurement precision while maintaining relatively simple device complexity.
2Reliability
If conventional leveling methods are used, then the installation process is fast, but the reliability of preventing slab damage is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement and identification of high and low areas on the surface before the actual slab installation. By using the light source to illuminate the fluorescent layers and visually identifying the color indications, workers can pre-level the surface and place shims or adjustments in advance, ensuring reliable slab installation while minimizing the time spent during the actual installation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluorescent layers provide immediate visual feedback about surface height variations through color indications. This real-time feedback allows workers to quickly identify and correct levelness issues before installation, improving the reliability of preventing slab damage. The feedback mechanism is simple and direct, requiring minimal additional time compared to conventional iterative leveling methods.
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
Enables accurate and efficient identification of surface levelness to within a desired tolerance, reducing the risk of damage during installation and ensuring precise alignment of large-format stone slabs.
Implementation Method 1
The target body includes a first layer of fluorescent material in a first color, a second layer of fluorescent material in a second color, and a third layer of fluorescent material in a third color. The light emitted from the light source in the level plane strikes each of the depth-indicator targets at the first, second or third layer and causes the struck layer to fluoresce.
Data Source
AI summary
A leveling system for identifying high and low areas of a surface relative to a reference plane to within a desired tolerance. A light source emits light in a level plane at a height above the reference plane. Several depth-indicator targets rest on the surface to be measured in an upright manner and are struck by the light in the level plane. Each of the depth-indicator targets indicates, based on color, whether the surface at that surface location is high, low, or level based on the location at which the light strikes the depth-indicator target. The color emitted by the target can be from a fluorescing layer of the target or light signals on the target controlled by a light-detecting receiver. A user can then quickly identify problem areas of the surface that need to be adjusted (e.g., raised or lowered).