Foldable Digital Caliper with Inductive Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional calipers are cumbersome, difficult to operate with one hand, prone to jamming due to debris, and have fixed jaw designs that limit their versatility and accuracy, especially in confined spaces and when measuring specific dimensions like inside diameters of hollow cylinders.
Innovation Solution
A compact digital caliper with foldable measuring jaws, a stretched coil induction sensor, and wireless communication capabilities, allowing for programmable functions, one-handed operation, and removable jaws for enhanced precision and adaptability, along with a cam lever for easy locking and protection features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional rack and pinion gear configurations are used for measurement, then mechanical measurement capability is provided, but the device becomes susceptible to jamming when water, oil, or debris gets between the rack and pinion gear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical rack and pinion gear system with an optical measurement system using a linear scale and sensor array. The sensor array detects positions along the linear scale optically, eliminating mechanical contact between moving measurement components and thus preventing jamming from water, oil, or debris accumulation.
2Ease of operation
If the caliper is made lengthy to provide sufficient gripping surface, then user grip stability is improved, but the device becomes awkward for one-handed operation and difficult to use in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested jaw configuration where the inner pair of jaws is positioned within the outer pair of jaws. This nesting arrangement allows the caliper to maintain a compact overall length while providing multiple measurement surfaces and adequate gripping area, enabling one-handed operation and use in confined spaces without sacrificing grip stability.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed jaw designs are used to simplify the device structure, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but versatility and accuracy for measuring specific dimensions like inside diameters of hollow cylinders are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the jaw system into separate, interchangeable components: an outer pair of jaws and an inner pair of jaws that can be independently configured. This segmentation allows different jaw configurations to be used for different measurement tasks (outside dimensions, inside dimensions, depth measurements) while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure that is easier to manufacture than fully integrated fixed designs.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the depth marker protrudes outward from the caliper to enable depth measurement, then depth measurement capability is provided, but the caliper becomes even lengthier and more awkward for user operation
Solution Approach 1:
The depth marker is integrated into the inner pair of jaws, which are nested within the outer pair of jaws. This nested configuration allows the depth marker to extend the measurement capability without significantly increasing the overall caliper length, maintaining compactness and ease of operation while providing full depth measurement functionality.
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 provides improved mobility, accuracy, and versatility by enabling one-handed operation, reducing the risk of jamming, and allowing for precise measurements with interchangeable jaws, while maintaining ease of use and protecting the device during transport.
Implementation Method 1
These more modern measuring methods embodied in calipers are based on electronic sensors. These calipers utilize sensors based on capacitive or inductive measuring technology.
Implementation Method 2
stretched coil induction sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A digital caliper configured to partially fold for compactness, having an inner and outer pair of measuring jaws, as well as an extending member for measuring depth. The inner pair of measuring jaws may fold inward toward the caliper housing. The extending member for measuring depth is accessible by removing at least one of the jaws. The jaws may be easily replaced if damaged or to install a different jaw design to provide alternative functionality. A lever lock cam may lock the measurement position at any distance between measuring jaws. The caliper is shaped in such a manner that the device may be operable with one hand. The caliper contains a communications module which allows it to interface with a measurement application. The caliper may be programmed with any presets to provide measurement data in any specified depiction.