Laser-Guided Ice Leveling with Low-Mounted Receiver Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice leveling systems for ice resurfacing machines are prone to damage when the machine is driven into low-height garages, causing inaccuracies due to the laser receiver and mount being compromised.
Innovation Solution
A laser-guided ice leveling system with a laser receiver mounted below the top-most portion of the ice resurfacing machine and multiple height-adjustable laser projectors positioned around the ice surface, ensuring continuous laser light reception regardless of the machine's position, with automatic height adjustment and door plug mechanisms to protect the projectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the laser receiver is mounted on a long pole above the top-most portion of the ice resurfacing machine, then the laser receiver can receive laser light from the projector, but the pole and laser receiver become damaged when the machine is driven into low height garages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical mounting (high pole above machine) to horizontal/low mounting (receiver on ice conditioning head near ice surface). This dimensional change allows the receiver to stay close to the ice plane for accurate leveling while avoiding damage from garage height limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser receiver is mounted on the movable ice conditioning head rather than a fixed high pole, allowing it to dynamically follow the ice surface contours and maintain optimal positioning for both accuracy and protection.
2Reliability
If the laser receiver is mounted below the top-most portion of the ice resurfacing machine, then the laser receiver is protected from damage, but the machine structure must accommodate the receiver in a constrained space
Solution Approach 1:
The laser receiver is integrated with the ice conditioning head assembly, combining the leveling function and ice conditioning function into a single mounted unit. This eliminates the need for separate mounting structures and reduces overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ice conditioning head serves dual purposes: it conditions the ice surface and mounts the laser receiver for leveling operations. This multi-functional approach simplifies the overall mounting structure by utilizing an existing critical component.
3Reliability
If multiple laser projectors are positioned around the ice surface, then continuous laser light reception is ensured regardless of machine position, but the system complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ice surface is divided into multiple zones, each covered by a separate laser projector positioned at different locations. This segmentation ensures that regardless of the machine's position or orientation, at least one projector maintains line-of-sight to the receiver.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple laser projectors act as intermediaries to ensure continuous laser signal delivery to the receiver. The system uses redundant projection paths rather than relying on a single direct line-of-sight connection.
4Manufacturing precision
If the laser projectors are mounted adjacent to the ice surface, then the laser light plane can be aligned with the ice surface for accurate leveling, but the projectors are exposed to potential damage from ice tools and equipment
Solution Approach 1:
Door plugs are pre-positioned in the dasher boards at strategic locations. These plugs can be quickly inserted to protect the laser projectors before they are exposed to potential damage from ice tools, while still allowing laser projection when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The door plug mechanism provides preemptive protection for the laser projectors. By having protective plugs ready and in place, the system cushions the projectors from potential harm before damage can occur, while maintaining operational capability when protection is not needed.
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
Ensures accurate ice leveling by maintaining consistent laser light reception, protecting the laser components from damage, and allowing for remote or automated operation to adapt to changing conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a laser projector is located above the glass surrounding an ice rink, the laser projector projecting a plane of laser light horizontal to the ice surface
Implementation Method 2
a laser receiver mounted to the top of the pole... the laser receiver when mounted on the ice resurfacing machine always receives the laser light from at least one of the at least two laser projectors
Data Source
AI summary
An ice leveling system involves a laser receiver mountable on an ice conditioning head of an ice resurfacing machine below a top-most portion of the ice resurfacing machine and at least two laser projectors that project laser light in a plane below a level of the top-most portion of the ice resurfacing machine. The at least two laser projectors are mountable adjacent to an ice surface and are positionable around the ice surface so that the laser receiver when mounted on the ice resurfacing machine always receives the laser light from at least one of the at least two laser projectors during an ice leveling operation. At least one of the at least two laser projectors is height adjustable to align the laser light plane projected by the height adjustable laser projector with the laser light plane of others of the at least two laser projectors.