Handheld Laser Distance Meter with Dynamic Deflection Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld laser distance meters face challenges in achieving precise measurements due to user tremors, ambient light interference, and difficulty in targeting small measurement points, often resulting in inaccurate or incomplete data, especially when measuring geometric features like edges and corners, which require multiple trips to the site for additional measurements.
Innovation Solution
A handheld device with a deflection unit that actively adjusts the measurement axis within the camera's field of view, allowing for precise targeting and recording of multiple measurement points along a defined path, enabling selection of the most accurate measurement values and reducing the need for additional site visits by capturing a series of measured values within a limited deflection range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If handheld laser distance meters are used for measurement, then portability and ease of operation are improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to user tremors and difficulty in targeting small measurement points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an optical unit that can be dynamically pivoted from a starting position to a compensation position to counteract housing movement during measurement. This dynamic adjustment allows the measurement axis to remain stable in space despite handheld vibrations, resolving the contradiction between portability and measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a regulator that detects housing movement and actively compensates for it by adjusting the optical unit's position. This feedback mechanism enables the system to maintain measurement accuracy despite the inherent instability of handheld operation, addressing the precision issue while preserving portability
2Device complexity
If manual targeting is used to align the laser measurement axis on target points, then device simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to user tremors and difficulty in targeting small measurement points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a camera as an intermediary tool that captures images of the measurement area and displays them on a display unit. This allows users to visually identify and target small measurement points with greater precision while maintaining the simplicity of handheld operation, as the camera provides enhanced visual feedback without requiring complex mechanical targeting mechanisms
3Reliability
If multiple trips to the site are made to capture additional measurement points, then measurement completeness is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables photographers to take pictures of measurement points during the initial site visit and store them with associated measurement data. This preliminary capture of visual information ensures that complete measurement data is obtained in a single visit, eliminating the need for follow-up trips and significantly improving productivity while maintaining measurement completeness
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
This solution enhances measurement accuracy and reduces errors by allowing precise targeting and data capture of multiple points in a single session, improving the efficiency of data collection and analysis, especially in complex geometric measurements.
Implementation Method 1
usually based on a time of flight or runtime measurement or a measurement of phase shifts of a component of emitted light pulses reflected from a target object
Implementation Method 2
emitted light pulses reflected from a target object
Implementation Method 3
A camera (10) having a field of view in the measurement direction is provided for capturing an image of the target object
Data Source
AI summary
A laser distance meter forming a handheld device comprising a housing, an electro-optical distance measurement unit arranged in the housing for ascertaining at least one measured distance between the laser distance meter and a target object in a measurement direction, and a camera having a field of view in the measurement direction. A deflection unit is disposed in the housing for the angular deflection of the measurement direction and an operating and input arrangement for operating at least the distance measurement unit and the camera. A control unit at the housing is configured to activate the distance measurement unit and the deflection unit such that a series of measured values of the measured distance are recorded in different deflections along a path of the deflection, and a subsequent selection of the measured distances from the series of measured values is carried out using the operating and input arrangement.