Laser Distance Meter Exit Opening Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laser distance measuring devices face challenges in stability during measurements, especially on uneven ground, and are limited in measuring small distances due to their design, where the exit opening for the laser beam is typically on the front of the housing, leading to instability and restricted accessibility.

Innovation Solution

The laser device repositions the exit opening for the laser beam to the upper side, underside, or side surfaces of the housing, utilizing these surfaces as reference marks, and provides multiple exit openings to allow for stable measurements from various angles and directions, enabling distance calculations in cramped conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the exit opening for the laser beam is arranged on the front of the housing, then the device structure is simple, but the device becomes unstable on uneven ground and cannot measure small distances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structure simplicityVSAvoidmeasurement stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent moves the exit opening from the front surface to the upper or lower surface of the housing, changing the spatial dimension of the laser beam emission. This allows the device to utilize its own housing surfaces as stable reference marks, enabling measurements on uneven ground and for small distances that were previously impossible with front-mounted exit openings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the exit opening is positioned on the front surface, then the device design is conventional, but accessibility to difficult-to-reach targets is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accessibilityVSAvoidhousing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By positioning exit openings on the upper and lower surfaces of the housing in addition to the front surface, the patent enables the device to measure distances to targets that are difficult to reach from the front, such as targets above or below the device level, thereby improving accessibility without excessive structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the housing into multiple surfaces (front, upper, lower) with separate exit openings, allowing the device to selectively use different exit openings based on the measurement scenario, thereby improving adaptability to various measurement conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple exit openings are provided for stable measurements from various angles, then measurement versatility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement angle flexibilityVSAvoidhousing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the housing into multiple functional surfaces with dedicated exit openings for different measurement scenarios. Each exit opening serves a specific purpose (front for general measurements, upper/lower for difficult-to-reach targets), allowing the device to handle various measurement angles and positions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration ensures a stable stand for the device, allows for precise positioning of the laser beam, and enables measurement of small distances and distances between difficult-to-reach targets, enhancing operational comfort and versatility.

Implementation Method 1

The light from the laser beam reflected or scattered by the surface of the target object, referred to below as the received beam, is detected by the laser distance measuring device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The light from the laser beam reflected or scattered by the surface of the target object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 3

The evaluation device determines the distance value to the target object from the time difference between the laser beam emitted by the beam source and the received beam detected by the detector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentEP2256516B1Laser device for electro-optical distance measurement
Publication Date: 2018.01.24 HILTI AG
  • EP2256516B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP2256516B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP2256516B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The device (40) has a measuring device (41) determining distance values from receiving rays (51) that are emitted from a target object (4). Exit openings (46) are provided for decoupling a laser beam from a housing (9). A display device (6) displays distance values, and a control device (7) is provided for controlling the laser device and for initialization of the distance measurement. The display and control devices are arranged on an upper side (10) of the housing. The exit openings are arranged in the upper side, lower side (11) or side surfaces (14, 15) of the housing.