Wall-Mounted Laser Reference Device with Motorized Chassis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wall-mounted laser reference devices lack the ability to accurately self-align to multiple pre-selected or user-selectable orientations, relying on manual leveling or limited pendulum mechanisms that are not very accurate.
Innovation Solution
A wall-mounted laser reference device with an electro-mechanically rotating chassis, equipped with an electronic inclinometer/accelerometer and microprocessor, which automatically adjusts the laser's orientation to preset angles using a motor control system, allowing for precise alignment to various angular positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual leveling with bubble vials is used, then the device can be mounted on walls, but the alignment accuracy is poor and requires manual operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical bubble vial leveling system with an electronic inclinometer/accelerometer-based self-leveling system. The microprocessor controls the motor to automatically adjust the laser module's orientation based on electronic sensor data, eliminating the need for manual bubble vial operation while significantly improving alignment accuracy to preset angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs automatic self-leveling using the inclinometer/accelerometer to sense orientation and the microprocessor to control the motor accordingly. The system automatically adjusts itself to preset angles without requiring manual intervention, making the device self-sufficient in the alignment task.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pendulum mechanisms are used for self-leveling, then automatic alignment is achieved, but the orientations are limited to one or a few pre-defined positions with low accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamically adjustable chassis that can rotate to multiple orientations rather than being fixed in predetermined positions. The motor-driven rotation system allows the laser module to achieve any preset angle within the rotation range, providing both versatility in number of orientations and high precision through electronic control and feedback from the inclinometer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the orientation parameter dynamically through motor-controlled rotation of the chassis. Instead of being limited to fixed pendulum positions, the laser module can be adjusted to multiple preset angles by changing the rotation parameter, achieving both adaptability and precision through electronic parameter control.
3Measurement precision
If electronic self-leveling with multiple orientations is implemented, then alignment precision and versatility improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microprocessor serves multiple functions: it controls the motor for rotation, processes data from the inclinometer/accelerometer, manages user input from the keypad, and controls the display. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing system complexity while achieving high precision and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the laser module, inclinometer/accelerometer, motor, microprocessor, keypad, and display into an integrated wall-mounted device. The chassis integration merges multiple functional components into a unified system, achieving precise multi-orientation alignment while consolidating complexity into a single device structure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If rotary lasers are used for electronic leveling, then multiple orientations are achieved, but the devices are not directly wall-mountable and depend on rotary motion to self-level
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a wall-mounted base unit and a separately rotatable chassis containing the laser module. The base unit provides stable wall mounting with the inclinometer and control electronics, while the chassis can rotate independently to achieve multiple orientations. This segmentation allows direct wall mounting capability while maintaining rotational versatility.
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 quick and accurate alignment to multiple orientations, providing a flexible and user-friendly solution for creating a reference line on surfaces, improving upon the limitations of existing devices by allowing precise self-alignment to any desired angle.
Implementation Method 1
The inclinometer/accelerometer electronically senses the actual angular orientation of the chassis
Implementation Method 2
A laser beam and/or a laser line or plane 9 can be emitted from chassis 2 using a lens or reflector 10 to focus the light in the desired beam or plane shape
Implementation Method 3
a motor drive assembly 14, 20-22, 36 that can rotate the chassis 2 about a rotation axis 4
Data Source
AI summary
A chassis can be electro-mechanically rotated about an axis. The chassis contains a laser module and an inclination sensor. A laser beam and/or a laser line or plane can be emitted from chassis using a lens or reflector to focus the light in the desired beam or plane shape. The inclinometer/accelerometer senses the spatial orientation of the chassis and a microprocessor drives a motor through a motor control to adjust the angular orientation of the chassis. Preset angular orientations may be programmed into microprocessor that define predetermined angular orientations of the chassis.