Embedded Laser Target Housing with Removable Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser measurement systems for wind turbine blades face challenges in protecting targets from harsh environments like dust and chemicals in blade manufacturing facilities, leading to increased costs and time for temporary adhesive attachment and removal.
Innovation Solution
A protective assembly with a housing embedded in a support surface, containing a target and a removably coupled cover, shields the target from environmental hazards, allowing for permanent installation and eliminating the need for adhesive attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If targets are temporarily attached to the blade via adhesive, then the target is protected from the blade production environment, but the process becomes time consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The protective assembly is divided into separate components: a housing that embeds into the support surface and a removable cover. This segmentation allows the target to be permanently protected while enabling quick access without adhesive attachment, resolving the contradiction between protection and time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is pre-installed and embedded in the support surface before the measurement process. This preliminary action creates a permanent protective structure that eliminates the need for temporary adhesive attachment during each measurement session, reducing time loss while maintaining protection.
2Reliability
If targets are temporarily attached to the blade via adhesive, then the target is protected from the blade production environment, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the protective system into a reusable housing and cover, the invention eliminates the need for consumable adhesives. The housing remains permanently installed and protected, while only the cover needs periodic replacement, significantly reducing manufacturing costs compared to repeated adhesive application and removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The design treats the cover as a disposable or easily replaceable component rather than using expensive adhesive materials. This approach reduces long-term costs by replacing a simple cover rather than dealing with adhesive contamination and disposal issues.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If permanent targets are installed in the manufacturing facility, then the targets are always protected, but the targets are damaged by dust, chemicals, forklifts, and other environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The removable cover acts as an intermediary barrier between the target and the harsh manufacturing environment. When closed, it protects the target from dust, chemicals, and physical damage. The housing embedded in the support surface provides structural protection, while the cover provides environmental protection, allowing permanent installation without environmental damage.
Data Source
AI summary
A protective assembly for a laser measurement system configured to measure geometry of a component includes a housing configured to be embedded in a support surface on which the component is supported. The housing, in turn, includes a bottom wall and a side wall coupled to the bottom wall such that the housing defines a chamber therein. Furthermore, the protective assembly includes a target positioned within the chamber, with the target configured to receive a reflector that reflects a laser beam emitted by an emitter of the laser measurement system. Additionally, the protective assembly includes a cover configured to be removably coupled to the housing such that, when the cover is coupled to the housing, access to the chamber is occluded to protect the target from an environment outside of the chamber.