Level Tool Vial Mounting with Interference Fit Plugs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing level tools face issues with durability, visibility of vials, and secure vial mounting, as hollow frames are prone to damage, plastic inserts can dislodge, and solid body finishes may obscure vial visibility or increase assembly costs.

Innovation Solution

A level tool with a solid aluminum alloy body featuring vial openings and passageways with pre-formed plugs for secure vial mounting, where the plugs form an interference fit and the vial openings have reflective bore surfaces to enhance visibility, reducing the need for additional securing materials and simplifying manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a hollow frame body is used, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but durability and resistance to bending/denting/breaking deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing complexityVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a hollow frame body constructed from high-strength materials such as aluminum alloy or steel, which provides both durability and resistance to damage while maintaining manufacturing simplicity. The use of composite or alloy materials allows the hollow structure to achieve the necessary strength without requiring a solid body design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If plastic inserts are used to mount vials, then assembly is simplified, but reliability deteriorates due to dislodging and exposure to moisture/contaminants

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidvial mounting reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the plastic insert component entirely and instead provides vial mounting assemblies that are integrally formed with or directly attached to the hollow frame body. This eliminates the dislodging issue while maintaining assembly simplicity through direct attachment methods such as adhesives, mechanical fasteners, or integral construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Strength

If a solid body with treated outer surface is used, then durability is improved, but visibility of vials deteriorates due to finish obscuring the view

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidvial visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the treated outer surface finish selectively to specific regions of the hollow frame body, excluding the areas surrounding the vial openings and the line of sight to the vials. This localized application maintains durability and aesthetics on the outer surfaces while preserving clear visibility of the vials through the openings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If silicone/wax/glue is used to fill passageway ends, then vial migration is prevented, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevial position stabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for silicone, wax, or glue by designing the passageways with built-in features that prevent vial migration. These features may include tapered passageways, mechanical retention elements, or interference-fit configurations that secure the vials through the passageways without requiring additional sealing materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS7946045B2Level tool
Publication Date: 2011.05.24 SWANSON TOOL CO INC
  • US7946045B2 patent drawing
  • US7946045B2 patent drawing
  • US7946045B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A level tool has a body including a vial opening, a vial positioned at least partially within the vial opening, a passageway formed in the body such that the passageway intersects the vial opening and is axially aligned with the vial, and a plug positioned within the passageway to secure the vial, the plug being pre-formed at one end thereof to generally conform to a cross-sectional profile of a wall of the body.