Self-Leveling Pharmaceutical Device Base with Tilt Sensors

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pharmaceutical measuring and testing devices require manual and labor-intensive alignment, which is time-consuming and prone to errors, and can lead to measuring inaccuracies due to imprecise horizontal alignment of load cells.

Innovation Solution

An arrangement comprising a leveling device with adjustable legs and an inclination sensor system that automatically adjusts the base of the measuring device to ensure precise horizontal alignment, using a control device to set the orientation in space and compensate for angular deviations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual alignment is used to level the measuring device, then the device can be positioned at the installation site, but the alignment process is time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment speedVSAvoidtime for manual alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses self-leveling legs with integrated inclination sensors and motors that automatically detect the device's tilt and adjust the leg lengths to achieve horizontal alignment without manual intervention. The control unit processes sensor data and commands the motors to extend or retract the legs until the inclination sensors indicate proper leveling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment operations with an automated electromechanical system. Inclination sensors electronically detect the device's orientation, and electric motors automatically adjust the leg positions, substituting human physical adjustment with automated sensing and actuation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If manual alignment is used, then the device can be positioned, but the alignment is imprecise and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidalignment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates inclination sensors that continuously monitor the device's orientation during the leveling process. The control unit receives feedback from these sensors about the current tilt state and adjusts the leg positions accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that achieves precise horizontal alignment by constantly comparing actual orientation with target orientation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces imprecise manual alignment with automated electromechanical adjustment. Electric motors provide fine-grained control over leg extension and retraction, enabling sub-millimeter positioning accuracy that exceeds manual capability. The system eliminates human error by using electronic sensors and automated control algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If the surface is exactly horizontal, then the device base appears level, but the load cell inside is not aligned horizontally

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload cell alignmentVSAvoidinstallation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The inclination sensors are positioned to directly measure the orientation of the device base plate that supports the load cell. The control unit uses this feedback to adjust the legs until the base plate (and consequently the load cell) is precisely horizontal, ensuring that the measurement component is properly aligned regardless of surface imperfections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The self-leveling legs act as intermediaries between the potentially uneven installation surface and the load cell. By independently adjusting each leg's length, the system creates a perfectly horizontal platform for the load cell even when the underlying surface is not horizontal, isolating the sensitive measurement component from surface irregularities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 simplifies and enhances the alignment process, reducing human error and ensuring high process reliability by automatically leveling the device before each measurement, allowing for precise measurement and testing of pharmaceutical products.

Implementation Method 1

at least one inclination sensor, a roll angle of the base and a pitch angle of the base being able to be detected by the at least one inclination sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInclination sensing: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP3492887B1Assembly comprising a levelling device and a weighing apparatus for levelling a pharmaceutical measuring and/or testing device
Publication Date: 2022.02.23 KRAEMER THILO
  • EP3492887B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3492887B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3492887B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to an arrangement (23) comprising a leveling device (50) and a weighing device for leveling a pharmaceutical measuring and/or testing device (2) for measuring and/or testing small-volume measuring devices, wherein the leveling device (50) comprises a base (4) for supporting the pharmaceutical measuring and/or testing device; at least two actuatably adjustable legs (11, 12) attached to the base (4) which can adjust and fix the orientation of the base (4) in space; and at least one tilt sensor (7) which can detect a roll angle (15) and a pitch angle (16) of the base (4). Based on the data acquired by the tilt sensor (7), the legs (11, 12) can be controlled by a control device (5) to adjust the orientation of the base (4) in space.