Magnetic Base with Multi-Axis Grooves for Curved Pipe Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional measuring tapes with planar magnets struggle to maintain a stable attachment to circular pipes used in scaffolding and other structures, as they lack resistance to rotating forces and cannot be fixed in multiple dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A measuring tape with a magnetic base featuring a housing that includes first and second receiving grooves with parallel lower boundaries, allowing for attachment to multi-dimensional axes, utilizing a combination of magnets and yokes to securely adhere to curved surfaces by forming coupling lines in multiple directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a planar magnet is used in the measuring tape base, then the magnet can be easily manufactured and attached, but it cannot maintain stable attachment to circular pipes due to lack of resistance to rotating forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar magnet to a three-dimensional magnetic base with receiving grooves that extend vertically. The grooves have lower boundaries that form coupling lines, adding a vertical dimension to the magnetic attachment structure. This enables the base to wrap around and adhere to curved surfaces like circular pipes, providing resistance to rotating forces while maintaining manufacturability through standardized groove formations.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving grooves are designed with curved lower boundaries that form coupling lines capable of conforming to the curved surface of circular pipes. This curvature adaptation allows the magnetic base to maintain stable attachment by distributing magnetic force along the curved coupling lines, preventing rotation and detachment while preserving ease of manufacture through moldable groove structures.
2Device complexity
If a planar magnet is used in the measuring tape base, then the base structure remains simple, but it cannot be fixed in multiple dimensions on scaffolding structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces vertical receiving grooves with lower boundaries that create coupling lines in multiple directions. These grooves extend from the bottom surface upward, forming a three-dimensional magnetic field distribution that can engage with circular pipes in various orientations. This enables fixation in multiple dimensions (longitudinal, vertical, and radial directions) while maintaining relatively simple base structure through standardized groove patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic base with multi-directional receiving grooves serves multiple functions: it can attach to flat surfaces using the planar magnet portion, and simultaneously attach to circular pipes in various orientations using the grooved coupling lines. This universal attachment capability allows the measuring tape to be fixed in multiple dimensions on diverse scaffolding structures without requiring different attachment mechanisms for different surfaces.
3Reliability
If receiving grooves with multiple lower boundaries are formed on the base, then the measuring tape can be stably fixed in two-axis directions, but the base structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic base is segmented into multiple functional regions through the receiving grooves, which divide the base bottom surface into distinct zones. Each groove with its lower boundary creates an independent coupling line that can engage with the pipe surface. This segmentation provides two-axis fixation stability through distributed coupling points while keeping each individual groove relatively simple in structure, balancing reliability and complexity.
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
The measuring tape can be stably fixed in various directions, including longitudinal and vertical orientations, providing secure adhesion to circular pipes and preventing instability, while maintaining a comfortable grip and minimizing interference during use.
Implementation Method 1
a base that adheres to an outside by using a magnetic force
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a measuring tape which includes a housing, a reel received in the housing, and a blade wound on an outer surface of the reel and withdrawn or restored from an entrance of the housing, wherein the housing includes a base which adheres to an outside by using a magnetic force, a first receiving groove providing at least a pair of first lower boundaries parallel to a first direction in which the blade is withdrawn and a second receiving groove providing at least a pair of second lower boundaries parallel with a second direction crossing the first direction are formed on a bottom of the base, and the base is able to be fixed in a two-axis direction with respect to a curved structure by using the first lower boundaries or the second lower boundaries.