Magnetic Level with Removable Neodymium Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetic levels face issues with costly production, magnetic means being visible and prone to misalignment, dust accumulation, and insecure attachment due to resilient supports that can be displaced during use, leading to imprecise measurements.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic outfit with neodymium magnetic discs and a rigid ferrous element, integrated with a deformable non-magnetic support body that can be inserted and securely blocked within a non-magnetic level using a screw mechanism, ensuring stable attachment without visible magnets and allowing for easy removal and reinstallation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If permanent magnets are fitted into openings in the magnetic side of the level, then magnetic attraction is achieved, but production cost increases and magnets may become visible or misaligned
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the magnets from the level body entirely and replaces them with a separate magnetic attachment that can be applied to the level. This eliminates the need for costly openings and magnet fitting operations while maintaining magnetic attraction functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic functionality is separated from the level body into a distinct magnetic attachment component. This allows the level to be produced without magnetic components built-in, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost, while the magnetic attachment can be added separately as needed.
2Reliability
If magnets are fitted into openings in the magnetic side, then magnetic attraction is achieved, but magnets may be misaligned or project from the base interfering with measurement
Solution Approach 1:
By removing magnets from the level body and using a separate magnetic attachment, the patent eliminates alignment issues entirely. The attachment can be precisely manufactured and applied uniformly to the level surface without concerns about misalignment during assembly.
3Measurement precision
If magnets are sunken into holes to avoid projection, then measurement interference is reduced, but dust and ferrous residues accumulate in the holes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates recessed magnet holes by using a separate magnetic attachment that sits on the level surface. This prevents dust and ferrous residue accumulation while maintaining measurement accuracy, as there are no holes for contaminants to enter.
4Ease of operation
If resilient supports are used to hold magnets in the cavity, then insertion is facilitated, but the supports can be displaced during use causing measurement imbalance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the resilient support system entirely by using a separate magnetic attachment that adheres to the level surface through magnetic force. This eliminates the displacement and instability issues associated with resilient supports while maintaining ease of attachment and removal.
5Reliability
If flexible magnetic strips are used in a groove, then magnetic attraction is achieved, but the rubbery surface deteriorates and ferrous powder accumulates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a magnetic attachment with a replaceable magnetic component that can be easily replaced when worn or degraded. This is more economical than maintaining durable permanent magnets built into the level, and the attachment can be removed and replaced without affecting the level body.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, secure, and precise magnetic attachment system that prevents dust accumulation and ensures stable measurements, allowing the level to be easily converted between magnetic and non-magnetic modes without affecting the level's calibration or precision.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic means which can make it possible to secure the level, by magnetic attraction, on a surface made of ferrous metal material
Implementation Method 2
said support has resiliently yielding parts which, by deformation, can permit the insertion of said support in the level body, and, when the thrust for the insertion is no longer applied, these parts can permit blocking of the support itself
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A magnetic level (1) comprises a prismatic body (2) made of non-magnetic material and having an inner cavity (3), said body (2) having a plurality of sides (4, 5, 6) and a level base (7), each having an inner face (4A, 5A, 6A, 7A) which faces towards said cavity (3) and an outer face (4B, 5B, 6B, 7B), inside this cavity (3) magnetic means (10) being placed which generate a magnetic field for the constraint of the level on a ferrous surface, these magnetic means (10) being associated with support means (15) which are at least partly deformable in a direction (X) orthogonal to two opposite sides (5, 7) of said level body. These support means are made of non-magnetic material, and comprise a screw (36) in order to actuate their deformation, such as to be able to be inserted in, removed from, and blocked inside the cavity (3) of said level body, with the magnetic means (10) in a position adhering to the inner face (7A) of the level base (7), the level base (7) being completely without openings, the magnetic means thus being completely inside the body of the level, and not visible from the outside.