Magnetic Pipe Angle Gauge for Centerline Sensor Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing angle measurement devices for cylindrical workpieces face challenges in accurately positioning electronic components, such as sensors, relative to the centerline of the workpiece, especially when dealing with varying diameters and complex geometries, which affects the precision of bending operations in mechanical and electrical applications.
Innovation Solution
The angle measurement device features pivotally coupled upper and lower housings with spaced apart magnetic elements and a biasing member, allowing for accurate alignment and secure attachment to cylindrical workpieces of different diameters, ensuring precise positioning of electronic components along the workpiece's centerline for spring-back compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are positioned at both ends of the pipe to measure bending angles, then measurement capability is improved, but accurate alignment of sensors with the centerline of the pipe becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical alignment methods with magnetic field-based alignment. Magnetic elements are embedded in the pipe and sensed by the device, automatically indicating centerline position without requiring mechanical measurement or manual alignment tools. This substitution of magnetic field interaction for mechanical alignment resolves the contradiction by making alignment intuitive and accurate without complex procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic elements as an intermediary between the pipe and the measurement device. These magnetic elements are embedded in the pipe and create a magnetic field that the sensing device detects to determine centerline position and orientation. This intermediary enables automatic alignment indication, resolving the difficulty of manual centerline alignment while maintaining measurement precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the measurement device is designed to fit various pipe diameters, then adaptability is improved, but maintaining consistent measurement accuracy across different sizes becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal measurement device with adjustable components that can accommodate various pipe diameters. The device includes adjustable arms and magnetic sensing elements that can be positioned at different radii from the centerline, allowing the same device to accurately measure angles across different pipe sizes while maintaining measurement precision through geometric relationships that remain constant regardless of pipe diameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic, adjustable components rather than fixed geometry. The measurement device allows adjustment of sensor positions and arm lengths to match different pipe diameters, enabling the device to adapt its configuration while maintaining accurate angular measurement through preserved geometric relationships. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between versatility and precision.
3Ease of operation
If magnetic elements are used for attachment to the pipe, then ease of attachment is improved, but secure positioning against pipe rotation becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical attachment methods (clamps, bolts, or other physical fastening mechanisms) with magnetic attachment. Magnetic elements embedded in the pipe interact with corresponding magnetic elements in the measurement device, providing secure attachment without mechanical fasteners. This substitution maintains ease of attachment while improving reliability against rotation through the inherent strength and friction of magnetic coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes magnetic field parameters (strength, polarity, distribution) to achieve both easy attachment and secure positioning. By carefully designing the magnetic element configuration and strength, the system provides strong holding force to prevent rotation while allowing easy approach and attachment. The magnetic parameters are optimized to simultaneously satisfy both ease of operation and reliability requirements.
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 enables accurate and secure positioning of electronic components, ensuring precise angle measurements and effective spring-back compensation, enhancing the precision and reliability of bending operations across various workpiece diameters and geometries.
Implementation Method 1
spaced apart magnetic elements mounted to an upper surface of the upper housing
Data Source
AI summary
An angle measurement device is provided positioning electronic components on a cylindrical workpiece. The device includes upper and lower housings which are pivotally coupled together, and spaced apart magnetic elements mounted to an upper surface of the upper housing, and a biasing member coupled to the housings. The biasing member is configured to bias the housings into a closed position.