Non-contact Levelness Measuring Device Using Optical and Gravitational Sensors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional levelness measuring devices require contact with the surface, making it difficult to measure inaccessible or hard-to-reach surfaces, such as high-temperature objects or surfaces that cannot be directly contacted.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact levelness measuring device with a rail, distance detector, angle detector, memory, and processor that establishes a 3D coordinate system, performs non-contact distance and angle measurements, and calculates the levelness of a surface using a combination of software modules to determine the angle between the surface and the absolute horizontal plane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional levelness measuring devices (bubble levels, electronic level meters) are used, then levelness measurement can be performed, but the devices require contact with the to-be-measured surface which limits accessibility to certain surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces contact-based mechanical measurement systems (bubble levels, electronic level meters) with a non-contact optical measurement system. The system uses a camera to capture images of the to-be-measured surface and calculates levelness through image processing and coordinate transformations, eliminating the need for physical contact and enabling measurement of inaccessible surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a camera as an intermediary device that captures visual information of the surface without physical contact. The camera serves as a mediator between the measurement system and the target surface, allowing levelness measurement through optical fields rather than mechanical contact.
2Adaptability or versatility
If contact-based levelness measuring devices are used, then measurement can be performed on accessible surfaces, but measurement of high-temperature or inaccessible objects becomes difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact measurement with optical field-based measurement. By using a camera to capture images and computational methods to determine levelness, the system avoids physical contact that could damage high-temperature objects or inaccessible surfaces, thereby eliminating contact-related harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy (image) of the to-be-measured surface using a camera. This optical copy allows the measurement system to analyze surface geometry without physically touching the original object, enabling safe measurement of delicate or hazardous surfaces.
3Adaptability or versatility
If non-contact measurement method is implemented, then measurement of inaccessible surfaces is enabled, but device complexity increases with multiple detectors and processors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the camera perform multiple functions: it captures images for levelness measurement, provides positioning information through image processing, and serves as the primary detection device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized detectors and simplifies the overall system structure despite the sophisticated measurement capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a single camera to create visual copies of the surface from different positions, and through coordinate transformations of these copies, achieves complex measurement objectives. This approach avoids the need for multiple specialized detectors by using one versatile detection device with computational processing.
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
Enables accurate, non-invasive levelness measurement of surfaces without physical contact, reducing costs and allowing measurement of previously inaccessible objects, including high-temperature surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a distance detector 12, positioned on the rail 11, and movable along the rail 11
Implementation Method 2
an angle detector 13, positioned on the rail 11, and capable of measuring an angle between a plane of the rail 11 and an absolute horizontal plane
Data Source
AI summary
A levelness measuring system can be applied to a levelness measuring device, the device including an rail, a distance detector, and an angle detector. Both the distance detector and the angle detector are installed on the rail. The system includes a coordinate system establishing module, a distance measurement controlling module, a data fitting module, a plane equation calculating module, a first angle calculating module, an angle measurement controlling module, a second angle calculating module, and a display controlling module. A coordinate system in three dimensions is applied to an inaccessible or difficult surface such that direct contact is not required. A processor of a computer performs instructions to provide the functions of the levelness measuring system including a display.