Optical Alignment Attachment for Total Station Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost of total stations that combine angle and distance measuring capabilities, as well as the challenge of preventing measurement errors due to deviations in the optical axis of distance measuring instruments, limits their accessibility and accuracy in civil engineering and construction.
Innovation Solution
An attachment device that allows for the easy combination of angle and distance measuring instruments, featuring a mechanical alignment unit with elevation and horizontal angle adjusting means, and an optical alignment system using prisms to align the distance measuring light with the sighting optical axis, thereby improving measurement accuracy and reducing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a total station is manufactured as an integrated instrument combining angle and distance measuring capabilities, then measurement accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the total station into separate functional modules: an existing theodolite for angle measurement and a separate electronic distance measuring instrument. These modules are connected through an attachment device with optical alignment components, allowing each module to be manufactured and optimized independently while maintaining overall measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an attachment device as an intermediary component between the theodolite and distance measuring instrument. This attachment device includes optical members (prisms or mirrors) that act as mediators to align the optical axes of the two instruments, enabling accurate combined measurements without requiring a completely integrated design.
2Ease of manufacture
If a distance measuring instrument is mounted on an existing theodolite, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to optical axis deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates preliminary alignment actions into the attachment device design. Optical members such as prisms or mirrors are pre-positioned and adjustable within the attachment device to align the distance measuring light path with the theodolite's sighting optical axis before actual measurement begins, eliminating the need for post-assembly recalibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment device includes adjustable components that allow dynamic alignment of the optical axes. The optical members can be positioned and adjusted to accommodate variations in mounting tolerances, ensuring that the optical axis of the distance measuring instrument aligns with the sighting optical axis of the theodolite despite manufacturing variations.
3Measurement precision
If an attachment device is designed with alignment adjustment mechanisms, then optical axis alignment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the alignment function into a separate, dedicated attachment device that interfaces with both the theodolite and distance measuring instrument. This separation allows the alignment mechanisms to be independently designed and adjusted without complicating the main instrument bodies, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining alignment capability.
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 attachment device enables the creation of a cost-effective total station by mounting a distance measuring instrument on an existing theodolite, preventing measurement errors and enhancing accuracy by aligning the optical axes, thus providing a more affordable and precise surveying solution.
Implementation Method 1
an optical member having two reflection surfaces, and arranged so as to deflect the distance measuring light emitted from the electronic distance measuring instrument, and make the light concur with the sighting optical axis of the theodolite
Data Source
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AI summary
An attachment device (46) for attaching and removing a distance measuring instrument (3) to and from an angle measuring instrument comprises a base unit (61) to which the distance measuring instrument is fixed, a fixing unit (55) for fixing the base unit to the angle measuring instrument, and an optical member (52) for deflecting a distance measuring light from the distance measuring instrument so as to concur with a sighting optical axis of the angle measuring instrument.