Adjustable Pendulum Laser Center of Gravity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser devices with pendulum self-leveling mechanisms face challenges in precisely adjusting the center of gravity due to manufacturing tolerances and assembly shifts, requiring complex adjustments and multiple weight elements, which increases costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The pendulum body is mounted displaceably on at least one axis of the universal joint, allowing rotation and adjustment of the center of gravity without intersecting axes, enabling individual adjustment of both axes from one side, using a bearing unit and locking mechanism to stabilize the longitudinal axis and a fine thread for precise adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If low tolerances are used in production and assembly to align the center of gravity precisely, then the self-leveling functionality is guaranteed, but manufacturing costs increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The pendulum body adjusts the center of gravity itself through displacement along the axis, without requiring external intervention or multiple weight elements. The system uses its own structure (bearing unit, locking mechanism, fine thread) to achieve precise adjustment, making the manufacturing process more economical while ensuring accurate self-leveling functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The center of gravity is made adjustable through the displaceable mounting of the pendulum body on the axis. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to compensate for manufacturing tolerances and assembly shifts, ensuring precise self-leveling without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances or multiple fixed weight elements
2Reliability
If multiple weight elements are kept available for adjusting the center of gravity, then the self-leveling range functionality is maintained, but device complexity and inventory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism extracts the essential function of center of gravity adjustment from multiple discrete weight elements and consolidates it into a single displaceable pendulum body. This eliminates the need to keep multiple weight elements in inventory while maintaining the ability to adjust the center of gravity precisely within the self-leveling range
Solution Approach 2:
The displaceable pendulum body serves multiple functions: it acts as the counterweight for self-leveling, provides adjustable center of gravity positioning, and incorporates its own adjustment mechanism (bearing unit, locking mechanism, fine thread). This multi-functionality replaces the need for multiple separate weight elements and simplifies the overall device
3Reliability
If intersecting axes are used in the universal joint, then the self-leveling mechanism functions, but adjustment of axis sections becomes complex requiring individual adjustment of four axis sections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses non-intersecting (offset) axes in the universal joint instead of traditional intersecting axes. This asymmetric arrangement allows both axes to be adjusted from one side only, simplifying the adjustment process from four separate adjustments to two adjustments, while maintaining the self-leveling mechanism's functionality
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 simplifies the adjustment of the center of gravity, reducing the need for multiple weight elements and minimizing costs while ensuring precise self-leveling functionality within the gravitational field.
Implementation Method 1
the beam device aligns itself within the self-leveling range in the earth's gravitational field
Implementation Method 2
The displacement of the pendulum body along at least one of the two axes of the universal joint leads to a rotation of the pendulum body about the axis and thus to a change in the center of gravity
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The device has a pendulum laser unit (2) comprising a pendulum device (3) that is formed as a universal joint with two axles (20, 22). A jet device (4) is arranged at the pendulum device and is formed independently of alignment of the device at a vertical direction (24). The axles of the pendulum device are arranged offset to each other in the vertical direction. The axles are coupled by a coupling element i.e. U-shaped hollow profile (25). The jet device comprises a pendulum body (15) that is movably supported on one of the axles of the pendulum device. USE : Laser device for leveling- or marking work. ADVANTAGE : The axles of the pendulum device are arranged offset to each other in the vertical direction. The axles are coupled by a coupling element i.e. U-shaped hollow profile, thus adjusting the axles, and hence adjusting the balance point of the laser device in a simple manner. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS : The drawing shows a three dimensional view of a laser device with a cross axle unit, longitudinal axle unit and a holding profile. 2 : Pendulum laser unit 3 : Pendulum device 4 : Jet device 15 : Pendulum body 20, 22 : Axles 24 : Vertical direction 25 : U-shaped hollow profile.