Pivotable Jaw Caliper for Worn Brake Disc Thickness Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional calipers are inadequate for measuring the thickness of worn brake discs with non-planar surfaces, as they cannot accurately assess the thickness with annular grooves and are inconvenient to use due to the need to read measurements in a narrow space.
Innovation Solution
A caliper with a main body, vernier, and measurement section that allows for variable jaw distance and pivotable second jaw, enabling measurement and easy removal without changing the measured value, facilitated by a locking mechanism and elastic restriction for stable reading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a caliper ruler is used to measure a brand-new brake disc, then the measurement is simple and straightforward, but it cannot measure worn brake discs with annular grooves
Solution Approach 1:
The second jaw is made pivotable relative to the vernier, allowing it to swing between a first position (parallel to the first jaw) and a second position (at an angle). This dynamic adjustment enables the measurement ends to adapt to both flat surfaces of new brake discs and the grooved surfaces of worn brake discs, resolving the contradiction between measurement simplicity and adaptability to different surface conditions
2Adaptability or versatility
If a micrometer caliper is used to measure worn brake discs, then it can measure both new and worn brake discs, but it requires reading the measurement value in a narrow space which is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement function is separated from the reading function. The caliper body remains on the brake disc to maintain the measurement, while the vernier with the scale can be detached or moved to a convenient location for reading. This extraction allows the measurement to be taken in the narrow space near the wheel hub while the reading can be performed in a wider, more convenient area
3Stability of the object's composition
If the second jaw is fixed parallel to the first jaw, then the measurement is stable, but the caliper cannot be easily removed from the brake disc
Solution Approach 1:
The second jaw can swing between a first position (parallel to the first jaw) for stable measurement and a second position (at an angle) for easy removal. The pivot connection allows the user to switch between these states as needed, resolving the contradiction between measurement stability and ease of removal
4Stability of the object's composition
If the distance between the first jaw and the second jaw is fixed, then the measurement is consistent, but the caliper cannot adapt to different measurement positions on worn brake discs
Solution Approach 1:
The vernier can slide along the scale ruler to adjust the distance between the first jaw and the second jaw, while the second jaw can pivot to change its angle. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the caliper to adapt to different measurement positions on worn brake discs while maintaining measurement consistency through the vernier scale reading mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A caliper for measuring the size of an object, especially the thickness of an object with non-planar surfaces. After measured, the caliper can be removed from the object without changing the measured value. The caliper includes a scale ruler, a vernier slidably disposed on the scale ruler, a first jaw fixedly connected to the scale ruler and a second jaw pivotally connected to the vernier. In normal state, the second jaw is kept in a position in alignment with and in parallel to the first jaw, whereby the caliper can be used to measure the object in a common manner. After measured, the second jaw is rotated to another position, permitting the caliper to be removed from the measured object.