Adjustable Pocket Level With Locking Vial Holder for Precise Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing angle measuring devices, such as bubble levels, face challenges in accurately setting variable angles due to difficulty in precise adjustment, susceptibility to wear and tear, and exposure of vials to damage, leading to reduced reliability and durability.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable vial holder system with a locking mechanism and position retaining assembly that allows for discrete angular adjustments with haptic feedback, enabling precise angle settings and protection of the vial in a storage position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rotatable vial holder with locking assembly is provided to enable angle adjustment, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vial holder is designed to be rotatable relative to the housing, allowing dynamic adjustment between a first angular position for measuring surfaces and a second angular position for storing the vial. This dynamic reconfiguration enables the device to adapt to different measurement scenarios while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through controlled movement rather than multiple separate components.
2Measurement precision
If a locking assembly is provided to secure the vial holder at selected angles, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking assembly incorporates a spring-loaded button mechanism that provides tactile feedback to the user. When the vial holder is rotated to a desired angle and the button is released, the spring mechanism engages to lock the position, providing audible and haptic confirmation that the setting is secure. This feedback loop allows users to achieve precise angle settings without requiring complex adjustment procedures.
3Ease of operation
If the vial is made freely accessible for rotation to various angles, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to exposure to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The vial holder can be rotated to a second angular position that places the vial inside the housing cavity, protecting it from external damage during storage or transport. The spring-loaded button mechanism ensures the vial holder remains securely locked in this protective position unless intentionally released by the user. This dynamic positioning system maintains vial accessibility when needed while providing reliable protection when the device is not in use.
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
Provides accurate and durable angular measurements with enhanced user confidence and vial protection, ensuring long-term reliability and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
a locking assembly having a locked state in which the rotatable vial holder is prevented from rotating relative to the housing. The locking assembly is also configured to enable the rotatable vial holder to be rotated relative to the housing when the locking assembly is in an unlocked state.
Implementation Method 2
The position retaining assembly may be configured to provide audible and/or haptic feedback to indicate alignment of the rotatable vial holder and the housing at each respective one of the selected angles.
Implementation Method 3
Measuring devices such as bubble levels (or spirit levels) have been around for a very long time, and are common measuring tools used in numerous contexts to obtain angular measurements or to ensure that surfaces are level or plumb.
Data Source
AI summary
A measuring device may include a housing having a front wall and a rear wall operably coupled to each other via a base portion and defining a receiving space between the front wall and the rear wall, a rotatable vial holder disposed in the receiving space and being configured to hold a vial, and a locking assembly having a locked state in which the rotatable vial holder is prevented from rotating relative to the housing. The locking assembly is also configured to enable the rotatable vial holder to be rotated relative to the housing when the locking assembly is in an unlocked state. The rotatable vial holder may be rotatable to a deployed position to define a selected angle between the base portion and the vial, and rotatable to a storage position in which the vial is enclosed inside the receiving space of the housing.