Surface Profile Measurement Probe for Curved Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional surface profile measuring instruments are not suitable for measuring curved surfaces as they fail to stably rest on such surfaces, leading to inaccurate measurements.

Innovation Solution

A surface profile measurement probe with two spaced apart points and a moveable straight edge, allowing stable contact on convex surfaces, combined with a tip that extends perpendicularly to measure the surface profile, enabling accurate measurements on curved surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a conventional flat annular plate instrument is used, then it can measure flat surfaces, but it cannot stably rest on curved surfaces leading to measurement inaccuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface profile measurement accuracyVSAvoidapplicability to curved surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The probe incorporates a curved base body with a convex surface that matches the curvature of the workpiece surface. This curved geometry allows the probe to conform to and stably rest on curved surfaces, enabling accurate measurements on cylindrical pipes and other curved components, thereby resolving the limitation of conventional flat plate instruments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The probe divides the contact function into separate elements: two spaced-apart contact points for establishing stable contact on curved surfaces, and a separate tip for profile measurement. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function optimally, with the contact points providing stability and the tip providing accurate profile data

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the probe uses two spaced apart contact points on a curved base, then it can stably rest on convex surfaces, but the structure becomes more complex compared to a simple flat plate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability on curved surfacesVSAvoidprobe structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The curved base body integrates the two contact points and the tip into a single geometric form that naturally conforms to curved surfaces. This approach achieves stability on curved surfaces through the inherent geometry of the base rather than through complex mechanical linkages or adjustment mechanisms, thereby maintaining structural simplicity while improving reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Measurement precision

If the tip protrudes perpendicularly from the straight edge, then it can measure the profile accurately, but the straight edge must be precisely positioned and oriented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprofile measurement accuracyVSAvoidstraight edge positioning and orientation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The curved base body with its specific radius of curvature is designed to match the expected curvature of the workpiece. This pre-configured geometry ensures that when the probe contacts the curved surface at two points, the straight edge and tip are automatically positioned and oriented correctly, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms and reducing manufacturing precision requirements for the straight edge positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS9261345B2Probe

Publication Date: 2016.02.16 ELCOMETER

AI summary

A surface profile measurement probe comprising two spaced apart points 20 for contacting a convex surface to be measured and a straight edge or surface 22 moveable relative to the two points to enable the straight edge to be brought into contact with a convex surface contacted by the two points. A tip 10 protrudes from and is moveably mounted relative to the straight edge or surface for measuring the profile of a surface contacted by the straight edge.