Rotary Laser Mount With Orthogonal Pivot Axes for Fast Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for aligning the plane of rotation of a rotating laser, particularly when attached overhead to an inclined surface like a sloping roof, are cumbersome and require iterative adjustments due to undefined pivot axes, making precise parallel alignment challenging and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A holding and adjusting device with two pivot axes that intersect at right angles allows for two-dimensional alignment of the laser beam's plane of rotation, where one axis is adjusted until it is parallel to the reference plane, and then the other axis is aligned without affecting the first, enabling straightforward parallel alignment without iterative adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If four screws with helical compression springs are used to allow two-dimensional pivoting of the mounting plate, then the rotating laser can be adjusted in any direction, but the pivot axis becomes undefined and iterative adjustments are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetwo-dimensional adjustment capabilityVSAvoidalignment process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanism is segmented into two independent pivot axes (first pivot axis and second pivot axis) that are perpendicular to each other. Each pivot axis is controlled by its own adjusting screw, allowing independent adjustment in two orthogonal directions without affecting the other axis, thus eliminating the need for iterative adjustments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment system transitions from an undefined pivot axis in four-dimensional space to two well-defined perpendicular pivot axes. By introducing orthogonal dimensionality with the first and second pivot axes, the system achieves precise two-dimensional adjustment while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If adjusting screws are used to pivot the mounting device, then position adjustment is achieved, but adjusting one screw affects alignment in other dimensions requiring repeated readjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment function is segmented into two independent operations: adjusting the first adjusting screw pivots the mounting device exclusively about the first pivot axis, while adjusting the second adjusting screw pivots exclusively about the second pivot axis. This segmentation allows precise alignment in one dimension without affecting the other, eliminating iterative adjustments and reducing time loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first and second pivot axes act as intermediaries that decouple the adjustment operations. By introducing these perpendicular pivot axes as intermediary elements, the system allows independent control of alignment in two dimensions, preventing the coupling effect that would otherwise require repeated adjustments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4050306B1Method for aligning a plane of rotation of a rotating laser and holding and adjusting device for aligning the rotating laser
Publication Date: 2024.10.02 FISCHERWERKE ARTUR FISCHER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4050306B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4050306B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

To align the plane of rotation (7) of a laser beam from a rotary laser (5) parallel to a reference plane (4), the invention proposes a holding and adjustment device (6) with two L-shaped mounting devices (9, 10) that are held at a distance from each other by three elastomer buffers (13) arranged at the corners of an imaginary right-angled triangle. The elastomer buffers (13) define two mutually perpendicular pivot axes (11, 12) that intersect at a rotation axis of the laser beam of the rotary laser (5) perpendicular to the pivot axes (11, 12). By tightening or loosening one elastomer buffer (13), the rotary laser (5) is pivoted exclusively about one of the two pivot axes (11, 12), thereby easily aligning the plane of rotation (7) of the laser beam of the rotary laser (5).