Rotating Laser Automatic Perpendicular Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotating lasers lack user-friendliness and accuracy in aligning a laser surface perpendicular to a surface, requiring manual adjustment and being prone to misalignment due to external disturbances, limiting their usability for average users.

Innovation Solution

A rotating laser system with motorized deflection means and a distance measurement unit that automatically aligns the laser surface by measuring distances and angles, allowing for easy and precise perpendicular alignment of the laser surface relative to a surface, even in vertical or horizontal directions, using a reference beam to project a path and determine the smallest distance to the surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual adjustment mechanisms are used to align the laser surface, then the device structure remains simple, but the alignment accuracy and reliability deteriorate due to external disturbances and user expertise requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment mechanisms with an automated control system that uses distance measurement data to motorize the adjustment of the laser surface inclination, substituting mechanical manual operation with an automated electromechanical system that improves precision while managing complexity through integration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-alignment by automatically measuring distances to the surface, calculating the optimal inclination angle, and adjusting the laser surface autonomously without requiring external user intervention or expertise, making the device self-sufficient in achieving accurate alignment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If automatic alignment with distance measurement is implemented, then alignment reliability improves by compensating for external influences, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where the distance measurement unit continuously monitors the distance between the laser device and the target surface, and the control system automatically adjusts the laser surface inclination based on this feedback to maintain optimal alignment and compensate for external disturbances

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The distance measurement unit serves multiple functions: it measures the distance to the surface, determines the optimal inclination angle for alignment, and provides data for automatic adjustment, making a single component perform multiple roles to minimize overall device complexity while improving reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If motorized deflection means are used for automatic alignment, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system operates autonomously by automatically measuring distances, calculating the required adjustment, and motorizing the deflection means to align the laser surface without requiring user intervention, making operation extremely simple while the complexity is managed through automated control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with motorized deflection means controlled by an automated system, substituting complex manual mechanical operations with simpler automated electromechanical control that improves ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The system enables reliable, automatic, and accurate alignment of the laser surface, compensating for external influences and simplifying the process, allowing for quick and easy alignment with minimal user expertise, ensuring high precision and robustness.

Implementation Method 1

a source of electromagnetic radiation, in particular a laser beam source, for generating a reference beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 2

a distance measurement unit for measuring distances to points on the reference path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentEP2643660B1Rotating laser
Publication Date: 2018.06.06 LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
  • EP2643660B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2643660B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2643660B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5a

AI summary

A rotating laser (1) according to the invention has a source of electromagnetic radiation (9), in particular a laser beam source, for production of a reference beam, and deflection means, which can rotate about a rotation axis, for rotating transmission of the reference beam, by which means a laser area (34a, 34b) is defined, and with the reference beam passing over a reference path, and with at least a portion of the reference path being perceivable visually and/or by means of a detector on a surface (32) as a reference line (35a, 35b). Furthermore, swivelling means are provided for swivelling the rotation axis about at least one swivelling axis, in particular about two swivelling axes as well as a range measurement unit for measurement of ranges to points on the reference path, and control means for controlling the swivelling means and for comparison of ranges. Furthermore, the rotating laser (1) has a functionality for perpendicular alignment of the laser area (34a, 34b) relative to the surface (32), with the control means being designed such that the laser area (34a, 34b) is automatically variably inclined relative to the surface (32) by swivelling of the rotation axis, with a reference line range from the reference line (35a, 35b) to the rotating laser (1) being determined for each of the respective inclination angles, and with that inclination angle of the laser area (34a and 34b) being determined as the perpendicular inclination angle at which the laser area (34a, 34b) includes the reference line (35a, 35b) with the respective shortest determined reference line range, and therefore being perpendicular to the surface (32).