Scale with Local Quality Line Discrimination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional scales face difficulties in intuitive discrimination of scale lines, particularly the middle and minimum scale lines, leading to time-consuming and labor-intensive measurement processes due to similar display methods and overlapping issues with liquid surfaces, resulting in low visibility and readability.

Innovation Solution

The proposed scale design features temporary numbers placed in ascending order on scale lines with varying line lengths and widths, and the use of round marks and numerals to differentiate between scale lines, allowing for intuitive discrimination without counting, and enhancing visibility by forming cutouts for indicator needles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional scale lines are formed with uniform display methods, then manufacturing is simple, but scale lines cannot be intuitively discriminated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescale line discrimination accuracyVSAvoidscale line display complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different display methods to different groups of scale lines. Specifically, scale lines are divided into groups (e.g., first through fourth scale lines), and each group receives a distinct display treatment such as different line lengths, line widths, or positioning relative to scale numerals. This local differentiation enables intuitive discrimination of individual scale lines while maintaining overall manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Area of stationary object

If minimum scale lines are formed closely together, then scale compactness is improved, but discrimination of individual lines becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescale sizeVSAvoidminimum scale line discrimination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Among closely spaced minimum scale lines, the patent applies distinct display characteristics to different lines. For example, certain minimum scale lines may have different line widths or lengths compared to others, or different positioning relative to scale numerals. This allows individual lines to be discriminated even when physically close together, maintaining compact scale design while ensuring measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If scale lines are made with uniform line width and length, then manufacturing is easy, but readability and visibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescale manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidscale readability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent varies line width and length according to the specific scale line's position and function. For instance, scale lines associated with certain numerals may be longer or wider than others, or positioned at different distances from the numeral. This selective variation enhances readability and visibility for critical measurements while keeping the manufacturing process relatively simple through standardized production methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3324148B1scale
Publication Date: 2022.09.14 KAWASHIMA KAZUNORI
  • EP3324148B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3324148B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3324148B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

In a scale constituted by a plurality of scale lines, to provide such a scale capable of easily reading scale values. In a scale main body having a predetermined size and a plurality of scale lines formed thereon, temporary numbers are put one by one from 0 in an ascending order on the respective scale lines formed at each scale value interval desirably determined, with the scale line defined as 0 in the scale value being set as a starting point, and display methods between the scale line with the numeral 2, 3, 7 or 8 set at the lowermost position of the temporary number and the scale line with the numeral 1, 4, 6 or 9 set at the lowermost position of the temporary number are made different.