Stake-out Aid Device with Sliding Marking Hole and Reflector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for placing markings on construction components are inefficient and prone to measurement errors, requiring multiple device movements and alignments, which increases the time and complexity of the staking out process.
Innovation Solution
A stake-out aid device with a contact part, sliding element, and reflective element that allows for precise alignment and marking using a total station, enabling the device to be easily positioned for accurate marking without repositioning, utilizing a sliding mechanism to expose marking holes and a reflective element for distance measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a reflector is used for position determination with a total station, then measurement precision is improved, but the time required for position determination and marking increases due to multiple device movements and alignments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the reflector and marking hole into a single integrated device body. The reflector is fixed to the device housing at a known position, while the marking hole can be moved or removed to reveal a marking surface. This integration eliminates the need for separate positioning and marking operations, allowing both functions to be performed from a single device position, thereby reducing time while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is segmented into functional components: a fixed reflector for measurement, a movable marking hole for access, and a marking surface. The marking hole can be independently moved or removed to expose the marking surface, allowing the marking function to be separated spatially from the measurement function while remaining part of the same device, thus enabling quick marking without repositioning the entire device.
2Ease of operation
If the marking hole is always accessible, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to maintain proper alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The marking hole is designed to be movable or removable rather than fixed. This dynamic feature allows the marking hole to be in a closed position during measurement to maintain proper alignment and device stability, and then moved or removed when marking is needed. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by providing accessibility only when required, while maintaining alignment precision during measurement.
3Ease of manufacture
If the device structure is simplified, then ease of manufacture is improved, but functionality deteriorates due to inability to provide both alignment and marking capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed as a multi-functional unit that combines alignment (via the fixed reflector for total station measurement) and marking capabilities (via the movable marking hole and marking surface) into a single device. The marking hole can be moved or removed to expose the marking surface, allowing the same device to perform both precise alignment and marking functions without requiring separate tools, thus maintaining versatility while keeping the structure relatively simple.
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 device allows for quick, accurate, and easy placement of markings on components, reducing measurement errors and time by enabling precise alignment and marking through a single device position, with the ability to check existing markings, and supports multiple marking points for efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
the reflector comprises a reflective element, such as a reflective target or a prism, especially a retro-reflective triple prism, which reflect an optical signal of the total station back to the total station
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a device for placing markings on components. The device comprises a contact part to be placed against the component, a sliding element which is arranged slidably on the contact part between a first and a second position, and a reflector which is connected to the sliding element. The contact part comprises at least one continuous marking hole defining a marking point. The marking point and the reflector are arranged along an alignment axis when the sliding element is in the first position. In a second position of the sliding element, the marking hole is accessible.