Surveying Pole Optical Bending Compensation for Tilt Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Surveying poles experience rod bending errors that affect the accuracy of measurements, especially when used at angles or with telescopic rods, leading to inaccuracies in determining the position of the pointing tip.

Innovation Solution

A surveying pole with a light emitting unit and detector arrangement to send and detect a collimated light beam, allowing for the detection of rod bending errors and compensating tilt sensor measurements to improve positional accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the surveying pole is used at higher tilt angles or with telescopic rods, then the versatility and ease of operation are improved, but rod bending errors increase leading to worse measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to measure at various anglesVSAvoidpositional accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a light beam to continuously monitor the rod's position and provides feedback about bending deviations. The detector arrangement detects the light beam's position, and the processor uses this feedback to calculate bending errors and compensate tilt sensor measurements, thereby maintaining precision despite varying tilt angles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct mechanical measurement of rod position with an optical measurement system. Instead of mechanically measuring rod straightness, the system uses light propagation and detection to indirectly measure rod position and bending, enabling more precise measurements especially at high tilt angles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Length of moving object

If the rod length is increased to reach higher points, then the surveying range is improved, but rod bending errors increase leading to worse manufacturing precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverod lengthVSAvoidrod straightness

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The light beam detection system provides continuous feedback about the rod's actual position throughout its length. The processor uses this feedback to calculate bending deviations at different points along the rod, enabling compensation for positioning errors even in longer rods that would otherwise bend more significantly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an optical intermediary system (light beam and detector) between the rod's physical state and the measurement system. This intermediary allows indirect measurement of the rod's position and bending, enabling accurate surveying even when the rod itself cannot be perfectly straight due to its length

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If telescopic rod sections are used to adjust length, then the adaptability is improved, but bending errors at intersections increase leading to worse measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustable lengthVSAvoidpositional accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides feedback about the actual position of the rod's end relative to where it should be. The detector arrangement monitors the light beam position, and the processor calculates bending errors that occur at telescopic intersections, allowing compensation for positioning errors introduced by the telescopic mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct mechanical measurement of telescopic rod position with optical measurement. The light beam and detector system provides a reference frame that is not affected by the mechanical intersections of telescopic sections, enabling accurate measurement despite the complex mechanical structure

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

Enhances measurement accuracy and versatility by allowing measurements at various angles and with telescopic rods, maintaining precision despite rod bending and wear.

Implementation Method 1

a light emitting unit configured to send a collimated light beam for propagation from one of said first and second ends to the other end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight propagation: Light

Implementation Method 2

a detector arrangement configured to detect a position of said collimated light beam at said other end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20250271264A1Surveying pole with compensated tilt measurement and method implemented in a surveying pole

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 TRIMBLE EUROPE BV

AI summary

A surveying pole comprising: a rod extending between a first end and a second end, wherein a top unit including a tilt sensor is mounted at one end and a pointing tip is located at the opposite end. A light emitting unit is configured to send a collimated light beam for propagation from one of said first and second ends to the other end. A detector arrangement is configured to detect a position of said collimated light beam at said other end. A processor is configured to compare the detected position with a reference position and determine a deviation error representative of a bending of said rod, wherein the processor is further configured to obtain a position of the pointing tip using the determined deviation error, wherein said reference position corresponds to a position of the collimated light beam at the other end for a known bending of said rod.