Surveying System for Concrete Surface Leveling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for measuring and correcting surface unevenness in concrete placing and ground leveling are inefficient due to manual height measurements and separate processes, leading to poor workability and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A surveying system that includes a height measuring device forming a horizontal reference plane, a distance measurement sensor, and an arithmetic control module to calculate and project high-low information onto the construction surface, enabling simultaneous measurement and correction of unevenness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual height measurements are performed at predetermined intervals, then measurement accuracy can be achieved, but workability and productivity deteriorate due to separate processes for measurement and correction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight measurement accuracyVSAvoidwork efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the height measurement function and the unevenness visualization function into a single surveying system. The distance measurement sensor and projection device work together to simultaneously measure and visualize surface unevenness, eliminating the need for separate measurement and correction processes. This merging of functions directly addresses the productivity issue by allowing workers to perform both tasks concurrently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a visual copy of the surface unevenness by projecting the measured height data onto the construction surface itself. The projection device displays the unevenness pattern directly on the work area, providing an intuitive visual representation that guides correction work. This copying approach maintains measurement precision while dramatically improving workability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Loss of information

If individual height measurements are performed manually, then detailed unevenness data can be obtained, but the complexity of the measurement process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunevenness measurement detailVSAvoidmeasurement process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement operations with an automated optical-electronic system. The distance measurement sensor automatically captures height data across the construction surface, and the projection device automatically visualizes the results. This substitution eliminates the need for manual measurement operations while preserving detailed unevenness information, thereby reducing process complexity.

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

3Reliability

If separate processes are used for concrete placing, height measuring, and correcting work, then each process can be optimized independently, but overall productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess optimizationVSAvoidwork efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the measurement and correction guidance functions into a single integrated system. The surveying system provides real-time visualization of unevenness that guides the correction process, allowing workers to perform placement and correction concurrently. This merging maintains process reliability while significantly improving overall productivity by eliminating sequential process delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 allows for real-time, accurate measurement and visualization of surface unevenness, enabling concurrent construction work with improved efficiency and accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

a distance measurement sensor which measures a distance to a construction surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the distance measurement sensor is a laser length measuring device, and the distance measurement sensor irradiates laser beams

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

the object is a photodetector for detecting the horizontal reference plane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 4

the high-low measuring device further comprises a tilt sensor, and the arithmetic control module is configured to correct the high-low information based on a detection result of the tilt sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAccelerometer detection: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP4160144B1Surveying system
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 TOPCON CORPORATION
  • EP4160144B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4160144B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4160144B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A surveying system comprises a height measuring device and a high-low measuring device. The high-low measuring device comprises an object measured by the height measuring device, a distance measurement sensor which is provided in a known relationship with the object and measures a distance to a construction surface, a projecting device for projecting a high-low information, and an arithmetic control module, the arithmetic control module calculates a high-low information of the construction surface based on a height information of the object measured by the height measuring device and a distance information measured by the distance measurement sensor, and the projecting device projects the high-low information onto the construction surface.