Telescopic Gauge Laser Distance Meter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telescopic measuring gauges are cumbersome, expensive, require complex assembly and calibration, and are prone to water penetration and mechanical failure, limiting their use in precise and compact measurement applications.
Innovation Solution
A compact telescopic measuring gauge with a laser distance meter that allows for digital measurements of vertical bodies and distances between points, featuring a plate with a protruding part for measuring non-protruding surfaces, and adjustable components to ensure accurate measurements without the need for motor-driven parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an analogue telescopic measuring gauge with a graduated steel tape is used, then measurements can be taken, but the device becomes cumbersome, expensive, and requires complex assembly and calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical graduated steel tape system with an optical laser distance meter. The laser beam emits from the first end of the telescopic element and reflects off the target surface, eliminating the need for mechanical tapes, reels, and springs. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining measurement precision while dramatically reducing device complexity and removing cumbersome mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the measurement function from the mechanical tape system and isolates it in a separate laser distance meter component. This allows the laser meter to be independently calibrated and positioned, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining accurate measurement capabilities without requiring complex assembly of multiple mechanical parts.
2Measurement precision
If a graduated steel tape with spiral spring and reel is used, then measurements can be taken, but the device requires many mechanical details and long construction and assembly times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the entire mechanical tape-reel-spring system with an electronic laser distance meter. This eliminates the need for manufacturing and assembling multiple mechanical components including the spiral spring, reel, and graduated tape. The laser distance meter integrates all measurement functions in a single electronic component, dramatically improving ease of manufacture while preserving measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If an analogue telescopic measuring gauge is used, then measurements can be taken, but water penetration can cause rusting of internal metal parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the metal graduated tape and internal metal spring components with an electronic laser distance meter that uses optical and electronic parts. These electronic components are inherently more resistant to water-induced rusting compared to exposed metal mechanical parts. The laser beam and electronic circuitry do not corrode like steel tapes and springs, thereby improving reliability in environments where water penetration may occur.
4Ease of operation
If a laser distance meter is used for measurements, then digital measurements can be taken, but the laser beam cannot reflect off smooth surfaces without protruding elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a retroreflector as an intermediary component that is attached to the target object. This retroreflector ensures that the laser beam reflects back to the distance meter regardless of the target surface's smoothness or orientation. By adding this intermediary element, the system maintains both ease of operation and measurement precision, as the retroreflector guarantees reliable laser reflection even when the target surface would otherwise be unsuitable for laser measurement.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, easy-to-manufacture, and maintainable measuring instrument that offers precise digital measurements, is compact and versatile, and can handle both protruding and non-protruding surfaces without the limitations of traditional analog gauges.
Implementation Method 1
a laser distance meter (2) fixed to a first end (5A) of the first telescopic element (5) and adapted to emit a measuring laser beam (R) towards the plate (3)
Implementation Method 2
the plate (3) has a face (15) adapted to reflect the laser beam (R) towards the distance meter (2)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A telescopic measuring gauge (1) comprises a plurality of tubular elements (5,6,7,8) telescopically coupled to each other, a first outermost telescopic element (5) being adapted to at least partially contain all the other telescopic elements (6,7,8) which are slidably coupled when the telescopic measuring gauge (1) takes a closed position, a last innermost telescopic element (8) carrying a plate (3) at a free end thereof. The plate protrudes from at least one first side (5A) of such telescopic element (5) with a first part (14) thereof, said first telescopic element (5) carrying a laser distance meter (2) on such side (5A) adapted to measure the distance of the first part (14) of said plate (3) with the emitted laser beam R and therefore calculate the length of the telescopic measuring gauge (1) when used to measure the length of a body (K) adjacent to which there is arranged the telescopic element (1) or for measuring a distance between two bodies in the space.