Toroidal Surveying Pole Sensor Mount for Distance Error Correction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surveying poles with secondary sensors suffer from measurement errors due to changes in the distance from the reflector to the pole tip and reduced incidence angles, requiring precise orientation of the reflector to minimize these errors.
Innovation Solution
A surveying pole design with a secondary sensor unit that attaches via a locking mechanism, ensuring a fixed distance between the reflector and the sensor, and incorporates a topological torus housing to stabilize the sensor, allowing for independent attachment and correction of measurement errors through a calibrated distance error function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a secondary sensor unit is attached to the surveying pole using stacking principle (screw thread interface or quick release interface), then the secondary sensor can be attached to the pole, but the distance from the reflector to the pole tip changes and measurement errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing the fixed distance between the secondary sensor unit and the reflector in the evaluation unit before measurement. This predetermined distance value is used to compensate for the position change caused by attaching the secondary sensor, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy without requiring complex real-time adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter approach by introducing a correction value that accounts for the fixed distance between the secondary sensor and reflector. Instead of trying to maintain the original geometric relationship, the system adjusts the measurement parameters using the known offset distance, transforming the measurement problem into a corrected calculation that compensates for the structural modification.
2Reliability
If the secondary sensor is attached using clamps or clamping screws to the surveying pole, then the sensor can be secured to the pole, but the incidence angles for measurement light are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical clamping system with an optical correction approach. Instead of trying to maintain optimal optical angles through mechanical adjustment, the system uses the evaluation unit to calculate corrected distance values based on the actual (reduced) incidence angles, substituting mechanical optimization with computational correction.
3Measurement precision
If the reflector is oriented precisely to the primary sensor to reduce distance measurement errors, then measurement accuracy improves, but the operator complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by having the evaluation unit automatically perform the complex calculations and corrections that would otherwise require manual operator intervention. The system self-compensates for measurement errors by using the stored fixed distance between the secondary sensor and reflector to calculate corrected values, eliminating the need for the operator to manually adjust or compensate for geometric relationships.
Data Source
AI summary
A surveying pole and to a secondary sensor unit which is attachable to the surveying pole. A reflector and/or GNSS receiver attachable to the surveying pole can be attached independently of whether or not the secondary sensor unit is attached to the surveying pole. A distance between the reflector and/or GNSS receiver and a pole tip is also independent of whether or not the secondary sensor unit is attached to the surveying pole. A distance between an attached reflector and/or GNSS receiver and the attached secondary sensor unit is also known and fixed. A method and computer program product for numerically correcting distance measurement errors due to reflector orientation and position with respect to a primary sensor, in particular a tachymeter.