Universal Sphere Mount Stepped Design Negative Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sphere mounts for spherically mounted retro-reflectors have limited negative rotation range and stability, leading to inaccuracies in measurement due to occlusion of the retro-reflective elements and illumination source, and are prone to distortion and foreign material accumulation.

Innovation Solution

A universal sphere mount with a stepped design and three-point conical nest that allows for negative rotation up to 360 degrees without occlusion, providing a larger footprint for stability and minimizing foreign material accumulation through a design that includes a groove and ring to collect debris.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional sphere mounts are used, then the retro-reflector can be mounted, but the negative rotation range is limited and occlusion occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenegative rotation rangeVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a stepped design with a first step and second step at different vertical levels, creating a multi-dimensional structure that allows the retro-reflector to rotate through negative angles without occlusion. The first step provides a higher mounting position while the second step allows lower rotation positions, effectively adding a vertical dimension to the rotation range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The mount is segmented into multiple functional zones: a first step for mounting the retro-reflector, a second step for allowing negative rotation, a conical nest for precise positioning, and a groove for debris collection. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction between rotation range and measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the sphere mount allows wide rotation, then adaptability improves, but foreign material accumulation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation freedomVSAvoidforeign material accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of foreign material accumulation into a beneficial feature by introducing a groove specifically designed to collect and contain debris. The groove captures foreign materials that would otherwise interfere with measurement, transforming them from harmful contaminants into contained elements that do not affect operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful foreign materials are extracted from the measurement zone and relocated to the groove through gravitational settling and airflow patterns. This separation removes the harmful factors from the critical measurement area while maintaining rotation freedom in the upper zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If the mount structure is simplified, then ease of manufacture improves, but distortion resistance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemount fabricationVSAvoiddistortion resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different structural qualities to different regions of the mount. The first step and second step have different heights and functions, the conical nest provides precise localization, and the groove offers debris collection. This local differentiation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity and resistance to distortion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Achieves precise positioning and maximum negative rotation within ±0.0005 inch tolerance, maintaining stability and accuracy while reducing the risk of distortion and foreign material interference.

Implementation Method 1

The hollow steel balls include a circular opening or aperture in an exterior surface, through which laser light enters the ball and is reflected back along an incident angle to the source by the internally mounted retro-reflector.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRetro-reflection: Retroreflector

Data Source

PatentUS8567966B2Universal sphere mount

Publication Date: 2013.10.29 BLACK KNIGHT ENTERPRISES LLC

AI summary

The universal sphere mount provides a spherically mounted retro-reflector conical nest mount having a base, a body of lesser diameter than the base, and a precise nest in the body that receives a retro-reflector target. The body steps inwardly from the base or has bevel. The body has a lesser diameter than the base so the reflector achieves an orientation below a horizontal plane at any horizontal rotation upon the body. The nest receives a spherically mounted retro-reflector and positions it with high precision over the shank. The nest has at least three oblique clearance areas, equally spaced, that permit a maximum negative acceptance angle for incident light to a mounted spherically mounted retro-reflector without occlusion and at any angle of rotation upon the body. The universal sphere mount achieves tolerances, within 0.0005 inch of the centerline and of the height of a spherically mounted retro reflector placed therein.