Radial force application device for a profilometer and a measuring system

Abstract

A radial force application device (100) for a profile measuring instrument for measuring a profile of a shaft-shaped workpiece (110), which is rotatable about an axis of rotation (105). The radial force application device (100) has a clamping body (115), a force introduction roller (120), at least one counter roller (125, 150) and a coupling device (130). The clamping body (115) is shaped to radially fit around a workpiece portion (160) of the workpiece (110) accommodated in the profile measuring instrument (205). The force introduction roller (120) is designed to apply a mechanical radial force (135) to the workpiece (110) to apply a load to the workpiece (110), wherein the force introduction roller (120) is mounted on the clamping body (115) in a radially movable manner. The counter roller (125, 150) is mounted in the clamping body (115) and is designed to support the workpiece (110) during the application of the force (135). The coupling device (130) is shaped to couple the clamping body (115) to the profile measuring instrument.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a radial force application device for a profile measuring instrument and a measuring system. Background Technology

[0002] As is well known, a contour measuring instrument can be used to measure the contour of a workpiece. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Against this backdrop, the present invention provides a radial force application device and a measurement system for a profile measuring instrument. Advantageous improvements will be described accordingly in the following description.

[0004] The advantage of the proposed scheme is that it provides a way to perform measurements on a loaded workpiece while recording measurement values.

[0005] This invention provides a radial force application device for a profile measuring instrument used to measure the profile of an axial workpiece, the workpiece being rotatable about a rotation axis. With the aid of the radial force application device, a radial force can be applied to the workpiece. The radial force application device has a clamping body, a force-introducing roller, at least one opposing roller, and a connecting device. The clamping body is shaped to be radially assembled around a portion of the workpiece housed in the profile measuring instrument. The force-introducing roller is designed to apply a mechanical radial force to the workpiece to apply a load, wherein the force-introducing roller is mounted on the clamping body for radial mobility relative to the workpiece. The opposing roller is mounted in the clamping body and is designed to support the workpiece during force application. The connecting device is shaped to connect the clamping body to the profile measuring instrument.

[0006] The radial force application device proposed in this invention allows mechanical forces to be applied to a workpiece, wherein the forces, for example, simulate operational forces conceived for the workpiece during operation, thereby enabling operational tests, for example, regarding the material durability and / or deformability of the workpiece. The force-introducing roller can be rotatably mounted in, for example, a ball bearing parallel to the axis of rotation (hereinafter also referred to as the "C-axis"). In this case, the force-introducing roller can be mounted on a clamping body so as to be radially movable toward the axis of rotation, for example, along a Y-axis extending orthogonally to the axis of rotation. In this case, the opposing roller is advantageously used to fix the workpiece during force application, ensuring that the workpiece is not pushed out of its position between, for example, the two centers of a profile measuring instrument. The opposing roller can also be rotatably mounted in a ball bearing parallel to the axis of rotation.

[0007] The clamping body is substantially U-shaped for radial assembly around the workpiece portion, wherein the force-introducing roller and the opposing roller are arranged on the opposing legs of the U-shaped clamping body. This creates practical possibilities for clamping the workpiece. Furthermore, the opening of the U-shaped clamping body provides a practical means of pushing this U-shaped clamping body onto a workpiece already positioned in a profile measuring instrument, or only when the workpiece is positioned in the profile measuring instrument can the workpiece be pushed into the U-shaped clamping body already connected to the profile measuring instrument.

[0008] The radial force application device may further include at least one second opposing roller, which is mounted in the clamping body to support the workpiece during force application. This increases the stability of the workpiece in the profile measuring instrument during force application.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the opposing rollers and the second opposing roller can be arranged in alignment. This increases the support surface that reacts with the force, and thus increases the stability of the workpiece in the profile measuring instrument during the application of force.

[0010] A further advantage is that, when the opposing rollers and the second opposing roller are arranged aligned, the force-introducing roller is arranged in a horizontal plane between the opposing roller and the second opposing roller. For example, the force-introducing roller can be centrally arranged between the opposing roller and the second opposing roller. This ensures uniform support and prevents workpiece tilting during force application. Furthermore, additional opposing rollers and / or additional second opposing rollers can be installed in the clamping body, arranged in a horizontal plane with the opposing rollers. In this way, when force is applied to the middle portion of one side of the workpiece, for example, the upper portion of the workpiece can be supported on the side opposite to said side between the opposing roller and the additional opposing roller, and the lower portion can be supported on the side opposite to said side between the second opposing roller and the additional opposing roller.

[0011] The radial force application device may further include a component in which the force-introducing roller is mounted. This component can be mounted on the clamping body in a radially movable manner. This allows for the movable mounting of the force-introducing roller and provides protection for it.

[0012] Further advantageously, according to one embodiment, the radial force-applying device has a movement reversing device designed to move the clamping body in a second direction opposite to the first direction in response to movement of the component along a first radial direction. The first radial direction may be movement toward the workpiece along the Y-axis so as to subsequently generate a force on the workpiece. The movement reversing device thus also advantageously allows for the application of forces toward the opposing(s) opposing roller(s) toward the workpiece, or even opposite to the applied force. This can be achieved only by moving the component that holds the force introduced onto the roller toward the workpiece.

[0013] The coupling device can be configured to allow the clamping body to move longitudinally along the Y-axis and / or rotate about the Y-axis and / or move longitudinally along the X-axis and / or rotate about the X-axis, wherein the Y-axis and X-axis are arranged orthogonally to each other and to the axis of rotation. This allows for multiple degrees of freedom with respect to the profile measuring instrument, such as four degrees of freedom, thereby advantageously producing an adaptive closed force flow between the radial force application device and the workpiece. Combining the four degrees of freedom, the movement reversing device allows for the avoidance or reduction of lateral forces.

[0014] For example, the coupling device for connecting to the clamping body can have a ball guide unit having a bushing, ball spacers disposed in the bushing, and a shaft that is received, or can be received, in the ball spacers and is shaped to insert into an inlet opening in the clamping body. The bushing can extend orthogonally to the axis of rotation, for example, along the Y-axis. This ball guide unit forms a movable connection between the clamping body and the measuring system, wherein when the shaft is mounted in the clamping body via the inlet opening, the clamping body has two degrees of freedom relative to the measuring system, for example, along and about the Y-axis.

[0015] The connecting device may further include bolts for movably connecting the shaft to the clamping body. The bolts may extend orthogonally to the shaft, for example, along the X-axis. The shaft and the clamping body may each have openings for receiving the bolts to allow movement along and about the X-axis, thereby providing, for example, two additional degrees of freedom along and about the X-axis.

[0016] Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the radial force-applying device has a force-introducing unit for introducing force. Thus, force can be applied manually, for example by a toggle lever, or automatically, for example by pneumatic application of a cylinder. A compression spring can be a component of the force-supplying device, regardless of whether the force supply is manual or automatic. The compression spring is responsible for introducing a defined force.

[0017] The present invention further proposes a measurement system employing any of the aforementioned radial force application devices and a profile measuring instrument having two centers for rotatably clamping the workpiece along a rotation axis. This measurement system advantageously provides a rotatable device for accommodating the workpiece and the possibility of measuring the workpiece while it is under load.

[0018] The measurement system can further include a measuring device for measuring the contour of the workpiece. Therefore, a measurement system with multiple measurement functions can be realized, capable of performing workpiece measurement when the workpiece is under load. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The method is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, using examples. In the drawings:

[0020] Figure 1 A perspective side view of a radial force application device of a profile measuring instrument for measuring the profile of a shaft-shaped workpiece, which can rotate about a rotation axis, is shown according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0021] Figure 2 A side sectional view is shown of a measuring system for measuring the profile of a shaft-shaped workpiece, having a radial force application device and a profile measuring instrument, according to an exemplary embodiment. The shaft-shaped workpiece is rotatable about a rotation axis.

[0022] Figure 3 A plan view of a radial force application device according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0023] In the following description of advantageous exemplary embodiments of the method, the same or similar reference numerals are used to show elements having similar effects in the various figures, while repeated descriptions of these elements are omitted.

[0024] Figure 1 A perspective side view of a radial force application device 100 of a profile measuring instrument for measuring the profile of a shaft-shaped workpiece 110, which is rotatable about a rotation axis 105, is shown according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0025] By way of example only, according to this exemplary embodiment, the workpiece 110 is housed in the radial force application device 100.

[0026] The radial force application device 100 includes a clamping body 115, a force-introducing roller 120, at least one opposing roller 125, and a connecting device 130. The clamping body 115 is shaped to be radially assembled around a portion of a workpiece 110 housed in a contour measuring instrument. The force-introducing roller 120 is designed to apply a radial mechanical force 135 to the workpiece 110 so that the workpiece 110 can withstand a load, wherein the force-introducing roller 120 is mounted on the clamping body 115 in a radially movable manner. The opposing roller 125 is mounted in the clamping body 115. The opposing roller 125 is configured to support the workpiece 110 during the application of force 135. The connecting device 130 is shaped to connect the clamping body 115 to... Figure 2 The contour measuring instrument 205 shown.

[0027] According to this exemplary embodiment, the force-introducing roller 120 is rotatably mounted in, for example, a ball bearing, parallel to the rotation axis 105 (hereinafter also referred to as the "C-axis"). According to this exemplary embodiment, the force-introducing roller 120 is mounted on the clamping body 115 so that it can move radially toward the rotation axis 105, in this case, along a Y-axis extending orthogonally to the rotation axis 105. According to this exemplary embodiment, the opposing roller 125 is also rotatably mounted in, for example, a ball bearing, parallel to the rotation axis 105.

[0028] According to this exemplary embodiment, the clamping body 115 is generally U-shaped for radial assembly around a workpiece portion, wherein force-introducing rollers 120 and opposing rollers 125 are arranged on the opposing legs 140 of the U-shaped clamping body 115.

[0029] According to this exemplary embodiment, the radial force application device 100 further includes at least one second opposing roller 145, which is mounted in the clamping body 115 for supporting the workpiece 110 during the application of force 135. According to this exemplary embodiment, the opposing roller 125 and the second opposing roller 145 are arranged aligned. Further, according to this exemplary embodiment, the force-introducing roller 120 is arranged in a horizontal plane between the opposing roller 125 and the second opposing roller 145. In this case, according to this exemplary embodiment, the force-introducing roller 120 is centrally arranged between the opposing roller 125 and the second opposing roller 145. However, the force-introducing roller 120 can also be arranged asymmetrically. This depends on the workpiece. However, the force-introducing roller 120 is always arranged between the opposing rollers 125 and 145. According to this exemplary embodiment, the clamping body 115 is equipped with additional opposing rollers 150 and / or additional second opposing rollers 155, which are arranged on a horizontal plane with opposing roller 125, and the additional second opposing rollers are arranged on a horizontal plane with second opposing roller 145. According to this exemplary embodiment, the upper portion of the workpiece 110 is centrally contacted or can be centrally contacted between opposing roller 125 and the additional opposing roller 150. According to this exemplary embodiment, the lower portion of the workpiece 110 is centrally contacted or can be centrally contacted between the second opposing roller 145 and the additional second opposing roller 155. A force-introducing roller 120 is arranged to contact the intermediate portion 160 of the workpiece 110, which is disposed between the upper portion and the lower portion. According to this exemplary embodiment, the outer perimeter of the intermediate portion 160 is greater than the outer perimeters of the upper portion and the lower portion. Alternatively, the outer perimeter of the intermediate portion 160 may be equal to or less than the outer perimeters of the upper portion and the lower portion.

[0030] According to this exemplary embodiment, the radial force application device 100 further includes a component 165 in which a force introduction roller 120 is mounted. The component 165 is designed, for example, as a cubic block. The component 165 is mounted on the clamping body 115 in a radially movable manner.

[0031] According to this exemplary embodiment, the radial force application device 100 further includes a movement reversing device designed to cause the clamping body 115 to move in a second direction opposite to the first direction in response to movement of the component 165 along a first radial direction. According to this exemplary embodiment, the first radial direction is movement along the Y-axis toward the workpiece 110 so as to subsequently generate a force 135 on the workpiece 110. As a result, the clamping body moves toward the workpiece 110 along the second (Y-direction) direction, causing the opposing rollers 125, 145, 150, 155 to also come into contact.

[0032] The radial force application device 100 proposed herein implements a mechanism for applying radial force to a shaft-shaped workpiece 110. According to this exemplary embodiment, the mechanism is shaped like a camshaft. The radial force application device 100 can be used in all measurement methods that require radial force during measurement. To this end, according to an exemplary embodiment, a mechanical force 135 is locally applied to the shaft-shaped workpiece 110 in the form of a radial force during measurement of the workpiece 110.

[0033] The radial force application device 100 is capable of radially loading the workpiece 110, which is in the form of an axis, without lateral force. Advantageously, there is minimal wear on the parts in contact with the workpiece, such as the force introduction roller 120 and / or the opposing rollers 125, 145, 150, 155.

[0034] Figure 2 A side cross-sectional view of a measuring system 200 for measuring the profile of a shaft-shaped workpiece 110, which has a radial force application device 100 and a profile measuring instrument 205, is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. The shaft-shaped workpiece is rotatable about a rotation axis 105. The radial force application device 100 may be... Figure 1 The radial force application device 100 described herein. The workpiece 110 may also be... Figure 1 The workpiece 110 described in the text.

[0035] The contour measuring instrument 205 has two positioning centers 210 for rotatably clamping the workpiece 110 along the rotation axis 105. Optionally, the measuring system 200 according to this exemplary embodiment further includes a measuring device 215 for measuring the contour of the workpiece 110.

[0036] According to this exemplary embodiment, the coupling device 130 is configured to allow the clamping body 115 to move longitudinally along the Y-axis and / or rotate about the Y-axis and / or allow the clamping body 115 to move longitudinally along the X-axis and / or rotate about the X-axis, wherein the Y-axis and X-axis are arranged to be orthogonal to each other and to the rotation axis 105.

[0037] According to this exemplary embodiment, the coupling device 130 for coupling to the clamping body 115 has a ball guide unit 217 having a bushing 220, ball spacers 225 disposed in the bushing 220, and / or a shaft 230 that is received in, or can be received in, the ball spacers 225 and is shaped to be inserted into an inlet opening 235 in the clamping body 115. According to this exemplary embodiment, the bushing 220 extends orthogonally to the axis of rotation 105, in this case, for example, along the Y-axis. According to this exemplary embodiment, the coupling device 130 further has a bolt 240 for movably connecting the shaft 230 to the clamping body 115. According to this exemplary embodiment, the bolt 240 extends orthogonally to the shaft 230 and / or the axis of rotation 105, in this case, for example, along the X-axis. According to this exemplary embodiment, the shaft 230 and the clamping body 115 each have an opening for receiving the bolt 240 to allow movement along and about the X-axis.

[0038] According to this exemplary embodiment, the radial force application device 100 further includes a force introduction unit 245 for introducing force. Further, according to this exemplary embodiment, a compression spring 250 is housed between the force introduction unit 245 and the force introduction roller 120. Force is applied to the workpiece 110 via the compression spring 250. The force may be introduced mechanically or pneumatically, for example, by means of a toggle lever clamp.

[0039] According to this exemplary embodiment, the radial force application device 100 enables an automated option for measuring the workpiece 110 when the workpiece is under load, thereby advantageously saving time compared to manual measurement.

[0040] The clamping body 115 and component 165 together can also be referred to as a pressurizing device 255.

[0041] The radial force application device 100 presented herein advantageously allows an additional radial force to be applied to the axial workpiece 110 in the profile measuring instrument 205 (also referred to as the "profiler") during measurement. However, in this case, the workpiece 110, which is vertically clamped between the positioning centers 210, is advantageously not pushed out of the clamping position due to the lateral force loading generated by the force, and no lateral force acts on the positioning centers 210.

[0042] Furthermore, the radial force application device 100 is attached to the profile measuring instrument 205, wherein, according to this exemplary embodiment, the device advantageously has four degrees of freedom relative to the profile measuring instrument 205. This results in a closed force flow between the radial force application device 100 and the workpiece 110. A disc supported by ball bearings, here force-introducing roller 120 and opposing rollers 125, 145, 150, 155, serve as elements in contact with the workpiece.

[0043] According to an exemplary embodiment, the radial force load during workpiece 110 measurement simulates the operating force subsequently acting on the workpiece in its final installed state. This allows it to be determined in advance whether geometric tolerances are met under load.

[0044] Force should not be introduced radially into the workpiece 110 unilaterally, otherwise a lateral force will be generated at the positioning center 210 of the contour measuring instrument due to the radial load, and there is a risk that the workpiece 110 will be pushed out of the positioning center 210. The radial force application device 100 was therefore developed, which applies radial load to the workpiece 110 but does not transmit any lateral force to the positioning center 210.

[0045] According to this exemplary embodiment, the entire radial force application device 100 includes a connecting device 130 in the form of a "pressurizing device base" and a pressurizing device 255 mounted in the "pressurizing device base" via a ball guide unit 217. Therefore, the pressurizing device 255 has two degrees of freedom relative to the connecting device 130, namely the Y-axis translation and the Y-axis rotation, which, according to this exemplary embodiment, is securely screwed onto the machine tool of the profile measuring instrument 205. Further, according to this exemplary embodiment, the shaft 230 of the ball guide unit 217 is mounted to the clamping body 115 via bolts 240, thereby generating two additional degrees of freedom, namely the X-axis translation and the X-axis rotation. According to this exemplary embodiment, the remaining two degrees of freedom, namely Z-translation along the Z-axis and Z-rotation about the Z-axis, are restricted. The clamping body 115 serves as a receiving seat for the opposing rollers 125, 145, 150, 155 (for example, four) and the force-introducing roller 120, wherein the force-introducing roller 120 is mounted in the clamping body 115 for displacement in the Y direction via a component 165, which is, for example, a cube. For example, the shaft of the force-introducing roller 120 is received in a through opening of the component 165. According to this exemplary embodiment, the opposing rollers 125, 145, 150, 155 are securely screwed to the clamping body 115, and / or according to this exemplary embodiment, in each case, when viewed along the Z direction, two opposing rollers 125, 150 are arranged above the force-introducing roller 120 and two opposing rollers 145, 155 are arranged below the force-introducing roller. According to this exemplary embodiment, the force-introducing roller 120 and / or the four opposing rollers 125, 145, 150, 155 are themselves mounted by ball bearings.

[0046] In the functional example, workpiece 110 is housed between two positioning centers 210. To apply a simulated operating force to the workpiece 110, the force is introduced via a force-introducing roller 120, which is displaceable in the +Y direction and supported on the clamping body 115. As a result, the entire clamping body 115 is guided in the -Y direction via a ball guide unit 217 until the opposing rollers 125, 145, 150, 155 also abut against the workpiece 110. According to an exemplary embodiment, the guidance of the clamping body 115 in the -Y direction is achieved by the movement of the force-introducing roller 120 on the workpiece 110. The movement of the force-introducing roller 120 can again be accomplished manually, for example, by a toggle lever clamp, or pneumatically, for example, by a cylinder. The required radial load is applied to the workpiece 110 by a compression spring 250. In this configuration, force flows from the clamping body 115 to the force-introducing roller 120, then through the workpiece 110 to the opposing rollers 125, 145, 150, 155, and back to the clamping body 115. Due to the availability of four degrees of freedom, no lateral force acts on the workpiece 110 being measured, thus enabling the machine tool to be loaded with radial force relative to the workpiece 110 without any lateral force.

[0047] Figure 3 A plan view of a radial force-applying device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. This can be... Figure 1 or Figure 2 The radial force application device 100 described herein.

[0048] The present invention is illustrated by way of example only, using exemplary embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Different exemplary embodiments may be combined with each other entirely or for individual features. Furthermore, one exemplary embodiment may be supplemented by features of another exemplary embodiment.

[0049] If an exemplary embodiment includes an "and / or" relationship between a first feature and a second feature, this must be interpreted as including both the first feature and the second feature according to one embodiment; and including only the first feature or only the second feature according to another embodiment.

Claims

1. A radial force application device (100) for a profile measuring instrument (205) for measuring the profile of a shaft-shaped workpiece (110) capable of rotating about a rotation axis (105), characterized in that: A clamping body (115) is used to radially assemble the workpiece portion (160) housed in the contour measuring instrument (205) around the workpiece (110); A force-introducing roller (120) is used to apply a mechanical radial force (135) to the workpiece (110) to apply a load to the workpiece (110), wherein the force-introducing roller (120) is mounted on the clamping body (115) so as to be radially movable relative to the workpiece (110) along a Y-axis extending orthogonally to the rotation axis (105); The force-introducing roller (120) is rotatably mounted parallel to the axis of rotation (105); At least one opposing roller (125) is mounted in the clamping body (115) for supporting the workpiece (110) during the application of the force (135), the opposing roller (125) being rotatably mounted parallel to the axis of rotation (105), and another opposing roller (150) is mounted in the clamping body (115), the other opposing roller (150) being arranged in a horizontal plane with the opposing roller (125); At least one second opposing roller (145) is mounted in the clamping body (115) for supporting the workpiece (110) during the application of the force (135), and another second opposing roller (155) is mounted in the clamping body (115). The other second opposing roller and the second opposing roller (145) are arranged in a horizontal plane. The force-introducing roller (120) is arranged in the horizontal plane between the opposing roller (125) and the second opposing roller (145). When viewed along the Z direction, the opposing roller (125) and the other opposing roller (150) are arranged above the force-introducing roller (120), while the second opposing roller (145) and the other second opposing roller (155) are arranged below the force-introducing roller (120). The component (165) in which the force-introducing roller (120) is mounted is mounted on the clamping body (115) in a radially movable manner; A reversing device is designed to move the clamping body (115) in a second direction opposite to the first direction in response to movement of the component (165) in a radial first direction; as well as A connecting device (130) is used to connect the clamping body (115) to the profile measuring instrument (205).

2. The radial force application device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clamping body (115) is basically U-shaped for radial assembly around the workpiece portion (160), wherein the force-introducing roller (120) and the opposing rollers (125, 150) are arranged on the opposing legs (140) of the U-shaped clamping body (115).

3. The radial force application device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The coupling device (130) is configured to allow the clamping body (115) to move longitudinally along the Y-axis and / or rotate about the Y-axis and / or allow the clamping body (115) to move longitudinally along the X-axis and / or rotate about the X-axis, wherein the Y-axis and the X-axis are arranged to be orthogonal to each other and to the rotation axis (105).

4. The radial force application device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The coupling device (130) for coupling to the clamping body (115) has a ball guide unit (217) having a bushing (220), a ball spacer (225) disposed in the bushing (220), and / or a shaft (230) which is received in or can be received in the ball spacer (225) and is shaped to be inserted into the inlet opening (235) of the clamping body (115).

5. The radial force application device (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The connecting device (130) includes bolts (240) for movably connecting the shaft (230) to the clamping body (115).

6. The radial force application device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The radial force application device has a force introduction unit (245) for introducing the force (135).

7. A measurement system (200), characterized in that, The measuring system has a radial force application device (100) according to any one of claims 1-6 and a profile measuring instrument (205) having two positioning centers (210) that rotatably clamp the workpiece (110) along the rotation axis (105).

8. The measurement system (200) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The measuring system has a measuring device (215) for measuring the contour of the workpiece (110).

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