Dust guard for a calibration rod

Abstract

The technical scheme of the present application provides a dustproof clamp for a calibration rod, comprising a support part and a plurality of dustproof cavities for accommodating calibration ball cages of the calibration rod, the support part having a groove part capable of clamping a handle part of the calibration rod. A dustproof cover plate is movably arranged on the dustproof cavities to open or close the openings of the dustproof cavities. The dustproof cover plate is rotatably arranged on the dustproof cavities, and has a first position for closing the openings of the dustproof cavities and a second position for opening the openings of the dustproof cavities. The dustproof cavities of the dustproof clamp for the calibration rod protect the calibration ball cages, which are key components of the calibration rod, from dust and other impact sources in the working environment, keep the surfaces of the calibration ball cages clean, and thus improve the accuracy and reliability of the calibration rod in spatial calibration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of storage fixtures for calibration tools, specifically to a dustproof clamp for a calibration rod. Background Technology

[0002] Industrial vision measurement technology is increasingly widely used in the industrial manufacturing field. However, traditional vision measurement technology mainly serves the appearance and size measurement of small parts. Due to the limited operating range of image sensors or LiDAR, it is difficult to apply it to the inspection of large parts.

[0003] To achieve online visual measurement of large-sized products, such as automotive body panels and large gas cylinder liners, it is typically necessary to move image sensors or LiDAR acquisition devices. For example, the acquisition device can be mounted on a robotic arm or guide rail, and its controlled movement allows for point cloud acquisition of the surface to be measured. In this acquisition process, one approach is to determine the specific position of the acquisition device by solving for its motion state to achieve spatial point cloud matching. Another approach is to directly solve for a common point cloud set from adjacent frames of point cloud data to achieve point cloud matching. However, the drawbacks of these techniques are lower accuracy and higher real-time computational load, thus limiting their widespread adoption. The latter approach is primarily concentrated in the field of handheld scanning measurement. Therefore, improved large-size visual measurement technology mainly uses an additional optical tracking system to track the position of the acquisition device in real time to achieve stitching and matching between each frame of point cloud data. For example, Hexagon's OPTIUM optical inspection system includes an additional tracking camera and a reflective ball cage fixed to the acquisition device. The tracking camera only needs to detect the pose of the reflective ball cage to reliably determine the position and orientation of the ball cage and the acquisition device.

[0004] The problem is that while this measurement method effectively solves the issue of reduced measurement accuracy on large-sized products, the system requires periodic recalibration to maintain accuracy and prevent further degradation during use. This calibration process is achieved by replacing the data acquisition device with a specific calibration rod. For example... Figure 1 As shown, a common calibration rod is achieved by setting a ball cage with multiple reflective points distributed in a spherical space at both ends of the rod body. Such a calibration rod is usually stored in the system and only needs to be retrieved and installed on the robotic arm during repeated calibration. However, in line-fed measurements, the environmental conditions are often harsh. If the calibration rod is not properly protected, dust will accumulate on the reflective label surface of the ball cage at its end, affecting its reflectivity and interfering with the calibration process of the tracking system. This can lead to increased calibration time or reduced calibration accuracy, and in more severe cases, insufficient effective reflective points can cause system calibration failure. Utility Model Content

[0005] To prevent dust from adhering to the surface of the calibration rod and to ensure the calibration accuracy and efficiency of the optical tracking system, this application provides a dustproof clamp for the calibration rod.

[0006] This application provides a dustproof clamp for a calibration rod, including a support and several dustproof cavities.

[0007] The dustproof cavity is used to accommodate the calibration ball cage of the calibration rod, and the support part has a groove that can hold the handle of the calibration rod.

[0008] Preferably, the dustproof chamber surrounds the calibration ball cage, and the dustproof chamber has a partial opening.

[0009] Preferably, part or all of the opening is located on the side below the vertical direction of the dustproof cavity.

[0010] Preferably, it also includes a dust cover plate, which is movably disposed on the dustproof cavity to open or close the opening of the dustproof cavity.

[0011] Preferably, the dust cover is rotatably disposed on the dustproof cavity, and the dust cover has a first position that closes the opening of the dustproof cavity and a second position that opens the opening of the dustproof cavity.

[0012] Preferably, the dust cover has an arm extending into the movement path of the rod. During the process of the calibration ball cage entering the dust chamber, the rod pushes the arm to rotate around a fixed axis, so that the dust cover reaches a first position that closes the opening of the dust chamber.

[0013] Preferably, the dust cover is suspended in the second position by its own weight.

[0014] Preferably, the upper surface of the support has a protrusion at the entrance of the groove, the protrusion abutting against the end of the handle to prevent the handle from coming out of the groove.

[0015] The dustproof clamp for calibration rods described in this application achieves both suspension and storage of the calibration rods through a support structure, and dustproof protection for the key components of the calibration rods, the calibration ball cage, through a dustproof chamber. The dustproof chamber houses the calibration ball cage of the calibration rod, ensuring that the ball cage is kept away from dust or other impact sources in the working environment during storage, maintaining the surface cleanliness of the ball cage, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of spatial calibration of the calibration rods. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the calibration rod in the existing technology;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the dustproof clamp for the calibration rod according to this application;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the dustproof clamp for calibration rods according to this application;

[0019] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an embodiment with the calibration rod W attached.

[0020] In the picture:

[0021] 1: Dustproof clamp; 11: Support part; 111: Protrusion part; 112: Groove part; 12: Dustproof cavity; 121: Dustproof cover plate; 122: Arm part; W: Calibration rod; W1: Calibration ball cage; W2: Handle part; W3: Rod part. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solution of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. In this specification, the dimensions of the drawings do not represent the actual size ratio. The drawings are only used to illustrate the relative positional relationship and connection relationship between the components. Components with the same name or the same reference numeral represent similar or the same structure, and are limited to illustrative purposes.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the dustproof clamp 1 of this application. It includes a support part 11 and several dustproof chambers 12. The support part 11 is used to clamp the handle W2, so that the support part 11 can be stably supported on the dustproof clamp 1. The dustproof chambers 12 are used to accommodate the calibration ball cage W1 of the calibration rod W, so that the calibration ball cage W1 can be isolated from dust and other pollutants in the working environment. The dustproof chambers 12 can keep the surface of the calibration rod W, especially the calibration ball cage W1, clean when the calibration rod W is in a non-calibration state such as storage, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of spatial calibration of large-size vision measurement systems using the calibration rod W. The dustproof chambers 12 should generally surround the handle W2 to prevent external dust and other contaminants from contacting the handle W2. On this basis, the support part 11 can have necessary openings for the handle W2 to enter and exit. The number of dustproof chambers 12 can be set according to the number of handles W2.

[0024] Considering the structure of the calibration rod W, such as Figure 1 As shown, the calibration rod W has a calibration cage W1 and several handles W2. For example, the figure shows a scheme with two calibration cages W1, one at each end of the main body of the calibration rod W. In order to accommodate the corresponding handles W2 in the corresponding dustproof chamber 12, the positional relationship between the support 11 and the dustproof chamber 12 is also adapted to the structure of the calibration rod W.

[0025] As long as the handle W2 can fully enter the dustproof cavity 12, it is permissible for the dustproof cavity 12 to have several openings in certain areas. In particular, necessary openings are essential to provide a path for the handle W2 to enter and exit the dustproof cavity 12. Figure 2 In one embodiment, the dustproof chamber 12 may have a corresponding opening area on its surface to avoid the rod portion W3 of the calibration rod W. On the other hand, to provide a path for the calibration ball cage W1 to enter and exit the dustproof chamber 12, the surface of the dustproof chamber 12 should also have corresponding openings. These openings may be interconnected. Figure 2 In this embodiment, the majority of the opening is preferably located at the lower vertical direction of the dustproof chamber 12. The calibration ball cage W1 enters the dustproof chamber 12 through the aforementioned opening along a generally bottom-up path. Furthermore, the advantage of having most of the opening at the lower part of the dustproof chamber 12 is that it reduces the probability of dust and particulate matter entering the dustproof chamber 12. Also, since most external impacts come from above or diagonally above, such as falling heavy objects or accidental throwing of debris, a downward-facing opening also improves the dustproof chamber 12's ability to prevent dust and isolate external impacts.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the dustproof clamp 1 of this application. Preferably, the opening of the dustproof chamber 12 is partially or completely closed when the dustproof chamber 12 has already accommodated the calibration ball cage W1. Therefore, the dustproof clamp 1 also includes a dustproof cover 121 for closing the opening of the dustproof chamber 12. Obviously, the dustproof cover 121 should be movable on the dustproof chamber 12 to achieve a controlled opening or closing effect. We do not require the dustproof cover 121 to completely cover the opening of the dustproof chamber 12 when closing it; leaving some unclosed passages or areas is permissible. Generally, it is required that the calibration ball cage W1 does not come into contact with the dustproof chamber 12 or the dustproof cover 121 during movement, to avoid the dustproof chamber 12 or the dustproof cover 121 damaging the calibration features on the surface of the calibration ball cage W1, such as reflective labels pasted on the surface. In this regard, the path of the calibration rod W can be carefully planned, and the movement of the dust cover 121 should also be adjusted accordingly based on the movement of the calibration rod W.

[0027] To achieve this, Figure 3This also provides a simple and effective solution. The dust cover 121 is preferably rotatably mounted on the dust chamber 12, allowing it to have a first position with the opening of the dust chamber 12 closed and a second position with the opening of the dust chamber 12 open. The dust cover 121 also has an arm 122 extending along the movement path of the rod W3 into the dust chamber 12. During the process of the calibration cage W1 entering the dust chamber 12, the arm 122 is pushed to move, causing the dust cover 121 to reach the first position with the opening of the dust chamber 12 closed. Preferably, the dust cover 121 can automatically reset to the open state after the calibration rod W leaves the dust chamber 12. The automatic reset function can be externally driven or spontaneously completed, such as relying on the weight of the dust cover 121 to achieve its reset function. Figure 4 for Figure 3 The embodiment is shown in the schematic diagram after the calibration rod W is supported. At this time, due to the pressure of the rod W3, the arm 122 is pushed and abuts against the rod W3. Accordingly, the dust cover 121 overcomes its own weight and enters the first position, thereby substantially closing the dust chamber 12.

[0028] When the calibration rod W is not in the preset load position, the dust cover 121 can hang on the dust chamber 12 by its own weight. Typically, by appropriately changing the weight distribution of the dust cover 121, the overall suspension angle of the dust cover 121 and the arm 122 can be adjusted so that, in the balanced suspension position, the dust cover 121 does not obstruct the opening of the handle W2 into the dust chamber 12, and the arm 122 is appropriately positioned on the movement path of the rod W3, ensuring that the rod W3 can smoothly push the arm 122 for operation, especially preventing self-locking between the arm 122 and the rod W3 during the movement of the rod W3. Figure 4 As shown, during the process of placing the calibration rod W in the dustproof fixture 1, as the calibration ball cage W1 enters the dustproof chamber 12, the rod W3 pushes the arm 122 to rotate around its fixed rotation axis, so that the dustproof cover 121 rotates to close the opening of the dustproof chamber 12.

[0029] Figure 4 In this embodiment, the support portion 11 of the dustproof clamp 1 has a through groove 112 for accommodating the handle W2 of the calibration rod W. Typically, the calibration rod W is suspended from the dustproof clamp 1 via the handle W2, meaning that the handle W2 enters the groove 112 with its constricted portion, and its slightly larger end is engaged above the groove 112, achieving the purpose of suspension. Furthermore, the upper surface of the support portion 11 preferably has a protrusion 111 at the entrance of the groove 112, which is slightly higher than the surface of the support portion 11 that the end of the handle W2 contacts, thus abutting against the end of the handle W2 and preventing it from slipping out of the groove 112.

[0030] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of this application. Any modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art to the technical solutions of this application without departing from the spirit of this application shall fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A dustproof clamp for suspending a calibration rod (W), characterized in that, Includes a support (11) and several dustproof chambers (12), The dustproof cavity (12) is used to accommodate the calibration ball cage (W1) of the calibration rod (W), and the support part (11) has a groove (112) that can hold the handle (W2) of the calibration rod (W).

2. The dustproof clamp for a calibration rod as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The dustproof chamber (12) surrounds the calibration ball cage (W1), and the dustproof chamber (12) has a partial opening.

3. The dustproof clamp for a calibration rod as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The opening is partially or entirely located on the side below the vertical direction of the dustproof cavity (12).

4. The dustproof clamp for a calibration rod as described in claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a dust cover (121), which is movably disposed on the dust chamber (12) to open or close the opening of the dust chamber (12).

5. The dustproof clamp for a calibration rod as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The dust cover (121) is rotatably disposed on the dust chamber (12), and the dust cover (121) has a first position that closes the opening of the dust chamber (12) and a second position that opens the opening of the dust chamber (12).

6. The dustproof clamp for a calibration rod as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The dust cover (121) has an arm (122) extending into the movement path of the rod (W3) of the calibration rod W. During the process of the calibration ball cage (W1) entering the dust chamber (12), the rod (W3) pushes the arm (122) to rotate around a fixed axis, so that the dust cover (121) reaches a first position that closes the opening of the dust chamber (12).

7. The dustproof clamp for a calibration rod as described in claim 6, characterized in that, When the dust cover (121) is suspended in the second position by its own weight.

8. The dustproof clamp for a calibration rod as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The upper surface of the support (11) has a protrusion (111) at the entrance of the groove (112), the protrusion (111) abuts against the end of the handle (W2) to prevent the handle (W2) from coming out of the groove (112).

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