Marking device

Abstract

Marking device (1) for marking at least one structural point (2) of a component (3), in particular a component (3) of a motor vehicle, comprising a receiving device (4) configured to receive a control device (5), in particular a tablet, of the marking device (1), wherein the control device (5) has a detection device (6) or is connected to a detection device (6) configured to detect structural points (2) of the component (3), wherein the control device (5) is configured to reference the component (3) with a three-dimensional model of the component (3) based on the detected structural points (2), wherein the marking device (1) has a marking unit (8) configured to optically mark at least one structural point (2) of the component (3), in particular by outputting a light signal to the structural point (2) of the component (3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a marking device for marking at least one structural point of a component, in particular a component of a motor vehicle, comprising a receiving device configured to receive a control device, in particular a tablet, of the marking device, wherein the control device has a detection device or is connected to a detection device configured to detect structural points of the component, wherein the control device is configured to reference the component with a three-dimensional model of the component based on the detected structural points.

[0002] Marking devices for marking structural points on components are used in the prior art to mark a point on the component, for example, the body of a motor vehicle, for instance, to outline a vehicle coordinate on the actual component, for example, if a feature of the component has changed or is to be changed. For example, if the position of a bolt on the body is to be changed from its current position to a new position, such a marking device can be used to outline the new position on the component, for example, in such a way that it can be color-coded.

[0003] There are known approaches where the marking is performed manually, in particular by manually transferring the information from a three-dimensional model of the component to the actual component. However, it is known that deviations can occur when transferring the information from the three-dimensional model to the real component. For example, the control device, specifically a tablet displaying the three-dimensional model of the component, is held manually by an employee while the marking is applied to the component. However, a defined referencing between the three-dimensional model and the real component is only possible to a limited extent with this approach, as the tablet is often held too close to the component to perform the referencing reliably enough.Alternatively, makeshift gauges can be fabricated and used to transfer the position to be marked, for example, a new position, relative to a specific point on the component, such as an edge. The described methods are therefore usually time-consuming and not sufficiently precise with regard to creating the marking on the component.

[0004] The invention is based on the objective of providing an improved marking device for marking at least one structural point of a component, in which a less complex and more precise marking can be produced on the component.

[0005] The problem is solved by a marking device according to claim 1. The dependent claims relate to possible embodiments.

[0006] As described, the invention relates to a marking device for marking at least one structural point of a component, specifically a component of a motor vehicle. The component can be any part, for example, a section of the vehicle body or any add-on parts. The marking device has a receiving device configured to receive a control device for the marking device. The control device can be any device designed for processing data or outputting information. Specifically, the control device can be a tablet or tablet computer, or any other computing device or computer device.Advantageously, the control device can have an output device that can display the three-dimensional model of the component to the user of the marking device, in particular the three-dimensional model superimposed on or projected onto the real image of the component.

[0007] The control unit includes or is connected to a detection device. The detection device is configured to capture structural points of the component. For example, the detection device can be a camera, specifically an RGB camera or depth camera. The detection device can capture structural points of the component in a known manner, for example, by analyzing an image of the actual component. The control unit is configured to reference the component to a three-dimensional model of the component based on the captured structural points.

[0008] In other words, at least one image of the component is captured by the scanning device, with the control unit establishing a reference between the real component and its three-dimensional model. The real component can then be captured and overlaid with the three-dimensional model, for example, a CAD model or model information derived from it. For instance, a display or output unit of the control unit can also present the user with a superimposed image of the real component and its three-dimensional model using augmented reality. Alternatively, the control unit can simply indicate that a reference between the three-dimensional model and the real component has been successfully established and that the marking device is marking the structural point on the component.

[0009] The invention is based on the finding that the marking device comprises a marking unit configured to optically mark at least one structural point of the component, in particular by outputting a light signal to that structural point. In other words, the present marking device proposes that a marking unit be connected to the receiving device in which the control unit is housed. The marking unit is designed to optically mark the structural point of the component to be marked, specifically by outputting a light signal to that structural point.

[0010] Advantageously, the marking device can be positioned near the component to be marked, allowing the control unit's detection unit to locate the component and the control unit to reference the real component with its model. Consequently, the control unit is able to align the structural point to be marked in the three-dimensional model with the actual structural point of the component, or to identify the structural point to be marked in the three-dimensional model. The marking unit then optically marks the actual structural point on the component, specifically by emitting a light signal. The optically marked structural point can then be marked on the component by an operator, for example, by mechanical marking, color marking, or similar methods.

[0011] Advantageously, it is therefore not necessary for an employee to hold the control device while the marking is applied, for example, using paint or mechanically. Deviations caused by transmission errors between the model and the actual component can thus be eliminated or reduced. Furthermore, it is unnecessary to produce additional makeshift gauges or the like, since the marking device itself performs the marking, and the marking applied to the component is placed in the correct position by referencing the three-dimensional model.

[0012] Another advantage is that the control unit's detection device can be positioned at a suitable distance from the component. This is because positioning the detection device too close to the component impairs tracking and, consequently, the referencing with the component model. Instead, the marking device can be positioned at the appropriate distance and, as described, optically mark the component. Thus, a specific component coordinate, where, for example, a feature of the component needs to be modified, can be determined from the three-dimensional model of the component by the marking device and displayed on the actual component.

[0013] The marking device may include a marking unit with a directed light source, in particular a laser pointer. A laser pointer is understood to be a light source designed to project a visible point of light onto the component. In other words, the laser pointer emits a laser beam that creates a point of light on the structural point of the component to be marked, which can be visually perceived by an employee. In other words, the control unit detects the component and references it to the model, and then the marking unit projects the point of light onto the component, specifically onto the structural point of the actual component to be marked. The structural point marked by the point of light can then be drawn or marked on the component.

[0014] The marking unit can be connected to the receiving device after further development of the marking device, in particular as a single unit and / or in one piece. As described, the receiving device is a unit in which the control unit is housed. For example, the receiving device is a frame in which the tablet or tablet computer can be held and, for example, attached to a higher-level base frame or a holding device. The receiving device can be coupled to a holding device designed as a tripod or to such a base frame.

[0015] The marking unit described above, which includes, for example, the directed light source, specifically the laser pointer, can be connected to the receiving device. In particular, the marking unit can be a single component and / or integrally connected to the receiving device, thus providing an inseparable or permanent connection between the receiving device and the marking unit. The marking unit can, for example, form an arm projecting from the receiving device, on which the light source is mounted. However, the marking unit allows the light source to be moved relative to a base body of the receiving device, so that the light source can be aligned relative to the receiving device to ensure that any structural points of the component to be marked can be marked, regardless of the orientation of the receiving device or the control device.

[0016] For this purpose, it is specifically provided that the marking unit includes a light source unit that is movably arranged on the receiving device, in particular by means of a ball mount. In other words, the marking unit as a whole can be rigidly connected to the receiving device, but can again include a subassembly, namely the light source unit, which is movably arranged on the marking unit or the receiving device.

[0017] For example, the light source unit can have a ball mount or socket with which the light source is mounted to the marking unit. This allows for degrees of freedom in the orientation of the light source unit relative to the rest of the marking unit or the mounting device. The light source can therefore be aligned as required for marking the structural point of the actual component. The light source unit can, for example, be designed to be clamped, particularly self-clamping, so that it can be manually positioned in the required orientation and locked in place, or lock itself in position.

[0018] The marking device can be further developed by providing at least one actuator designed to move the light source unit. In the described embodiment, active positioning or alignment of the light source unit is thus provided. This eliminates the need for a user of the marking device to manually align the light source unit; instead, it can be moved into the desired orientation by the actuator. For example, the actuator can be controlled by the control unit.

[0019] The control unit can, for example, determine the structural point of the component to be marked from the three-dimensional model and align the light source unit using the actuator so that the optical marking on the real component corresponds to the structural point to be marked on the real component and the structural point from the model. In particular, the control unit can detect the optical marking projected onto the real component using the detection device and thus compare or determine whether the projected marking is correctly projected onto the structural point of the real component that is to be marked. In case of a deviation, the control unit is designed to correct this, ensuring that the correct structural point on the real component is optically marked.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the marking device, the light source, for example a pen-like laser pointer, may have a cylindrical housing and an actuating element embedded in an outer wall of the housing. The light source and its cylindrical housing are mounted in a bearing arrangement of the light source unit, which has a C-shaped cross-section. The light source can be activated and deactivated by, in particular, directed rotation within the bearing arrangement. Thus, the light source can essentially have a deactivated state and an activated state. In the deactivated state, the light source does not emit a light signal. In the activated state, the light source emits a light signal.

[0021] The light source is mounted within the light source unit, specifically in a mounting bracket. This bracket provides a C-shaped cross-section into which the cylindrical housing of the light source can be inserted or clipped. The C-shaped cross-section includes an opening in which the actuating element can be located when the light source is deactivated. By rotating the light source within the mounting bracket, the actuating element comes into contact with the wall or cross-section of the mounting bracket and is thereby pressed into the outer wall of the light source housing, thus actuating it. Accordingly, rotating the light source within the mounting bracket activates or deactivates the light source.

[0022] Specifically, it may be stipulated that the rotation in the mounting device for activating or deactivating the light source must be directed. This means that, with the actuating element housed in the opening of the C-shaped cross-section, activation of the light source is only possible by rotation in a specific direction. This can be achieved, for example, by the C-shaped profile, and in particular the opening of the C-shaped cross-section, having a chamfer on only one edge, so that a rotation in the direction facing the chamfer enables actuation of the actuating element, while an opposite or reverse rotation causes the actuating element to abut against the C-shaped cross-section or the edge of the mounting device, thus preventing actuation of the light source.

[0023] As described earlier, the marking device is generally used to mark a structural point on the component, specifically to emit a light signal to the point to be marked, so that it can then be marked by an employee. In particular, the marking device can be configured to output the target position of a structural point on the component. For example, if the component is to be reworked, especially if the position of a feature on the component, such as a bolt position, a hole position, or the like, is to be changed or added, this target position of the feature can be output to a specific structural point on the component using the marking device. For this purpose, the component coordinate at which the feature is to be placed can be determined from the model.This position can be defined as the target position and visually marked on the actual component using the marking device. The employee can then place a mechanical or colored mark at this target position, allowing the feature to be implemented on the component, for example, enabling the component to be reworked accordingly.

[0024] As described, the marking device can generally be integrated into a higher-level holding device or base frame. In one embodiment of the marking device, the marking device can have a base frame, particularly a mobile one, especially a rolling tripod, wherein the receiving device is connected to the base frame, particularly by means of a flange plate. The receiving device can be detachably connected to the base frame, so that it can be connected or detached as needed. Since the base frame is preferably movable, the receiving device can be arranged on the base frame and moved around the environment together with the base frame, particularly into a suitable position to grip and mark the component. The base frame can, for example, be designed as a tripod and have casters.The rollers can be driven and / or locked in place by means of a drive unit. The flange plate of the mounting device allows for flexible coupling with various base frames.

[0025] The marking arrangement can be further developed to allow for changes to the position and / or orientation of the recording device. For example, the position and / or orientation of the control device, which is positioned in the recording direction, can be changed depending on how the component is arranged in space or which section of the component is to be marked. The recording device can be coupled to the previously described base frame, for example, by means of a movable holding device, specifically a clamping frame, ball joints, hinges, or similar mechanism. This allows the control device to be oriented in space so that the detection device can appropriately capture the actual component.

[0026] In addition to the marking device, the invention relates to a method for marking at least one structural point of a component, in particular a component of a motor vehicle, wherein a control device is received by means of a receiving device of a marking device, in particular a marking device described above, wherein the control device, in particular a tablet, has a detection device or is connected to a detection device, and structural points of the component are detected by means of the detection device, and the component is referenced with a three-dimensional model of the component based on the detected structural points, wherein at least one structural point of the component is marked optically by means of a marking unit, in particular by outputting a light signal to the structural point of the component.

[0027] All advantages, details, designs and / or features described in relation to the marking device are fully transferable to the process.

[0028] The invention is explained with reference to exemplary embodiments and the figures. The figures are schematic representations and show: Fig. 1. A schematic representation of a marking device according to an exemplary embodiment; and Fig. 2. A schematic representation of a section of the marking device of Fig. 1.

[0029] Fig. Figure 1 shows a marking device 1 for marking at least one structural point 2 of a component 3. The component 3 is, for example, a component 3 of a motor vehicle (not shown in detail), such as an add-on part, a body section, or the like. The marking device 1 comprises a receiving device 4 in which a control device 5, specifically a tablet or tablet computer, is received. The control device 5 has a detection device 6, which is generally designed to detect the component 3, specifically structural points of the component 3.

[0030] The detection device 6 can, for example, be designed as a camera and be integrated into the control device 5 or otherwise connected to the control device 5. For example, the detection device 6 can capture an image of the component 3, which can then be evaluated by the control device 5, specifically using image evaluation algorithms. The control device 5 also has access to a three-dimensional model of the component 3. Therefore, the detection device 6 enables the control device 5 to reference the component 3 using its three-dimensional model, which is stored, for example, on the control device 5.

[0031] The control unit 5 optionally includes an output unit 7, for example a (touch) screen, on which the current image of component 3 and / or the three-dimensional model of component 3 and / or a superimposed representation, in particular in the sense of an "augmented reality" output, can be displayed. The three-dimensional model of component 3 can be projected, at least section by section, onto the image of the real component 3, which is captured by the detection direction 6.

[0032] The marking device 1 further comprises a marking unit 8, which is connected to the previously described receiving device 4 and which is designed to output an optical marking onto the actual component 3. For this purpose, the marking unit 8 has, as exemplified in Fig. 1, Fig. Figure 2 shows a light source 9, which is designed, for example, as a directed light source 9, specifically as a pen-shaped laser pointer. The light source 9 is housed in a light source unit 10 of the marking unit 8, which light source unit 10 has, for example, a storage device 11 with a C-shaped cross-section, as shown in Figure 2. Fig. Figure 2 shows that the light source unit 10 is movably arranged on the marking unit 8 or movably relative to the receiving device 4. This means that the orientation of the light source 9 in its surroundings or relative to the receiving device 4, and in particular the signal or marking output to component 3, is variable with respect to its position.

[0033] In principle, it is possible for the light source unit 10, for example the mounting device 11, to be manually adjusted or set in order to direct the optical marking emitted by the light source 9, in particular a light beam or a light point, onto the structural point 2 of the component 3 that is to be marked. The light source unit 10 can, for example, be designed as a ball socket or ball cup. The light source unit 10 can, for example, be clampable or self-clamping. This means that the user can move the light source unit 10 into the desired orientation and then clamp it in place or release it if it is self-clamping.

[0034] Fig. Figure 2 optionally shows an alternative embodiment in which the orientation or positioning of the light source unit 10 can be changed by means of an actuator 12. The actuator 12 can, in particular, be connected to the control unit 5, as indicated by a dashed line, so that the actuator 12 can be controlled by the control unit 5.

[0035] This makes it possible for the control unit 5 to determine the structural point 2 to be marked from the model of component 3 and to issue corresponding control commands to the actuator 12, so that the actuator 12 aligns the light source unit 10 so that the optical signal emitted by the light source 9, in particular the light point, is projected onto component 3 to mark structural point 2. Furthermore, it is possible to control the optical marking projected onto component 3 by the light source 9 using the detection direction 6. This allows the control unit 5 to determine whether the marking is projected onto the correct structural point 2. If this is not the case, the control unit 5 can correct the positioning of the light source unit 10 by appropriately controlling the actuator 12.

[0036] As previously described, it is also possible for the user to take the structure point 2 to be marked from the control unit 5, or to retrieve it, in particular by reading it from the output unit 7. The user can then adjust the light source unit 10 so that the marked point, which is projected from the light source 9 onto the component 3, coincides with the structure point 2 to be marked. This means that the mark, in particular the light point, is directed at the structure point 2 of the actual component 3, which is output from the three-dimensional model to the output unit 7 as the structure point to be marked. In other words, the determined component coordinate of the model is aligned with the optical mark on the component 3.

[0037] Fig. Figure 2 further shows that the light source 9 has an actuating element 13 which is received in a cylindrical housing 14 and can be pressed into an outer wall of the housing 14 to actuate the light source 9. The bearing assembly 11, which, as described, has the C-shaped cross-section, can therefore also be used to activate or deactivate the light source 9. In the solid line shown, the light source 9 is deactivated because the actuating element 13 is not pressed in. To activate the light source 9, the light source 9 can be rotated about its longitudinal axis so that, as shown in the dashed line, the actuating element 13 is pressed in through the wall of the bearing assembly 11.

[0038] The illustrated embodiment optionally shows that a directed rotation is required for this purpose. The bearing assembly has a ramp or chamfer 15 designed to move the actuating element 13 into the actuated position. In other words, starting from the unactuated position, in which the actuating element 13 lies in the opening of the C-shaped cross-section, the light source 9 must be rotated counterclockwise so that the actuating element 13 is guided along the chamfer 15 into the actuated position. If the direction of rotation is reversed, the actuating element 13 will abut the edge of the bearing assembly 11 opposite the chamfer 15 and block further rotation, thus preventing actuation.

[0039] In Fig.Figure 1 further shows that the marking device 1 has a base frame 16 or is connectable to or coupled with the base frame 16. The base frame 16 is, for example, designed as a tripod. As shown, the base frame 16 can have rollers 17, which allow the base frame 16 to be moved in its surroundings. For this purpose, the marking device 1 can (not shown) have a flange plate by which the receiving device 4 is detachably connected to the base frame 16. The mounting of the receiving device 4 on the base frame 16 can also be designed so that the positioning and / or orientation of the receiving device 4 is changeable, for example, so that the control device 5 can be oriented so that the component 3 or a specific section of the component 3, which has the structural point 2, can be appropriately detected by the detection device 6.

[0040] The method described herein can be carried out using the marking device 1, as described. The preceding description is therefore transferable accordingly.

[0041] All the advantages, details and features described in relation to the figure can be combined, interchanged and transferred to one another as desired. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 marking device 2. Structural point 3 components 4. Receiving facility 5 Control unit 6. Data collection device 7 Output unit 8 marking units 9 Light source 10 light source units 11 Storage facility 12 Actuator 13 Actuating element 14 cases 15th phase 16 basic frames

Claims

[1] Marking device (1) for marking at least one structural point (2) of a component (3), in particular a component (3) of a motor vehicle, comprising a receiving device (4) configured to receive a control device (5), in particular a tablet, of the marking device (1), wherein the control device (5) has a detection device (6) or is connected to a detection device (6) configured to detect structural points (2) of the component (3), wherein the control device (5) is configured to reference the component (3) with a three-dimensional model of the component (3) based on the detected structural points (2), characterized by, that the marking device (1) has a marking unit (8) which is designed to mark at least one structural point (2) of the component (3) optically, in particular by outputting a light signal to the structural point (2) of the component (3). [2] Marking device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the marking unit (8) comprises a directed light source (9), in particular a laser pointer. [3] Marking device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the marking unit (8) is connected to the receiving device (4), in particular in one piece and / or in one piece. [4] Marking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the marking unit (8) has a light source unit (10) which is movably arranged on the receiving device (4), in particular by means of a ball receptacle. [5] Marking device (1) according to claim 4, characterized by, that at least one actuator (12) is provided which is designed to move the light source unit (10). [6] Marking device (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by , that the light source (9) of the marking unit (8) has a cylindrical housing (14) and an actuating element (13) received in an outer wall of the housing (14), wherein the light source (9) with the cylindrical housing (14) is mounted in a bearing device (11) of the light source unit (10) which has a C-shaped cross-section, wherein the light source (9) can be activated and deactivated by, in particular directed, rotation in the bearing device (11). [7] Marking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the marking device (1) is designed to output a target position of a structural point (2) on the component (3). [8] Marking device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the marking device (1) has a base frame (16), in particular a mobile one, in particular a rollable tripod, wherein the receiving device (4) is connected to the base frame (16), in particular by means of a flange plate. [9] Marking device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the position and / or orientation of the receiving device (4) is changeable. [10] Method for marking at least one structural point (2) of a component (3), in particular a component (3) of a motor vehicle, wherein a control device (5) is received by means of a receiving device (4) of a marking device (1), in particular a marking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (5), in particular a tablet, has a detection device (6) or is connected to a detection device (6), and structural points (2) of the component (3) are detected by means of the detection device (6), and the component (3) is referenced with a three-dimensional model of the component (3) based on the detected structural points (2), characterized by , that at least one structural point (2) of the component (3) is optically marked by means of a marking unit (8), in particular by outputting a light signal to the structural point (2) of the component (3).

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