Distance measuring device

Abstract

The invention relates to a distance measuring device, wherein the distance measuring device emits a distance measuring laser beam which is directed from the distance measuring device towards a target to be measured, and the distance measuring device comprises a housing in which the light source and a receiver for the distance measuring laser beam are provided, and wherein the housing has a connecting device, wherein the connecting device is designed for detachable attachment to an excavator, in particular to a boom of an excavator arm, and the distance measuring device additionally emits a directional laser beam which is also directed towards the target to be measured and / or towards an area immediately adjacent thereto, wherein the directional laser beam emits in a different wavelength range than the distance measuring laser beam.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a distance measuring device, wherein the distance measuring device emits a distance-measuring laser beam directed at a target to be measured, and wherein the distance measuring device comprises a housing in which the light source and the receiver for the distance-measuring laser beam are provided. The housing further comprises a connection device for fixing the distance measuring device.

[0002] In civil engineering, it is common practice to carry out surveys before, during or after a construction phase for staking out construction elements or for creating as-built drawings.

[0003] One known method is real-time kinematic surveying, which utilizes satellite-based navigation systems. This allows for high accuracy. In addition to a so-called "reference station," namely a first antenna, a second antenna, the "rover," is required. Its position relative to the reference station is determined using a three-dimensional method. This rover is typically a GNSS receiver, especially a GPS receiver.

[0004] The reference stations can be temporary or permanent.

[0005] Such terrain surveys using a GNSS receiver have become standard practice in construction and are particularly useful for staking out and creating as-built surveys during the construction phase. The receiver is typically mounted at one end of a surveying pole, a so-called "rover," so that the receiver or rover points essentially vertically upwards. The terms "receiver," "rover," and "GNSS receiver" are used synonymously here unless the context indicates otherwise.

[0006] It is important to know the distance between the rover and the component being measured in order to perform accurate measurements. To measure the correct height with a rover, the surveying (rover) pole must be placed directly on the element being measured (e.g., curbstone, manhole cover, survey point, water pipe). The pole height is usually read from a scale printed on the pole and manually entered into the surveying software. If the entry is forgotten or the user makes a typo, very troublesome measurement errors occur, which cannot be corrected, especially when surveying an open trench after it has been backfilled. Furthermore, not every element to be measured is easily or even accessible, for example, in deep trenches or when the pole cannot be held straight, such as when it is directly against a wall.

[0007] Furthermore, it is often undesirable for people to work with surveying rods in the trenches or on the edges of the trenches, as such work can be associated with a high risk of accidents.

[0008] It is also known to provide an inclination measuring device in the rover, e.g. an internal spirit level that detects and takes into account any inclination of the surveying rod.

[0009] Furthermore, laser measuring devices are also known that allow distance measurement from the device to an element. One example is EP 3 182 066 A1, which describes a laser-based measurement between a receiver and a target located on the ground.

[0010] It was already known to take measurements by driving an excavator to specific points where the excavator arm, equipped with a working tool such as a bucket, is placed against the ground. Geodata can then be determined from the corresponding angles, enabling the documentation of certain points. However, this also means that the excavator arm, or a working tool attached to it, must move to the corresponding point. Such surveying can be particularly problematic during deep trenching.

[0011] Furthermore, it is also known to equip excavators with environmental perception systems, for example using stereo cameras. However, this generates large amounts of data, so the analysis requires specialized software and / or a cloud connection.

[0012] However, it is advantageous if an excavator operator can pick up elements that are to be quickly backfilled or removed, thus avoiding the need for additional surveying. Such elements can be, for example, entire geometries (trenches, mounds). Environmental recognition is particularly effective with these geometries.

[0013] In many cases, however, only individual components need to be recorded, such as a pipe end, a crossing cable, a pre-installed stub, or a building entry point. Evaluating a point cloud, as used for environmental perception, is incredibly complex in such cases. It is therefore desirable that a single excavator operator could significantly simplify the recording of points.

[0014] Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a distance measuring device that is versatile and makes it particularly easy to measure or record elements of the receiver simply and precisely, without having to resort to a measuring rod.

[0015] The invention solves this problem by means of a distance measuring device with the features of claim 1.

[0016] In a distance measuring device according to the invention, it is particularly advantageous that no measuring rod is required, but rather that an excavator already present on the construction site can be used for distance measurement, which can be used anyway for excavating, for example, a trench in civil engineering works or as a working attachment for a compactor. Furthermore, the data acquisition and evaluation are quick and straightforward.

[0017] By designing the removal device in such a way that the housing can be detachably attached to an excavator, in particular to a boom of an excavator arm (excavator stick), the flexibility of the work is further increased.

[0018] Furthermore, many excavators are already equipped so that their position, as well as the position of attachments such as buckets or other implements, can be tracked using geodata. This allows for easy surveying and mapping via the excavator arm. It is particularly advantageous if the distance measuring device can be detachably connected to the excavator, as this allows it to be used universally with different excavators and potentially for other applications, such as surveying rods or handheld use.

[0019] It is particularly preferred that the distance measuring device interacts with a 3D excavator control system, and in particular that it can be coupled with it. Such 3D excavator control systems are already widely used in excavators.

[0020] In a particularly simple design, the connecting device can be magnetic. This allows for particularly easy attachment to a metallic part of an excavator arm, or even to the excavator itself. The magnetic connection is especially advantageous for quick and easy attachment and removal.

[0021] Alternatively, a clamping connection and / or a connection via clamping devices can be provided, whereby both force-fit and form-fit fastening are conceivable. In this way, a connection can be provided that is also easy to implement but offers maximum security against displacement and removal. The connection device can be reusable or non-reusable, meaning that it is destroyed upon loosening and must then be replaced.

[0022] Preferably, the housing should be easy to handle. In particular, it may be designed to be between 20 and 50 cm long and have a diameter of 5 to 15 cm. A tubular housing is especially preferred. Furthermore, a weight of less than 5 kg, particularly less than 2 kg, and especially less than 1.5 kg, is preferred.

[0023] If the housing has a longitudinal axis, it is particularly advantageous for the distance measuring laser and / or the pointing laser to emit radiation in the axial direction of the housing. A particular advantage of such a design is that the logistical effort for storing and providing the distance measuring device is reduced, since the device only needs to be connected to the excavator when it is to be used, thus enabling operation with multiple machines. It is also particularly advantageous for the distance measuring device to additionally include a transmitter for transmitting the distance measurement to a data receiving station. Alternatively or additionally, the distance measuring device can also provide further data, such as geodata, which allows the distance measurement data to be correlated with coordinates.

[0024] A detachable connection is understood to mean any form of connection that allows repeated removal and reattachment of the distance measuring device.

[0025] The device is designed to emit a distance-measuring laser beam directed at a target to be measured. It also emits a further laser beam, likewise directed at the target and / or at an area immediately adjacent to it. This further laser beam is a directional laser beam and emits in a different wavelength range than the distance-measuring laser beam.

[0026] The two laser beams, namely the distance measuring laser beam and the sighting laser beam, allow for particularly simple positioning and sighting of the point to be measured.

[0027] For the distance measuring laser, a laser can be selected that offers the greatest measurement precision. However, such lasers often have the disadvantage of being difficult for the human eye to see. By incorporating a second laser beam, namely the aiming beam, this is specifically designed for good visibility. This allows the excavator operator performing the measurement to align the distance measuring device on the excavator boom with the point to be measured and then, even at a greater distance, to clearly see whether the distance measuring laser beam is aimed at the correct point. This positively influences the measurement accuracy.

[0028] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the distance-measuring laser beam can be emitted in the visible, red, and / or infrared wavelength range. It is particularly preferred that the distance-measuring laser beam is emitted in the range of 620 to 690 nm, particularly between 630 and 670 nm and especially between 640 and 655 nm. In principle, the red light range can also extend to or above 690 nm, particularly up to 780 nm. Furthermore, a wavelength greater than 780 nm, i.e., in the near-infrared or infrared range, is also conceivable.

[0029] According to a further preferred embodiment, the puncture laser beam can be emitted in the visible green wavelength range, since this wavelength range is particularly well detected by the human eye. It is particularly preferred that the puncture laser beam be emitted in the visible green wavelength range, especially in the range of 459 to 566 nm, and particularly preferably in the range of 520 to 540 nm.

[0030] Furthermore, it is particularly preferred if the wavelength ranges of the distance-measuring laser beam and the aiming laser beam differ by at least 30 nm, in particular at least 40 nm, and in particular at least 50 nm. It is especially preferred if the difference in wavelengths is such that the aiming laser beam is emitted in a different color than the distance-measuring laser beam.

[0031] While a distance-measuring laser emitting in the red and / or infrared visible range enables particularly accurate measurements, the red and / or infrared dot projected by the laser onto the object being measured is difficult or impossible for the human eye to detect, especially at greater distances. In contrast, a laser marking in the visible green wavelength range is easily perceived by the human eye.

[0032] It is particularly preferred that the two beams, the distance-measuring laser beam and the aiming laser beam, run parallel to each other, especially in close proximity, or intersect at the target to be measured (target point or target area), or approach each other at the target to be measured. In this way, it can be ensured that the aiming laser is also directed at the target to be measured, and thus the distance-measuring laser beam is also aligned with the target to be measured. In this way, an accurate measurement can be guaranteed.

[0033] Such a design is achieved in particular by using two different laser diodes to generate the distance measuring laser beam and the pointing laser beam.

[0034] Alternatively, a design is conceivable in which both laser beams are generated by the same laser diode. In this case, the beams for the aiming laser and the distance-measuring laser are emitted intermittently or in a desired temporal sequence, each within the desired wavelength range. For example, it could be configured that the aiming laser beam is emitted as the standard configuration, and only when it is positioned is the system switched to the distance-measuring laser beam, which is then emitted by the same laser diode and the measurement is performed.

[0035] In principle, it is also conceivable to use a similar configuration with two independent laser diodes, one emitting the aiming laser beam and the other the distance-measuring laser beam. For example, the standard configuration could be to emit only the aiming laser beam, which is then triggered either by the user or automatically if the aiming laser beam remains stationary for a certain period of time, at which point a measurement laser beam is emitted, and the measurement is then performed.

[0036] Additionally, a camera can be integrated into the measuring device. This allows for the precise documentation of the measurement location. Typically, a display unit in the excavator's cab includes a tablet with a camera, which, however, is not pointed at the measurement point. By incorporating a camera into the distance measuring device, the measurement process can be significantly simplified compared to using a stereo camera or a lidar system. Furthermore, the images can then be georeferenced and displayed accordingly. The data volume of individual measured points with image attachments is orders of magnitude smaller than that of a point cloud and scan combination, and allows for the selective, deliberate storage of captured elements. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 3 182 066 A1

[0009]

Claims

[1] Distance measuring device, wherein the distance measuring device emits a distance measuring laser beam directed from the distance measuring device towards a target to be measured, and the distance measuring device comprises a housing in which the light source and a receiver for the distance measuring laser beam are provided, and wherein the housing has a connecting device, characterized by , the connecting device is designed for detachable attachment to an excavator, in particular to a boom of an excavator arm, and the distance measuring device additionally emits a peen laser beam which is also directed towards the target to be measured and / or towards an area immediately adjacent thereto, wherein the peen laser beam emits in a different wavelength range than the distance measuring laser beam. [2] Distance measuring device according to claim 1, characterized by that the connecting device is magnetic. [3] Distance measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the connecting device is clampable and / or can be fixed to an excavator via a clamping device. [4] Distance measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the casing is tubular. [5] Distance measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it works with a 3D excavator control system, and in particular that it can be coupled with it. [6] Distance measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the distance measuring laser beam is emitted in the visible, red and / or infrared wavelength range. [7] Distance measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the pilla laser beam is emitted in the visible green wavelength range. [8] Distance measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the two beams, distance measuring laser beam and pointing laser beam, run parallel to each other or intersect in the target to be measured or approach each other in the target to be measured or both are emitted intermittently in the same axis. [9] Distance measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it includes a transmitting device for transmitting the distance measurement to a data receiving station. [10] Distance measuring device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it includes a camera that is directed towards the distance measuring laser beam.