Measuring instrument

Abstract

To provide a measuring instrument having a drastically small measuring instrument main body.SOLUTION: A measuring instrument includes a remote display device that is separate from a measuring instrument main body. The remote display device is separate from the measuring instrument main body, and establishes a communication connection with the measuring instrument main body via wireless communication and displays information on a measurement value measured by the measuring instrument main body. If the measuring instrument main body has an auxiliary display unit, when the auxiliary display is viewed in a plan view, the outline of the outermost portion of the auxiliary display unit does not extend beyond the outline of a measuring instrument main body case.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a measuring instrument.

Background Art

[0002] A test indicator (so-called lever-type dial gauge) is known (for example, Patent Document 1). The test indicator is used for measuring minute displacements such as circumferential runout, total runout, flatness, and parallelism, and for precision comparison inspections such as machining errors of machined products with respect to master workpieces (or block gauges).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Conventional test indicators (or portable and relatively small measuring instruments (small tools)) have a display unit sized to protrude from the measuring instrument main body. Even if miniaturization of the internal electrical components (encoders and microcontroller chips) progresses and the measuring instrument main body becomes smaller, there is a limit to the discrimination ability of human eyes, so a certain size of the display area must be ensured to ensure easy readability (visibility) of the measured values, and there is inevitably a limit to reducing the size of the display unit. On the other hand, in recent years, miniaturization of mechanical devices and mechanical parts has progressed, and the gaps (dead spaces) have almost disappeared, leaving no room to insert a measuring instrument. In such a situation, when inspecting the accuracy of devices and parts, problems such as being unable to approach the measuring instrument properly to the desired measurement location, difficulty in handling the measuring instrument, and low measurement efficiency have occurred. In manufacturing and repairing devices, in combination with labor shortages and cost reduction requirements, an inspection device for solving such problems is eagerly desired.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0005] The measuring instrument of the present invention includes a measuring instrument main body that measures the position or displacement of a measurement object by bringing a measuring element into contact with the measurement object, and a remote display device that is separate from the measuring instrument main body, establishes a communication connection with the measuring instrument main body by wireless communication, and displays information on the measurement value measured by the measuring instrument main body. It is characterized by this.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, the outer surface of the measuring instrument main body has an auxiliary display portion, and when the auxiliary display portion is viewed in plan view, the outermost contour of the auxiliary display portion does not protrude beyond the contour of the measuring instrument main body. This is preferable.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the auxiliary display portion displays one or more pieces of information selected from the on / off state of the power supply of the measuring instrument main body, the state of the wireless communication connection, and the state of the remaining battery level. This is preferable.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the outer surface of the measuring instrument main body has mounting means for attaching the measuring instrument main body to a support. This is preferable.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the mounting means is provided on a surface of the outer surface of the measuring instrument main body other than the surface on which the auxiliary display portion is provided. This is preferable.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, The remote display device includes remote operation input means for performing setting operations on the measuring instrument main body unit. The remote operation input means is preferably provided as contact or non-contact operation means displayed on the display unit. This is preferable.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the measuring instrument main body unit includes a measuring arm having the measuring element at its tip, a measuring instrument main body case that pivotally supports the measuring arm with an axis perpendicular to the axial direction of the measuring arm as a rotation axis, and an encoder provided in the measuring instrument main body case for detecting the rotational displacement amount of the measuring arm. It is preferable to have these components. This is preferable.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the outer surface of the measuring instrument main body unit has an auxiliary display unit, and when the auxiliary display unit is viewed in plan view, the outermost contour of the auxiliary display unit does not protrude beyond the contour of the measuring instrument main body unit. This is preferable.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the bearing portion for pivotally supporting the measuring arm is provided on the measuring instrument main body case so as to protrude sharply in the tip direction from the end surface on the tip side of the measuring instrument main body case. On the side of the measuring instrument main body case opposite to the bearing portion, the portion facing the bearing portion is defined as the base end portion of the measuring instrument main body case. The surface connecting the bearing portion and the base end portion is defined as the side surface portion. When a virtual line connecting the bearing portion and the base end portion is used as a baseline, one or more of the side surface portions preferably have a convex portion facing outward in a direction perpendicular to the baseline with a step or inclination. This is preferable.

[0014] The remote display device control program of the present invention A remote display device control program installed in an information processing apparatus having at least a control unit, a wireless communication unit, and a display unit, by installing the remote display device control program in the information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus is configured to function as a wireless remote display device of a measuring instrument main body unit that measures the position or displacement of a measurement object by bringing a measuring element into contact with the measurement object characterized by this.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated and described with reference to the reference numerals attached to the respective elements in the drawings. In addition, not only can each embodiment be implemented alone, but two or more embodiments can be combined and implemented, and the examples of modifications supplemented in each embodiment can also be applied to other embodiments. (First Embodiment) The first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an external view of a measuring instrument according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Here, the test indicator 100 (digital lever type dial gauge) will be described as an example of the measuring instrument.

[0017] The test indicator 100 of the present embodiment includes a measuring instrument main body unit 200 and a remote display device 300 that is separate from the measuring instrument main body unit 200.

[0018] The measuring instrument main body 200 is a test indicator 100 that detects the displacement of the measuring element (measuring arm 210) and measures the position, displacement, flatness (concave-convex shape), coaxiality (shaft runout), or dimensions of the measurement target. However, the measuring instrument main body 200 itself does not have a large display unit that can easily present (display) the measured value and other related information to the user for visual recognition. Conventional test indicators (or portable and relatively small measuring instruments (small tools)) were equipped with a display unit sized to protrude from the measuring instrument main body 200. Even if the internal electrical components (encoder 230 and microcomputer 240 chips) are miniaturized and integrated and the measuring instrument main body 200 becomes smaller, there is a limit to the discrimination ability of the human eye. To ensure easy readability (visibility) of the measured value, a certain size of the display area must be ensured, and there is inevitably a limit to reducing the size of the display unit. The measuring instrument main body 200 of the present embodiment is not provided with a main display unit that can easily present (display) the measured value and other related information to the user for visual recognition. As the main display unit, there is a remote display device 300 that is separate from the measuring instrument main body 200.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 2, the configuration of the measuring instrument main body 200 will be briefly described. FIG. 2 is a diagram briefly showing the internal configuration of the measuring instrument main body 200 with the battery and cover plate of the measuring instrument main body 200 removed. Also, FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the measuring instrument main body 200. The measuring instrument main body 200 includes a measuring arm 210, a measuring instrument main body case 220, an encoder 230, a microcomputer 240, a wireless communication unit (first communication unit) 250, and an auxiliary display unit 260.

[0020] Measurement arm 210 is a generally elongated rod-like body, and has a spherical contact 211 at its tip. Measurement arm 210 is rotatably supported by measurement device main body case 220 in a state where it is exposed from an insertion hole formed in the end face on the tip side of measurement device main body case 220. Bearing portion 221 is attached to measurement device main body case 220 so as to protrude from the end face on the tip side of measurement device main body case 220 in the tip direction.

[0021] The encoder 230 (position or displacement detector) has a scale 231 and a detection head 232 portion. The scale 231 is attached to the base end side of the measurement arm 210, and when the measurement arm 210 rotates, the scale 231 also rotates. The detection head 232 is fixedly installed inside the measurement device main body case 220, and detects the position or the relative displacement amount with respect to the scale 231. Conversely, the detection head 232 may be attached to the base end side of the measurement arm 210, and the scale 231 may be fixedly installed inside the measurement device main body case 220, as long as the scale 231 and the detection head 232 move relatively. The encoder 230 may be of any detection type, such as a photoelectric type, an electromagnetic induction type, a capacitance type, etc. The encoder 230 is preferably of an absolute type (absolute position detection type), but may also be of a so-called incremental type that counts the relative displacement from an origin (base point).

[0022] The microcomputer 240 (MCU, Micro Controller Unit) is a control unit that is composed of a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and executes a calculation processing program and a control program to control the operation of the entire measuring device. The operations of the microcomputer 240 include, but are not limited to, calculating the position or displacement of the measuring element by calculating the detection signal from the encoder 230, connecting to a communication unit to control communication, controlling the display of the auxiliary display unit 260, and performing internal processing in response to remote operation from the remote display unit. For example, the microcomputer 240 of the measuring device main body 200 may be partially responsible for display control of the remote display device 300.

[0023] The first communication unit 250 has a transmission and reception circuit that performs wireless communication with the remote display unit.

[0024] The auxiliary display unit 260 is, for example, a small flat display panel 320, such as a liquid crystal or an organic EL display panel 320. Here, the auxiliary display unit 260 is located on the upper end surface of the measuring instrument main body case 220 and has a size that fits within the width of the upper end surface of the measuring instrument main body case 220. In other words, the auxiliary display unit 260 is installed on a surface of the outer surface of the measuring instrument main body case 220 that is parallel to the rotation axis of the measuring arm 210. When the auxiliary display unit 260 is viewed, the outermost contour of the auxiliary display unit 260 does not protrude beyond the contour of the measuring instrument main body case 220 (here, the contour of the upper end surface), and preferably, the outermost contour of the auxiliary display unit 260 is inside the contour of the measuring instrument main body case 220. Even if the auxiliary display unit is maximally enlarged, when the auxiliary display unit 260 is viewed, a part of the outermost contour of the auxiliary display unit 260 may partially overlap the contour of the measuring instrument main body case 220, but it must not protrude. What the auxiliary display unit 260 displays is, for example, the power-on state of the measuring instrument main body unit 200, the communication connection state with the remote display unit, the remaining battery level, etc.

[0025] Note that the position where the auxiliary display unit 260 is provided on the outer surface of the measuring instrument main body case 220 is not limited. For example, on the side surface of the measuring instrument main body case 220, in other words, the auxiliary display unit 260 may be installed on a surface of the outer surface of the measuring instrument main body case 220 that is perpendicular to the rotation axis of the measuring arm 210.

[0026] When simplifying the configuration of the measuring instrument main body unit 200, the auxiliary display unit 260 may be, instead of the display panel 320, for example, one or two or three or more display lamps such as LEDs. When the power is turned on, the power lamp lights up. When communicating with the remote display unit, the communication lamp lights up. When the battery runs low, the battery lamp lights up or blinks, etc. It may simply present the information of the measuring instrument main body unit 200.

[0027] The measuring instrument main body 200 may have a mechanical (mechanical type) power on / off button 222. Here, the power on / off button 222 is provided on the upper end surface of the measuring instrument main body case 220.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the measuring instrument main body case 220, the bearing portion 221 is located on the tip side of the measuring instrument main body case 220 and is provided so as to protrude sharply from the measuring instrument main body case 220. Now, on the side of the measuring instrument main body case 220 opposite to the bearing portion 221, the portion facing the bearing portion 221 is defined as the base end portion 223 of the measuring instrument main body case 220. And the surface connecting the bearing portion 221 and the base end portion 223 is defined as the side surface portion. In FIG. 3, among the side surface portions, the widest surface is defined as the side end surface 224S. The side end surfaces 224S are two in number and are in an opposing state with the internal space of the measuring instrument main body case 220 in between. Here, the side end surface 224S is a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the measuring arm 210.

[0029] Among the side surface portions, the surfaces connecting the two side end surfaces 224S are defined as the lower surface portion 224B and the upper surface portion 224U. At this time, focusing on the upper surface portion 224U, the upper surface portion 224U has an inclined surface 224UI and is convex in a direction away from the lower surface portion 224B, and the upper end of the convex shape is the upper end surface 224UE. The auxiliary display portion 260 and the power button 222 are arranged on this upper end surface 224UE. If a virtual line connecting the bearing portion 221 and the base end portion 223 is defined as the base line L, the upper surface portion 224U is convex in a direction perpendicular to the base line L.

[0030] In a conventional test indicator (digital lever type dial gauge), a large display portion was provided at a position corresponding to the upper end surface 224UE of the upper surface portion 224U in FIG. 3. However, in the present invention, since the main display portion is a separate remote display device, there is no large display portion in the measuring instrument main body case. And, in this embodiment, by making the upper end surface 224UE of the upper surface portion 224U protrude in a convex shape, the internal space of the measuring instrument main body case can be made wider. Also, since the upper end surface 224UE of the upper surface portion 224U can be made to protrude in a convex shape to widen the internal space of the measuring instrument main body case, the length of the measuring instrument main body case in the baseline direction L can be made shorter and more compact.

[0031] Also, on the outer surface of the measuring instrument main body case 220, attachment means 225 used when attaching the measuring instrument to a support (stand) is provided. Here, the attachment means 225 is a combination of a dovetail groove and a dovetail key, and a dovetail key is provided on the outer surface of the measuring instrument main body case 220. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the dovetail key is at the base end portion 223 and the lower surface portion 224B, and further, a dovetail key is also provided at a location other than the auxiliary display portion 260 in the upper surface portion 224U.

[0032] Conversely, it goes without saying that the dovetail key may be on the side of the support and a dovetail groove may be provided on the outer surface of the measuring instrument main body case 220. Also, the attachment means should not be limited to the combination of a dovetail groove and a dovetail key.

[0033] The remote display device 300 is connected to the measuring instrument main body 200 by wireless communication, receives the information transmitted from the measuring instrument main body 200, and displays it on the display unit. The remote display device 300 includes at least a housing unit 310, a microcomputer provided in the housing unit 310, a display panel 320, and a wireless communication unit (second communication unit). (The microcomputer and the wireless communication unit (second communication unit) of the remote display device 300 are inside the housing unit 310 and are not shown in the drawings.) Here, it is assumed that the housing unit 310 of the remote display device 300 has a thin and planar shape, but it may also be box-shaped. Information such as the measured value and the unit of the measured value (millimeter unit or inch unit) is displayed. When displaying the measured value, the dial and the pointer may be displayed by an image as illustrated in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the numerical value of the measured value may be displayed.

[0034] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the detection signal of the encoder is processed by the microcomputer 240 of the measuring instrument main body 200 to become position data and displacement value data, and this is sent to the remote display device 300 and displayed. However, without processing the encoder detection signal in the measuring instrument main body 200, the raw data of the encoder detection signal may be directly transmitted to the remote display device 300, and position calculation, image generation, and display control may be performed on the side of the received remote display device 300. Also, it is assumed that the generation of image information provided to the user, the arrangement, arrangement, and scale adjustment of the images are mainly performed by the microcomputer of the remote display device 300.

[0035] In addition, the remote display device 300 also has a function as a remote operation unit. For example, a zero set button, a hold button (holding the current displayed value, as well as holding the maximum value, minimum value, or intermediate value), a unit change button, a sampling rate change button, etc. are provided by the remote display device 300. Such buttons may be mechanical buttons, or input means (operation icons) may be provided in a touch panel method. The touch panel may include a contact type as well as a non-contact type touch panel.

[0036] As the remote display device 300, a dedicated device paired with the measuring instrument main body 200 may be prepared. Alternatively, by installing an application program (remote display device control program) on the user's information processing device, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a notebook PC, the function as the remote display device 300 paired with the measuring instrument main body 200 may be enabled. As a method of distributing the program, it may be recorded on a non-volatile recording medium (such as a CD-ROM or a memory card) and distributed, or it may be downloaded via an Internet line or the like.

[0037] The measuring instrument main body 200 of the measuring instrument (test indicator 100) of the present embodiment does not have a relatively large display unit as in the prior art, so the measuring instrument main body 200 is extremely small. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of using the measuring instrument. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the measuring instrument main body 200 can be inserted into a narrow gap or a narrow space to inspect (measure) the position, displacement, unevenness, coaxiality, shaft misalignment, etc. of the measurement object.

[0038] In recent years, the miniaturization of mechanical devices and mechanical parts has advanced, and the gaps (dead spaces) have disappeared, and there is no room to insert a test indicator. In this regard, since the outer shape of the measuring instrument main body of the test indicator 100 of the present embodiment is extremely miniaturized, it can be inserted into a small mechanical device or a small mechanical part to inspect the component accuracy, assembly accuracy, and operation accuracy. In addition, since the measurement value can be confirmed by the remote display device 300, there is no problem with the measurement operation even if the measuring instrument main body 200 itself cannot be seen. For example, even if the measuring instrument main body 200 is inserted into the internal mechanism deep inside the measurement object (small mechanical device, small mechanical part) or the measuring instrument main body 200 cannot be seen behind the measurement object (small mechanical device, small mechanical part), there is no problem with the measurement operation. In addition, the measuring instrument main body 200 and the remote display device 300 are connected by wireless communication instead of a wired cable, so there is no obstacle even when changing the orientation or posture of the measuring instrument main body 200.

[0039] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit thereof. The present invention can be applied to a portable and relatively small measuring instrument (small tool). As the measuring instrument main body, it includes a fixed body portion and a movable body portion that is provided so as to be relatively movable with respect to the fixed body portion and that directly or indirectly abuts against the object to be measured. By detecting the position or displacement of the movable body portion with respect to the fixed body portion, it suffices that the position, displacement, dimensions, flatness, coaxiality, etc. of the object to be measured are measured. Examples of such portable and relatively small measuring instruments (small tools) include a digital caliper, a digital micrometer, a digital dial gauge (digital indicator), and the like. A digital caliper has a main scale (fixed body) having a measuring jaw on one end side, and a slider (movable body portion) having a measuring jaw on the other end side is slidably provided thereon. A micrometer has a spindle (movable body portion) provided in a frame as the fixed body portion so as to be axially movable forward and backward, and the spindle is advanced and retracted by a single rotation operation. A digital dial gauge (digital indicator) has a spindle (movable body portion) provided in a frame as the fixed body portion so as to be axially movable forward and backward.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0040] 100 Indicator 200 Measuring Instrument Main Body 210 Measuring Arm 211 Contact 220 Measuring Instrument Main Body Case 221 Bearing Portion 222 Power On / Off Button 223 Base End Portion 224U Upper Surface Portion 224UE Upper End Surface 224UI Inclined Surface 224S Side End Surface 224B Lower Surface Portion 225 Mounting Means (Dovetail Groove, Dovetail Keyway) 230 Encoder 231 Scale 232 Detection head 240 Microcomputer 250 Wireless communication unit (first communication unit) 260 Auxiliary display unit 300 Remote display device 310 Housing unit 320 Display panel

Claims

1. A measuring instrument main body that measures the position or displacement of the object to be measured by bringing a measuring element into contact with the object to be measured, A remote display device that is separate from the measuring instrument main body and establishes a communication connection with the measuring instrument main body by wireless communication to display information on the measured values measured by the measuring instrument main body. A measuring instrument characterized by the above.

2. In the measuring instrument according to Claim 1, The outer surface of the measuring instrument main body has an auxiliary display unit, When the auxiliary display unit is viewed in a plan view, the outermost contour of the auxiliary display unit does not protrude beyond the contour of the measuring instrument main body. A measuring instrument characterized by the above.

3. In the measuring instrument according to Claim 2, The auxiliary display unit, Displays one or more pieces of information selected from the on / off state of the power supply of the measuring instrument main body, the state of the wireless communication connection, and the state of the remaining battery level. A measuring instrument characterized by the above.

4. In the measuring instrument according to Claim 3, The outer surface of the measuring instrument main body has mounting means for attaching the measuring instrument main body to a support. A measuring instrument characterized by the above.

5. In the measuring instrument according to Claim 4, The mounting means is provided on a surface of the outer surface of the measuring instrument main body other than the surface on which the auxiliary display unit is provided. A measuring instrument characterized by the above.

6. In the measuring instrument according to Claim 1, The remote display device includes remote operation input means for performing setting operations on the measuring instrument main body, The remote operation input means is provided as contact or non-contact operation means displayed on a display unit. A measuring instrument characterized by the above.

7. In the measuring instrument according to Claim 1, The measuring instrument main body, A measuring arm having the measuring element at its tip, A measuring instrument main body case that pivotally supports the measuring arm with an axis perpendicular to the axial direction of the measuring arm as a rotation axis, An encoder provided in the measuring instrument main body case for detecting the rotational displacement amount of the measuring arm. A measuring instrument characterized by the above.

8. In the measuring instrument according to Claim 3, The outer surface of the measuring instrument main body case has an auxiliary display unit, When the auxiliary display unit is viewed in a plan view, the outermost contour of the auxiliary display unit does not protrude beyond the contour of the measuring instrument main body case. A measuring instrument characterized by the above.

9. In the measuring instrument according to Claim 8, The bearing portion that pivotally supports the measurement arm is provided on the measurement instrument main body case so as to project sharply in the tip direction from the end face on the tip side of the measurement instrument main body case. In the measurement instrument main body case, on the side opposite to the bearing portion, the portion facing the bearing portion is defined as the base end portion of the measurement instrument main body case. The surface connecting the bearing portion and the base end portion is defined as the side surface portion. When a virtual line connecting the bearing portion and the base end portion is used as the baseline, one or more of the side surface portions have a convex portion facing outward in a direction perpendicular to the baseline with a step or an inclination. A measuring instrument characterized by this.

10. A remote display device control program installed in an information processing apparatus having at least a control unit, a wireless communication unit, and a display unit, when the remote display device control program is installed in the information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus is functioned as a wireless remote display device of a measuring instrument main body portion that measures the position or displacement of a measurement object by bringing a measuring element into contact with the measurement object. A remote display device control program characterized by this.

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