Component Holder Bearing Points for Stress-Free 3D Measurement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Measuring non-intrinsically rigid components is challenging due to deformation issues, leading to inaccurate 3D geometry measurements, especially when they are not in their assembled state, requiring complex and costly clamping devices or virtual deformation of measurement data to simulate the clamped state.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that uses a component holder with strategically placed bearing points to restrict the object's degrees of freedom without introducing additional stress, allowing for stress-free measurement data collection, which can then be virtually deformed to simulate a clamped state, using suction elements and compressed air to minimize tension and ensure accurate representation of the object's geometry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If non-intrinsically rigid components are measured without clamping, then measurement process is simple, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to component deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping device complexityVSAvoid3D geometry measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical clamping systems with a minimal bearing point support system. Instead of using fixtures with multiple clamping elements that physically constrain the component, the invention uses gravity-based support at bearing points combined with computer-aided deformation simulation to achieve accurate measurement without mechanical stress

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement approach from direct physical measurement of clamped components to measuring unclamped components and then applying computer-aided deformation to simulate the clamped state. This parameter change transforms the measurement process from physically constraining the object to computationally adjusting the measurement data

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If complex clamping devices are used to measure non-intrinsically rigid components, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improve3D geometry measurement accuracyVSAvoidclamping device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical clamping systems with a minimal bearing point support system. Instead of using fixtures with multiple clamping elements that physically constrain the component, the invention uses gravity-based support at bearing points combined with computer-aided deformation simulation to achieve accurate measurement without mechanical stress

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the clamped state through computer-aided deformation of the measurement data. Rather than physically clamping the component, the system measures the unclamped component and then computationally deforms the measurement data to represent what the component would look like in its installed, clamped state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If components are clamped to simulate assembled state, then functional dimension verification improves, but component stress increases causing measurement distortion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional dimension verificationVSAvoidcomponent stress
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs the measurement action before applying the deformation simulation. The component is measured in its natural, unclamped state without stress, and then computer-aided deformation is applied to the measurement data to simulate the clamped state. This preliminary measurement approach avoids stress-induced measurement distortion while still enabling functional dimension verification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces physical clamping with computational deformation. Instead of applying mechanical stress to the component to simulate the assembled state, the system uses computer-aided deformation algorithms to transform the measurement data, eliminating the harmful mechanical stress while maintaining the ability to verify functional dimensions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables accurate, low-stress measurement of non-intrinsically rigid components by preventing unnecessary stress during measurement, allowing for deterministic calculation of weight-induced stresses and subsequent virtual simulation of a stress-free state, improving measurement accuracy and reducing costs associated with clamping devices.

Implementation Method 1

The bearing points (21, 22, 23) have suction elements (24) which can hold the component (12) by creating negative pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

Each bearing point (21, 22, 23) has the option of releasing compressed air to levitate the component (12), thereby minimizing tension

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressed air: Pressurisation

Data Source

PatentEP3657120B1Apparatus and method for the measurement of objects
Publication Date: 2024.07.10 CARL ZEISS GOM METROLOGY GMBH
  • EP3657120B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3657120B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3657120B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for holding an object for three-dimensional measurement. The device has at least one bearing point for supporting the object, wherein the at least one bearing point is configured to restrict the object's movement in at least one degree of freedom, and the entirety of all bearing points used is configured to restrict the object's movement in exactly all degrees of freedom of the object.