Integrated Optical Tactile Probing Element for CMM
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coordinate measuring machines face challenges in efficiently measuring the fine and coarse shapes of measurement objects due to limited working ranges, sensitivity to collisions, and prolonged measurement durations, especially when trying to avoid sensor damage.
Innovation Solution
A probing element integrated with both optical and tactile sensors, where the optical sensor is partly integrated within the tactile sensor, allowing simultaneous measurement of fine and coarse shapes and enabling collision protection by overlapping measurement regions, thus reducing measurement duration and preventing sensor damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate tactile and optical sensors are used for measuring fine and coarse shapes, then measurement precision is improved, but measurement duration increases due to probe exchange
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a first optical sensor for fine shape measurement and a second sensor (tactile or optical) for coarse shape measurement into a single integrated probing element. Both sensors are mounted on the same probe holder with overlapping measurement regions, allowing simultaneous operation without probe exchange, thereby maintaining high measurement precision while significantly reducing measurement duration.
2Measurement precision
If optical sensors are used for fine shape measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability decreases due to sensitivity to collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements collision protection by having the second sensor (with its robust tactile probe or larger measurement region) act as a protective element. The second sensor's measurement region overlaps with and extends beyond the first optical sensor's measurement region, allowing the second sensor to detect obstacles and potential collisions before they can damage the more sensitive first optical sensor, thereby protecting it while maintaining measurement precision.
3Reliability
If tactile sensors are used for measurement, then reliability is improved through collision detection, but measurement precision decreases for fine shape measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the second sensor multi-functional by enabling it to perform both coarse shape measurement and collision detection functions. The second sensor's robust design allows it to reliably detect collisions and obstacles, while the first optical sensor handles fine shape measurement with high precision. Both sensors operate simultaneously with overlapping measurement regions, allowing the system to leverage the strengths of each sensor type without compromise.
4Measurement precision
If probe exchange between tactile and optical sensors is performed, then measurement precision is maintained, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sensor types (first optical sensor for fine shape, second sensor for coarse shape and collision detection) into a single integrated probing element that can perform all measurement functions simultaneously. This eliminates the need for time-consuming probe exchanges between different sensor types, thereby maintaining measurement precision across all measurement tasks while significantly improving productivity and measurement efficiency.
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
This integrated solution enables rapid and accurate measurement of both fine and coarse shapes without the need for probe exchange, reduces measurement time, and protects the sensor from collisions, simplifying the regulation of the coordinate measuring machine.
Implementation Method 1
at least one first optical sensor arranged to generate at least one first sensor signal depending on a fine shape of at least one surface of the measurement object
Data Source
AI summary
A probing element for measuring at least one measurement object is provided. The probing element includes at least one first optical sensor configured to generate at least one first sensor signal depending on a fine shape of at least one surface of the measurement object, at least one second sensor configured to generate at least one second sensor signal depending on at least one of a coarse shape of the measurement object, and a distance to the measurement object. The at least one first optical sensor has a first measurement region and the at least one second sensor has a second measurement region. The at least one first optical sensor is at least partly integrated in the at least one second sensor to permit the first measurement region and the second measurement region to at least partly overlap.