Coordinate Measuring Apparatus Floor Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coordinate measuring apparatuses are limited in measuring large workpieces due to deformation issues caused by floor deformations, leading to measurement errors, and are not easily scalable without increasing the size and weight of the concrete polymer body, which complicates transportation and stability.
Innovation Solution
A coordinate measuring apparatus with a stiff frame design that includes horizontal and vertical longitudinal members and cross members connected for high stiffness, combined with a three-point mounting system using underpinnings that are stiff in the vertical direction to minimize floor deformation effects, allowing for accurate measurement of large workpieces without deforming the mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the coordinate measuring apparatus uses a traditional mounting system with vertical supports directly on the floor, then the apparatus can be simple in structure, but floor deformations cause measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a stiff frame as an intermediary structure between the floor and the measuring mechanism. This frame includes horizontal longitudinal members supported by vertical supports that are stiffly connected to the floor, creating a stable reference structure that isolates the measuring mechanism from floor deformations. The frame acts as a mediator that transfers only vertical loads to the floor while maintaining horizontal stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the mounting system into distinct functional components: a stiff frame structure separate from the measuring mechanism, with vertical supports independently connected to the floor. This segmentation allows the frame to handle structural stability while the measuring mechanism focuses on precision measurements, preventing floor deformation effects from reaching the sensor.
2Volume of moving object
If the apparatus is designed to measure large workpieces, then the measuring volume increases, but the concrete polymer body becomes larger and heavier making transportation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite construction by combining a stiff frame (made of metal or other rigid materials) with a concrete polymer body. The frame provides the structural strength and stability needed for large measuring volumes, while the concrete polymer body serves as a foundation. This composite approach allows the apparatus to achieve large measuring capacity without proportionally increasing the weight of the entire structure, as the frame efficiently carries the structural loads.
3Ease of operation
If the vertical supports are spaced far apart to accommodate large workpieces, then accessibility is improved, but floor deformations have greater impact on measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces horizontal guides with curved or rounded features that constrain the vertical supports to move only in the vertical direction. These guides prevent horizontal displacement of the supports due to floor deformations, effectively creating a stabilized vertical path that maintains measurement accuracy even when supports are spaced far apart for large workpiece accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A coordinate measuring apparatus for measuring a workpiece having a workpiece surface includes a sensor to capture the workpiece surface and a mechanism to move the sensor in coordinate directions (x, y, z) relative to the workpiece. The mechanism includes a rigid frame, a mount and measuring skids. The rigid frame includes mutually parallel horizontal longitudinal members having respective horizontal guides. The rigid frame includes vertical supports having respective upper and lower ends. The horizontal longitudinal members are rigidly connected to the upper ends of the vertical supports. The rigid frame includes transverse members oriented transverse to the longitudinal members and being rigidly connected to the lower end of the vertical supports. The transverse members are supported via the mount and a first one of the measuring skids is configured to move the sensor in the coordinate direction (x) along the first and second horizontal guides.