Floating Ferrule Optical Sensor Coupling for Measuring Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical couplings for coordinate measuring machines are not robust enough to withstand frequent changes of sensor elements, as they are sensitive to contamination and damage, limiting their service life to around 3 months due to high plug-in cycles, which is inadequate for applications requiring frequent measurements.
Innovation Solution
The development of an optical sensor element with a coupling element featuring an optical fiber and a floating bearing with a ground bevel and expanded beam cross section, allowing for bidirectional signal transmission and easy cleaning, which significantly increases the number of plug-ins to over 115,000 without damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical plug-in couplings from telecommunications are used for coordinate measuring machines, then optical signal transmission is enabled, but the couplings cannot withstand frequent plug-in cycles due to sensitivity to contamination and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The optical coupling system is divided into separate components: a coupling element on the coordinate measuring machine side and a coupling element on the sensor element side. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the sensor element coupling being easily replaceable while the machine side coupling remains stable and protected.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic cleaning mechanism that automatically cleans the optical interface surfaces during the plug-in process. This dynamic action eliminates contamination before it can degrade the optical transmission, enabling the system to withstand frequent plug-in cycles (over 115,000) without damage.
2Loss of energy
If optical fiber couplings are designed for static connections, then low transmission losses are achieved, but they require cleaning under a microscope before each plug-in operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-cleaning through an integrated cleaning mechanism that automatically removes contaminants from the optical interface surfaces during the plug-in process. This eliminates the need for manual cleaning under a microscope, reducing operational complexity while maintaining low transmission losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning action is performed preliminarily during the plug-in sequence, before the optical connection is fully established. This preliminary cleaning ensures that the optical surfaces are clean before transmission begins, maintaining low energy loss without requiring separate post-connection cleaning steps.
3Reliability
If sensor elements are permanently fastened to coordinate measuring machines, then optical signal transmission stability is maintained, but frequent changes of sensor elements are prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is segmented into a permanent machine-side coupling element and a replaceable sensor element coupling. The machine-side element remains fixed to maintain stable optical transmission, while the sensor element coupling can be easily detached and replaced, providing both stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The machine-side coupling element acts as an intermediary between the coordinate measuring machine and the replaceable sensor elements. It provides a stable, permanent mounting point while enabling easy exchange of sensor elements through standardized coupling interfaces.
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
The solution provides a robust optical interface that can withstand frequent use, reducing susceptibility to contamination and damage, ensuring reliable measurements and extending the service life of the optical couplings.
Implementation Method 1
an optical fiber (22, 31) which is used as optical conductor and for optical signal transmission of the measuring radiation
Implementation Method 2
an optical interface (30) which is guided by a floating bearing and in which at least one optical contact element (33, 34) assigned to the coupling element (3, 18) on the sensor element side has a ground bevel
Implementation Method 3
an optical interface (30) which is guided by a floating bearing and in which at least one optical contact element (33, 34) assigned to the coupling element (3, 18) on the sensor element side has a ground bevel
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an optical sensor element for a measuring machine, comprising a coupling element on the sensor element side for mechanically and optically connecting to a coupling element on the measuring machine side. An optical fiber is arranged in the coupling element on the sensor element side, wherein said optical fiber comprises an optical interface for connecting to an optical machine contact element of the measuring machine, wherein said optical interface is formed by an optical sensor contact element having a self-centering ferrule that encloses the end of the optical fiber. The ferrule is supported in the coupling element on the sensor element side in a floating manner.