Measurement Probe Collision Control Using Proximity Sensing

Solution Overview

Problem

Collisions between measurement instruments and components during the measurement process can cause damage to both, leading to production delays and increased costs due to the need for replacing damaged instruments or components, which are often precision-engineered and costly.

Innovation Solution

A collision protection apparatus for measurement instruments, equipped with proximity and contact sensors, that monitors the distance and contact with the component, and adjusts movement speed or stops movement to prevent collisions, using a control means to manage the movement of the measurement probe based on sensor inputs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the measurement probe moves at high speed to improve measurement efficiency, then productivity increases, but the risk of collision with the component increases causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement efficiencyVSAvoidcollision damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The proximity sensor detects the component before the measurement probe reaches it, allowing the control means to reduce movement speed in advance before collision becomes imminent. This preliminary detection and speed adjustment prevents collision while maintaining efficient measurement when safe

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The proximity sensor continuously monitors the distance between the measurement probe and component, providing real-time feedback to the control means. Based on this feedback, the control means dynamically adjusts the movement speed to maintain safety margins while optimizing measurement efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If collision protection sensors and control systems are added to prevent damage, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision preventionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The proximity sensor acts as an intermediary detection device that senses the component's presence and position without requiring direct contact. This intermediary sensing mechanism provides collision prevention capability while adding minimal complexity compared to more sophisticated active protection systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If the measurement probe is positioned close to the component for precise measurement, then measurement precision improves, but the risk of collision and damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface measurement accuracyVSAvoidcollision risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The proximity sensor detects the component before the measurement probe reaches it, allowing the control means to reduce movement speed in advance before collision becomes imminent. This preliminary detection and speed adjustment prevents collision while maintaining efficient measurement when safe

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The proximity sensor continuously monitors the distance between the measurement probe and component, providing real-time feedback to the control means. Based on this feedback, the control means dynamically adjusts the movement speed to maintain safety margins while optimizing measurement efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20260016294A1A collision protection apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 TAYLOR-HOBSON

AI summary

An aspect of the invention provides a method of controlling a measurement instrument (100; 200) for avoiding collisions between the measurement instrument and a component (190; 290) to be measured, wherein the measurement instrument comprises a rotatable mounting (120; 220) for rotating a component (190; 290) for measurement, the measurement instrument (100) is configured to control the measurement probe (160; 260) to perform a surface measurement of the component (190; 290) as the component rotates on the rotatable mounting (120; 220) and the measurement probe moves relative to the component at a movement speed, the method comprising: obtaining a first distance signal from a first distance sensor wherein the first distance signal is indicative of the distance between the component and the first distance sensor; defining a first threshold region around the component based on the first distance signal; reducing the movement speed to a first movement speed in the event that the measurement probe is within the first threshold region.