Profile Measurement Apparatus Reference Position Reset

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Solution Overview

Problem

Profile measurement apparatuses face measurement errors due to environmental temperature changes and aging, leading to incorrect gauge head position control and potential misdiagnosis of contact status.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a deviation acquisition section to determine movement deviations from a reference position, with a resetting section that adjusts the reference position and correction function when deviations exceed threshold values, ensuring accurate gauge head positioning and contact state determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If the profile measurement apparatus is used over time and in varying temperatures, then the apparatus continues to operate, but the gauge head position control becomes inaccurate due to thermal expansion and aging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational durationVSAvoidgauge head position control accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by acquiring deviation data when the gauge head is in a known non-contact state, then uses this deviation information to correct the reference position before actual measurements begin. This preliminary correction prevents measurement errors from accumulating due to thermal expansion and aging effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the gauge head position, comparing it against the reference position, and detecting deviations. When deviations exceed a threshold, the system automatically resets the reference position based on the detected deviation, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains accuracy over time and temperature variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the reference position is not reset, then the system maintains operational continuity, but measurement errors accumulate and the system may misdiagnose contact states

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement throughputVSAvoidcontact state determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring gauge head position deviations and automatically triggering reference position resets when deviations exceed predetermined thresholds. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable contact state determination while maintaining operational continuity, as the system can identify and correct position drift without requiring manual intervention or stopping measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Duration of action of stationary object

If the gauge head position drifts from the reference position, then the apparatus can continue operating, but the movement amount no longer achieves zero in non-contact state leading to measurement errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operation capabilityVSAvoidprofile measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by acquiring deviation data in advance when the gauge head is in a known non-contact state, then uses this deviation information to correct the reference position before actual measurements begin. This preliminary correction prevents measurement errors from accumulating due to thermal expansion and aging effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2402709B1Profile measurement apparatus

Publication Date: 2014.10.29 MITUTOYO CORP

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AI summary

A profile measurement apparatus includes: a probe which includes a gauge head for measuring a profile of an object to be measured and which moves the gauge head within a given range; a movement mechanism which moves the probe; and a controller which measures the profile by controlling the movement mechanism to contact the gauge head against the object. The controller comprises: a movement amount acquisition section which acquires a movement amount of the gauge head from a reference position; a deviation acquisition section which acquires as a deviation the movement amount when the gauge head is in a non-contact state; a determination section which determines whether the deviation is greater than a first threshold value; and a resetting section which, when the deviation is greater than the first threshold value, resets the reference position to a position arrived at by combining the reference position and the deviation.