Device for use as a navigation link when measuring objects
AssigneeDaimlerChrysler AG
InventorMARCUS ZIEGLER
Life of this patent
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Abstract
So-called navigation links or navigation references are required in the area of optical three dimensional coordinate measuring techniques in order to be able to compile measured data of expanded objects from individual partial measurements in a mosaic-like manner. Conventional navigation links employ adhesive marks which require investment of time to fixing them onto and then remove them from the object to be measured, or employ structures which are difficult to transport. These disadvantages should be minimized. This is achieved by using a device as a navigation link essentially comprised of a grid-like component on which a plurality of measuring marks and a plurality of connecting elements each having a fastening device are attached.
Claims12
An apparatus for use as a navigational link in the measurement of objects, thereby characterized, that it comprises a component (1) with grid structure,
- upon which a plurality of measurement marks (2) are provided, and
- onto which several connecting legs (3) are attached, on which legs (3), on the side away from the component (1), a connection device (4) is attached.
An apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, thereby characterized, that the grid structure is constructed quadrilaterally.
An apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, thereby characterized, that the grid structure has a flat outer surface,
- whose minimum dimensions are equal to those of the measurement marks,
- whose surface norms preferably are oriented in parallel.
An apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, thereby characterized, that the grid structure is of lightweight construction, such that
- it is constructed out of rails that are at least the width of measurement marks, preferably consisting of
- light metal, preferably aluminum, or made of
- structurally stable plastic, preferably carbon fiber composite, or that it
- is made out of a structurally stable wire mesh, on which measurement mark sized flat plates, preferably variable in their positioning, are attached.
An apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, thereby characterized, that it includes exactly three connection legs (3), which
- preferably are separated from each other as much as possible and
- preferably are separated as much as possible from the center of gravity of the grid structure which legs (3) are attached to the grid structure on the grid side of the grid structure opposite to the side on which the measurement marks (2) are provided.
An apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, thereby characterized, that the connection legs (3) each comprise
- a device for the adjustment and fixing of the spatial orientation of the leg (3) relative to the grid structure (31) and
- a device for the adjustment and fixing of the length (32) of the leg.
An apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, thereby characterized, that the attaching device (4) on each connection leg (3)
- is attached via a device which enables the positioning and fixing of its spatial orientation (33), preferably a latchable ball and socket joint.
An apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, thereby characterized, that the attachment device (4) an each connecting leg (3) is constructed in the form of
- suction cups
- a magnetic, electrostatic or adhesive holding device, or
- a mechanical attachment device, preferably in the form of a clamp, plug-in or screw connection.
A method for the measurement of objects, wherein several partial measurements of an object are integrated into a combined data set by using a navigational link, thereby characterized,
- that as the navigational link a device according to one of the preceding claims is used, when the object to be measured has dimensions smaller than or similar to the dimensions of the device, and
- that as the navigational link several devices according to one of the preceding claims are used, when the dimensions of the object to be measured is a multiple of the dimensions of the device according to one of the preceding claims.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.