Instrument for measuring coordinates

#a) Field of the Invention

#The invention is directed to a coordinate measurement device with an optical sensing system for non-contact sensing of edges and surface structures of measurement objects. The field of application is optical coordinate measurement technology, especially the measurements of measurement objects by means of single- or multiple-coordinate measurement devices.

#b) Description of the Related Art

#In the drawings

#FIG. 1 illustrates a basic construction shown in a highly simplified manner; and

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the objectified determination of position.

#The optical sensing system 1 shown in a simplified manner in FIG. 1 is arranged at the slide which is movable vertical to the stage 2 or at a pinhole of the coordinate measurement device which is movable in this direction and the sensing system 1 comprises an objective 3 which images the measurement object 4 arranged on the stage 2 on CCD elements of a CCD matrix 5 of a CCD camera. The sensing system 1 further comprises a unit containing a cross-line generator 6 and an edge detector 7. For wireless transmission of signals to a receiver of an evaluating device 9, a video transmitter 8 is likewise a component of the sensing system 1. This connection is carried out via the antennae 8.1 and 9.1 which are associated with the transmitter and the receiver. The evaluating device 9 can comprise a display unit 10 or such a display unit can be arranged subsequent to it. The coordinate measurement device is electrically connected with the sensing system 1 by a signal line 11. The measurement object 4 can be illuminated by an illumination source 12 arranged at the end of the sensing system 1 facing the measurement object 4. An illumination source (not shown) is arranged below the stage 2 in the coordinate measurement device KMG for sub-stage or transmitted illumination of the measurement object 4.

#An actuating element 13 is arranged at the objective 3, wherein the actuating element 13 can be brought into a working connection with a driving element 14 which is dimensioned depending on the magnification to be adjusted and is preferably fixedly arranged at the stage 2 of the coordinate measurement device. Depending on the magnification to be adjusted, the objective 3 is displaceable together with the CCD matrix connected with it in a direction extending vertical to the object plane for the purpose of focusing on the measurement object 4 by means of the corresponding drive of the coordinate measurement device associated with this direction or coordinate. The actuating element 13 can be constructed as a trunnion (FIG. 1) or also as a rotating element, e.g., as a lever. The driving element 14 is a fork-shaped trunnion receptacle (FIG. 1), for example, or a toothed rack or friction rail. In this case, these two structural component parts associated with one another must be easily connected with or disconnected from one another. Additional driving elements and actuating elements can also be provided for constructing additional switching functions which comprise rotary switches and/or disk switches, known per se.

#Given CNC capability, a compactness of the optical sensing system 1 is achieved in that no independent drives are provided for the operating controls (actuating element 13 and driving element 14) or for the adjustment of magnification (zoom adjustment). These adjustments are carried out by the adjusting drives of the coordinate measurement device which serve for highly precise positioning of the stage 2, for example. This compactness has a further advantageous effect for the cross-line generation in the cross-line generator 6 and for the edge detector 7.