US 8,619,266 B2Granted

Optical position-measuring device

AssigneeDr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH

InventorsWolfgang Holzapfel, Florian Flossmann

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Abstract

An optical position-measuring device includes a light source, a measuring reflector movable in space, a detection unit and a light-beam deflection unit that can align at least one beam of rays, emitted by the light source, in the direction of the measuring reflector. The light-beam deflection unit includes a cardan system having two cardan frames. A first cardan frame is adjustable by motor about a first axis of rotation, and a second cardan frame within the first cardan frame is adjustable by motor about a second axis of rotation oriented in a direction perpendicular to the first axis of rotation. The two axes of rotation intersect in a fixed reference point, at which a reference reflector is disposed. A plurality of mirrors are disposed rigidly on the cardan frames, so that the beam of rays can be pivoted about the fixed reference point via the mirrors during alignment.

Claims13

Dependent claims

An optical position-measuring device, comprising:

a light source adapted to emit a beam of rays;
a measuring reflector movable in space;
a reference reflector;
a detection unit;
a light-beam deflection unit adapted to align at least one beam of rays, emitted by the light source, in a direction of the measuring reflector, the light-beam deflection unit including a cardan system having a first cardan frame and a second cardan frame, the first cardan frame being motor-adjustable about a first axis of rotation, and the second cardan frame within the first cardan frame being motor-adjustable about a second axis of rotation oriented in a direction perpendicular to the first axis of rotation, the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation intersecting at a fixed reference point at which the reference reflector is located;
and
a plurality of mirrors arranged rigidly on the cardan frames, so that during alignment with the measuring reflector, the beam of rays is pivotable about the fixed reference point by the plurality of mirrors.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/236,250Filed 19 Sep 2011
Priority: DE 10 2010 041 33024 Sep 2010
Published: US 2012/0099118 A126 Apr 2012
Granted: 31 Dec 2013
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

G01S 17/42
Systems determining position data of a target: simultaneous measurement of distance and other co-ordinates
G01S 7/4812
Common to transmitter and receiver: transmitted and received beams following a coaxial path
G01S 7/4817
Constructional features, e.g. arrangements of optical elements: relating to scanning
G01S 17/08
Systems determining position data of a target: for measuring distance only