With Electrical Switch Or Transducer Responsive To Probe Patents (Class 33/561)
  • Patent number: 11945337
    Abstract: The present application relates to a system and method for vehicle battery management, a storage medium, and a server system. The system for vehicle battery management includes: a communications subsystem configured to receive battery signal data in a distributed message queue; a metadata management subsystem configured to store battery information; and a distributed processing subsystem configured to parse the battery signal data based on the battery information, to obtain parsed data and alarm data. In this way, centralized battery management can be implemented, thereby overcoming disadvantages in terms of alarms/warnings generated by the batteries themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: NIO TECHNOLOGY (ANHUI) CO., LTD
    Inventors: Xudong Zhang, Peng Zhang, Huaidong Tang
  • Patent number: 11940457
    Abstract: A robotic arm of an automated pipetting system has a pipetting tip adapter and a slide switch to detect the presence of pipetting tips on the pipetting tip adapter is disclosed. The slide switch has first support member and second support member configured to slide relative to one another between first and second positions along a movement axis, an electrically conducting contact pad arranged on the first support member, an electrically conducting terminal physically attached to second support member in physical contact with the contact pad when support members are in first position, where the terminal is a first resilient wiping member expanding along the movement axis, first wiping member is not in physical contact with the contact pad when support members are in second position, and an electric current can flow between first wiping member and the contact pad when support members are in first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: TECAN TRADING AG
    Inventor: Thomas Geiges
  • Patent number: 11806867
    Abstract: A profiling apparatus includes: a holder rotationally moves around a first fulcrum, and holds a subject; a balancer rotationally moves around a second fulcrum, an intermediate part coupled to holder part and balancer, expands and contracts in a coupling direction, and bends in a direction orthogonal to the coupling direction, in which a position of the first fulcrum, a first gravity center position, a bending position, and a second gravity center position are aligned in this order. The first gravity center position corresponds to a gravity center of a part, which rotationally moves around the first fulcrum, of the subject and the holder in a case where the subject is held. The bending position corresponds to a bending point of the intermediate part. The second gravity center position corresponds to a gravity center of a part, which rotationally moves around the second fulcrum, of the second fulcrum position and balancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Shinichi Iida, Shigeaki Tochimoto, Hiroshi Takaoka
  • Patent number: 11775085
    Abstract: A stylus tip structure and a passive capacitive stylus. The stylus tip structure comprises a main body and an embedded member. The main body has a hollow structure, and multiple through holes are provided in the main body. The embedded member comprises multiple contacts and a connection arm. The contacts are arranged to correspond to the through holes. The connection arm is provided within an internal cavity of the main body. The multiple contacts are connected by the connection arm as an elastic integrated structure. Structures of the contacts are partially exposed from the main body via the through holes. When a user uses a passive capacitive stylus having the stylus tip structure to write, the contacts exposed from the main body are in contact with a glass surface of a capacitive touch panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: SHENZHEN HITEVISION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Donggui Li
  • Patent number: 11713956
    Abstract: A scanning probe for a coordinate measurement machine includes a stylus suspension module, a stylus position detection module, a disruptor configuration, and a signal processing and control circuitry module. The stylus position detection module includes a sensor configuration, which comprises various coils, and a shield configuration that is located around the sensor configuration and comprises electrically conductive material for shielding the sensor configuration. The stylus position detection module is mounted to the stylus suspension module utilizing a module mounting configuration, which enables the relative position of the sensor configuration to be adjusted for alignment during the assembly of the scanning probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Dawn Alisa Keehnel, Christopher Richard Hamner, Scott Ellis Hemmings, Scott Allen Harsila
  • Patent number: 11709045
    Abstract: A surface texture probe and a surface texture measurement apparatus with a vibrational membrane are provided. The probe includes a housing and a vibrational membrane, a stylus holder, a vertical guide assembly, a guide adjustment assembly and a stylus. An inner end of the vibrational membrane is attached to an upper end of the stylus holder. An outer end of the vibrational membrane is fixed to a vibrational membrane connection assembly fixedly connected to the housing. The vertical guide assembly is fixed inside the housing and slidably connected to the stylus holder and configured to guide the stylus holder to move in a vertical direction. The stylus is fixed to a lower end of the stylus holder. The guide adjustment assembly is mounted on the vertical guide assembly and configured to adjust a sliding friction force between the vertical guide assembly and the stylus holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: National Institute of Metrology, China
    Inventors: Yushu Shi, Shu Zhang, Zhoumiao Shi
  • Patent number: 11650050
    Abstract: A surface sensing device is mounted on an articulating probe head of a coordinate measuring machine. The device includes an elongate probe holder which is rotatable about an axis. An elongate sensing module includes a surface finish or surface roughness probe with a stylus tip. This is connected to the probe holder via an adjustable knuckle joint. To determine the geometry of the surface sensing device, including the tip normal and drag vector of the stylus tip, the orientations of the probe holder and the sensing module are determined by probing points which are spaced along their lengths, using a separate probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: RENISHAW PLC
    Inventors: Martin Simon Rees, Andrew Geoffrey Butter, David Sven Wallace
  • Patent number: 11644299
    Abstract: A scanning probe for a coordinate measuring machine with inductive position sensor signal gain control is provided. The scanning probe includes a stylus position detection portion with field generating and sensing coils, and for which corresponding output signals are indicative of a position of the probe tip of the stylus. Signal processing and control circuitry is configured to implement different operating regions, such as a central high gain operating region which corresponds to a central probe tip position range, as well as other lower gain operating regions, and for which transition operations may be performed for adjusting the gain. In various implementations, transition operations for adjusting a gain may include operations such as: adjusting power to a field generating coil configuration; adjusting a gain of a front end amplifier; altering characteristics of sensing coils; adjusting an input range of an analog to digital converter, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Richard Hamner, Scott Allen Harsila, Scott Ellis Hemmings, Andrew Michael Patzwald
  • Patent number: 11630229
    Abstract: A ground search metal detector, comprising a shaft, a probe, and a dual pivot axis-defining junction piece. The probe comprises an electromagnetic coil configured to generate a magnetic field. The shaft and the probe are each attached to the junction piece. The detector is configured to be adjusted between at least a first arrangement (in which the shaft is capable of pivoting relative to the junction piece about a first axis, and the probe is capable of pivoting relative to the junction piece about a second pivot axis that is non-parallel with the first pivot axis) and a second arrangement (in which the shaft is prevented from pivoting relative to the junction piece about a first pivot axis, or the probe is prevented from pivoting relative to the junction piece about a second pivot axis). Also, a probe assembly comprising a probe and a junction piece, and methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventor: Patrick Joy
  • Patent number: 11543230
    Abstract: An articulating probe for a measurement device includes a base platform, a rotor platform that is movable relative to the base platform, and a sensor element coupled to the rotor platform. The rotor platform is coupled to the base platform via a spherical parallel kinematic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Dominik Seitz
  • Patent number: 11524410
    Abstract: Embodiments provide measurement systems having a coordinate measuring machine, a workpiece storage apparatus, and a robot for delivering workpieces from the workpiece storage apparatus to the coordinate measuring machine, and methods for orienting and operating such systems. Illustrative embodiments employ a reference geometry tool on the robotic arm, and kinematic locators on the coordinate measuring machine and/or on the workpiece storage apparatus to define a coordinate system common to the coordinate measuring machine, the workpiece storage apparatus, and the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Hexagon Metrology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan J. O'Hare, Jonathan Dove
  • Patent number: 11435180
    Abstract: A method for generating a measurement cycle for inspecting an object using a measurement probe carried by a coordinate positioning apparatus, computer program and apparatus, wherein the measurement cycle includes a measurement path where the measurement probe moves relative to the object enabling inspection of the object using a series of touch trigger measurements. The method includes defining multiple touch trigger measurement points on the surface of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: RENISHAW PLC
    Inventor: Martin Peter Summers
  • Patent number: 11415412
    Abstract: A measurement probe is described that includes a probe body, a stylus that is deflectable relative to the probe body, and a plurality of sensor elements for generating a sensor signal indicative of stylus deflection. An analyser is provided, optionally as part of a trigger unit, to analyse the sensor signals and issues a trigger signal to indicate the stylus has contacted an object. The analyser is arranged to combine a plurality of the sensor signals to generate a resultant deflection signal for comparison to a deflection threshold and is also arranged to detect oscillatory motion of the stylus by analysing at least one of the sensor signals. The analyser only issues a trigger signal when the resultant deflection signal crosses the deflection threshold and no oscillatory motion of the stylus is detected. The measurement probe may be used on a machine tool or other coordinate positioning apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: RENISHAW PLC
    Inventors: Jamie John Buckingham, Michael John Wooldridge, Ben Richard Holden, Stephen Peter Ewen
  • Patent number: 11402924
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a magnetic arrangement for detecting the relative movement and/or relative position of a first and a second object to each other in six components, namely three displacements and three angular rotations in and about three axes of the Cartesian coordinate system respectively with at least six sensor units to detect the three displacements and the three angular rotations, wherein each sensor unit has at least one magnet and a magnetoresistive sensor, wherein the at least one magnet of the sensor unit can be moved relative to the magnetoresistive sensor of the sensor unit, and wherein each sensor unit has a sensor direction, wherein the magnetoresistive sensor measures a position of the at least one magnet along the sensor direction. The present disclosure also relates to an input device and a mobile input device that has a magnetic arrangement of this kind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventors: Volker Senft, Josef Reill, Armin Wedler, Nikolaus Seitz
  • Patent number: 11378379
    Abstract: A tool cutting edge measuring device that is mounted on a horizontal lathe and multitasking machine includes contact type sensors and an arm. The sensors are configured to measure cutting edge positions of tools in a machining chamber and the arm is movable between an advance position and a retracted position. The arm advances into the machining chamber at the advance position and retracts from the machining chamber at the retracted position. The arm has distal ends provided with two branching units branched into the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction at the advance position and the sensors are mounted to the respective branching units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Okuma Corporation
    Inventor: Shinya Naruse
  • Patent number: 11359905
    Abstract: A complex surface three-coordinate measuring device includes a three-degree-of-freedom motion platform and a force control probe, the force control probe is fixedly mounted on the Z-axis sliding block, which is in the same direction as the X-axis direction and used to contact with the workpiece surface with constant force. A six-axis force sensor is used to collect the contact force between the stylus and the workpiece surface. In this method, the force control is realized in the measurement to make the stylus in constant force contact with the workpiece surface. The error compensation direction is determined according to the direction of the contact force, and then the effective radius of the stylus spherical head is compensated in this direction, thus the actual contact point of stylus and workpiece can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Huan Zhao, Hao Li, Han Ding, Sijie Yan, Xiaoming Zhang, Xiaojian Zhang
  • Patent number: 11175123
    Abstract: A control method of surface characteristic measuring apparatus relatively displaces by a relative displacement mechanism, detects when the distal end of the stylus contacting the measurable surface, calculates an amount of relative displacement in the Z-axis direction between the measuring device and the measured object required for a measuring arm to be leveled after the distal end of the stylus contacts the measurable surface, calculates a displacement amount generated in the distal end of the stylus in an X-axis direction when the measuring device and the measured object are relatively displaced only by in the Z-axis direction; and levels the measuring arm by relatively displacing only by the measuring device and the measured object in the Z-axis direction by the relative displacement mechanism, and relatively displaces only by the measuring device and the measured object in the X-axis direction by the relative displacement mechanism at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayuki Ishioka, Minoru Katayama
  • Patent number: 10992178
    Abstract: A power and signal transmission device for a spindle of a machine tool is provided. The power and signal transmission device includes a spindle fixing portion, a shaft rotating portion, a power transmission component and a signal transmission component. The spindle fixing portion is provided with a power input end, a primary side power induction coil, a secondary side signal induction coil and at least one signal output end. The shaft rotating portion is provided with a joining end surface for bonding to a holder, a secondary side power induction coil and a primary side signal induction coil, and is rotatable with respect to the spindle fixing portion. The power transmission component transmits an electrical energy from the power input end. The signal transmission component transmits a holder signal to the signal output end. Each of the power and signal transmission components includes at least one elastic pogo pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Yu-Shiang Huang, Jenq-Shyong Chen, Shi-Jie Luo, Shou-Xuan Chang, Yung-Chao Chan, Szu-Chia Lin
  • Patent number: 10928177
    Abstract: Measuring apparatus for surface or contour measurement on a workpiece has a probe for contacting the surface of workpiece to be measured. Probe has a holding part to which a probe arm is detachably connectable or connected. Measuring apparatus also has a feed apparatus for moving probe relative to workpiece to be measured, and a control apparatus for controlling feed apparatus. A position sensor associated with probe arm and connected to control apparatus is provided, and which detects changes in the position of the probe arm, relative to holding part, from a measuring position into an interference position of probe arm, and generates a position change signal. Control apparatus is designed and programmed in such a way that, as a response to a position change signal, it generates a control signal for controlling feed apparatus in such a way that feed movement of probe is influenced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: JENOPTIK Industrial Metrology Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Philipp Steuer, Wolfgang Speck
  • Patent number: 10852119
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring probe body includes a rigid probe body structure including an upper mounting portion, a compliant element mounting frame, and an axial extension portion between them. A stylus suspension portion includes compliant elements that suspend a moving element from the compliant element mounting frame. A displacement sensing arrangement that senses displacement of the moving element includes displacement sensors that output a respective displacement signals. A circuit board assembly that receives the displacement signals has three component mounting portions which are interconnected with a flexible circuit component, and located around the axial extension portion. In various embodiments, all of the compliant elements are located on a distal side of the circuit board assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Allen Harsila, Richard Alan Wissner, Bjorn Erik Bertil Jansson, Satoshi Koga, Akinori Saito
  • Patent number: 10801826
    Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device for measuring runout of an end face (6, 7) of an elongate profiled member (3), said measuring device comprising: at least one measuring head (33, 34) that can move back and forth along a longitudinal axis (L) and has a plurality of styluses (333, 343) which are placed next to each other, can individually move relative to the measuring head (33, 34) in the longitudinal direction and are oriented towards a support (31, 32) for the elongate profiled member (3), said support (31, 32) being located next to the measuring head (33, 34); and an evaluation unit that is connected in a data conducting manner to each of the styluses (333, 343) and calculates the runout from the individual values measured by the styluses (333, 343).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Rattunde AG
    Inventor: Ulrich Rattunde
  • Patent number: 10663274
    Abstract: An articulated arm coordinate measuring machine includes a first end that clamps to a first extension element of a first measurement probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC
    Inventors: John Lucas Creachbaum, Brent Bailey, Matthew Mogensen, William E. Schoenfeldt, Keith G. MacFarlane
  • Patent number: 10380546
    Abstract: An intelligent display and self-serve experience system and method are disclosed. The system at least includes an intelligent self-serve experience cabinet. The intelligent self-serve experience cabinet includes: a control module connected with a server; a cabinet body including an externally visible display space; an item transporting device connected with the control module for taking out an item from the display space and placing the item at an intelligent window, or putting the item at the intelligent window back into the display space according to a control command of the control module; the intelligent window connected with the control module for opening or closing a window, and performing predetermined data processing on the item in the window according to a control command of the control module; and a touch display screen connected with the control module for accepting an external input command and transmitting the command to the control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Shenzhen Wale Intelligent Systems Limited
    Inventor: Ching Ho Chau
  • Patent number: 10337854
    Abstract: A contactlessly or tactilely measuring measuring system having a multipurpose interface socket for accommodating and for connecting a contactlessly or tactilely measuring measuring device having a light transmitter and a light receiver, for determining the position of a tool or for determining the longest cutting edge of a rotating tool in a machine tool. The multipurpose interface socket has the following features: at least one mechanical stop, corresponding to a counterstop on the measuring device, for accommodating and repeatably placing the measuring device on the multipurpose interface socket; at least one second signal transfer point on the multipurpose interface socket, which corresponds to a first signal transfer point on the measuring device; and at least one second fluid transfer point on the multipurpose interface socket, which corresponds to a first fluid transfer point on the measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: BLUM-NOVOTEST GmbH
    Inventors: Heribert Bucher, Martin Klugger, Norbert Moersch
  • Patent number: 10197375
    Abstract: A probe head of a three-dimensional coordinate measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a measurer, a first and second diaphragm, a first oscillator, and a second oscillator. The measurer extends in a first direction. The first and second diaphragms are provided at two different positions on the measurer, at a first position and a second position, respectively, and support the measurer such that the measurer is capable of displacement in a first direction. The first oscillator causes the measurer to oscillate along the first direction. The second oscillator causes a predetermined portion of the measurer between the first and second diaphragms to oscillate along each of a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and a third direction orthogonal to both the first and second directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hisayoshi Sakai
  • Patent number: 10145666
    Abstract: A compact CMM touch probe may include internal digital processing, a regulated power circuit, a trigger signal generating circuit, an interface connector limited to two electrical connections, and a differential signal configuration that inputs and outputs differential digital communication signals (including touch trigger signals) through the two connections, superimposed on a CMM supply voltage connected to them from the CMM. A specialized supply isolation circuit is configured in combination with various probe components and operating parameters, to couple the regulated power supply circuit to the CMM supply voltage at the two connections, while isolating it from loading the differential digital signals, which are AC coupled to the two connections. The differential digital signals may normally comprise touch trigger signals, and intermittent control and data signals, during separate respective time periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventor: Bjorn Erik Bertil Jansson
  • Patent number: 9914225
    Abstract: The present invention provides a robot apparatus which can determine a contact state at a contact point without increasing the contact point, can be miniaturized, and also can decrease the cost. Contact points are provided in a hand device. Contact points are provided in a tool device, which come in contact with the contact points, respectively, when the tool device has been mounted on the hand device. A voltage detecting circuit is provided in the tool device, which detects a voltage between the contact points. The controlling circuit determines contact states between the contact points and the contact points, by using a value of the voltage which has been detected by the voltage detecting circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Akitaka Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 9784564
    Abstract: An optical measurement system includes an optical sensor assembly for measuring an object located beneath the optical sensor assembly. A deployment mechanism is pivotally connected relative to the optical sensor assembly that moves a secondary measurement aid, such as a touch sensor, between a deployed position and a retracted position. When in the retracted position, the secondary measurement aid does not inhibit movement of the optical sensor with respect to the object being measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Quality Vision International, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick D. Schwab, Edward T. Polidor
  • Patent number: 9575090
    Abstract: An atomic force microscope (AFM) and corresponding method to provide low force (sub-20 pN) AFM control and mechanical property measurement is provided. The preferred embodiments employ real-time false deflection correction/discrimination by adaptively modifying the drive ramp to accommodate to deflection artifacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Bruker Nano, Inc.
    Inventors: Changchun Liu, Bede Pittenger, Shuiqing Hu, Chanmin Su
  • Patent number: 9528824
    Abstract: A contact probe includes a stylus, a sensor, and two parallel substantially planar plates. The stylus has a contact. The sensor has a substantially planar shape and includes a fixed portion, at least three thin-walled portions each formed of a planar plate and having a strain sensor vapor-deposited thereon, and a movable portion to which the stylus is mounted and linked to the fixed portion via the thin-walled portions in at least three locations. The two parallel substantially planar plates are connected to the fixed portion on opposing sides and sandwich the movable portion so as to maintain a predetermined distance between the movable portion and the two parallel substantially planar plates and limit movement of the movable portion to a movable range. The sensor outputs a contact signal due to the strain sensors deforming in response to a measurement force from the stylus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Edwin Bos, Ernst Treffers, Kazuhiko Hidaka
  • Patent number: 9456786
    Abstract: A sensing assembly for sensing contact with an object is disclosed. The contact sensing assembly may comprise an elongate tubular body. An electrode may be connected to the elongate tubular body. A vibration element is operatively connected with the electrode and configured to deliver a vibration-inducing signal to induce vibration of the electrode. A sensor is configured to monitor the electrode for a perturbation in the induced vibration. The perturbation results from contact between the electrode and the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Schweitzer, Steven C. Christian, Anthony D. Hill
  • Patent number: 9163917
    Abstract: A stylus support member extends in a first direction. A first and second elastic body attaching members are spaced aside from each other in a second direction are arranged spaced aside from the stylus support member in the first direction, and are connected to each other by first and second members. A first elastic body is arranged between a holder and the first elastic body attaching member. A second elastic body is arranged between a first member and the first elastic body attaching member. A third elastic body is arranged between a second member and the second elastic body attaching member. A fourth elastic body is arranged between the holder and the second elastic body attaching member. A detector detects displacement in the second direction of the stylus support member. The first to fourth elastic members perform lever motion of a single degree of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Hidaka
  • Patent number: 9146020
    Abstract: A modular controller for a lamp allows for the easy addition of remote control to multiple lamp fixture designs. The controller housing protects circuitry from shorts and has a window included for receiving remote control signals. The window is detachable and can be re-oriented relative to the controller housing to accommodate different lamp fixture designs. The position of the sensors within the controller housing can also be reconfigured, and it is also possible to connect external sensors to the controller for situations where sensors must be placed in a tight space. In some embodiments, the lamp power supply is incorporated within the modular controller, saving space and cost, and allowing for dimming of individual lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: LOTO LIGHTING LLC
    Inventor: Thomas E. Devlin
  • Patent number: 9015953
    Abstract: A touch probe (1; 1?; 1?; 1??) for applications in machine tools or measuring machines includes a support frame (2) with a protective casing (3), and a movable armset (5) with a feeler (11) to touch a part to be checked (13). The probe includes a detection device (23) with a laminar piezoelectric transducer (25) made of polymeric material, such as polyvinylidene fluoride, which is connected to the support frame and fixed at a bearing and locating area (7), on which the movable armset rests in a position defined by an isostatic rest system (17). Conditioning electronics (30) connected to the support frame include processing means for processing a force signal (M) provided by the detection device, comparing it with a threshold value (S) and generating a touch signal (T). The conditioning electronics include differential charge amplifiers (3) and a processing system (55) to dynamically vary the threshold value depending on the most recent values of the force signal detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Marposs Societa' per Azioni
    Inventors: Antonio Gambini, Carlo Dall'Aglio
  • Publication number: 20130205609
    Abstract: A touch probe (1;1?;1?;1??) for applications in machine tools or measuring machines includes a support frame (2) with a protective casing (3), and a movable armset (5) with a feeler (11) to touch a part to be checked (13). The probe includes a detection device (23) with a laminar piezoelectric transducer (25) made of polymeric material, such as polyvinylidene fluoride, which is connected to the support frame and fixed at a bearing and locating area (7), on which the movable armset rests in a position defined by an isostatic rest system (17). Conditioning electronics (30) connected to the support frame include processing means for processing a force signal (M) provided by the detection device, comparing it with a threshold value (S) and generating a touch signal (T). The conditioning electronics include differential charge amplifiers (3) and a processing system (55) to dynamically vary the threshold value depending on the most recent values of the force signal detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Marposs Societa ' Per Azioni
    Inventors: Antonio Gambini, Carlo Dall'Aglio
  • Publication number: 20130205608
    Abstract: A touch probe (1;1?;1?;1??) for applications in machine tools or measuring machines includes a support frame (2) with a protective casing (3), and a movable armset (5) with a feeler (11) to touch a part to be checked (13). The probe includes a laminar piezoelectric transducer (25) made of polymeric material, such as polyvinylidene fluoride, which is connected to the support frame and fixed at a bearing and locating area (7) on which the movable armset rests in a position defined by an isostatic rest system (17). A thermal insulation system is placed between the protective casing and the piezoelectric transducer and preferably includes at least one element (28) made of thermal insulating material, such as fibreglass, between the piezoelectric transducer and the support frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Marposs Societa' Per Azioni
    Inventors: Carlo Dall'Aglio, Antonio Gambini
  • Patent number: 8474150
    Abstract: A probe system includes a scanning head and a transceiver element. By touching a stylus, a sensor element is able to generate a sensor signal. The scanning head and the transceiver element are configured such that a wireless information transmission is able to be established between them. The probe contact information is able to be transmitted from the scanning head to the transceiver element by a first signal whose carrier wave is an optical wave, and furthermore, additional information is able to be transmitted between the scanning head and the transceiver element by an additional signal whose carrier wave is a radio wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Groell
  • Patent number: 8316555
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described that facilitate the transmission of image data collected by a sensor within a gimbal assembly. A gimbal assembly includes one or more sensors positioned within the gimbal assembly. The one or more sensors collect data. The gimbal assembly is controllable to aim the one or more sensors. The gimbal assembly further includes a communications module within the gimbal assembly. The communications module transmits at least one directional optical signal to communicate data collected by the sensor. At least one transducer is positioned to receive the at least one directional electromagnetic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Emray Goossen, David Baughman
  • Patent number: 8302322
    Abstract: A detector includes a stylus, a holding portion that holds a proximal end portion of the stylus, a body portion that supports the holding portion rotatably about a rotational axis, and a sensor that detects a rotational displacement of the holding portion. The holding portion includes an abutting member, on which the proximal end portion of the stylus abuts, and a plate spring that biases the proximal end portion of the stylus against the abutting member. The abutting member includes a groove portion on which the proximal end portion of the stylus abuts, and a semispherical portion that extends toward the plate spring, compared with a bottom of the groove portion. The stylus includes a proximal end inclined portion at the proximal end portion of the stylus. The proximal end inclined portion is inclined toward the plate spring, with a decreasing distance from the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Junsuke Yasuno, Hideki Sindo
  • Patent number: 8295961
    Abstract: An ordering terminal (10) installed on an order side of a spectacle lens has a correction function concerning a measurement error measured by a spectacle frame shape measurement device (13), and transmits information necessary for machining the spectacle lens including the spectacle frame shape information to a spectacle lens manufacture control device (20) in a factory. When correcting the measurement error, the circumference of a reference frame (30) for which a reference circumference as a reference is determined in advance is measured by the spectacle frame shape measurement device (13). A measurement circumference obtained on the basis of a measurement value of the circumference is compared with the reference circumference, and a correction value which corrects the spectacle frame shape information such that the measurement circumference approaches the reference circumference is employed as the correction value of the spectacle frame shape measurement device (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Daimaru, Yoshihiko Kikuchi, Naoto Katsuki
  • Patent number: 8161657
    Abstract: A position controller provided in a controlling module obtains a difference between a detected rotation angle of a stylus and a target rotation angle, and determines an energization amount to a voice coil motor so that the difference becomes zero. A variable limiter circuit limits a driving current, which is supplied from the position controller, to a limitation value so that a rotation force applied to the stylus from the voice coil motor is constant. A target rotation angle issuing portion switches over the target rotation angle based on a relative position of a contact portion of the stylus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Yamamoto, Atsushi Shimaoka
  • Patent number: 8082674
    Abstract: A probe, connectable to a machine tool, has an electric generator and a driving element. The electric generator supplies an electric or electronic circuit with electric power, and the driving element is capable of relative rotation with respect to the stator of the electric generator. The driving element is not connected to any external energy source and can be set in rotation simply by activating the rotary axis of the machine tool. The driving element is either rotatably mounted on the probe itself or fixed on the reference table of the machine tool. The probe requires no additional connections to the machine tool on which it is mounted, besides the connection to the rotary spindle, which can be realized with a conventional tool-holder with a standardized tapered shank. The probe is fully compatible with standard probes and can be mounted and used with standard tool-holders without any adaptation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Hexagon Metrology AB
    Inventors: Pascal Jordil, François Gabella
  • Publication number: 20110252657
    Abstract: A probe used for electrical measurement includes first and second internal electrically-conductive parts; first and second terminal contact parts configured to contact first and second external electrode terminals, respectively; first and second spring parts each having a meandering pattern; a housing part configured to surround the first and second internal electrically-conductive parts. The first internal electrically-conductive part, the first terminal contact part, the first spring part, the housing part, the second spring part, the second terminal contact part, and the second internal electrically-conductive part are successively connected in a single metal plate from a first end to a second end thereof. The first and second terminal contact parts are in first and second bent portions, respectively, of the single metal plate. The first and second internal electrically-conductive parts are configured to contact each other at the time of performing the electrical measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: FUJITSU COMPONENT LIMITED
    Inventors: Koki Sato, Koki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8029217
    Abstract: The invention relates to the transmission of power and/or data from/to a stationary part of a machine tool 200 to/from an accessory 100 mounted in the spindle 210 of the machine tool 200. A first electrical link or interface 1a,1b,1c,1d provides electrical communication between the stationary part 200 and the spindle 210, and a second electrical link or interface 3 is provided electrically connected to the first electrical link at the accessory mounting area 230. The second link 3 is in the form of electrical contacts. The invention extends to an accessory shank 360 for mounting to the spindle 210 of the machine tool, and also to an accessory 100 e.g. in the form of a measurement probe, connected to the said shank 360.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Renishaw PLC
    Inventors: David Collingwood, Graham Richard Ferguson, Timothy Donald Hayter, Tim Prestidge, Clive Esmond Harwood Renton, Edward Stott, David Kenneth Thomas
  • Publication number: 20110088273
    Abstract: A position controller provided in a controlling module obtains a difference between a detected rotation angle of a stylus and a target rotation angle, and determines an energization amount to a voice coil motor so that the difference becomes zero. A variable limiter circuit limits a driving current, which is supplied from the position controller, to a limitation value so that a rotation force applied to the stylus from the voice coil motor is constant. A target rotation angle issuing portion switches over the target rotation angle based on a relative position of a contact portion of the stylus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Yamamoto, Atsushi Shimaoka
  • Patent number: 7891109
    Abstract: Contact sensing probe apparatus includes a workpiece contacting stylus, a transducer mechanically coupled to the stylus and an oscillator for supplying an alternating current to the transducer to induce vibration of the stylus. A contact sensor is also provided for monitoring the phase difference between the voltage supplied to the transducer and the current flow to the transducer. The oscillator is arranged to supply the transducer with an alternating current of a first frequency during contact sensing. This first frequency is selected to induce mechanical resonance but to be away from the maximum of the mechanical resonance peak. The probe may be used with co-ordinate positioning machines, such as portable articulated measuring arms, co-ordinate measuring machines (CMM) and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Renishaw PLC
    Inventors: Nicholas John Weston, James Fergus Robertson
  • Patent number: 7869970
    Abstract: A probe straightness measuring method includes: placing a measurement jig having a measurement reference surface with a known profile error on a stage surface of an XY stage so that the measurement reference surface is slanted in a moving direction of the XY stage; measuring a displaced position of the measurement piece by a displacement detector of the probe each time the XY stage is moved for a predetermined distance while controlling a driving actuator so that the measurement piece of a probe touches the measurement reference surface at a constant pressure; and calculating a straightness error of a measurement-piece moving mechanism on a basis of a measured position of the measurement piece obtained in the measuring, a nominal position of the measurement piece obtained by a calculation and a slant angle of the measurement reference surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Nemoto, Masaoki Yamagata
  • Patent number: 7856731
    Abstract: A contact sensing probe having a stylus which is vibrated longitudinally by a piezoelectric transducer. Contact with a workpiece is detected from damping of the vibration. The stylus is mounted to a probe body via parallel diaphragm springs. These cooperate with a counter mass to form a mechanical low pass filter, which isolates the stylus vibrations from influences caused by the mounting or handling of the probe body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Renishaw PLC
    Inventors: Nicholas John Weston, Geoffrey McFarland
  • Patent number: 7797851
    Abstract: There are provided a shape measurement device capable of measuring shapes irrespective of an inclined direction of a side surface without using a complex device configuration, and a shape measurement device probe arranged in the shape measurement device. In the shape measurement device probe, a connecting mechanism for connecting an attachment member and a swinging member includes a supporting point member arranged on the swinging member and a mounting platform arranged on the attachment member, and connects the swinging member to the attachment member so as to be inclinable in any direction. The attachment member and the swinging member are configured such that a movable side member arranged on the swinging member and a fixed side member arranged on the attachment member generate magnetic attraction force in a non-contacting state with respect to each other, where the arm of the swinging member is biased so as to be directed in the vertical direction by the magnetic attraction force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takanori Funabashi, Keiichi Yoshizumi
  • Patent number: 7788819
    Abstract: In a machine tool having an on-board measuring machine and controlled by a numerical controller, a method of measuring a shape of a workpiece presets a reference point for temperature drift correction on the workpiece, moves a probe to the reference point, resets a coordinate system of the probe to correct a temperature drift of the probe, and carries out shape measurement of the workpiece along a first measuring path. Next, the method moves the probe to the reference point again, resets the coordinate system of the probe to correct a temperature drift of the probe again, and carries out shape measurement of the workpiece along a second measuring path. Thereafter, similar temperature drift correction is carried out for each measuring path until the shape measurement of the workpiece is carried out along the last measuring path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Yonpyo Hon, Kenzo Ebihara, Akira Yamamoto, Masayuki Hamura