Assembly for connecting a measuring head to a measuring robot

Details Assembly for connecting a measuring head to a measuring robot Assembly for connecting a measuring head to a measuring robot

1999-05-27

2001-03-27

Cuchlinski, Jr., William A. (Department: 3661)

Data processing: generic control systems or specific application

Specific application, apparatus or process

Robot control

C700S088000, C700S182000, C700S260000, C700S262000, C700S263000, C318S568110, C318S568120, C318S568130, C318S568160

Reexamination Certificate

active

06208912

ABSTRACT:

The present invention relates to an assembly for connecting a measuring head to a measuring robot.
In the following description and in the Claims, the term “measuring head” is used in the widest sense to indicate any unit featuring a measuring stylus, regardless of configuration or number of axes. Similarly, the term “robot” is used to indicate any unit for moving a measuring head along a number of coordinate axes, regardless of configuration or number of axes.
The invention may be used conveniently, but not exclusively, for connecting a two-axis articulated head (sometimes referred to as “wrist”) to a measuring robot.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A measuring head is normally connected to a measuring robot using a connecting assembly comprising a first and a second flange respectively integral with a supporting member of the measuring robot and with the measuring head, and which rest one on the other; and locking means for locking the flanges to each other.
The locking means may comprise straightforward screws or more complex locking members requiring a special wrench for assembly and disassembly. Whichever the case, known connecting assemblies require the use of tools to lock and release the head, so that assembling and disassembling the head are relatively long, painstaking jobs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a connecting assembly permitting maximum positioning precision and repeatability, and which at the same time is fast and easy to use and, in particular, provides for assembling and disassembling the measuring head rapidly with no tools required.
According to the present invention, there is provided an assembly for connecting a measuring head to a supporting member of a measuring robot, of the type comprising:
a first connecting member integral with said supporting member of said measuring robot;
first supporting means carried by said first connecting member;
a second connecting member integral with said measuring head;
second supporting means carried by said second connecting member and cooperating with said first supporting means; and
locking means interposed between said first and said second connecting member to keep said first supporting means and said second supporting means contacting each other;
characterized in that said first and said second supporting means define a substantially isostatic constraint between said first and said second connecting member; said locking means comprising a ring nut carried by one of said first and second connecting members and rotating about a respective axis between a first release position permitting relative movement between said first and said second connecting member along said axis of said ring nut, and a second angular lock position; said assembly comprising elastic means interposed between said ring nut and said second connecting member in said second angular lock position of said ring nut to generate an elastic load to keep said first and said second supporting means in contact with each other.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said first and said second supporting means define a number of electric switches connected in series and normally closed in the assembly position of the measuring head, so as to define a safety or anticrash system for detecting any collision of the measuring head.


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Xia et., Attenuation Predictions at Extremely Low Frequencies for Measurement-While Drilling Electromanetic Telementry System, IEEE., pp. 12221228.

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