Joints and connections – Manually releaseable latch type – Having operating mechanism
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-27
2001-08-21
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Manually releaseable latch type
Having operating mechanism
C403S322100, C403S327000, C403S013000, C403S014000, C403S015000, C403S328000, C901S010000, C901S028000, C901S029000, C901S041000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276864
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to an assembly for connecting a measuring tool to a measuring head moved by 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 measuring tool to a two-axis articulated head (sometimes referred to as “wrist”) moved by a measuring robot.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
To ensure precise measurements, with no need for long, painstaking calibration procedures whenever the measuring tool is fitted to the measuring head, the connecting assembly must provide for repeatable, unmistakable positioning of the tool with respect to the head.
For this purpose, connecting assemblies are known comprising first supporting elements carried by the measuring tool; second supporting elements carried by an output member of the measuring head and cooperating with the first supporting elements to accurately define the position of the tool with respect to the measuring head; and releasable locking members for maintaining the tool and head in said position. Since the locking members normally require the use of tools to lock and release the measuring tool, assembly and disassembly of the measuring tool are relatively long, painstaking jobs.
Magnetic connecting assemblies between the tool and the output member of the measuring head are also known, which provide for relatively fast assembly and disassembly of the tool, but are affected by any external magnetic fields or dirt.
Moreover, magnetic connections require an extensive interaction region between the output member and the tool, so that the exchanged forces distributed over the entire interaction region have a fairly long arm with respect to the axis of rotation of the output member, and which produces interaction moments which make it difficult to ensure perfectly repeatable support of the tool on the head.
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 tool rapidly with no tools required.
According to the present invention, there is provided an assembly for connecting a measuring tool to a measuring head moved by a measuring robot and having an output member rotating at least about one axis; the assembly comprising first supporting means carried by the output member; second supporting means carried by a connecting portion for connecting the tool to the measuring head, and which cooperate with the first supporting means; and releasable locking means interposed between the connecting portion of the tool and the output member to keep the first supporting means and the second supporting means contacting each other; characterized in that the first and the second supporting means are located peripherally with respect to the axis and define an isostatic constraint between the output member and the connecting portion of the tool; and in that the releasable locking means comprise engaging means located substantially along the axis, and pneumatic actuating means cooperating with and for controlling release of the engaging means.
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Russo Domenico
Sola Domenico
Brown & Sharpe DEA S.p.A.
Browne Lynne H.
Garcia Ernesto
Hall Priddy Myers & Vande Sande
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