Geometrical instruments – Distance measuring – Opposed contacts
Patent
1991-02-08
1991-11-26
Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
Geometrical instruments
Distance measuring
Opposed contacts
33533, 3350109, 33832, 33613, G01B 714
Patent
active
050672509
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a device for measuring the closeness of the fit between two vehicle body panels by measuring the dimensions of gap and/or flush between the panels. The term "gap" is used to indicate the distance between the edges of the panels measured in the planes of the panels whereas the term "flush", is used to represent the amount of misalignment between the planes of the two panels measured along the normal to the planes of the panels. Such a device can be used, for example, in alignment of vehicle of doors and hoods.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
A measuring device of this type is disclosed in British Patent Application No. 2,169,706. This known measuring device comprises two probes, which are prestressed in each case by an energy store in such a way that they project from the housing of the measuring device and can be moved into the housing against the force of the energy store. Each probe has a transducer associated with it, which detects the position of the probe and converts it into an electrical signal which can be supplied to an external data-processing system. While one of the two probes is used to measure the gap, it is possible to use the other probe to measure the flush.
A problem with this known measuring device is that before performing a measurement operation its housing must be fixed in a special receiving block in a bodywork template or jig which is arranged in a specified position and into which bodywork parts are inserted for testing.
A further measuring device for gap and flush measurement is disclosed by the German Patent 34 28 635. In the case of this measuring device a longitudinally displaceable testing rod is arranged in a housing, the displacement of the testing rod being converted by an electro-mechanical transducer into electrical signals which can likewise be supplied to an external data-processing unit. One end of the sensing arm projects on one side of the housing in the region of an application base connected to the housing and is used for measuring the flush. A sensing arm, which together with an application arm extending parallel thereto and secured to the housing of the measuring device forms a testing device in the manner of calipers for measuring gap, is secured to the end of the testing rod projecting at the opposite side from the housing. This measuring device is therefore awkward and time-consuming to manipulate, since it must be manipulated differently for gap and flush measurements, so that it is not possible to determine these values simultaneously. In addition, it is necessary to position the application base precisely on an area of the bodywork in such a way that the axis of the testing rod extends at right angles to the application surface, since measurement errors can otherwise arise. In this positioning procedure inaccuracies can easily occur which result in measurement errors.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The invention seeks to provide a measuring device for gap and flush measurement which permits measurements to be taken by positioning the measuring device on any desired area of a vehicle body and which reduces the risk of positioning errors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a device for measuring the gap and/or flush between two parts, which comprises a housing having a base with an application face which, in use, is placed on the surface of one of the parts, a probe which projects from the housing and which is movable against a return force in the direction of the housing, the probe being placed in used against the other of the parts, and at least one electro-mechanical transducer disposed within the housing for detecting the displacement of the probe, characterised in that the base is pivotably connected to the housing, and orientation sensing means are provided for sensing when the housing is in a predetermined orientation in relation the base.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the measuring device has a special base plate and switching devices, by which the
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patent: 4640014 (1987-02-01), Thomas
patent: 4945651 (1990-08-01), Georg
Auweiler Willi
Luetzeler Robert
Solbach Bernd
Cuchlinski Jr. William A.
Ford Motor Company
Fulton C. W.
Sadler Clifford L.
Stock Daniel M.
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