Geometrical instruments – Gauge – Movable contact probe – per se
Patent
1991-07-15
1992-06-09
Yasich, Daniel M.
Geometrical instruments
Gauge
Movable contact probe, per se
33561, G01B 503
Patent
active
051195682
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a feeler device for a copying machine. More specifically, the invention relates to a feeler device of the type comprising:
a support structure movable along at least a first reference axis,
a feeler member supported by the structure so as to be able to effect limited movements relative to the structure along the axis relative to a predetermined rest position, and
detector means for providing electrical signals indicative of the magnitude and direction of the relative movements of the feeler member.
A feeler device of this type is known, for example, from the publication "Gear inspection on a multi-coordinate measuring machine", by H. J. Neumann, a reprint of a paper given during the 5th International Conference on Automated Inspection and Product Control, 12th IPA Meeting, Stuttgart, 24-26th June 1980, edited by Carl Zeiss, Oberkochen, Federal Republic of Germany.
In this known device (see, for example, page 7, FIG. 7 of this publication) the ability of the feeler to move relative to the structure along one axis (for example, a horizontal axis) is achieved by means of the suspension of the feeler from the support structure by means of a pair of rigid blades articulated at their upper ends to the structure and at their lower ends to a plate which is firmly connected to the feeler. The assembly formed by the support structure, the blades and the plate which carries the feeler constitutes a sort of articulated parallelogram whereby a movement of the feeler relative to the support structure along the reference axis results at the same time in a variation in the position of the feeler (relative to the support structure) along the vertical axis.
This characteristic of the known device is a disadvantage which the present invention attempts to overcome.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a feeler device of the aforesaid type, in which a movement of the feeler member relative to a coordinate axis does not also involve a variation in the position of the feeler along the other axes.
This object is achieved according to the invention by means of a feeler device of the type specified above, the main characteristic of which lies in the fact that it includes a first intermediate structure connected to the support structure by first resiliently deformable blades which can bend in a plane parallel to the said reference axis, and in that the feeler member is supported by the intermediate structure through second resiliently deformable blades having bending characteristics substantially the same as those of the first blades in a plane parallel to the reference axis.
Feeler devices also fall within the scope of the present invention in which the support structure is movable along two or three reference axes and the feeler member is supported by the structure so as to be able to effect limited relative movements along these two or three reference axes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further characteristics and advantages Of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description which follows with reference to the appended drawings, provided purely by way of non-limiting example, in which:
FIGS. 1 and 2 show two different conditions of a structure illustrative of the principle on which the feeler device of the present invention is based,
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a feeler according to the present invention,
FIG. 4 is a partially-sectioned perspective view of the feeler of FIG. 3,
FIGS. 5 and 6 are sections taken on the lines V--V of FIG. 3 and VI--VI of FIG. 5,
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of parts of the feeler shown in the preceding drawings,
FIG. 8 is a partially-sectioned perspective view of another part of the feeler of FIGS. 1 to 6,
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another feeler device made in accordance with the present invention,
FIGS. 10 and 11 are sections taken on the lines X--X and XI--XI of FIG. 9,
FIG. 12 is a section taken on the line XII--XII o
REFERENCES:
patent: 3869799 (1975-03-01), Neuer et al.
patent: 3945124 (1976-03-01), Jacoby et al.
patent: 4270275 (1981-06-01), McMurtry
patent: 4611403 (1986-09-01), Morita et al.
patent: 4621434 (1986-11-01), Hirschmann
patent: 4660296 (1987-04-01), Klingler et al.
patent: 4763531 (1988-08-01), Dietrich et al.
Patent Abstracts of Japan, vol. 9, No. 199, (P-380) (1922) Aug. 16, 1985 & JP,A, 6064206, Seimitsu et al, Apr. 12, 1985, (1 page) (WO88/05524).
"Gear Inspection On a Multi-Coordinate Measuring Machine", H. J. Neumann, 5th International Conference, 12th IPA Meeting, Jun. 24-26, 1980, 14 pages.
Vesco Mario
Zaramella Giancarlo
FIDIA S.p.A.
Yasich Daniel M.
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