Geometrical instruments – Distance measuring – Scale reading position sensor
Patent
1997-03-19
2000-08-22
Hirshfeld, Andrew H.
Geometrical instruments
Distance measuring
Scale reading position sensor
33732, 33759, G01B 310, G01B 2100
Patent
active
06105271&
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to an arrangement for receiving or accommodating a scale in an interlocking or positive-locking engagement and can be used, for example, for measuring devices in machine construction.
2. Description of the Related Art
Numerous measurement devices are known from the prior art in which the scale is accommodated in an elongated hollow body (DE-C-25 05 587). In this case, the scale is generally connected with a hollow body by the intermediary of a resilient intermediate layer. The hollow bodies are made from light metal, preferably aluminum.
In a great many constructions, especially for large measurement lengths, a graduated steel strip is used as a scale. This graduated strip is accommodated in grooves or folds of the support body. A configuration of this kind in which the base or support body is constructed as a supporting hollow profile is known from DE-C-27 12 421.
Devices for measuring extensive lengths are realized in such a way that portions of the support body which are advantageous with respect to length are aligned and fixed on a machine component, wherein it is known in general to arrange elastic seals between the individual portions in order to compensate for thermal expansion. After the portion of the support body has been mounted, the measurement strip is drawn into the groove of the support body and fastened. A corresponding practical construction with a measurement strip support is known from the company brochure "NC Linear Encoders", July 1994, published by the Heidenhain company. In this case, individual measurement strip support portions must be aligned on the machine component and fastened by screws for extensive measurement lengths.
All of these constructions have the disadvantage that the scale support must be fastened and aligned on the machine component in a cumbersome assembling process which is very costly for extensive lengths.
OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the invention is to provide an arrangement in which a scale is held in a positive engagement such that the mounting of the scale support, e.g., on a machine tool, also for large measurement lengths, is achieved economically with respect to time and effort.
This object is met in accordance with the invention in an arrangement of the generic type for accommodating a measurement scale in a positive engagement in that the profile legs are made of elastic or flexible material and the profile base is formed of a longitudinally stable, bendable material.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the longitudinally stable, bendable material is a metal strip.
In an advantageous further development of the invention, the profile legs contain elastic sealing lamellae or sealing slats.
The profile legs are advantageously connected with the profile base by self-adhesive foil.
The profile legs and the profile base are advantageously enclosed by elastic sealing slats.
A simple and economical mounting of a scale body formed of a scale and profile base on a machine tool is achieved by means of the solution according to the invention. Beyond this, the solution according to the invention enables efficient transport, also for purposes of servicing, since the scale body can be wound up in the case of extensive measurement lengths.
The invention will be described more fully in the following with reference to a schematic drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of the arrangement according to the invention and;
FIGS. 2a), 2b), 2c) show additional embodiment forms of the arrangement according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the arrangement which is shown schematically in FIG. 1, a scale 2, e.g., a graduated steel rule, is arranged on a profile base 1 made, for example, from steel. The scale 2 can be constructed, with or without an intermediate layer 3, as an elastic adhesive layer or an oil film resting on the profile base 1. The profile base 1 can be m
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Boege Ludwig
Freitag Hans-Joachim
Hirshfeld Andrew H.
Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
Smith R. Alexander
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