Sensor device for geometrically testing parts

• US 10,444,002 B2
• Filed: 07/23/2015
• Issued: 10/15/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Audelys
• Original Assignee: ACTIMESURE Co.
• Inventors: Tregret, Samuel, Prunet, Philippe, Jarry, Vincent
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennett, George B
• Application Number:
  US15/746,986
• Publication Number:
  US 20190011245A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,545 Days
• Field of Search: 33706, 33707, 33708, 33832
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/007 feeler heads therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 21/047 Accessories, e.g. for positioning, for tool-setting, for measuring probes
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 3/008 Arrangements for controlling the measuring force
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 3/22 Feeler-pin gauges, e.g. dial gauges for measuring contours or curvatures G01B5/20
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/002 Constructional details of contacts for gauges actuating one or more contacts G01B7/016 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/012 Contact-making feeler heads therefor

Abstract

A feeler device for geometrically controlling parts, capable of determining the position of a feeler member when it comes into contact with a part to be controlled. The feeler device includes a motorized contact rod movable in translation inside a housing and a microcontroller for controlling the movement of the rod. The contact rod is driven in translation by friction with an element linked to the rotary shaft of a motor, and the contact rod cooperates with a magnetic sensor in order to detect the position of same.

Claims

1. A sensor device for geometric testing of parts, able to determine a position of a sensor body when the sensor body enters into contact with a part to be tested, the sensor device comprising:

a case;

an engine;

a contact rod, motorised between an extended position and a retracted position relative to an inside of the case;

a microcontroller for controlling the movement of the rod;

a magnetic sensor, which cooperates with the contact rod to detect a position thereof; and

a counter-brace or restraining part, which forms a friction-contact counter-brace of the contact rod with a rotating axis of the engine, said a counter-brace or restraining part being fixed on said case.

2. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein said contact rod is driven forward by direct or indirect friction with the rotating axis of the engine.

3. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the counter-brace or restraining part comprises a roller.

4. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the restraining part comprises a guiding gasket of said rod which extends partially inside the case and has a notch there able to constitute two support edges.

5. The sensor device according to claim 1, which further comprises at least one electronic board and software for managing the position of said rod, cooperating with the microcontroller.

6. The sensor device according to claim 5, wherein the at least one electronic board comprises a first and a second electronic board, wherein the first electronic board enables acquisition of a measurement of the position of the contact rod, the second electronic board enables processing of the measurement of the position, as well as acquisition and processing of a force exerted on the contact rod.

7. The sensor device according to claim 1, further comprising means for adjusting the pressure exerted by the contact rod on the part to be tested, configurable by the microcontroller.

8. The sensor device according to claim 1, further comprising a magnetic strip positioned on said contact rod, to detect the position thereof by cooperating with the magnetic sensor.

9. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the engine is a linear engine.

10. The sensor device according to claim 9, wherein said engine is arranged in an extension of said contact rod, and comprises a pile of mobile magnets of alternatively inversed polarities with the rod, and a stator controlled by an electronic board.

11. The sensor device according to claim 10, wherein said stator is fixed in said case and comprises a solenoid, of which propulsions act on the pile of magnets to effect the movement of said rod.

12. The sensor device according to claim 10, wherein said pile of magnets cooperates with a position detector and said stator in order to ensure both the movement of the rod and the detection of the position of the rod.

13. The sensor device according to claim 1, further comprising sealing and protective means cooperating with at least one part of said case and/or said rod.

14. The sensor device according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit for reading at least one functioning parameter and/or for controlling a functioning of the sensor device.