Probe signalling

• US 20020158136A1
• Filed: 10/22/2001
• Published: 10/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Renishaw PLC
• Original Assignee: Renishaw PLC
• Inventors: Daniel, Christopher J, Hellier, Peter K
• Granted Patent: US 6,776,344 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/472.02
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 21/047 Accessories, e.g. for positioning, for tool-setting, for measuring probes
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 2210/58 Wireless transmission of information between a sensor or probe and a control or evaluation unit
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/008 using coordinate measuring machines
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/481 Constructional features, e.g. arrangements of optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33192 Radio link, wireless
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33198 Laser, light link, infrared
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/50137 Contact in probe, touch probe to detect contact, touch trigger

Abstract

A measurement probe (1) for a machine tool has a housing (4/5) incorporating a window (6) which allows the optical transmission or receipt of signals from/to infrared transmitters (12) or receivers (13). To obviate the need to mount the transmitter and receiver components on an external surface of the housing, they are surface mounted to a circuit board (8′).

Claims

1. A measurement probe comprising a housing having at least one signal transmitter and/or receiver, and a circuit board therein and comprising a window transparent to the signal, characterised in that the said at least one transmitter and/or receiver is mounted to the circuit board adjacent the window.

2. A measurement probe as claimed in claim 1 wherein the window is an annulus.

3. A measurement probe as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the said at least one signal transmitter and/or receiver is a plurality of transmitters and/or receivers.

4. A measurement probe as claimed in claim 3 wherein the plurality of transmitters and/or receivers are spaced around the window.

5. A measurement probe as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the circuit board is relatively rigid and has lines of weakness at which the board is bendable to be formed for positioning within the housing adjacent the window.

6. A measurement probe as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the said at least one, or the said plurality of transmitters and/or receivers is/are optical devices operable in the infrared spectrum.

7. A measurement probe as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the window is a filter.

8. A measurement probe comprising a two-part housing having a signal transmitter and/or receiver therein and comprising a window transparent to the signal, characterised in that the window is compressed between the two housing parts.