Sensor for a machine for measuring three-dimensional coordinates

• US 20030177653A1
• Filed: 03/18/2003
• Published: 09/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hexagon Metrology AB (Hexagon AB)
• Original Assignee: Hexagon Metrology AB (Hexagon AB)
• Inventors: Granger, Romain
• Application Number:
  US10/390,008
• Publication Number:
  US 20030177653A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 33/556
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/012 Contact-making feeler heads therefor

Abstract

A sensor for a machine for measuring three-dimensional coordinates, the sensor comprising a portion enabling it to be fixed to the end of a moving arm, and an active portion remote from said fixing portion, including a connection element between the active portion and the connection portion, thereby forming a mechanical joint having at least one degree of freedom.

Claims

1. A sensor for a machine for measuring three-dimensional coordinates, the sensor comprising a portion enabling it to be fixed to the end of a moving arm, and an active portion remote from said fixing portion, the sensor including a connection element between the active portion and the connection portion, said connection element forming a mechanical joint having at least one degree of freedom.

2. A sensor according to claim 1, wherein the degree of freedom of the joint is a degree of freedom in translation.

3. A sensor according to claim 1, wherein the degree of freedom of the joint is a degree of freedom in rotation.

4. A sensor according to claim 1, wherein each degree of freedom of the joint is restricted to a plurality of predetermined positions, each of which is indexed.

5. A sensor according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical joint includes a coder associated therewith producing a position signal, and communications means in communication with an electronic control unit belonging to the three-dimensional coordinate measurement machine.

6. A sensor according to claim 5, wherein the communications means comprise a set of electronic circuits on board the sensor.