Probe signalling

• US 20040219886A1
• Filed: 06/01/2004
• Published: 11/04/2004
• 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 7,441,707 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/67.11
• 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 probe for dimensional measurement and for wireless signal communication with a base station, the probe comprising:

a housing including two parts;

a member connecting the two parts;

a window transparent to the signal separating the two parts and extending around the member; and

a circuit board between the member and the window for the signal communication with the base station.

2. A probe for dimensional measurement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the circuit board includes at least one signal transmitter and/or receiver for the signal communication with the base station.

3. A probe for dimensional measurement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one signal transmitter and/or receiver comprises a plurality of signal transmitters and/or receivers.

4. A probe for dimensional measurement as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plurality of signal transmitters and/or receivers are spaced around the window on the circuit board.

5. A probe for dimensional measurement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one signal transmitter and/or receiver is/are optical devices operable in the infrared spectrum.

6. A probe for dimensional measurement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the window is substantially an annulus.

7. A probe for dimensional measurement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the window is a filter.

8. A probe for dimensional measurement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the window is compressed between the two housing parts.

9. A probe for dimensional measurement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the member connecting the two housing parts is a pillar joining the two parts.

10. A probe for dimensional measurement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the circuit board is bent around the member adjacent the window.

11. A probe for dimensional measurement as claimed in claim 1, wherein a seal is provided between the window and the two housing parts.

12. A probe for dimensional measurement and for optical wireless signal communication with a base station, the probe comprising:

a housing including two substantially cylindrical parts;

a member connecting the two parts;

an annular window transparent to the signal separating the two parts and extending around the member; and

a circuit board between the member and the window having a plurality of transmitters and/or receivers connected thereto, the transmitters and/or receivers being positioned around the window for the optical signal communication with the base station.