Sensor mounting structure allowing for adjustment of sensor position

• US 20070074592A1
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Published: 04/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Rockwell Automation, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Rockwell Automation, Inc.)
• Inventors: Santos, Roberto
• Granted Patent: US 7,546,780 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/866.500
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/30 Supports specially adapted for an instrument; Supports specially adapted for a set of instruments
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/94 characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/9505 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2017/9455 constructional details

Abstract

A mounting device configured for mounting a sensing device in relation to a supporting structure, and related method of mounting, are disclosed. In at least some embodiments, the mounting device includes a first support component capable of being mounted at least indirectly in relation to the supporting structure, a second support component configured to support the sensing device, and a connecting component coupled between the first and second support components, where the connecting component supports the second support component in relation to the first support component. Also, the mounting device includes an adjustor coupled to at least one of the first support component, the second support component and the connecting component that influences a positioning of the second support component in relation to the first support component.

Claims

1. A mounting device configured for mounting a sensing device in relation to a supporting structure, the mounting device comprising:

a first support component capable of being mounted at least indirectly in relation to the supporting structure;

a second support component configured to support the sensing device;

a connecting component coupled between the first and second support components, wherein the connecting component supports the second support component in relation to the first support component; and

an adjustor coupled to at least one of the first support component, the second support component and the connecting component that influences a positioning of the second support component in relation to the first support component.

2. The mounting device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first support component and the second support component has at least one surface that is at least one of substantially cylindrical and substantially flat.

3. The mounting device of claim 2, wherein each of the first and second support components has a shape that is substantially like that of at least one of a barrel, a ring and a rectangular box.

4. The mounting device of claim 2, wherein each of the first and second support components has at least one surface that is substantially cylindrical.

5. The mounting device of claim 1, wherein the connecting component includes a yoke.

6. The mounting device of claim 5, wherein the yoke allows for relative rotational movement of the second support component with respect to the first support component about a first axis.

7. The mounting device of claim 6, wherein the yoke allows for relative rotational movement of the second support component with respect to the first support component about a second axis.

8. The mounting device of claim 6, wherein the first axis is perpendicular to a central axis of at least one of the first and second support components.

9. The mounting device of claim 5, wherein the adjustor includes a first protrusion coupled to at least one of the second support component and a portion of the yoke.

10. The mounting device of claim 9, wherein the first protrusion is coupled to the second support component, wherein the adjustor also includes a second protrusion, and wherein the second protrusion is coupled to the at least one portion of the yoke.

11. The mounting device of claim 10, wherein each of the first and second protrusions is a lever, and wherein when the second support component is positioned in a centered manner with respect to the first support component each of the levers extends in a manner that is substantially parallel to a central axis of at least one of the first and second support components.

12. The mounting device of claim 9, wherein the first protrusion serves as an indicator of a level of the second support component in relation to at least one of the first support component, the connecting component and the supporting structure.

13. The mounting device of claim 9, wherein the first protrusion includes at least one of a tooth and an indentation configured to interface a complementary component coupled to at least one of the first support component, the connecting component and the supporting structure.

14. The mounting device of claim 13, wherein the first protrusion includes a single tooth, wherein the complementary component includes a set of recesses, and wherein the single tooth mates in a ratcheting manner with the set of recesses, and wherein the mating of the single tooth with the set of recesses sets a relative positioning of the second support component in relation to at least one of the first support component, the connecting component and the supporting structure.

15. The mounting device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the second support component and the connecting component includes a protrusion that is capable of being received into a complementary indentation on at least one of the first support component, the connecting component and the supporting structure.

16. The mounting device of claim 1, further comprising an indicator that provides an indication of a positioning of the second support component in relation to at least one of the first support component and the supporting structure.

17. The mounting device of claim 1, wherein the connecting component includes at least one spring extending between the first and second support components.

18. The mounting device of claim 17, wherein at least one of the first and second support components includes a pocket to receive the spring.

19. The mounting device of claim 17, wherein the spring is at least one of a compression spring and a leaf spring.

20. The mounting device of claim 19, wherein the spring is the leaf spring and the leaf spring is at least one of formed integrally with the first support structure and coupled to the first support structure by way of a means for coupling.

21. The mounting device of claim 17, wherein the adjustor includes at least one set screw that is configured to interface a surface of the second support component.

22. The mounting device of claim 21, wherein the connecting component further includes a yoke, wherein the yoke is coupled to the second support component at a first location along an axial length of the second support component and the surface interfaced by the set screw is located at a second location along the axial length of the second support component, and wherein rotation of the set screw produces rotation of the second support component with respect to the first support component.

23. The mounting device of claim 17, wherein the adjustor includes at least one of a gear, a ramp, a cam, a push rod, and a wire.

24. The mounting device of claim 1, wherein the adjustor includes at least one of a first gear, a first push rod, a first cam, and a first ramp.

25. The mounting device of claim 24, wherein the adjustor includes the first gear, and wherein the first gear interfaces a first complementary gear interface on at least one of the connecting component and the second support component.

26. The mounting device of claim 25, wherein the adjustor includes a second gear and the second gear interfaces a second complementary gear interface on at least one of the connecting component and the second support component.

27. The mounting device of claim 25, wherein the connecting component includes a yoke, and wherein the gear interface includes at least one of a plurality of gear teeth extending entirely around a circumference of a circular portion and a plurality of gear teeth extending along a curve that is a portion of a circle.

28. The mounting device of claim 24, wherein the adjustor includes the first push rod and also includes a first knob rotatably coupled with respect to the first support component, wherein the first push rod extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the first knob with respect to the first support component, wherein the first push rod is coupled to the first knob at a location offset from the axis of rotation, wherein the first push rod extends from the first knob to interface at least one of the connecting component, the second support component and the sensing device, and wherein rotation of the knob produces movement of at least one of the connecting component, the second support component and the sensing device.

29. The mounting device of claim 28, wherein the first support component includes a keyed orifice, and wherein the knob and push rod are coupled to the first support component by inserting the push rod through the keyed orifice and then rotating the knob.

30. The mounting device of claim 24, wherein the adjustor includes the first cam and also includes a first knob attached to the first cam and rotatably coupled with respect to the first support component, wherein the cam interfaces a contact surface on at least one of the connecting component, the second support component and the sensing device, and wherein rotation of the knob produces movement of at least one of the connecting component, the second support component and the sensing device.

31. The mounting device of claim 30, wherein the first cam is at least one of a standard cam having a side interface surface and a ramped cam having an end interface surface.

32. The mounting device of claim 24, wherein the adjustor includes the first ramp and also includes a first rotatable component interfacing the first ramp and rotatably coupled with respect to the first support component, wherein the first ramp interfaces a contact surface on at least one of the connecting component, the second support component and the sensing device, and wherein rotation of the first rotatable component produces movement of at least one of the connecting component, the second support component and the sensing device.

33. The mounting device of claim 32, wherein the first rotatable component includes at least one of the first cam and a first set screw.

34. The mounting device of claim 32, wherein the adjustor further includes a spring that counteracts a force applied to the first ramp by the first rotatable component, and wherein the first ramp further includes a base portion that is configured to slide and be retained within a C-shaped slideway.

35. The mounting device of claim 24, wherein the connecting component includes a yoke, wherein actuation of the adjustor results in rotation of the sensing device relative to the supporting structure about at least one rotational axis, and wherein the at least one rotational axis includes at least one of a first axis of rotation of the second support component with respect to the yoke, a second axis of rotation of the yoke with respect to the first support component, and a third axis of rotation of a first portion of the yoke with respect to a second portion of the yoke.

36. The mounting device of claim 35, wherein the adjustor includes at least one of a second gear, a second push rod, a second cam, and a second ramp, and wherein the actuation of the adjustor results in the rotation of the sensing device relative to the supporting structure about at least two of the first, second and third axes.

37. The mounting device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the support components is coupled to the connecting component by at least one of an overmolded pin having a swaged over portion, a first pin that is snapped into one of a first slot and a first groove, a second pin having a snap fit portion that is snapped into one of a second slot and a second groove, a bump that is configured to fit within a complementary dimple, a third pin that is press fit into a third slot by way of movement of the pin into the third slot in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the third pin, a component that is heat staked, a fourth pin that is press fit into a complementary hole, a screw, a bolt, and another fastening means.

38. A conveyor section capable of being implemented as part of an assembly line, wherein the conveyor section includes the mounting device, supporting structure and sensing device of claim 1, and wherein the sensing device is a light-sensing device.

39. An assembly including the mounting device and the sensing device of claim 1, wherein the sensing device is at least one of a light-sensing device, a laser-sensing device, a color-sensing device, a device for sensing at least one of infrared, microwave, and x-ray radiation, a position-sensing device, an acoustic-sensing device, a vibration-sensing device, a motion-sensing device, and an orientation-sensing device.

40. A system including the mounting device, supporting structure and sensing device of claim 1, wherein the system is configured for use in at least one of an industrial environment, a commercial environment, a military environment, and a residential environment.

41. A mounting device configured for mounting a sensing device in relation to a supporting structure, the mounting device comprising:

a first support component capable of being mounted at least indirectly in relation to the supporting structure;

a second support component configured to support the sensing device;

means for rotatably coupling the first and second support components in relation to one another; and

means for adjusting a relative orientation of the first and second support components with respect to one another.

42. The mounting device of claim 41, wherein the means for rotatably coupling the first and second support components includes at least one of a yoke, a portion of the yoke, a hinge, a screw, a bolt, and a spring,

43. The mounting device of claim 42, wherein the first support component includes at least one of a cylindrical tube, a box-shaped housing, and another portion of the yoke.

44. The mounting device of claim 41, wherein the means for adjusting includes at least one of a gear, a push rod, a cam, a ramp, a lever, a set screw, a spring, and a wire.

45. The mounting device of claim 41, further comprising means for providing an indication of the relative orientation.

46. A method of mounting a sensing device in relation to a supporting structure, the method comprising:

placing a sensing device onto a first support component;

mounting an assembly including the first support component and the sensing device onto a supporting structure,

wherein the assembly further includes a connecting component and a second support component, wherein the connecting component rotatably couples the first and second support components with one another, and wherein the assembly is mounted onto the supporting structure specifically by way of the second support component; and

setting a rotational orientation of at least one of the first support component and the sensing device with respect to at least one of the second support component and the supporting structure.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the sensing device includes a cord, and wherein the sensing device is mounted onto the first support component by pulling the cord such that the sensing device is pulled to fit within an inner core space of the first support component.

48. The method of claim 47, further comprising:

assembling the first support component with respect to the connecting component, wherein the assembling is achieved by pulling the cord such that the sensing device and the first support component are pulled with respect to the connecting component so that a first interfacing component of the first support component interfaces a second interfacing component of the connecting component.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the mounting of the assembly onto the supporting structure is achieved by pulling the cord such that a cylindrical portion of the second support component is pulled through an orifice of the supporting structure until a mushroom flange encounters the supporting structure.

50. The method of claim 46, wherein the setting is achieved by actuating at least one of a gear, a push rod, a cam, a ramp, a lever, a set screw, a spring, and a wire.

51. A mounting device configured for mounting a sensing device, the mounting device comprising:

a component sized for receiving and supporting the sensing device;

a mounting assembly operably connected to the component to permit adjustable positions of the component about at least two perpendicular axes; and

an adjustment assembly operably connected to at least one of the component and the mounting assembly and having at least two adjustors, each adjustor facilitating incremental movement of at least one of the component and the mounting assembly about a respective one of the at least two axes.

52. A mounting device configured for mounting a sensing device in relation to a supporting structure, the mounting device comprising:

a first support component capable of being mounted at least indirectly in relation to the supporting structure;

a connecting component coupled to the first support component, the connecting component configured for interfacing with a second support component formed from at least a portion of a housing of the sensing device; and

an adjustor coupled to at least one of the first support component, the second support component and the connecting component that influences a positioning of the second support component in relation to the first support component.

53. The mounting device of claim 52 wherein the housing of the sensing device and the second support component are integrally formed.