Probe signalling

• US 20090130987A1
• Filed: 09/29/2008
• Published: 05/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Renishaw PLC
• Original Assignee: Renishaw PLC
• Inventors: Daniel, Christopher J., Hellier, Peter K.
• Application Number:
  US12/285,098
• Publication Number:
  US 20090130987A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/67.110
• 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. An apparatus for measurement and for wireless signal communication with a base station, the apparatus comprising:

a housing that include two parts;

a member that connects the two parts;

a signal transparent window that is located between the two parts and extends around the member; and

a circuit board lying at least partially between the member and the window for signal communication with the base station.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one of a signal transmitter or a signal receiver for the signal communication with the base station mounted on the circuit board.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one of a plurality of signal transmitters or a plurality of signal receivers are mounted on the circuit board, wherein the at least one of a plurality of signal transmitters or a plurality of signal receivers are positioned on the circuit board near the window.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one of a signal transmitter or a signal receiver is an optical device operable in the infrared spectrum.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the window is substantially annular.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the window is a filter.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the window is compressed between the two housing parts.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the window forms a structural element of the probe housing

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the member connecting the two parts is a pillar joining the two parts.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the circuit board is bent around the member and is near the window.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a seal is provided between the window and the two housing parts.

12. An apparatus for measurement and for optical wireless signal communication with a base station, the apparatus comprising:

a housing that includes two parts;

a member that connects the two parts;

a substantially annular signal-transparent window that is located between the two parts and extends around the member;

a circuit board; and

at least one of a plurality of transmitters or a plurality of receivers mounted on the circuit board, wherein;

at least a part of the circuit board is positioned between the member and the window,

the part of the circuit board that is positioned between the member and the window has the at least one of a plurality of transmitters or a plurality of receivers mounted thereon, and

the at least one of a plurality of transmitters or a plurality of receivers are positioned near the window for the optical signal communication with the base station.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the member comprises three bolts, with the bolts passing through the circuit board.

14. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein a plurality of transmitters and a plurality of receivers are mounted on the circuit board.

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

a housing that includes two parts;

a window transparent to the signal separating the first and second parts; and

a circuit board adjacent the window for said signal communication with the base station,

wherein the window forms a structural element of the probe housing.

16. A probe for dimensional measurement as claimed in claim 15, wherein the window is compressed between the two housing parts.

18. A probe for dimensional measurement as claimed in claim 15, wherein the window is annular.

19. A probe for dimensional measurement as claimed in claim 15, wherein the window comprises glass.

20. A probe for dimensional measurement as claimed in claim 15, wherein the window comprises plastic.

17. A probe for dimensional measurement as claimed in 15, wherein the two housing parts are bolted together.