LASER PROJECTOR WITH DYNAMICALLY ADAPTABLE FOCUS

• US 20180109770A1
• Filed: 10/16/2017
• Published: 04/19/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Virtek Vision International Inc. (Lectra SA)
• Original Assignee: Virtek Vision International Inc. (Lectra SA)
• Inventors: Rueb, Kurt D.
• Granted Patent: US 10,239,178 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 17/2404 Arrangements for improving direct observation of the working space, e.g. using mirrors or lamps structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for, F21V33/00
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 17/2423 by projecting crossing light beams
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 17/249 using image analysis, e.g. for radar, infrared or array camera images
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 2717/00 Arrangements for indicating or measuring
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/002 for measuring two or more coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/2513 with several lines being projected in more than one direction, e.g. grids, patterns
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/2518 Projection by scanning of the object
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 11/02 Picture taking arrangements specially adapted for photogrammetry or photographic surveying, e.g. controlling overlapping of pictures
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 11/04 Interpretation of pictures
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0825 the reflecting element being a flexible sheet or membrane, e.g. for varying the focus flexible mirrors for cosmetic use A45D42/24
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/105 with one or more pivoting mirrors or galvano-mirrors G02B26/101 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10028 Range image; Depth image; 3D point clouds
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10152 Varying illumination
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/521 from laser ranging, e.g. using interferometry; from the projection of structured light
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/73 using feature-based methods
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/204 using stereoscopic image cameras stereoscopic photography G03B35/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/239 using two 2D image sensors having a relative position equal to or related to the interocular distance H04N13/243 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/254 in combination with electromagnetic radiation sources for illuminating objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3129 scanning a light beam on the display screen scanning a light beam on a screen in displays other than projection devices G09G3/02; scanning systems in general G02B26/10; projectors using laser light sources in general H04N9/3161
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3155 for controlling the light source light source control per se H05B35/00 – H05B47/00; control of an illumination source for displays in general G09G3/3406
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/317 : Convergence or focusing systems electronic adjustment of convergence H04N9/3185; convergence or focusing arrangements for cathode ray tubes H04N9/28; means for automatic focusing of projectors not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/53
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3185 : Geometric adjustment, e.g. keystone or convergence optical or mechanical adjustment of convergence H04N9/317; using scanning means H04N3/22; optical or mechanical adjustments of projectors not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3194 : including sensor feedback

Abstract

A laser projector assembly for projecting a template onto an object is provided. The laser projector assembly includes a frame, a laser source for generating a laser beam being affixed to said frame, a sensor assembly, a lens assembly and a galvanometer assembly. The sensor assembly is affixed to said frame for identifying surface locations of three dimensional objects. The lens assembly includes a tunable lens for changing a focus of the laser beam received from said laser source. The galvanometer assembly redirects the laser beam received from said lens assembly along a scanning path. The lens is disposed in a fixed location relative to said sensor assembly and is tunable in response to the surface locations of the three dimensional objects identified along the scanning path of the laser beam by said sensor assembly.

Claims

1. A laser projector assembly for projecting a template onto and object, comprising:

a frame;

a laser source for generating a laser beam being affixed to said frame;

a lens assembly including a lens having a reconfigurable shape for changing a focus of the laser beam received from said laser source;

a sensor assembly for sensing surface locations of three dimensional objects;

a galvanometer assembly for redirecting the laser beam received from said lens assembly along a scanning path; and

said lens being disposed in a fixed location relative to said galvanometer assembly and said shape of said lens being reconfigured in response to the surface locations of the three dimensional objects identified along the scanning path of the laser beam by said sensor assembly.

2. The assembly set forth in claim 1, further including a photogrammetry assembly being affixed to said frame in a dimensionally accurate location relative to said galvanometer assembly for identifying surface locations of three dimensional objects.

3. The assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein said laser beam is transmitted from said laser source to said lens assembly through an optical cable.

4. The assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein said laser optical cable is interconnected to said laser source with a cable fitting disposed in an dimensionally accurate attachment relative to said lens assembly.

5. The assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein lens assembly includes a beam splitter and said sensor assembly includes an optical sensor, said beam splitter directing a portion of the laser beam toward said optical sensor for determining output level of said laser source.

6. The assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein said lens is subject to geometric shape modification in response to the surface locations of the three dimensional objects identified along the scanning path of the laser beam by said photogrammetry assembly.

7. The assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein said photogrammetry assembly includes a first camera interconnect to a first processor and a second camera interconnected to a second processor, with said first processor and said second processor being interconnected being fixedly attached to said frame.

8. The assembly set forth in claim 7, wherein further including a third processor being electronically interconnected to said first processor and said second processor for providing display list processing and electronic communication with a host computer.

9. The assembly set forth in claim 7, wherein said first camera and said second camera are substantially accurately located relative to said lens assembly.

10. The assembly set forth in claim 1, further including and LED strobe array being cooperable with said first camera and said second camera for providing light detectable by said first camera and said second camera.

11. The assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein said frame comprises a heat sink and said frame temperature is controllable by an integrated cooling element.

12. The assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein said sensor assembly includes a reflected laser sensor for sensing the laser beam reflected from the direction of the three dimensional object for detecting the surface locations of the three dimensional objects identified along the scanning path of the laser beam.

13. A laser projector assembly for projecting a template onto a work surface of a workpiece, comprising:

a frame being substantially dimensionally stable;

a laser source for generating a laser and beam being affixed to said frame;

a galvanometer assembly mounted to said frame in a fixed position for redirecting the laser beam along a scanning path on the work surface thereby generating the template;

a lens assembly receiving the laser beam from said laser source and including a focusing element for focusing the laser beam onto said galvanometer assembly with said focusing element and said galvanometer assembly cooperably focusing and redirecting the laser beam in response to a geometric configuration of the work surface; and

said lens assembly and said galvanometer assembly being affixed to said frame in a dimensionally accurate disposition and said laser source being disassociated from said dimensionally accurate disposition of said photogrammetry assembly and said galvanometer assembly.

14. The assembly set forth in claim 13, further including a photogrammetry assembly including a camera being mounted to said frame in a dimensionally accurate, fixed position relative to said galvanometer assembly.

15. The assembly set forth in claim 13, wherein said focusing element of said lens assembly comprises a tunable lens and reflected light sensor.

16. The assembly set forth in claim 15, wherein said tunable lens comprises a deformable lens for providing rapid adjustment of a focus of the laser beam.

17. The assembly set forth in claim 13, wherein said photogrammetry assembly includes first and second cameras for generating a stereo image of the work surface of the workpiece.

18. The assembly set forth in claim 13, wherein the laser beam is directed from said laser source to said lens assembly through a fiber optic cable having a fitting and said fitting is located in a dimensionally accurate disposition relative to said lens assembly.

19. The assembly set forth in claim 17, wherein said first camera is electronically connected to a first processor and said second camera is electronically connected to a second processor with said first processor and said second processor being fixedly attached to said frame.

20. The assembly set forth in claim 19, wherein said first processor and said second processor are electronically connected to a main processor for calculating laser beam projection location from imaging data received from said first processor and said second processor.