Laser beam detecting device

• US 6,480,264 B1
• Filed: 06/15/2000
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
• Inventors: Usami, Yoshiyuki, Kimura, Kazuaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hughes, Deandra M.
• Application Number:
  US09/594,613
• Time in Patent Office: 880 Days
• Field of Search: 356/4.08, 372/34
• US Class Current: 356/3.04
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/26 Indicating devices E02F5/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/006 Detectors therefor

Abstract

A laser beam detecting device is disclosed for detecting a laser beam which is emitted from a laser beam generator and which forms a reference plane. A power supply for a laser beam sensor used in the laser beam detecting device is turned OFF automatically when a construction machine with the laser beam detecting device attached thereto is not in operation, while upon operation of the construction machine, the resulting vibration is detected by means of a vibration sensor and the power supply for the beam sensor is turned ON. By so doing, there is attained a superior power saving characteristic and it is possible to effect operation over a long time even with use of cells or a battery.

Claims

1. A laser beam detecting device for detecting a laser beam which is emitted from a laser beam generator and forms a reference plane, comprising:

a beam sensor, mountable on a construction machine, for detecting the laser beam;

a power supply for operating the beam sensor; and

a vibration sensor to detect an operating state of the construction machine, wherein the beam sensor is turned OFF automatically when the construction machine equipped with the laser beam detecting device is not in operation and the beam sensor is turned ON upon operation of the construction machine.

2. A laser beam detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration sensor is constituted by a chip capacitor.

3. A laser beam detecting device for detecting a laser beam which is emitted from a laser beam generator and forms a reference plane, comprising:

a beam sensor, mountable on a construction machine, for detecting the laser beam;

a vibration sensor for detecting an operating state of the construction machine; and

a controller to signal an automatic turn off of the beam sensor after a period of inactivity of the construction machine;

wherein the vibration sensor signals the controller.

4. A laser beam detecting device, for detecting a laser beam which is emitted from a laser beam generator and forms a reference plane, comprising:

a beam sensor, mountable on a construction machine, for detecting the laser beam; and

a vibration sensor for detecting an operating state of the construction machine,

wherein the beam sensor is activated after signaling via the vibration sensor.