Measuring tool, encoder and producing method of encoder

• US 6,834,439 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2003
• Issued: 12/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
• Original Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
• Inventors: Matsumiya, Sadayuki, Sasaki, Kouji, Hayashida, Shuuji, Yoshioka, Susumu
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennett, G. Bradley
• Application Number:
  US10/440,101
• Publication Number:
  US 20030217478A1
• Time in Patent Office: 589 Days
• Field of Search: 337/02, 337/03, 337/05--07, 337/84
• US Class Current: 33/706
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 1/00 Measuring instruments characterised by the selection of material therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 3/205 provided with a counter for digital indication of the measured dimension
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/0014 due to temperature on machine tools B23Q11/0003
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/00 Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable G01D3/00 takes precedence; specially adapted for apparatus giving results other than momentary value of variable G01D1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/34707 Scales; Discs, e.g. fixation, fabrication, compensation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/753 with polymeric or organic binder

Abstract

Components of a measuring tool such as a main beam (11) and a slider (12) of a caliper gauge (1) are formed by a synthetic resin containing carbon nanofiber and an electro-conductive electrode (15) is formed on the surface of the main beam (11) at a predetermined pitch, so that a production process can be simplified, rigidity of the components can be enhanced, linear expansion coefficient can be reduced, and anti-frictional properties can be improved, thus enhancing durability while improving measurement accuracy.

Claims

1. A measuring tool comprising:

a measuring component a least a part of which is formed by a synthetic resin containing a nanoscale compound,

wherein the nanoscale compound is any one of carbon nanoscale compounds represented by carbon nanofiber or carbon nanotube.

2. The measuring tool according to claim 1, wherein the component is formed by injection-molding.

3. The measuring tool according to claim 1, further comprising a slide mechanism including a base and a slide body slidable relative to the base, at least either the base or the slide body being formed by the synthetic resin containing a nanoscale compound.

4. The measuring tool according to claim 1, further comprising:

a base;

a slide body slidable relative to the base; and

a slide guide provided on one of the opposing sides of the base and the slide body to guide the slide body while being in contact with the other of the opposing sides,

wherein the slide guide is formed by the synthetic resin containing a nanoscale compound.

5. The measuring tool according to claim 1, further comprising a casing including an electric circuit therein, the casing being formed by the synthetic resin containing a nanoscale compound.

6. The measuring tool according to claim 1, further comprising a power transmitting member for transmitting a power, the power transmitting member being formed by the synthetic resin containing a nanoscale compound.

7. The measuring tool according to claim 1, further comprising a table for a workpiece to be mounted thereon, the table being formed by the synthetic resin containing a nanoscale compound.

8. An encoder, comprising:

a stationary member; and

a movable member capable of movement relative to the stationary member, the encoder detecting the movement of the movable member relative to the stationary member,

wherein at least one of the stationary member and the movable member has a body formed by an insulative material including a synthetic resin containing a nanoscale compound and an electro-conductive electrode arranged at a predetermined pitch on the surface of the body, and

wherein the nanoscale compound is any one of carbon nanoscale compounds represented by carbon nanofiber or carbon nanotube.

9. The encoder according to claim 8, wherein the body is formed by injection-molding of the synthetic resin containing a nanoscale compound.

10. The encoder according to claim 8, wherein the electrode is formed by the synthetic resin containing a nanoscale compound.

11. An encoder, comprising:

a stationary member;

a movable member capable of movement relative to the stationary member while retaining a predetermined gap, the encoder detecting the movement of the movable member relative to the stationary member;

a biasing mechanism for biasing the movable member toward the stationary member; and

a gap retainer provided on one of opposing sides of the stationary member and the movable member to be in contact with the other of the opposing sides to keep the gap constant, the gap retainer being formed by a synthetic resin containing a nanoscale compound, and

wherein the nanoscale compound is any one of carbon nanoscale compounds represented by carbon nanofiber or carbon nanotube.

12. The encoder according to claim 11,

wherein the biasing mechanism is a pressing force transmitting member protruding from the movable member approximately in parallel with the a slide surface, and

wherein the movable member and the pressing force transmitting member are integrally molded by a synthetic resin containing a nanoscale compound.

13. An encoder, comprising:

a stationary member; and

a movable member capable of movement relative to the stationary member, the encoder detecting the movement of the movable member relative to the stationary member,

wherein at least one of the stationary member and the movable member has a body formed by a synthetic resin containing a nanoscale compound and a magnetic material, and a magnetic pole alternately arranged on the surface of the body at a predetermined pitch, and

wherein the nanoscale compound is any one of carbon nanoscale compounds represented by carbon nanofiber or carbon nanotube.

14. An encoder, comprising:

a stationary member; and

a movable member capable of movement relative to the stationary member, the encoder detecting the movement of the movable member relative to the stationary member,

wherein at least one of the stationary member and the movable member has a mirror-finished body formed by a synthetic resin containing a nanoscale compound, and an irreflexive portion arranged at a predetermined pitch on the surface of the body, and

wherein the nanoscale compound is any one of carbon nanoscale compounds represented by carbon nanofiber or carbon nanotube.