Portable coordinate measurement machine having on-board power supply

• US 7,043,847 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2003
• Issued: 05/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Faro Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Faro Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Hasloecher, Kenneth J., Helm, C. Andrew, Raab, Simon, Barber, Marc, Sajedi, Seyed Ali
• Primary Examiner(s): SMITH, RICHARD A
• Application Number:
  US10/366,533
• Publication Number:
  US 20030221326A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,188 Days
• Field of Search: 335/03, 335/56, 335/58, 335/59, 335/61, 901/15, 901/48, 901/28, 744/900.1, 744/900.5
• US Class Current: 33/503
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 35/04 using a feeler or the like travelling along the outline of the pattern, model or drawing; Feelers, patterns, or models therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 17/025 mounted in series
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 19/0016 using springs
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 19/0091 Shock absorbers in general F16F
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/0012 making use of synthetic construction materials, e.g. plastics, composites
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/023 Cartesian coordinate type
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/06 characterised by multi-articulated arms
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1602 characterised by the control system, structure, architecture
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/005 coordinate measuring machines
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/03 by measuring coordinates of points
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/25 by projecting a pattern, e.g. one or more lines, moiré fringes on the object G01B11/255 takes precedence ; image analysis for depth or shape recovery G06T7/50
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 21/045 Correction of measurements G01B9/02055 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/004 for measuring coordinates of points
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/008 using coordinate measuring machines
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/521 from laser ranging, e.g. using interferometry; from the projection of structured light
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 33/01 Magnetic

Abstract

A portable coordinate measurement machine comprises an articulated arm having jointed arm segments. The arm includes an integral on-board power supply/recharger unit.

Claims

1. A portable coordinate measurement machine (CMM) for measuring the position of an object in a selected volume, comprising:

a manually positionable articulated arm having opposed first and second ends, said arm including a plurality of jointed arm segments, each arm segment including at least one position transducer for producing a position signal;

a measurement probe attached to said first end of said articulated arm;

an electronic circuit which receives the position signals from the transducers and provides a digital coordinate corresponding to the position of the probe in a selected volume; and

a base attached to the second end of said articulated arm, said base having an interior and an exterior; and

a portable power source integrally attached to said base for providing electrical power to said electronic circuit, said portable power source being exposed to and accessible from said exterior of said base such that said portable power source is freely accessible from said exterior of said base.

2. The CMM of claim 1 wherein said portable power source comprises:

a battery; and

a cradle located on said base for electrically and mechanically mating with said battery.

3. The CMM of claim 2 wherein said battery comprises a rechargeable battery and further including:

a recharger circuit in communication with said battery and housed in said base.

4. The CMM of claim 1 wherein said base includes a rigid polymeric housing.

5. The CMM of claim 4 wherein said housing is a two-piece plastic housing.

6. The CMM of claim 4 including:

a storage bin in said housing.

7. The CMM of claim 1 wherein said portable power source is a DC battery.

8. The CMM of claim 7 including:

a switch for switching between said portable power source and an external power supply.

9. The CMM of claim 1 including:

a switch for switching between said portable power source and an external power supply.

10. A portable coordinate measurement machine (CMM) for measuring the position of an object in a selected volume, comprising:

a manually positionable articulated arm having opposed first and second ends, said arm including a plurality of jointed arm segments, each arm segment including at least one position transducer for producing a position signal;

a measurement probe attached to said first end of said articulated arm;

an electronic circuit which receives the position signals from the transducers and provides a digital coordinate corresponding to the position of the probe in a selected volume; and

a portable power source integrally attached to said articulated arm for providing electrical power to said electronic circuit, said portable power source being exposed to and accessible from the exterior of said articulated arm such that said portable power source is freely accessible from the exterior of said articulated arm.

11. The CMM of claim 10 wherein said portable power source comprises:

a battery; and

a cradle located on said base for electrically and mechanically mating with said battery.

12. The CMM of claim 11 wherein said battery comprises a rechargeable battery and further including:

a recharger circuit in communication with said battery and housed in said base.

13. The CMM of claim 10 wherein said portable power source is a DC battery.

14. The CMM of claim 13 including:

a switch for switching between said portable power source and an external power supply.

15. The CMM of claim 10 including:

a switch for switching between said portable power source and an external power supply.