Laser scanner

• US 7,430,068 B2
• Filed: 05/26/2004
• Issued: 09/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Faro Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: FERO Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Becker, Reinhard, Becker, Bernd-Dietmar
• Primary Examiner(s): Safaipour; Houshang
• Application Number:
  US10/854,319
• Publication Number:
  US 20050141052A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,588 Days
• Field of Search: 358/511, 358/505, 358/474, 358/475, 356/359, 356/360
• US Class Current: 358/511
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4813 Housing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/10 Scanning systems

Abstract

A laser scanner has a first axis and a second axis extending essentially transversely to the first axis. A measuring head is adapted to be rotated about the first axis. The measuring head has at least a first, a second, and a third module, wherein at least the first module and the third module are releasably connected to each other. A first rotary drive for rotating said measuring head is comprised within the first and the second modules. A rotary mirror is adapted to be rotated about the second axis. The rotary mirror is comprised within the third module. A second rotary drive is provided for rotating the rotary mirror. The second drive is likewise comprised within the third module. A transmitter is provided in the measuring head for transmitting a light beam. A receiver is provided in the measuring head for receiving the light beam after a reflection thereof by an object located at a distance from the laser scanner. A computer is provided in the measuring head for processing signals embedded within the received light beam.

Claims

1. A laser scanner having

a first axis;

a second axis extending essentially transversely to said first axis;

a measuring head adapted to be rotated about said first axis, said measuring head having at least a first, a second, and a third module, wherein at least said first module and said third module are releasably connected to each other;

a first rotary drive for rotating said measuring head, said first rotary drive being comprised within said first and said second modules;

a rotary mirror adapted to be rotated about said second axis, said rotary mirror being comprised within said third module;

a second rotary drive for rotating said rotary mirror, said second drive being likewise comprised within said third module;

a transmitter arranged in said measuring head for transmitting a light beam;

a receiver arranged in said measuring head for receiving said light beam after a reflection thereof by an object located at a distance from said laser scanner;

a computer arranged in said measuring head for processing signals embedded within said received light beam.

2. The laser scanner of claim 1, wherein said first rotary drive comprises a base, a rotor rotatable relative to said base, and a drive motor for rotating said rotor, said base together with said rotor being comprised within said first module and said drive motor being comprised within said second module.

3. The laser scanner of claim 1, wherein said first module is arranged centrally and at a lower side of said measuring head, said second module being arranged laterally and likewise at said lower side of said measuring head.

4. The laser scanner of claim 2, wherein said rotor has at least one leg with at least one further module being adapted to be attached thereto.

5. The laser scanner of claim 4, wherein said leg is configured integral with said rotor.

6. The laser scanner of claim 4, wherein said rotor has two legs, said legs extending parallel to each other and parallel to said first axis.

7. The laser scanner of claim 6, wherein said legs delimit a gap between them.

8. The laser scanner of claim 7, wherein said gap is dimensioned such as to receive said rotary mirror.

9. The laser scanner of claim 7, wherein an optical reference mark is situated within said rotor between said legs.

10. The laser scanner of claim 2, wherein said base has standardized pegs, adjustable feet and a bubble level.

11. The laser scanner of claim 2, wherein said second module, further, comprises an inclination sensor.

12. The laser scanner of claim 11, wherein said third module is arranged laterally and at an upper side of said measuring head.

13. The laser scanner of claim 6, wherein said rotor has two legs, said legs extending parallel to each other and parallel to said first axis, said third module being attached to one of said legs.

14. The laser scanner of claim 13, wherein said rotary mirror extends through a form-fitting opening within said leg.

15. The laser scanner of claim 1, wherein said receiver is comprised within a fourth module.

16. The laser scanner of claim 15, wherein said fourth module is arranged laterally and at an upper side of said measuring head.

17. The laser scanner of claim 1, wherein said receiver comprises a range finder.

18. The laser scanner of claim 1, wherein said transmitter is comprised within said third module.

19. The laser scanner of claim 1, wherein said computer is comprised within a fifth module.

20. The laser scanner of claim 1, wherein said computer comprises a control panel.

21. The laser scanner of claim 19, wherein said fifth module is arranged laterally and at a lower side of said measuring head.

22. The laser scanner of claim 15, wherein said third and said fourth module are arranged on opposite sides of said first module.

23. The laser scanner of claim 19, wherein said second and said fifth module are arranged on opposite sides of said first module.

24. The laser scanner of claim 1, wherein said first and said third modules are mechanically interconnected by means of form fitting mechanical connectors.

25. The laser scanner of claim 15, wherein said first and said fourth modules are mechanically interconnected by means of form fitting mechanical connectors.

26. The laser scanner of claim 19, wherein said first and said fifth modules are mechanically interconnected by means of form fitting mechanical connectors.

27. The laser scanner of claim 1, wherein said first and said second modules are configured integral with each other.

28. The laser scanner of claim 1, wherein said first and third modules are electrically interconnected by means of a CAN bus.

29. The laser scanner of claim 15, wherein said first, third and fourth modules are electrically interconnected by means of a CAN bus.

30. The laser scanner of claim 19, wherein said first, third and fifth modules are electrically interconnected by means of a CAN bus.

31. The laser scanner of claim 1, wherein said first axis extends vertically under normal operational conditions of said laser scanner.

32. The laser scanner of claim 1, wherein said second axis extends horizontally under normal operational conditions of said laser scanner.

33. The laser scanner of claim 2, wherein said base is held stationary under normal operational conditions of said laser scanner.