Device for optically scanning and measuring an environment

• US 9,417,056 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2012
• Issued: 08/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Faro Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Faro Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Neundorf, Christoph, Becker, Reinhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Geisel, Kara E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Underwood, Jarreas C
• Application Number:
  US14/374,054
• Publication Number:
  US 20150029516A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,343 Days
• Field of Search: 3562371-2416, 3562421-2438, 356426-431, 356600-640
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/14 for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects or spaced apertures G01B11/26 takes precedence; rangefinders G01C3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/002 Active optical surveying means optical plumbing G01C15/105
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/47 Scattering, i.e. diffuse reflection G01N21/25, G01N21/41 take precedence G01N21/55 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/06113 Coherent sources; lasers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/105 Purely optical scan
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/10 Scanning systems

Abstract

A laser scanner device for optically scanning and measuring an environment includes a base, a measuring head which is rotatable relative to the base, and a mirror which is rotatably relative to the measuring head, wherein, in at least one operating mode, the laser scanner is mounted on a cart by a mounting device, the cart moves the base which is fixedly connected with the mounting device, the measuring head rests relative to the base, the mirror rotates, and the measuring head is locked with the mounting device by a locking mechanism.

Claims

1. A laser scanner device for optically scanning and measuring an environment, the laser scanner comprising a base, a measuring head which is rotatable relative to the base, and a mirror which is rotatable relative to the measuring head, wherein the measuring head includes a carrying structure configured as a frame of the measuring head, wherein the laser scanner is mounted on a cart by a mounting device, the cart moves the base which is fixedly connected with the mounting device via a first mechanical connecting mechanism and a first electrical connecting mechanism provided on a bottom side of the base and via a second mechanical connecting mechanism and a second electrical connecting mechanism provided on an upper face of the mounting device, the measuring head rests relative to the base, and the mirror rotates, wherein the measuring head includes at least a first locking mechanism that is fixed to the carrying structure, wherein the mounting device supports at least a second locking mechanism, wherein the measuring head is locked with the mounting device by engagement of the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein as part of a housing of the laser scanner, at least one shell is provided on the measuring head, the outside of the shell being partly covered by at least one yoke configured to protect and being fixed to the carrying structure.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the at least one first locking mechanism is configured on the yoke in the form of a notch which, with respect to an axis of rotation of the measuring head, points radially outwards.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the mounting device has at least one pillow block, which pivotably supports the second locking mechanism.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the mounting device has a body on the face of which the base bears with its bottom side and on which the second mechanical and electrical connecting mechanisms are arranged.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the pillow block is arranged on an upper face of the body.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the measuring head includes a light emitter that emits an emission light beam which is deflected into the environment by the mirror, and a light receiver that receives a reception light beam which is reflected by an object in the environment or scattered otherwise, the device further comprising a control and evaluation unit that determines, for a multitude of measuring points each, at least the distance to the object.