Sensor For Measuring The Surface Of An Object

• US 20080037033A1
• Filed: 06/13/2005
• Published: 02/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Isra Vision AG (Atlas Copco AB)
• Original Assignee: Isra Vision Systems AG
• Inventors: Lambert, Georg, Ersue, Enis
• Granted Patent: US 7,602,507 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/604
• 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

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor for measuring the surface of an object, having a contrasting unit (3) for projecting a pattern onto the surface of the object, and having a camera (4) for recording of the pattern projected onto the surface of the object, in which the contrasting unit (3) has an LED projector (5). To achieve high precision and great robustness, the camera (4) and the LED projector (5) are located in the longitudinal direction. In addition, respective deflecting mirrors (8, 11) are assigned to the camera (4) and the LED projector (5) and are located on opposite ends, in the longitudinal direction of the sensor (1), of the housing (2) of the sensor (1).

Claims

1. A sensor for measuring the surface of an object, having a contrasting unit (3) for projecting a pattern onto the surface of the object, and having a camera (4) for recording of the pattern projected onto the surface of the object, in which the contrasting unit (3) has an LED projector (5), characterized in that the camera (4) and the LED projector (5) are located in the longitudinal direction;

and that respective deflecting mirrors (8, 11) are assigned to the camera (4) and the LED projector (5) and are located on opposite ends, in the longitudinal direction of the sensor (1), of the housing (2) of the sensor (1).

2. The sensor as defined by claim 1, characterized in that the LED projector (5) has a high-power LED, a Fresnel lens, and a mask for pattern generation.

3. The sensor as defined by claim 1, characterized in that the pattern has a plurality of stripes and/or comprises a different surface pattern.

4. The sensor as defined by claim 1, characterized in that the pattern is encoded.

5. The sensor as defined by claim 1, characterized in that the LED projector (5) is rotatably mounted and optionally lockable.

6. The sensor as defined by claim 1, characterized in that a surface lighting fixture, in particular an LED surface lighting fixture (14), is integrated with the sensor (1).

7. The sensor as defined by claim 1, characterized in that the camera (4) and the LED projector (5) are disposed on an optical axis.

8. The sensor as defined by claim 1, characterized in that a deflecting mirror (8, 11) is located movably.

9. The sensor as defined by claim 1, characterized in that the camera (4) and/or the LED projector (5) have an interchangeable lens system (7, 10) and/or a filter (13).

10. The sensor as defined by claim 1, characterized in that a lighting controller for continuous lighting and/or flash operation is associated with the LED projector (5) and/or the surface lighting fixture (14).

11. The sensor as defined by claim 6, characterized in that the LED projector (5) and/or the surface lighting fixture (14) are switchable separately from one another.

12. The sensor as defined by claim 1, characterized in that the LED projector (5), the surface lighting fixture (14), the camera (4), and/or an evaluation device are switchable at a cycle of approximately 1 to 50 ms.

13. The sensor as defined by claim 1, characterized in that an electronic unit with a microprocessor for automatic identification of the sensor is integrated with the sensor (1) via an electronic memory, for communication of the sensor (1) with a connection unit and/or for temperature compensation and calibration data administration.

14. The sensor as defined by claim 1, characterized in that the sensor (1) is located in a housing (2), in which exit openings (9, 12, 15) associated with the LED projector (5), the camera (4), and optionally the surface lighting fixture (14) are located on one side of the housing (2).

15. The sensor as defined by claim 1, characterized in that the surface lighting fixture (14) is positioned in the middle of the housing (2) in the longitudinal direction, and the LED projector (5) and the camera (4) are located on both sides of the surface lighting fixture (14).

16. The sensor as defined by claim 1, characterized in that the housing (2) of the sensor (1) is constructed in multiple parts.

17. The sensor as defined by claim 16, characterized in that the housing (2) of the sensor (1) is constructed from two L-shaped housing parts (2a, 2b) fixed to one another.

18. The sensor as defined by claim 1, characterized in that the contrasting unit (3) together with the LED projector (5), the camera (4) and/or the LED surface lighting fixture (14) has its own housing (23).

19. The sensor as defined by claim 1, characterized in that the housing (2) of the sensor (1), or parts thereof, is produced from a glass-fiber-reinforced composite material.