LASER TRACKER WITH ENHANCED HANDLING FEATURES

• US 20120262694A1
• Filed: 04/13/2012
• Published: 10/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Faro Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Faro Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Garey, Jeremy M., Day, Jonathan Robert, Steffey, Kenneth, West, James K.
• Granted Patent: US 8,842,259 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/3.11
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/03 by measuring coordinates of points
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/002 Active optical surveying means optical plumbing G01C15/105
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 3/08 Use of electric radiation detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/42 Simultaneous measurement of distance and other co-ordinates indirect measurement G01S17/46
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/66 Tracking systems using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/89 for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4808 Evaluating distance, position or velocity data
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4813 Housing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4818 using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/491 Details of non-pulse systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/40 Data acquisition and logging for input to computer G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

A coordinate measurement device sends a first light beam to a target which returns a portion as a second beam. The device includes: first and second motors that direct the first beam to a first direction determined by a first angle of rotation about a first axis and a second angle of rotation about a second axis, the first and second angles of rotation produced by the first and second motors, respectively; first and second angle measuring devices that measure first and second angles of rotation, respectively; a distance meter that measures a first distance from the device to the target based in part on a first portion of the second beam; a processor that provides a 3D coordinate of the target based in part on the first distance and the first and second angles of rotation; and a retractable handle at the device top side.

Claims

1. A coordinate measurement device that sends a first beam of light to a remote target point, the target point returning a portion of the first beam as a second beam, the coordinate measurement device having a top side, a bottom side, and a weight, the measurement device comprising:

a first motor and a second motor that together direct the first beam of light to a first direction, the first direction determined by a first angle of rotation about a first axis and a second angle of rotation about a second axis, the first angle of rotation produced by the first motor and the second angle of rotation produced by the second motor;

a first angle measuring device that measures the first angle of rotation and a second angle measuring device that measures the second angle of rotation;

a distance meter that measures a first distance from the coordinate measurement device to the target point based at least in part on a first portion of the second beam received by a first optical detector;

a processor that provides a three-dimensional coordinate of the target point, the three-dimensional coordinate based at least in part on the first distance, the first angle of rotation, and the second angle of rotation; and

a retractable handle located at the top side.

2. The coordinate measurement device of claim 1, wherein the retractable handle is configured to remain in a current position unless force is applied by a user, the current position being either an open position or a retracted position.

3. The coordinate measurement device of claim 1, further including a first finger slot and a second finger slot, the first finger slot and the second finger slot proximal to the retractable handle, the first finger slot on a first side of the retractable handle and the second finger slot on a side of the retractable handle opposite the first side, the first finger slot and the second finger slot configured for gripping of the retractable handle by fingers of a user.

4. The coordinate measurement device of claim 1, further including a recessed grip on the bottom side, the recessed grip being an indentation large enough to permit fingers to be inserted into the indentation.

5. The coordinate measurement device of claim 4, wherein the retractable handle is configured to support the weight of the coordinate measurement device when the retractable handle is lowered to approximately the same level as the recessed grip.

6. The coordinate measurement device of claim 1, further including a side grip pair, the side grip pair including a first side grip and a second side grip, the first side grip located opposite the second side grip on a side of the coordinate measurement device, the first side grip and the second side grip being located at positions intermediate between the top side and the bottom side, the side grip pair configured to be gripped by a pair of hands.

7. The coordinate measurement device of claim 4, further including a side grip pair, the side grip pair including a first side grip and a second side grip, the first side grip located opposite the second side grip on a side of the coordinate measurement device, the first side grip and the second side grip being located at positions intermediate between the top side and the bottom side, the side grip pair configured to be gripped by a pair of hands.

8. A coordinate measurement device that sends a first beam of light to a remote target point, the target point returning a portion of the first beam as a second beam, the coordinate measurement device having a top side and a bottom side, the measurement device comprising:

a first motor and a second motor that together direct the first beam of light to a first direction, the first direction determined by a first angle of rotation about a first axis and a second angle of rotation about a second axis, the first angle of rotation produced by the first motor and the second angle of rotation produced by the second motor;

a first angle measuring device that measures the first angle of rotation and a second angle measuring device that measures the second angle of rotation;

a distance meter that measures a first distance from the coordinate measurement device to the target point based at least in part on a first portion of the second beam received by a first optical detector;

a processor that provides a three-dimensional coordinate of the target point, the three-dimensional coordinate based at least in part on the first distance, the first angle of rotation, and the second angle of rotation; and

a recessed grip on the bottom side, the recessed grip being an indentation large enough to permit fingers to be inserted into the indentation.

9. The coordinate measurement device of claim 8, further including a retractable handle located at the top.

10. The coordinate measurement device of claim 8, further including a side grip pair, the side grip pair including a first side grip and a second side grip, the first side grip located opposite the second side grip on a side of the coordinate measurement device, the first side grip and the second side grip being located at positions intermediate between the top side and the bottom side, the side grip pair configured to be gripped by a pair of hands.

11. The coordinate measurement device of claim 9, further including a side grip pair, the side grip pair including a first side grip and a second side grip, the first side grip located opposite the second side grip on a side of the coordinate measurement device, the first side grip and the second side grip being located at positions intermediate between the top side and the bottom side, the side grip pair configured to be gripped by a pair of hands.

12. A coordinate measurement device that sends a first beam of light to a remote target point, the target point returning a portion of the first beam as a second beam, the coordinate measurement device having a top side and a bottom side, the measurement device comprising:

a first motor and a second motor that together direct the first beam of light to a first direction, the first direction determined by a first angle of rotation about a first axis and a second angle of rotation about a second axis, the first angle of rotation produced by the first motor and the second angle of rotation produced by the second motor;

a first angle measuring device that measures the first angle of rotation and a second angle measuring device that measures the second angle of rotation;

a distance meter that measures a first distance from the coordinate measurement device to the target point based at least in part on a first portion of the second beam received by a first optical detector;

a processor that provides a three-dimensional coordinate of the target point, the three-dimensional coordinate based at least in part on the first distance, the first angle of rotation, and the second angle of rotation; and

a side grip pair, the side grip pair including a first side grip and a second side grip, the first side grip located opposite the second side grip on a side of the coordinate measurement device, the first side grip and the second side grip being located at positions intermediate between the top side and the bottom side, the side grip pair configured to be gripped by a pair of hands.

13. The coordinate measurement device of claim 12, wherein the first side grip and the second side grip include side-grip indentations.

14. The coordinate measurement device of claim 12, wherein the first side grip and the second side grip are made of an elastomeric material.

15. The coordinate measurement device of claim 12, further including a retractable handle located at the top.

16. The coordinate measurement device of claim 12, further including a recessed grip on the bottom side, the recessed grip being an indentation large enough to permit fingers to be inserted into the indentation.

17. The coordinate measurement device of claim 15, further including a recessed grip on the bottom side, the recessed grip being an indentation large enough to permit fingers to be inserted into the indentation.