Tooth aligning device for the aligning of workpiece with pre-cut teeth on gear finishing machines

• US 7,013,744 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2003
• Issued: 03/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Reishauer AG
• Original Assignee: Reishauer AG
• Inventors: Wirz, Walter
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rogers, David A.
• Application Number:
  US10/697,977
• Publication Number:
  US 20040099056A1
• Time in Patent Office: 872 Days
• Field of Search: 731/62, 734/31, 738/66, 738/665, 716/7, 716/8, 409/204, 409/218, 409/235, 409/264, 409/286, 409/337, 409/338, 409/343, 901/2, 901/10, 901/14, 901/15, 901/16, 901/24, 901/28, 901/41, 901/44, 901/46, 901/47
• US Class Current: 73/866.5
• CPC Class Codes: B23F 23/00 Accessories or equipment combined with or arranged in, or specially designed to form part of, gear-cutting machines accessories or equipment not restricted to gear-cutting machines B23Q
• CPC Class Codes: B23F 23/1218 Checking devices for controlling workpieces in machines for manufacturing gear teeth
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 17/20 for indicating or measuring workpiece characteristics, e.g. contour, dimension, hardness
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/183 Centering devices

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for the non-contact measurement of the position of the teeth (13) of a workpiece (14) with precut teeth on a gear finishing machine. The measuring probe, retractable from the measuring position into a position of rest protected against soiling, is arranged in a holder (5) for radial and axial adjustment relative to the workpiece, the said holder (5) being a kinematic member of a parallelogram linkage (A) and by means of a hydraulic, pneumatic or electromechanical swivel drive (11) is swivellable from stop to stop between measuring position and position of rest in a plane containing the workpiece axis, such that in the advancement action from the lower end position to the top end position motions of the measuring probe (1) tangential to the workpiece circumference are completely avoided. The parallelogram kinematics moreover afford adequate protection against swarf and grinding dust, and lends the device a high stiffness and reliability.

Claims

1. Device for the non-contact measurement of the position of the teeth of a workpiece with pre-cut teeth, which is set up for fine machining on the work spindle of a gear finishing machine, said work spindle being rotatable about a rotary axis and said gear finishing machine having a machine bed, said device comprising:

a retractable measuring probe, which is moveable in a fixed swivel plane between a first fixed measuring position and a second fixed retracted position, said swivel plane being parallel to or coinciding with said rotary axis;

a double parallelogram linkage that comprises two parallelogram linkages between which said swivel plane is disposed, said two parallelogram linkages having identical swivel axes perpendicular to said swivel plane and being connected to move synchronously with one another, and said double parallelogram linkage having first and second ends;

a holder carrying said probe, said holder being arranged between and connecting said two parallelogram linkages at the first end of said double parallelogram linkage, such that said probe is protected by said two parallelogram linkages when being in said second fixed retracted position; and

a base member opposite said holder, said base member being rigidly connected to the machine bed or a work spindle housing, said base member being arranged between and connecting said parallelogram linkages at the second end of said double parallelogram linkage.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the holder is swivellable through a fixed given angle from stop to stop.

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein a rotary drive is provided for the swivelling of the holder, operated hydraulically, pneumatically or by electric motor.

4. Device according to claim 1, wherein the rotary joints of the parallelogram linkage consist of non-clearance pre-loaded roller bearings.

5. Device according to claim 1, wherein the parallelogram linkage possesses two rotary joints for each swivel axis, the distance between which corresponds at least with the length of the shorter parallelogram members.

6. Device according to claim 1, wherein the measuring probe is arranged for displacement and clamping parallel to its axis.

7. Device according to claim 1, wherein the holder is swivel-connected to the base member via members and rotary joints.

8. Device according to claim 1, wherein the measuring probe is arranged in a holder column for displacement and clamping at right angles to its axis.

9. Device according to claim 8, wherein the holder column is arranged for displacement and clamping in the holder at right angles to the axis of the measuring probe.