Sensor for measuring the surface of an object

• US 7,602,507 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2005
• Issued: 10/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Isra Vision AG (Atlas Copco AB)
• Original Assignee: Isra Vision AG (Atlas Copco AB)
• Inventors: Lambert, Georg, Ersue, Enis
• Primary Examiner(s): Lyons; Michael A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ton; Tri T
• Application Number:
  US11/570,576
• Publication Number:
  US 20080037033A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,583 Days
• Field of Search: 356603-604, 356 301- 309, 382/106, 382/108, 382152-154, 382/291, 382/294, 382/199, 351/212, 351/211, 250/559.23, 250/559.22, 250/237.G
• 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 arranged within a housing and adapted for measuring the surface of an object, the sensor comprising:

a contrasting unit that includes a LED projector for projecting a pattern onto the surface of the object, and

a camera for recording the pattern projected onto the surface of the object,

wherein the camera and the LED projector are arranged along a longitudinal axis of the housing,

first and second deflecting mirrors adapted to operate with the LED projector and the camera respectively, and which are positioned respectively at opposite ends of the housing along the longitudinal axis, and

a LED surface lighting fixture integrated within the sensor housing.

2. The sensor as defined by claim 1, wherein the LED projector has a high-power LED, a Fresnel lens, and a mask for pattern generation.

3. The sensor as defined by claim 1, wherein the pattern has a plurality of stripes or comprises a different surface pattern.

4. The sensor as defined by claim 1, wherein the pattern is encoded.

5. The sensor as defined by claim 1, wherein the LED projector is rotatably mounted and optionally lockable.

6. The sensor as defined by claim 1, wherein the camera and the LED projector are disposed on an optical axis.

7. The sensor as defined by one of the foregoing claims, wherein a deflecting mirror is located movably.

8. The sensor as defined by claim 1, wherein the camera or the LED projector have an interchangeable lens system or a filter.

9. The sensor as defined by claim 1, wherein a lighting controller for continuous lighting or flash operation is associated with the LED projector and/or the surface lighting fixture.

10. The sensor as defined by claim 1, wherein the LED projector or the surface lighting fixture are switchable separately from one another.

11. The sensor as defined by claim 1, wherein the LED projector, the surface lighting fixture the camera or an evaluation device are switchable at a cycle of approximately 1 to 50 ms.

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

13. The sensor as defined by claim 1, wherein the sensor is located in a housing, in which exit openings associated with the LED projector, the camera, and optionally the surface lighting fixture are located on one side of the housing.

14. The sensor as defined by claim 1, wherein the surface lighting fixture is positioned in the middle of the housing in the longitudinal direction, and the LED projector, and the camera are located on both sides of the surface lighting fixture.

15. The sensor as defined by claim 1, wherein the housing of the sensor is constructed in multiple parts.

16. The sensor as defined by claim 15, wherein the housing of the sensor is constructed from two L-shaped housing parts fixed to one another.

17. The sensor as defined by claim 1, wherein the contrasting unit together with the LED projector, the camera or the LED surface lighting fixture has its own housing.

18. The sensor as defined by claim 1, wherein the housing of the sensor, or parts thereof, is produced from a glass-fiber-reinforced composite material.