Device for optically scanning and measuring an environment

• US 8,830,485 B2
• Filed: 08/15/2013
• Issued: 09/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Faro Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Faro Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Woloschyn, Andreas
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, HOA Q
• Application Number:
  US13/967,504
• Publication Number:
  US 20140049784A1
• Time in Patent Office: 390 Days
• Field of Search: 356601-623, 356/4.01, 356/3.09, 356/4.03, 356/4.08, 356/5.1, 356/5.01
• US Class Current: 356/614
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2001/2872 comprising three central gears, i.e. ring or sun gear, engaged by at least one common orbital gear mounted on an idling carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/02 for measuring length, width or thickness G01B11/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/42 Simultaneous measurement of distance and other co-ordinates indirect measurement G01S17/46
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/95 for meteorological use
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4817 relating to scanning
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

A laser scanner optically scans and measures an environment, the laser scanner having a base resting in the stationary reference system of the laser scanner, a measuring head rotatable about a vertical axis relative to the base, a measuring head rotatable relative to the base about a vertical axis, a motor supported in the measuring head, the motor having a motor shaft and a gear which, when driven by the motor by the motor shaft, turns the measuring head relative to the base, the gear being configured as a planetary gear.

Claims

1. Device for optically scanning and measuring an environment, the device being configured as a laser scanner, the device comprising:

a base which rests in a stationary reference system of the laser scanner;

a measuring head which is rotatable relative to the base about a vertical axis;

a motor which is supported in the measuring head, the motor having a motor shaft and a planetary gear which, when driven by the motor by the motor shaft, turns the measuring head relative to the base, wherein the motor shaft is coaxial to the vertical axis;

the planetary gear comprises a sun wheel which is driven by the motor, and at least one planet wheel which meshes with the sun wheel;

the at least one planet wheel further meshes by a first toothing with a first hollow wheel, and by a second toothing with a second hollow wheel, wherein the first and second hollow wheels are configured in a different manner to cause relative rotation between the first and second hollow wheels in response to rotation of the at least one planet wheel about the sun wheel;

the measuring head and the base are configured relative to each other and to the first and second hollow wheels such that relative rotation between the first and second hollow wheels causes rotation of the measuring head relative to the base; and

the measuring head comprising a light emitter configured to emit an emission light beam, a light receiver configured to receive a reception light beam which is reflected by an object in the environment of the laser scanner or scattered otherwise, and a control and evaluation unit which, for a multitude of measuring points, is configured to determine at least a distance to the object.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the laser scanner has a pivot-axis module, which, as a pre-assembled assembly is provided with the base and with parts which are to be fixed to a support structure of the measuring head.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the motor and the planetary gear are completely contained in the pivot-axis module.

4. Device according to claim 2, wherein the pivot-axis module is introduced in a receiving slot of the support structure.

5. Device according to claim 2, wherein the sun wheel is driven by the motor shaft, and the at least one planet wheel comprises several planet wheels which mesh with the sun wheel and are rotatably mounted on a planet carrier around planet-wheel rotational axes.

6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the several planet wheels mesh by the first toothing with the first hollow wheel, and by the second toothing with the second hollow wheel.

7. Device according to claim 6, wherein the first hollow wheel is assigned to the measuring head and is fixed in particular to a support structure of the measuring head, while the second hollow wheel is assigned to the base and is fixed thereto.

8. Device according to claim 5, wherein the planet-wheel rotational axes can be shifted and are loaded radially outwards relative to the planet carrier by at least one spring collar.