Suspension for gravity actuated measuring devices

The invention relates to a suspension for a gravity influenced measuring device, For example, for an optical arrangement according to the preamble of the Claim 1.

In many scientific and technical applications, the influence of plays Gravity on a measuring arrangement a significant role. In many cases, the Gravity directly or indirectly to solve a measurement problem used. Examples of such gravity influenced measuring devices are Inclinometer, Horizon transmitter, accelerometer, leveling devices and much more In particular, it is often required that a measuring instrument, a display device, an optical assembly or the like precisely aligned horizontally and / or vertically is. Specifically, optical assemblies for projecting marks over larger Distances make heavy demands on a leveling device, so that the Projection error can be kept as small as possible over long distances. Since some time to come in the building and home automation devices are used, the optical assemblies include, for example, by using a light beam, in particular a laser beam over long distances markings transfer. Using a device accommodated in the optical arrangement of the Laser beam is split, for example, in two or three partial beams that mutually each extend vertically. This allows the device to display right angles and displaying horizontal and / or vertical marks be used.

Thus, even on uneven surfaces Stand an exact horizontal and / or vertically of the laser beam is ensured, are known from the prior art, various solutions known to align the light beam manually or automatically. One of the known Solutions is a arranged inside the device housing Stand for the light source and the optical assembly via screws and Nivellieranzeigen, for example dragonflies, manually in the desired manner horizontally and / or vertically adjust. This solution is constructively relatively complex; Moreover, the manual Adjustment cumbersome and often not feasible with the desired accuracy. By the adjustment is automated, for example by the provision of Servo motors, which are coupled to the level indicator, the calibration procedure can be simplified and a high setting achievable. The solution, however, mechanically and electronically connected to a relatively large effort and expensive the device. Since servo-aided leveling devices also a lot of space require, they are usually only at greater precision equipment design, for example used in rotating construction lasers.

From US-A-5,459,932 a laser-based display device is known which comprises at least generates two mutually perpendicular extending laser beam. The device is used to transfer horizontal and / or vertical marks, or right angles used. With the help of the device, for example, components exactly horizontally and / or vertically or at right angles are aligned and controlled will. The device has a relatively compact construction. The leveling device for horizontal and / or vertical alignment of the laser beams is by gravitation supported. For this purpose, the laser light source and the optical assembly on a platform arranged the manner of a string pendulum on a suspended from the instrument housing Wire is attached. The pendulum-like suspension of the platform has two lateral degrees of freedom and can thus only through the action of gravity Irregularities in the surface of the device to compensate. The damping of the pendulum suspended platform is, for example, magnetically. Given the platform act or her arranged magnetizable elements in the neighborhood of Platform in the device housing provided magnets together. To prevent, that the relatively brittle wire suspension breaks under impact loading, is between the point of suspension of the wire in the device housing and the connection to the Platform arranged at least one spring element. The example as Coil spring formed spring element damps any acting on the device Shock and reduces the risk of breakage of the suspension wire. The spring element may be provided in series with the wire hanger; it may also take the place of Wire suspension occurred. For energy supply thin lead wires are provided, accommodated via which the laser light source in the device housing with a Power source is connected. Although the lead wires have a relatively low mass and are arranged such that the pendulum-like suspension of the platform little influence as possible. Nevertheless, results from the rigidity of the Wire suspension and the mass of the lead wires, a moment which prevents that the platform exactly horizontally or vertically aligned. The slight malposition is compensated by optical means.

Object of the present invention, it is, this known device to the effect to improve that the shock sensitivity of the pendulum-like suspension even further is reduced. Disturbing vibrational modes, as described in particular in can wire suspensions occur, are to be largely avoided. The pendulum-like suspension of the laser light source and the optical arrangement bearing Platform is to be modified such that the conditions are created for it, the torque effect of the lead wires to the pendulum-like suspension even further to reduce. The pendulum-like suspension is simple and inexpensive be manufacturable.

These objects are achieved in accordance with the invention by a device with the characterizing portion of claim 1 stated features dissolved. In particular, the invention provides a suspension for a gravity-influenced Measuring device with a pendulum oscillate in at least a lateral direction suspended support structure for a measuring system and / or an optical arrangement provided having at least one hinge that is formed as a film hinge. Film hinges have due to their lateral extent against shock-like Loads a greater strength than a cross-sectionally nearly punctate, spring pendulum-like wire or wire suspension. By designing the Joint as a film hinge results in a bending joint area by itself in a narrowly defined wavelength range defined laterally extending bending axis distinguished. With regard to the materials used, there is a greater choice as is the case for pure wire or thread suspensions. have film hinges at a relatively large resistance high flexibility and low Rigidity on. Through a targeted choice of the geometric relationships and the Materials for the film hinge results in a virtually lifeless report Hinge with sufficient strength.

In the production of the film hinge is also the aspect of vibration damping already to a certain extent by the geometric design of the hinge portion berücksichtigbar. Thereby, an additional damping mechanism can be for example magnetic type, are smaller. The Technology for the production of film hinges is tested cost and in many cases.

The hinged portion of the suspension can be prefabricated with reproducible stiffness be and must be created not only during assembly of the suspension wire, which is depending on the assembly quality from joint to joint to varying degrees of stiffness may occur in the joint. By the hinge already as prefabricated component is present, it can be easily installed in a device. It is particularly suitable thereby also for a fully automated assembly, which creates manufacturing and the Installation costs of a vehicle equipped with an inventive leveling Device still further reduced.

The suspension may, for example, at least in the joint region a rubbery exhibit material. In a preferred embodiment, which is particularly well is suitable for mass production of the suspension, comprises the film hinge a thermoplastic material or a composite material, in particular a Plastic composite with rubber-like properties. For example, such Plastics, polymers, such as polyolefins, polypropylene, polyvinyl compounds, or and polycondensation products, such as. for example, polyamide, and / or their co-polymers to be. In the joint area which has a thermoplastic plastic or a Composite material with rubber-like properties existing film hinge a Wall thickness, which is between about 5 microns to about 400 microns. The longitudinal extension the hinge region in such plastic film hinges has a Longitudinal extent which is less than 3 mm.

While the film hinge can be injection molded in one piece, for example, it is also possible to form the film hinge more parts. In this case is a tape-like portion having smaller wall thickness on both sides of Hinge region surrounded by similar or different material portions as suspensory or connecting regions within a device or for Support structure used.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention the film hinge is with Interconnects and / or conductor wires provided that the supply of energy to pendulous support structure arranged means and / or as Signal lines are used. By the power supply lines and signal lines with the coupled film hinge, preferably integrated, will be able to separate Lead wires, which currently affect affect the leveling function could be dispensed with. This has the advantage that for example in the case of optical Arrangements may need for complex compensation equipment.

It proves to be advantageous if the suspension two arranged in series includes film hinges, the hinge portions are rotated by 90 ° to each other. at this variant of the suspension are, the film hinges by way of a Universal joint coupled to one another and are both lateral vibration options covered by the film hinges arranged in series. The two Film hinges can be identically designed individual hinges ° 90 twisted to each other can be plugged together. In a variant of the invention, the two film hinges also be integrally formed.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention includes Suspension at least two series-arranged frame structures, which Film hinges are hinged together. The frame structures are well within a housing fastened or they provide a relatively large area Possibility of connecting to the support structure. They are also in the vertical direction designed to be open and provide for example accommodate feedthroughs to on the pendulous support structure arranged measuring systems and / or optical Arrangement of its fittings.

For the realization of a three gimbal are arranged in series Frame structures are provided, wherein two adjacent frame structures via Film hinges are hinged together. The articulated connection of the first and second frame structure is opposite the articulated connection of the second and the third frame structure rotated 90 ° respectively. The hinged together connected frame structures with advantage a single-piece plastic part, with the Advantage can be produced in an injection-molding.

The inventive suspension for a gravity influenced measuring device be used in a variety of applications in which the influence of gravity for the measurement is of importance. Particularly noteworthy are gravity-assisted leveling devices, in which the influence of gravity is utilized to the device or its measuring device in the desired align accuracy circumference. A particularly interesting application of the inventive suspension represent devices whose leveling for horizontal and / or vertical alignment on the swinging of a suspended Support structure arranged laser light source and, if so-related optical beam splitter is formed. Specifically, in this regard pointed multiaxis laser display devices, at least two at a right angle each extending laser beam emitted and, for example, for the Marking and control the exact horizontal and / or vertical arrangement of are components and used for display of right angles.

In the following the invention with reference to the schematic Drawings illustrated embodiments explained in more detail. In the drawings the inventive suspension for a gravity influenced the measuring device For the oscillating suspension of the optical components of a multi-axis laser display device shown. The drawings here are limited to those for the Understanding of the invention required details, for the sake of clarity the present aspects was omitted scale fidelity. Shown in schematic representation:<dl tsize="8"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>a view into the housing interior of a multi-axis laser display apparatus;</dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>the suspension of the leveling device of Fig. 1 on an enlarged Scale;</dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>a variant of a gimbal; and</dd><dt>Fig. 4</dt><dd>a suspension with a simple film hinge.</dd></dl>

Fig. 1 shows an opened housing 1 of a multi-axis laser display device. In the Ceiling 2 and in at least one of the side walls 3 of the housing 1 are Light emission window 4 and 5 for mutually perpendicular laser beams provided. The laser beam coming from a laser light source 11, typically a laser diode, whose light beam after passing through a collimating lens 12 split by a beam splitter 13 in the desired number of partial beams becomes. Before the light exit windows 4, 5 arranged lens arrays 14, 15 are the correction of a possible divergence of the partial beams. The laser diode 11, the Collimating optics 12 and the beam splitter 13 are mounted on a leveling device 6 arranged, which is formed from a platform 7, the floating position of the ceiling of 2 Geäuses is 1 suspended. For this, the platform 7 via a connecting strut 17 is connected to a Suspension 16 connected, the two turned by 90 ° to each other joint areas having. The floating position in the housing 1 suspended leveling 6 like Unevenness of the footprint. A damper 8 guarantees Braking the swinging movement of the leveling device 6, and prevents overshoot the emitted laser beams to their desired position. The damper 8 includes, for example magnetizable elements 9 on the underside of the platform 7, the cooperate with permanent magnets 10, at the bottom of the housing 1 are arranged.

The laser diode 11 from a power source not shown, typically a Battery or an accumulator, supplied with energy. As indicated in Fig. 1, to conductor tracks or conductor wires 18 integrated into the suspension 16th The integrated Conductor tracks or conductor wires 18 are in the ceiling area of ​​the housing 1 with the Energy source. In connection of the rear suspension 16 and the Connecting strut 17 of the platform 7 are connected to leads 19 leading to the Laser diode lead 11th The integrated into the suspension 16 and interconnects Conductor wires 18 to replace separate lead wires whose influence the moment could affect leveling. The leading from the conductors to the laser diode Leads 19 form an integral part of the leveling and 6 have not affect the pendulum motion in the gravity influenced leveling.

FIG. 2 shows the suspension 16 of FIG. 1 in an enlarged view. It is seen that there is a gimbal 20 which in two Serie arranged film hinges 21, 22, for example, hinges, formed is. The film hinges 21, 22 have joint portions 23 against each other by 90 ° are twisted. In the joint region 23 22, the film hinges 21, a wall thickness t , which is about 5 microns to about 400 microns. The longitudinal extension I of the hinge region 23 is smaller than 3 mm. It is understood that the joint area 23 is always a non-zero different longitudinal extent I must have. Even in a V-shaped than about Notch in a belt-like material formed joint region, the Hinge joint in the joint region a laterally extending bending axis on which a Cross-section has, which is greater than zero.

Above and below a joint portion 23 the end portions 24, 25 are provided. The end sections are provided with coupling parts, for example, a Connecting pins 26 and include an insertion hole 27th The gimbal joint with two 90 ° mutually rotated joint areas 23 may be integrally be formed, for example be produced in an injection-molding. In which Illustrated embodiment, the suspension is constructed in several parts and comprises two identically designed film hinges which rotated 90 ° about the Coupling parts 26, 27 are connected to each other. The production of the film hinges 21, 22 can for example take place in an injection. The connection pins 26 at the upper end portion of the upper film hinge 21 is used to attach the Suspension 16 to the ceiling of the housing, which with this purpose a corresponding insertion hole is provided. The insertion hole 27 at the bottom End portion 25 of the lower film hinge 22 serving as a coupling member for a Kingpin 29, projecting from a connecting part 28 on the connection strut 17th

2 as is apparent from Fig., Are at the film hinge conductor tracks or conductor wires 18 integrated. By the conductor tracks or conductor wires 18 in the coupling areas 26, 27 extend, takes place during the coupling of the individual film hinges 21, 22 and an electrical connection. When inserting the terminal pin 26 in the corresponding coupling part on the ceiling of the housing 2, a conductive Connection created to the power source. The laser diode is finally about at 19 indicated feed lines supplied with energy. For this purpose also the coupling pin 29 is provided with contacts, which when inserted into the insertion bore 27 of the lower film hinge 22 a conducting connection created. The compound of Contacts of the coupling pin 29 with the leads 19 is in the connection part 28 embedded and need not be explained in more detail.

In Fig. 3, a variant of a gimbal joint is shown and a whole by the numeral 30 is provided. The joint 30 comprises three frame structures 31, 32, 33, for example, are formed annularly. Two adjacent Frame structures 31, 32 and 32, 33 are hinged on the film hinges 34 and 35, connected with each other. The arrangement of the film hinges 34, 35 is chosen such that the joints are rotated against each other by 90 °. At the top of the uppermost Frame structure 32 protrude from example connection pins 36 which in correspondence formed insertion holes of a connecting part on the ceiling of are devices Gehäusees be coupled. On the underside of the bottom frame structure 33 are not shown in detail coupling parts provided with correspondingly trained clutch counterparts at the terminal portion of the connecting strut of Platform can be connected. For example, the coupling parts at the bottom the lower frame structure likewise be projecting connection pegs on corresponding insertion holes to the connector can be coupled. In its Function corresponds to this modified gimbal joint 30 of the suspension 16 from Fig. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 shows a single film hinge which in its entirety is designated 40. The Film hinge 40 is constructed of several parts and has a band-like section 41, at both ends of the same type or different material sections 42, 43 is surrounded. The recessed portion of the belt has a wall thickness t, the about 5 microns to about 400 microns, and forms the hinge area. The length of Hinge region is in thermoplastic plastic straps with rubber-like Properties typically less than 3 mm. In the event that the clamped is material band, a rubber band, the length of the hinge region can also be greater be and for example, up 8 mm selected. The material sections 42 and 43 are used to connect with the housing or with a further film hinge and for connection to the connecting piece of the platform. These are, for example, at the top Material portion connecting pin 44 and the lower portion of material Insertion holes 45 are provided.

The inventive suspension with joints of the film hinges is simple in Construction and can be manufactured in a mass production process. The film hinges can cope prefabricated and only need to be plugged together. It proves especially advantageous in that the film hinges from a Single material, in particular of a thermoplastic plastic material, or from a Plastic composite, for example, a composite of different plastics or from a Plastic metal foil composite of desired properties can be produced. Of the Assembly process is through the block-like geometry of the film hinges and in particular the coupling parts simplistic. The joint area is already finished and needs to be made not only during assembly of the suspension. As Materials for the film hinges are particularly suitable polymers such as Polyolefins, polypropylene, polyvinyl compounds, or polycondensation products, such as. for example, polyamide, and / or their co-polymers.