Probe clips for a coordinate measuring machine

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10352340-B2
Application number	US-201715461357-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 16, 2017
Priority date	Mar 16, 2016
Publication date	Jul 16, 2019
Grant date	Jul 16, 2019

Abstract

A probe clip allows easy and accurate placement of a probe clip onto a coordinate measuring machine (“CMM”). Moreover various probe clips are configured to movably and adjustably secure an optical probe to the CMM. To that end, the probe clip may have a probe seat, for holding the probe, movably coupled to a clamp segment by an adjustable joint. The clamp segment movably couples the probe seat to a probe platform on the CMM.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A probe clip for securing an optical probe to a coordinate measuring machine having a boom configured to support at least one probe clip, the probe clip comprising:
a base configured to removably couple to the boom;
a probe seat configured to removably secure the optical probe to the probe clip;
a movable joint operably coupled between the base and the probe seat, the orientation of the optical probe being adjustable relative to the base by changing the location of the probe seat relative to the base.

2. The probe clip of claim 1 wherein the moveable joint is extendable such that the probe seat can be selectively moved closer to and further from the base.

3. The probe clip of claim 1 wherein the moveable joint is movable to allow the probe seat to rotate in at least one plane relative to the base.

4. The probe clip of claim 1 wherein the moveable joint is flexible so as to allow the probe seat to rotate in at least two orthogonal planes relative to the base.

5. The probe clip of claim 1 further comprising a retainer configured to removably secure a probe to the probe seat.

6. The probe clip of claim 1 further comprising a spring-loaded retainer having a retainer seat configured to removably secure a probe to the probe seat.

7. The probe clip of claim 6 wherein the spring-loaded retainer comprises a pre-loaded spring ( 810 ) configured to absorb thermal stress from the probe seat, to reduce the transmission of such thermal stress to the probe.

8. The probe clip of claim 1 , wherein the probe seat is configured to allow a probe having a long axis to controllably rotate about its long axis while secured to the probe seat.

9. The probe clip of claim 1 , wherein the probe seat is configured to allow a probe having a long axis to controllably move linearly along its long axis while secured to the probe seat.

10. The probe clip of claim 1 , wherein the probe seat is configured to release the probe in the event of an impact between the probe and a foreign body in which the impact imposes on the probe an impact force above a given threshold force, the given threshold force being less than a force that would damage the probe.

11. The probe clip of claim 10 , wherein the probe seat is configured to retain the probe at an impact force less than or equal to the given threshold force.

12. The probe clip of claim 1 , wherein the base is configured to be controllably slidable along, and re-securable to, the boom such that the location of the probe clip relative to the boom is adjustable without removing the probe clip from the boom.

13. The probe clip of claim 12 , wherein the base further comprises a set screw configured to release and to re-secure the probe clip to the boom.

14. A probe clip for securing an optical probe to a coordinate measuring machine, the coordinate measuring machine having a boom configured to support at least one probe clip, the probe clip comprising:
a base means for removably coupling the probe clip to the boom;
a probe seat means for removably securing an optical probe to the probe clip;
a movable joint means for movably coupling the probe seat means to the base means and configured to allow the probe seat means to be controllably movable relative to the base means.

15. The probe clip of claim 14 wherein the moveable joint means is extendable such that the probe seat means can be selectively moved closer to and further from the base means.

16. The probe clip of claim 14 wherein the moveable joint means is flexible so as to allow the probe seat means to rotate in at least one plane relative to the base means.

17. The probe clip of claim 14 wherein the moveable joint means is flexible so as to allow the probe seat means to rotate in at least two orthogonal planes relative to the base means.

18. A probe head for a coordinate measuring machine, the probe head comprising:
a probe platform;
a plurality of probe clips coupled to the probe platform, each of the plurality of probe clips comprising:
a probe seat configured to removably hold a probe;
a base configured to removably couple to the probe platform; and
a movable joint operably coupled between the probe seat and the base, the orientation of the probe being adjustable relative to the base by manipulating the movable joint to change the location of the probe seat relative to the base.

19. The probe head of claim 18 , wherein the moveable joint is flexible so as to allow the probe seat to rotate in at least two orthogonal planes relative to the base.

20. The probe head of claim 18 , wherein the probe seat is configured to release the probe in the event of an impact between the probe head and a foreign body.

Assignees

• Hexagon Metrology Inc

Inventors

• Singh Gurpreet
• Racine Paul
• Langlais John
• Zheng Jie

Classifications

• G01B21/047 Primary

  Accessories, e.g. for positioning, for tool-setting, for measuring probes · CPC title

• G01B11/007

  feeler heads therefor · CPC title

• G01B11/005

  coordinate measuring machines · CPC title

• F16B2/20 Primary

  Clips, i.e. with gripping action effected solely by the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening · CPC title