Coordinate measuring apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10466028-B2
Application number	US-201715802875-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 3, 2017
Priority date	Nov 15, 2016
Publication date	Nov 5, 2019
Grant date	Nov 5, 2019

Abstract

A Coordinate measuring apparatus ( 100 ) includes a probe ( 102 ) configured to detect a workpiece and a movement mechanism ( 110 ) configured to support the probe ( 102 ) and enable the probe ( 102 ) to move in mutually-orthogonal X, Y, and Z directions. The movement mechanism ( 110 ) includes a Z-axis drive portion ( 141 ) and a spindle ( 162 ) configured to enable the Z-axis drive portion ( 141 ) to move relative to the Z direction. The Z-axis drive portion ( 141 ) includes a rotational drive mechanism ( 142 ) including a rotational drive source ( 148 ) and a drive pulley ( 150 ) to which the rotational drive source ( 148 ) provides rotation, and an open belt ( 164 ) fixed to the spindle 162 at both ends of the open belt ( 164 ) in the relative movement direction (Z direction) of the Z-axis drive portion ( 141 ) and configured to engage with an output shaft ( 154 ) of the drive pulley ( 150 ).

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A Coordinate measuring apparatus comprising:
a probe configured to detect a workpiece; and
a movement mechanism configured to support the probe and enable the probe to move in mutually-orthogonal X, Y, and Z directions,
the movement mechanism including:
a first relative movement portion; and
a first guide portion configured to enable the first relative movement portion to move relative to one direction, and
the first relative movement portion including:
a rotational drive mechanism including a rotational drive source and a driving rotating member to which the rotational drive source provides rotation; and
an open belt fixed to the first guide portion at both ends of the open belt in a relative movement direction of the first relative movement portion and configured to engage with an output shaft of the driving rotating member.

2. The Coordinate measuring apparatus according to claim 1 ,
wherein the driving rotating member is a drive pulley and is connected to the rotational drive source by an endless belt.

3. The Coordinate measuring apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a pair of guide rails configured to enable the first relative movement portion to move in the relative movement direction are provided in the first guide portion, one of the pair of guide rails being disposed on either side of the open belt.

4. The Coordinate measuring apparatus according to claim 1 ,
wherein the output shaft is arranged between the first guide portion and the open belt.

5. The Coordinate measuring apparatus according to claim 1 ,
wherein the open belt is a timing belt provided with a plurality of teeth, and a tooth profile that meshes with the plurality of teeth is provided in the output shaft.

6. The Coordinate measuring apparatus according to claim 1 ,
wherein the first guide portion is a spindle supporting the probe and configured to move in a Z direction, the Z direction corresponding to a vertical direction.

7. The Coordinate measuring apparatus according to claim 1 ,
wherein the movement mechanism further includes:
a second relative movement portion fixed integrally to the first relative movement portion; and
a second guide portion configured to enable the second relative movement portion to move relative to one direction orthogonal to the relative movement direction, and
when a position of an axial center of the rotational drive source and a position of an axial center of the driving rotating member are different in the relative movement direction, the second guide portion is arranged on a side of the driving rotating member opposite from a side on which the rotational drive source is located.

8. The Coordinate measuring apparatus according to claim 1 ,
wherein the first relative movement portion includes a plurality of rollers arranged engaging with the open belt and the open belt follows the output shaft and the first guide portion.

9. The Coordinate measuring apparatus according to claim 8 ,
wherein a position of at least one of the plurality of rollers is adjustable.

10. The Coordinate measuring apparatus according to claim 9 ,
wherein movement of the first relative movement portion relative to the first guide portion can be stopped by changing positions of at least two of the plurality of rollers relative to each other to bring different parts of the open belt into contact with each other.

Assignees

• Mitutoyo Corp

Inventors

• Takesako Koji

Classifications

• G01B21/00 Primary

  Measuring arrangements or details thereof, where the measuring technique is not covered by the other groups of this subclass, unspecified or not relevant · CPC title

• G01B5/0002 Primary

  Arrangements for supporting, fixing or guiding the measuring instrument or the object to be measured · CPC title

• G01B3/008

  Arrangements for controlling the measuring force · CPC title

• G01B21/04

  by measuring coordinates of points · CPC title

• B23Q17/20

  for indicating or measuring workpiece characteristics, e.g. contour, dimension, hardness · CPC title