IP Library Granted Patent US 6,960,755
Granted Patent B2
US 6,960,755 · App. 10/046,273 · Granted Nov 1, 2005

Contact sensor, and apparatus for protecting a protruding component

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,960,755
App. No.
10/046,273
Granted
Nov 1, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention discloses a contact sensor having a movably arranged impact detection element spaced away from a stationary housing part; and having a detection system that contains a light source with an emission surface as well as a receiving element, defining a receiving surface, arranged opposite the emission surface of the light source wherein the receiving surface and emission surface are of substantially the same size. Furthermore a a high-precision measurement machine and an apparatus for protecting a protruding component are disclosed.

Claims (26)

1. An apparatus for protecting a protruding component comprising:

a housing part to which the protruding component is connected;

an impact detection element movably connected to the housing part via at least one elastically bendable rod;

a light source coupled to the housing part defining an emission surface; and

a receiving element coupled to the impact detection element defining a receiving surface arranged opposite the emission surface of the light source.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the receiving surface and emission surface are of substantially the same size.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the impact detection element surrounds at least partially the protruding component to be protected.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises at least one light-guiding fiber, and the emission surface is defined by the end of the light-guiding fiber.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an intensity sensor, which is associated with the receiving surface.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the intensity sensor generates an electrical signal corresponding to the power level of the light striking the receiving surface, which serves for open-loop or closed-loop control or monitoring of a movement operation.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the receiving surface is a reflective surface that directs the light emitted from the emission surface onto at least one further light-guiding fiber, connected to an intensity sensor, whose end defines a further receiving surface.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a light path between the receiving surface and the emission surface is smaller than a cross section of the emission surface.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured so that, during a non-collision, light emitted from the light source is received at the receiving surface and, during a collision, light emitted from the light source is not received at the receiving surface.

10. An apparatus for protecting a protruding component comprising:

a housing part to which the protruding component is connected;

an impact detection element movably connected to the housing part via at least one elastically bendable rod;

a light source coupled to the impact detection element defining an emission surface; and

a receiving element coupled to the housing part defining a receiving surface arranged opposite the emission surface of the light source.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the receiving surface and emission surface are of substantially the same size.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the impact detection element surrounds at least partially the protruding component to be protected.

13. The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the light source comprises at least one light-guiding fiber, and the emission surface is defined by the end of the light-guiding fiber.

14. The apparatus according to claim 10 , further comprising an intensity sensor, which is associated with the receiving surface.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the intensity sensor generates an electrical signal corresponding to the power level of the light striking the receiving surface, which serves for open-loop or closed-loop control or monitoring of a movement operation.

16. The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the receiving surface is a reflective surface that directs the light emitted from the emission surface onto at least one further light-guiding fiber, connected to an intensity sensor, whose end defines a further receiving surface.

17. The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein a light path between the receiving surface and the emission surface is smaller than a cross section of the emission surface.

18. The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the apparatus is configured so that, during a non-collision, light emitted from the light source is received at the receiving surface and, during a collision, light emitted from the light source is not received at the receiving surface.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 27, 2004
From: LEICA MICROSYSTEMS WETZLAR GMBH
To: LEICA MICROSYSTEMS SEMICONDUCTOR GMBH
Reel/Frame 015500/0005 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 16, 2002
From: KACZYNSKI, ULRICH
To: LEICA MICROSYSTEMS WETZLAR GMBH
Reel/Frame 012490/0337 →