DE8530898U1 - Vernier caliper - Google Patents

Description

FHGtwi 81
Sö/&EEgr;&ggr;.

Societe Anonyme des Ets„Pierre Roch
Avenue de Jolivet, F-54302 Luneville

Vernier caliper

Based on the above-mentioned prior art, it is the object of the invention
to create a sliding gauge of the type mentioned above, the applicability and usability of which can be significantly increased by simple means
can.

The invention relates to a sliding gauge with a ruler provided (

Incremental scale and a slider connected to the measuring jaws I

( 1

^v connected housing with an electronic scanning unit for the scale |

and an evaluation unit for the received signals, as well as with a |

Digital display unit with counter and a supply unit, where |

the evaluation unit optionally with the counter in the form of an IC module f

is inserted into the housing and further on the housing both some switches

for resetting the counter as well as a socket for the connection |

connection of the evaluation unit with an external display or control unit |

is intended. I

A caliper of the type mentioned above is known from the German utility model 79 22 890. The main aim of this known caliper is to achieve a high degree of measuring accuracy and to enable robust handling. Furthermore, the known caliper according to the utility model 79 22 890 is intended to enable new types of measurement and evaluation of measurement results to be carried out .

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According to the invention, this task is solved by inserting a function selector switch into the plug socket on the housing of the caliper, which is mechanically and/or electrically connected to the IC component for selecting and calling up the functions integrated in it. This function switch, designed in the simple version as a push button switch, opens up the many application possibilities at the measuring location to the user of the caliper, which are inherent in the caliper through the installation of special evaluation electronics and display technology. All functions that were previously only adjustable and callable from an external computer or display device connected by cable are relocated to the measuring location due to the inventive feature of accommodating a function selector switch directly in the housing of the caliper. For the operator, this means that he can call up the desired functions directly on the measuring object by pressing a button. The evaluation electronics in the form of an IC component usually have the following functions:

20

Normal:

Search &khgr;:

Hold &khgr;:

for normal operating mode, in which the caliper is zeroed by pressing the zero button.

for measuring with the caliper without peak value memory. Pressing the zero key activates the Hold x function.

to block the display. It will only be released when the zero key is pressed again.

Search nin:

for holding the smallest achievable value in the display when moving the measuring jaws of the caliper.

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Hold «On: to hold the display value found in Search min even if this display value is exceeded downwards.

Search max: for holding the largest achievable value in the display when moving the measuring jaws of the caliper.

Hold max. for holding the display value found in Search max even if this display

value is exceeded upwards.

The function selector switch used now allows the above-mentioned functions to be set by simply pressing the push button down to switch one function in series. The operator can therefore store the value from the normal position by simply pressing the push button down, which is particularly advantageous for measuring points that are difficult to access. In this case, the measurement taken by the measuring jaws of the caliper is stored in the digital display of the caliper, even if the measuring jaws are subsequently moved again. The storage is only canceled when the switch for resetting the counter, which is located underneath the housing, is operated.

The other functions can be accessed in a similar way.

Using the function selector switch and the "zero" button, the operator can call up one of the functions mentioned by selecting the respective button position in the specified order. The peak value memory saves time-consuming searches for a maximum and prevents tilting errors. Clamping the measuring jaws or calipers is no longer necessary.

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The hold functions make it easier to take measurements in inaccessible places, as the measured value found there can be saved by simply pressing a button and read elsewhere. The hold functions also enable the transfer of measured values to a computer after the value has been declared valid by pressing the zero button.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the function selector switch can be connected to an electrical cable, the end of which is provided with a plug that can be inserted into the socket on the housing of the caliper.

In yet another embodiment, the function selector switch can be connected to a changeover switch, which also has an electrical cable for the external data connection. Attaching the function selector switch to an extension cable can be advantageous in particularly difficult situations. This type of attachment of the function selector switch to the caliper allows the function selector switch to be operated even if the caliper is immersed in an area that is difficult to access. Choosing a changeover switch also has the advantage that both the function selector switch and the external data device can be permanently connected to the caliper, whereby the use of one or the other device is possible as required by operating the changeover switch. The plug socket can be provided on the headboard of the housing.

An example of the invention is shown in the drawing.

The caliper 1 has a ruler 2 in which an incremental scale 3 is housed. The ruler 2 is equipped at the front end with fixed measuring jaws 4 and 5 and with a groove as a guide for a depth gauge 6.

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On the learning ruler 2, the housing 7 can be adjusted as a slider together with the front measuring jaws 8 and 9. The housing 7 has a service cover 10 on the front for changing the battery. The digital display unit 12 is also located on the front of the housing 7, behind a window 11. On the bottom of the housing 7 there is a switch 13 for setting the counter to zero and a further switch 14 for switching from millimeters to inches. The header 15 of the housing 7 has a plug socket 16 into which a plug 17 with a connecting cable 18 can be inserted for connecting the caliper 1 to an external display device or computer 1a .

15

The illustration of the caliper 1 according to the invention shows the combination of several possible alternative solutions.

In the illustration shown, there is a function selector switch 20 in the plug socket 16, with which the functions or operating modes inherent in the evaluation electronics of the caliper 1 can be called up. This is done by simply pressing down the push button, which always switches to the next operating mode.

Instead of the function selector switch 20, the plug 17 with cable 18 can be inserted into the plug socket. At the other end of the cable 18 there is now an alternative version of a function selector switch 20. This means that the desired operating modes can be set by the operator even at a certain distance from the caliper.

In place of the function selector switch 20 on the cable 18, however, a plug 21 can be provided in another alternative embodiment, which can be plugged into an external display, a computer or ^the like.

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Finally, it would be possible to use a switch between the function selector switch 20 and the external display device 19, so that, depending on the operator's wishes, the operating modes can be controlled either from the external device 19 or directly from the caliper 1.

The caliper according to the invention now allows a number of applications, which are presented below as examples and without being limited to them.
10

Hesse in inaccessible places:

The operator sets the caliper to the SEARCH X function. The measured value found is saved at the measuring location using the zero key. After the reading, this key is pressed again to release the display again.

External measurement with the caliper:

The SEARCH MIN function is used, since the lowest possible 2Q display is the exact measured value.

After applying the measuring jaws of the caliper, the operator deliberately tilts them in all directions with a constant measuring force. The measuring electronics automatically search for the minimum value.

pt- Bore measurement with the caliper: The maximum value is sought. It is the value that is found when measuring the chord through the center of a bore andc! at a right angle between the rod of the caliper and the bore axis. The measured value is determined by turning the caliper in the bore with the inside measuring jaws applied and constant measuring force slightly around the bore axis in both directions. For small bores where the right angle between the rod and the bore axis cannot be felt, i.e. the measuring jaws are not firmly in place, it must be tilted slightly in both directions.

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The maximum found is recorded in the display. The operator can close the measuring jaws after the measurement and read the value. When measuring using the conventional method, the position of the caliper must be observed during the reading, which must not change. When using a locking screw, the measuring force can also change, which can falsify the measurement.

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Claims (6)

FHGbm 81 Sö/Hr. Protection claims 1. Vernier caliper with an incremental scale provided on the ruler and a housing connected to the beaks of the slide with an electronic scanning unit for the reading rod and an evaluation unit for the received signals, as well as a digital display unit with counter and a supply unit, whereby the evaluation unit is optionally inserted into the housing with the counter in the form of an IC component and furthermore both a switch for setting the counter and a plug socket for connecting the evaluation unit to an external display or control unit are provided on the housing,
characterized, that a function selector switch {20) is inserted into the plug socket (16), which is mechanically and/or electrically connected to the IC module for the selection and retrieval of the functions integrated therein. 2. Vernier caliper according to claim 1,
characterized, that the function selector switch (20) is a push button switch. 20 3. Sliding gauge according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that that the function selector switch (20) is connected to an electric cable (18), the end of which is provided with a plug (17) which is inserted into the plug socket (16) on the housing (7) of the caliper (1). I ■ I ) ill 4. Vernier caliper according to claim 1, characterized in that the function selector switch (20) is connected to a changeover switch, to which an electric cable (18) for the external data connection is also provided. 5. Sliding caliper according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug socket (16) is provided on the head strip (15) of the housing (7). 6. Vernier caliper according to claim 1, characterized in that a function selector switch (20) is permanently inserted in the housing (7), which is mechanically and/or electrically connected to the IC module for the selection and retrieval of integrated functions. ' Ii ·