Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01V—GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
  • G01V3/00—Electric or magnetic prospecting or detecting; Measuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination, deviation
  • G01V3/15—Electric or magnetic prospecting or detecting; Measuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination, deviation specially adapted for use during transport, e.g. by a person, vehicle or boat

Definitions

• the invention is based on a locating device according to the preamble of claim 1.
• the locator It is a tracking device known, which in operation the presence and position of objects in building materials, such. As of tubes, cables, reinforcements in walls, ceilings or floors, indicating an operator.
• the locator also has rolling elements by which it can be moved to scan a subject of investigation along a surface of the subject of the examination.
• the invention is based on a locating device for locating objects in an examination subject, with a base body, a guide means for guiding along the examination subject in at least one direction of movement and an output unit. It is proposed that the locating device has a control unit which is provided in connection with the output unit to output at least one distance information about a distance in the direction of movement with at least one dimensioned distance variable. As a result, the operating convenience when operating the locating device can be increased by outputting the distance information in a form that is intuitive for an operator.
• the guide means is preferably formed as a rolling element, which is mounted on the base body and allows rolling of the base body in the direction of movement.
• the guide means may be formed as a sliding surface of the base body, which serves for its sliding on the examination object in the direction of movement.
• a "dimensioned size" is to be understood in particular a size, which is associated with at least one unit of measurement.
• the unit of measurement preferably belongs to a unit system, such. Eg the metric system or the Anglo-American unitary system. If the distance is displayed to the operator, the unit of measurement can be displayed. Is the association between the unit of measurement and the distance size unique to the operator, e.g. For example, if the unit of measure is set by the operator, an indication of the unit of measurement may be omitted.
• the output unit has a display unit for displaying the distance information to an operator and the control unit is provided in connection with the display unit for displaying the distance variable in the form of an electronically generated number symbol.
• This symbol can be displayed by means of a digital display such as a LED (Light Emitting Diode or Light Emitting Diode) or LC (Liquid Cristal Display or Liquid Crystal Display).
• the distance depends at least on a path length of a path of the base body in the direction of movement, whereby a particularly intuitive detection of the distance information can be achieved.
• the path can be a path traveled by the main body in the direction of movement.
• the path may be a moving way of the body, which z. B. can be fixed by an operator.
• the distance can be defined as the distance between two detected objects or between two reference points defined by the operator, such as eg. B. drilling positions, be formed.
• the locating device has a sensor unit for detecting at least one movement parameter during a movement of the base body, wherein the control unit in conjunction with the output unit to a refreshing of the issued at least substantially synchronous with a course of the movement parameter Distance size is provided. It can be achieved a particularly high ease of use.
• a "movement parameter” should be understood in particular to mean a parameter by means of which a property of the movement of the basic body relative to the object under examination, in particular a path length or a direction of movement, can be determined. For detecting the motion characteristic, different ones can be used in the sensor unit
• the detection can z. B. optomechanical, such as with the aid of the principle of a light barrier.
• an optical method can be used by a surface structure of the object under investigation for detecting a direction of movement and / or a distance in the movement of the base body is analyzed, such.
• the surface can be illuminated and a laser beam can be used for a precise analysis of the surface.
• the use of an electronic method for detecting the motion characteristic, in particular with the aid of a radar signal is likewise conceivable. If the locating device is designed to locate objects by means of a radar method, an used radar unit in addition to the detection of the motion characteristic.
• the locating device has a locating unit for detecting location information of the examination object that differs from the distance variable and a protocol mode for creating a database in which the locating information is assigned to the distance information.
• a protocol mode for creating a database in which the locating information is assigned to the distance information.
• the locating device has a memory unit for storing at least the database, whereby a particularly fast and simple creation of the database or a quick access to data of the database can be achieved.
• the output unit has an interface for outputting at least the distance variable to an external data unit from the main body, whereby high flexibility in an evaluation of the distance information can be achieved.
• the interface is preferably provided for wireless transmission, such. As an infrared or blue tooth interface.
• the locating device has an input device and an input mode, in which a reference point for determining the distance variable can be determined by means of the input device.
• a reference point for determining the distance variable can be determined by means of the input device.
• An operator can thereby on the use of other tools, such.
• As a meter bar and / or a marking means for marking the reference point advantageously dispense.
• This reference point can be used as a zero point for determining the distance size or as a marking for a working position, such. B. a drilling position serve.
• the locating device has an input device and an input mode for inputting the distance, which defines a path to be traveled of the base body.
• the path to be traveled may be the entered distance.
• the path and the distance may differ by a length that depends on one dimension, in particular the width of the main body in the direction of movement. In this case, the distance to be traveled can be set automatically based on the entered distance.
• a particularly simple and intuitive operation of the locating device can be achieved if the locating device has a locating unit for detecting a locating information of the object under investigation, wherein the control unit is provided to set a reference point for determining the distance size based on the location information at least partially.
• a zero point for determining the distance size can be automatically assigned to a detected object.
• 1 is a tracking device, which is driven along a wall
• FIG. 3 the display of a distance between two detected objects
• 4 shows the definition of a reference point for measuring a distance
• FIG. 5 shows the definition of a route to be traveled by the locating device
• FIG. 6 shows a database created by the locating device.
• FIG. 1 shows a locating device 10 with a base body 12 embodied as a housing. It is positioned on a subject 14 designed as a wall. On the base body 12, a handle 16 is fixed, by which the locating device 10 can be held by an operator. On an operating side 18 of the main body 12, an output unit 20 for outputting information to an operator and an input device 22 for inputting information by an operator are provided which has a set of operation buttons.
• the output unit 20 has a display unit 24 embodied as an LC display (liquid crystal display or liquid crystal display).
• the output unit 20 is controlled by a control unit 26 during operation.
• two of the guide means 28 are arranged in the region of a side face 32 or 34 of the main body 12, which is aligned perpendicular to the main extension direction of the main body 12, which is designated by a central axis 36.
• the guide means 28 are connected in pairs by an axle 38 and 40, respectively.
• the axes 38, 40 extend on both sides of the central axis 36 in the main extension direction of the main body 12.
• the guide means 28 serve to guide the main body 12 in a direction of movement 42 parallel to the surface 30 of the examination subject 14.
• the direction of movement 42 is aligned perpendicular to the main extension direction of the base body 12.
• the locating device 10 has a locating unit 46, which is arranged below the display unit 24 and is shown in FIG. An interaction of the control unit 26 with the locating unit 46 and the output unit 20 is shown in more detail with reference to FIG.
• the locating unit 46 comprises a transmitting unit for transmitting a measuring signal 48, which z. B. is designed as a radar signal, UWB signal (ultra wide band signal), inductive or capacitive measuring field, a receiving unit for receiving the measuring signal 48 after its interaction with the object under investigation 14 and an evaluation unit for evaluating the measuring signal 48 (not shown in the figures) ,
• the locating device 10 can also output information about a movement of the base body 12 driven by the operator relative to the object to be examined 14.
• the locating device 10 has a sensor unit 50 which comprises two sensor means 52 designed as displacement sensors.
• the sensor means 52 are each coupled to one of the axles 38, 40 (see FIG. 1).
• the sensor means 52 each have a segmented wheel fixed to a portion of the axles 38, 40, at least one transmitting unit for generating a light beam, and a receiving unit for receiving the light beam (not shown in the figure).
• the sensor means 52 detect by means of the principle of a light barrier in each case a movement characteristic 54 which corresponds to a Weginkrement based on a driven by the movement of the base 12 rotation of the segment wheel. This principle is known and will not be explained in detail in the context of this description.
• this movement characteristic 54 which is given in the form of an electrical signal to the control unit 26, information about a movement of the base body 12 can be obtained.
• a traveled distance of the main body 12 and / or a skid can be achieved.
• tion of the movement It can be achieved by detecting two motion characteristics, which are detected in two independent axes 38, 40, increased accuracy in the determination of a distance.
• It can z. B. errors are corrected, the z. B. due to non-linearities, which are due to a structure of the surface 30 arise.
• an operator performs scanning of the examination subject 14.
• he places the locating device 10 on an edge 56 of the examination subject 14, which z. B. corresponds to a wall corner, and drives it in the direction of movement 42 by a distance formed as a distance 58.
• the object 44 has been detected in the examination subject 14 by the locating unit 46.
• the locating unit 46 outputs locating information 60, in particular the position 60.1 of the center of the object 44 relative to the base body 12, the width 60.2 of the object 44 and the depth 60.3 of the object 44 in the examination subject 14, which be displayed with the display unit 24 by means of an object icon 62.
• the control unit 26 generates, based on the location information 60, a control signal 64 for controlling the operation of the output unit 20, whereby the object icon 62 is displayed. Furthermore, in this example, a further symbol 63 is displayed, which corresponds to the central axis 36 of the main body 12 and through which the operator can perceive the position of the object 44 relative to the central axis 36 in a particularly simple manner. In the example shown, the center of the object is located on the central axis 36. Alternatively to the display of the icon 63 may also be a
• Mark on the body 12 may be attached to the edge of the display unit 24.
• the motion units 54 which correspond to a path increment of the guide means 28, are detected by the sensor unit 50 during the movement.
• the Movement characteristics 54 are given to the control unit 26.
• the control unit 26 On the basis of these motion characteristics 54, the control unit 26 generates a control signal 66, whereby the display of the detected object 44 on the display unit 24 is adapted to the current position of the object 44 relative to the base body 12.
• the object icon 62 according to the detected Weginkrement moves within the display unit formed as LC display 24.
• a certain correlation factor is selected by a certain way, for. B. 1 cm, a certain number of pixels of the display unit 24 corresponds.
• a true-to-scale depiction of the subject matter under examination 14 and possibly of detected objects It can, for. B. a region of the examination subject 14 are displayed, which extends beyond the width of the main body 12 addition.
• a true-to-scale image of the entire subject 14 can be displayed on the display unit 24.
• symbols whose width on the display unit 24 corresponds to the real width of the corresponding detected object can also be displayed.
• a dimensionally accurate depiction of the region of the examination object 14 which is covered by at least one partial area of the base body 12 can be displayed.
• the correlation factor which assigns a number of pixels to a path, may be adjusted during manufacture, or preferably when operated by an operator.
• control unit 26 determines the distance 58 of the path traveled by the main body 12, in an operator-defined or factory-defined unit of measurement, in this example in centimeters.
• the locating device 10 is operated in an operating mode in which distances relative to the central axis 36 of the main body 12 are determined.
• the control unit 26 adds the half-width of the main body 12 and the determined distance 58, so that a distance variable 68 is determined which corresponds to a distance 70 between the starting point of the driven distance, here the edge
• This distance size 68 and an electrical The control signal 72 is applied to the output unit 20.
• This control signal 72 controls the indication of the distance size 68 by means of a number symbol and a unit of measure symbol 74.
• the distance size 68 may alternatively be determined with reference to edges 76, 78 of the body 12. For example, referring to the edge 76, the indicated distance 68 corresponds to the distance traveled 58.
• the unit of measurement used e.g. Millimeters, centimeters, meters, etc., may be determined by the operator by means of the input device 22 and an operator interface displayed with the display unit 24.
• the unit of measure may be indicated by the unit of measure symbol 74 and / or a scale may be displayed with the unit of measure in the form of segments, where the mediating of the unit 68 may be done by comparing the item icon 62 to the scale.
• the distance size 68 can also only at the request of the operator, eg. B. by pressing the input device 22, are displayed. In an automatic mode, the distance variable 68 is displayed continuously, so that the operator can be permanently informed about the distance traveled 58 during the movement of the base body 12.
• the updating of the output distance variable 68 via the control unit 26 is permanently correlated with a time profile of the motion characteristics 54.
• a further mode option provides that the fade-in of the distance variable 68 is correlated with the beginning of a method of the locating device 10.
• the operator can be informed about the distance of the detected object 44 relative to the edge 56 or to another reference point defined by him. This can be done particularly easily by means of the current display of the distance size 68 and the symbol 63.
• the indicated distance variable 68 corresponds to the distance of the center point of the
• Object 44 to the edge 56 since the center of the object jekts 44 is arranged on the central axis 36. Furthermore, the distance between the left and right edges of the object 44 and the edge 56 of the object under examination 14 can be easily perceived by moving the base 12 to the left or to the right starting from the position shown. In this case, the object symbol 62 corresponding to the object 44 is displaced accordingly within the display unit 24. The main body 12 is moved until the symbol 63 corresponds to the left or right edge of the object symbol 62. The distance size 68 then corresponds to the desired distance. Alternatively or additionally to the current distance variable 68, a distance of the object 44 to the edge 56 can be indicated at any time by a selection of the operator, which distance is determined from the left or right edge of the object 44 or from its center.
• a distance variable 80 is displayed which corresponds to a distance 82 between two detected objects. This is shown in FIG. Starting from the position of the locating device 10 shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that the operator moves the locating device 10 further in the direction of movement 42. A further object 84 is detected, which is signaled by the display of a further object symbol 86. Simultaneously with the display of the object symbol 86, the distance 82 between the objects 44, 84 in a unit of measure is displayed in the form of the distance variable 80. This is done by the control unit 26 determining a reference point for determining the distance 82 when detecting the first object 44 on the basis of the corresponding positioning information 60 corresponding to the detection of the first object 44. The distance traveled by the body 12 path length is then at
• the determination of the path length is stopped.
• the distance 82 can be determined.
• This distance 82 between the objects 44, 84 is in this example the distance between the respective object edges, which face each other. Alternatively, the distance between the object centers can be determined.
• a control signal for indicating the distance 82 in the form of the distance size 80 and the corresponding unit of measure is generated by the control unit 26.
• a reference point for determining a further distance variable 88 can be defined in a further operating mode independently of the detection of an object by the operator. This is shown in FIG. If the base body 12, in particular the central axis 36 or one of the edges 76, 78, placed in a position which z. B. corresponds to a drilling position, the operator by pressing the input device 22 can define a reference point 90 (shown schematically in the figure by a cross). In a method of the base body 12 in the direction of movement 42, the distance size 88, which corresponds to the distance 92 between the reference point 90 and the central axis 36, based on this reference point 90 is determined and continuously displayed. By this mode, in particular the use of a further measuring device, for. B. a yardstick, to measure the distance 92 are omitted. This setting of the reference point 90 can be carried out without having to interrupt a measuring operation of the locating unit.
• a specific distance 94 which can be used as a path to be traveled to reach a desired working position 96, e.g. B. a drilling position, in the direction of movement 42 is formed.
• the control unit 26 determines the current position of the main body 12 shown in FIG. 5, in particular its center axis 36 as a reference point.
• the distance traveled is detected on the basis of the movement characteristics 54 and compared with the distance 94 to be traveled, so that the path length still to be traveled in the form of a distance variable 98 can be determined, which is then displayed.
• an optical signal for. B. by emitting a light or by displaying the display unit 24, and / or an audible signal.
• the desired end position may be that the working position 96 bears against the edge 78.
• the distance 94 between the central axis 36 and the working position 96 is entered, wherein the distance 94 differs from the path to be traveled of the main body 12 by half the width of the main body 12.
• the locating device 10 is further provided with a protocol mode, which is shown in Figures 2 and 6.
• a database 100 is created, in which a distance information, which is determined by the control unit 26 on the basis of the motion characteristics 54, is associated with one of the location information 60.
• This database 100 is shown in FIG. In the left column in each case a distance information is entered, in particular a specific position on the surface 30 in the form of a dimensionbehaved ten distance size 102.
• This distance size 102 is preferably determined from an edge of the examination subject 14 in the direction of movement 42, it can also from a determined by the operator reference point are determined.
• the distance variable 102 is assigned a location information 60, in particular a type 60.4 of a detected object, whose depth 60.3 is shown schematically in the figure by a letter
• This database represents a topography of the object to be examined 14 and makes it possible to produce an expert opinion of the object to be examined 14. Based on the database 100 can easily after a certain position of the object to be examined 14th be searched, it can be determined whether an object is present at this position in the subject of investigation 14. It can also be searched for a specific object, such. As an electrical connection, it can be determined at which or at which positions of the subject under examination 14 such an object is located.
• This database 100 can be stored during operation in an internal memory unit 104 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of the locating device 10. This database 100 is created in a method of the base body 12 on the basis of the movement characteristics 54 and the location information 60 by the control unit 26.
• the database 100 can be transferred to an external data unit 106 after a measurement process.
• the data unit 106 is designed as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant or digital personal assistant).
• the data unit may be implemented as a laptop (mobile computer) or portable telephone.
• the output unit 20 is provided with an interface 108 (see also FIGS. 1 and 2), which is designed as a Bluetooth interface.
• Bluetooth is an industry standard compliant with IEEE 802.15.1 for wireless (wireless) networking of devices over a short distance.
• the interface may be formed as an infrared interface. It is also conceivable that the interface, such. B. a USB interface, is provided for producing a cable connection for data transmission.
• the data of the database 100 can be transmitted after a selection of the operator.
• Another log mode is conceivable in which the stall size 102 and the location information 60 are given to the data unit 106 without buffering in the storage unit 104, wherein the database 100 is created in an internal memory of the data unit 106. The transfer takes place in each case with the aid of the interface 108 in conjunction with the control unit 26.
• the creation of the database 100 may be continuous with a scan of the examination subject 14, with each location of the surface 30 being associated with location information 60, or the entry of information into the database 100 may take place upon detection of an object.
• the locating device 10 further has a calibration mode, in which the control unit 26, in particular the determination of the dimensioned distance variables 68, 80, 88, 98, is calibrated on the basis of the motion characteristics 54.
• the base body 12 is moved over a certain distance known to the operator, which can be entered by the input device 22.
• the locator 10 may be constructed so that, regardless of the nature of the surface 30, the force exerted by the operator on the body 12, the wear of the guide means 28, the speed of movement, etc., an equal distance for a particular distance will be determined can.
• programs for processing the movement characteristics 54 and the location information 60 and for generating the control signals 64, 66, 72 are stored in a memory unit 110 of the control unit 26.

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• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Geophysics (AREA)
• Geology (AREA)
• Remote Sensing (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
• Length Measuring Devices By Optical Means (AREA)
• Length Measuring Devices With Unspecified Measuring Means (AREA)
• Geophysics And Detection Of Objects (AREA)
• Control Of Position, Course, Altitude, Or Attitude Of Moving Bodies (AREA)
• Measurement Of The Respiration, Hearing Ability, Form, And Blood Characteristics Of Living Organisms (AREA)
• Measurement Of Radiation (AREA)

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• 2006
  • 2006-06-02 DE DE102006025881A patent/DE102006025881A1/de not_active Withdrawn
• 2007
  • 2007-04-02 EP EP07727634A patent/EP2030048A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2007-04-02 CN CN200780020285.3A patent/CN101460869B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2007-04-02 RU RU2008151053/28A patent/RU2461849C2/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2007-04-02 WO PCT/EP2007/053162 patent/WO2007141061A2/de active Application Filing
  • 2007-04-02 US US12/303,220 patent/US8111169B2/en active Active

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