DE102009047387A1 - Distance measuring device for non-contact distance measurement with integrated protractor - Google Patents

Abstract

A distance measuring device (10) is proposed, which has an angle measuring unit (84) in addition to a distance measuring unit (32) for contactless determination of a distance to a target object (70) along a distance measuring direction (68). The angle measuring unit (84) is designed to determine an angle that correlates with an angle between a reference direction (82) and the distance measuring direction (68). The distance measuring device (10) thus combines the properties of a conventional distance measuring device, such as a laser rangefinder, with those of an angle meter and thus, by simultaneously determining a distance to a target object (70) and an orientation of the distance measuring device (10), for example, routes or areas indirectly determine.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a distance measuring device for non-contact distance measurement, in particular a hand-held device for non-contact distance measurement.

Background of the invention

Distance measuring devices typically measure a distance of an appropriate object from a reference point to which the rangefinder is applied. Such distance measuring devices can be designed, for example, as a laser measuring device, wherein a time-modulated laser beam is emitted from a laser serving as a light source to the object and with the aid of a photosensitive detector from the object reflected light is detected, so that for example due to a phase difference between the emitted and the detected light on a time of flight and thus a distance between the distance measuring device and the appropriate object can be deduced. Alternatively, the distance measuring device can also be designed as an ultrasonic measuring device or as a high-frequency or radar measuring device. As a rule, the distance is determined by direct or indirect measurement of the transit time of a modulated signal emitted by the measuring device, which is reflected at the object to be measured and subsequently received again by the measuring device.

From the DE 100 55 510 A1 An optoelectronic laser distance measuring device is known. In order to be able to arrange the measuring device in the frequently occurring application of a measurement starting from an inner surface, such as an inner wall, a floor or a ceiling, precisely on the serving as a reference inner surface, the meter has a retractable and foldable measuring pin, with the help of which the measuring device can be applied to the reference surface. The use of the measuring pin can be advantageous in particular in cases in which a distance up to a depression in a surface, for example, to the bottom of a groove, to be measured.

However, it is not possible with existing distance measuring devices to determine an orientation of the distance measuring device in relation to a reference direction / surface flexibly and in a simple manner.

Disclosure and possible embodiments of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a distance measuring device with which, in addition to a measurement of a distance to a target object, an orientation of the measuring device in a room or with respect to a reference direction / area can be determined.

This object can be achieved with a distance measuring device according to the main claim of this patent application. Possible embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

One idea of the present invention is based on the finding that distances can be measured both directly and indirectly with conventional measuring devices. For the indirect measurement of distances or distances two different methods are known. In the first method, an angle of 90 ° is required, so that subsequently the distance to be measured can be calculated using the theorem of Pythagoras. In the second method, the angle between two partial measurements is recorded and then the distance is calculated using the cosine theorem.

In order, among other things, to be able to simplify the indirect measurement of routes, a distance measuring device is now proposed which, in addition to a distance measuring unit for contactless determination of a distance to the target object along a distance measuring direction, also has an angle measuring unit, wherein the angle measuring unit is designed to determine an angle which correlates with an angle between a reference direction and the distance measuring direction.

In this case, the "reference direction" can be any direction predetermined, for example, by a reference object, with respect to which an orientation of the distance measuring device is to be determined. For example, the reference direction can be defined with reference to a wall, a floor or a ceiling serving as a reference plane, so that an orientation of the measuring direction within a room can be determined by determining an angle between the reference direction and the distance measuring direction.

The angle measuring unit can hereby be designed to measure the angle and to generate an electronic angle measurement signal. In this case, the angle measuring unit can automatically measure the angle, ie automatically, and forward the generated electronic angle measuring signal, for example, to an indicator integrated in the distance measuring device, so that a user can see on the display the angle measured by the angle measuring unit can be visually displayed. Alternatively, the electronic angle measurement signal may be forwarded to a calculation unit integrated or separately provided in the distance measuring device, whereupon the calculation unit determines a dimension size, such as a distance, based on the angle determined by the angle measurement unit and the distance determined by the distance measurement unit. B. can determine a distance to be measured indirectly, an area or a volume.

In order to determine the reference direction in a simple manner, the distance measuring device may have a measuring pin, which is pivotable relative to a housing of the distance measuring device and thus relative to the distance measuring. The angle measuring unit may in this case be designed to determine an angle which correlates with an angle between a main extension direction of the measuring pin and the distance measuring direction. For example, an axis may be provided on a housing of the distance measuring device about which the measuring pin can be pivoted, for example, by at least 180 ° or preferably by up to 270 ° so that the measuring pin is in relation to the housing receiving the distance measuring unit and the angle measuring unit can assume a variety of angular positions. The measuring pin can in this case be infinitely pivotable or, alternatively, be pivoted in certain angle stages, for example in 2 ° steps or 5 ° steps. In particular, it may be advantageous for the measuring pin to be able to engage in a 90 ° position and / or a 180 ° position in order to enable a measurement of distances from recesses. In order to facilitate handling and transport of the distance measuring device, the measuring pin can be folded into the housing or selected to be hinged to the housing. In a special embodiment, the housing may be formed cuboid and the measuring pin to be pivotable about an axis arranged in a corner of the housing.

The combined range and angle measurement according to the invention, which allows the determination of distance values from the measurement of distances and relative angular positions, it is possible not only for positions of the measuring pin of 90 ° or 270 ° relative to the back of the housing, but also for any angle α to carry out a distance measurement between the tip of the measuring pin and an object to be measured. Advantageously, the angle measurement function and the reference point switching for the distance measurement are ensured by the same structural unit of the rangefinder. The fold-out attachment pin, which typically serves to change the device-side reference point for the distance measurement, is at the same time designed as a measuring pin for the angle measurement function of the device according to the invention.

In order to be able to measure the angle between the reference direction and the distance measuring direction, the angle measuring unit can have, for example, a potentiometer, a yaw rate sensor or an incremental encoder. For example, a potentiometer can be arranged on an axis about which a measuring pin is pivotable, so that upon pivoting of the measuring pin the potentiometer is actuated accordingly and a measured value supplied by the potentiometer thus directly allows conclusions about an angular arrangement of the pivoted measuring pin.

In one embodiment, the distance measuring unit can be designed for optical distance measurement and, for this purpose, a light source for emitting light along the distance measuring direction towards the target object, a light detector for receiving light returning from the target object and an evaluation unit for determining the distance to the target object based on detection signals of the light detector.

In summary, a main idea of the present invention can be seen therein to provide a measuring device in which both the functions of a distance meter and the functions of a protractor are combined. A user can, with such a device, as usual, for. B. Interior geometries via distance measurements. In addition, the user can, for example, determine the angle between individual room walls by means of a measuring pin integrated in the multifunction measuring meter. With this information, an exact floor plan including the necessary knowledge about length and angle information of interiors can be included. Advantageously, the measuring pin, which is often already provided in conventional distance measuring devices as a fold-out mechanical stop, can be used to determine the angle and thus indirectly to determine the orientation of the distance measuring device. In this case, the floor plan can build up by measured lengths and angles, preferably on the display of the laser rangefinder gradually and thus can be retrieved on site. However, a recording of the floor plan can also be made on a PDA or notebook via wireless transmission of the measured values (distance + angle). For floor plan detection, the user can specify to the system at which point the current distance measurement is to be inserted in the floor plan model, eg. At the beginning or end point of the previous distance value, below the measured angle. Furthermore, the measurement data or the floor plan can be checked on site. To the For example, the system may require the user to re-measure or check the accuracy across the room diagonal so that incorrect measurements can be detected on-site.

It is noted that possible advantages and embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to individual embodiments. The description, the associated figures and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will consider these features, in particular also the features of different exemplary embodiments, individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations.

Brief description of the figures

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention and sub-aspects contained therein will be described with reference to the figures. The figures are only schematic and not to scale. Like or similar reference numerals in the figures indicate the same or similar elements.

1 shows a perspective view of a distance measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 shows a detailed view of a rear end of the distance measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention for illustrating the function of a pivotable measuring pin.

3 schematically shows an internal structure of a distance measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 to 7 12 schematically show a distance measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention with a pivotable measuring pin in various angular arrangement geometries.

Detailed description of embodiments

In 1 is a distance meter 10 shown which a housing 12 with a housing front 14 and a case back 16 having. The housing 12 is formed essentially cuboid. On a top 20 of the housing 12 are different function keys 22 z. For example, for the switching on and off and the retrieval of various measurement programs and a measurement button 24 arranged to trigger a measurement process. In addition, located at the top 20 of the measuring device 10 an output unit in the form of a display 26 , by means of which, for example, a determined measured value as well as additional information about the selected measuring program can be displayed.

The distance meter 10 points to its front of the housing 14 an outlet opening 28 for measuring radiation, wherein the measuring radiation, for example, as a modulated laser beam from the meter 10 can escape. A second opening 30 forms an inlet opening for the measurement signal reflected at the target object.

As in 2 shown schematically, is on the back of the case 16 of the distance measuring device 10 a fold-out and pivotable measuring pin 46 intended. The measuring pin 46 can in one in the housing 12 provided recess 44 be folded, so as not to stand out distracting during transport. During a measuring process, the measuring pen 46 out of the case 12 be pivoted out so that it protrudes to the outside. With a measuring tip serving as a measuring stop 50 can the rangefinder 10 thus with the help of the measuring pen 46 For example, against a recessed reference surface, such as a deeper groove, a corner of the room, a shutter track or an inner edge, such as. B. occurs at a window reveal, be applied to a measurement of the distance from the top 50 to allow for an object to be measured. The measuring pin 46 is one in a back corner of the case 12 arranged axis 48 can be swiveled around up to 270 °. Exemplary is in 2 a position "I" is shown, in which the measuring pin 46 at a 90 ° angle to the rear of the housing 12 protrudes. In addition, a dashed line with "II" indicates a position in which the measuring pin 46 laterally, approximately at a 180 ° angle, from the housing 12 protrudes.

Will the measuring pen 46 folded out, so the device-side reference point of the distance measurement can be manually switched by a user or automatically by the device. Thus, it is possible, for example, the device-side reference point for a distance measurement to a target object in the front of the device 14 , in the back of the device 16 or even in the top 50 of the measuring pin 46 define. The combined range and angle measurement according to the invention, which permits the determination of distance values from the measurement of distances and relative angular positions, makes it possible not only for positions of the measuring pin of 90 ° (position I) or 270 ° (position II) also for any angle α a distance measurement between the tip 50 of the measuring pin and an object to be measured 70 to determine. Advantageously, the angle measurement function and the reference point switching for the distance measurement are ensured by the same structural unit of the rangefinder. The deployable attachment pin, which typically serves to change the device-side reference point for range finding, is simultaneous also formed as a measuring pin for the angle measuring function of the device according to the invention.

In 4 is the distance meter 10 and the 270 ° pivotable measuring pin 46 once again shown schematically. In the 5 to 7 different measurement situations are shown, in which the measuring pin 46 is pivoted so that he is on a reference surface 52 is applied so that an angle α between the measuring pin 46 and a side surface 54 of the meter 10 reflects an orientation of the measuring device. The side surface 54 of the meter 10 is in this case parallel to a direction of the light emitted by the measuring device for distance measurement, ie parallel to the distance measuring direction RE.

The measuring device is shown in the specially illustrated measuring situations 10 and the attached measuring pen 46 used so that the side surface 54 of the measuring device 10 on a flank 56 a wall geometry to be measured is applied and the measuring pin 46 on another flank 58 the wall geometry to be measured is applied, so that with the help of the measuring pin 46 an angle α enclosed by the wall geometry can be determined. 5 shows here a constellation at which the meter 10 is applied to an outer angle with α <90 °. 6 shows a constellation where the meter 10 is applied to an internal angle with α <90 °. 7 shows a constellation where the meter 10 is applied to an internal angle with α> 90 °. Whether the angle determined by means of the applied measuring pin is an outside angle or an inside angle can be communicated to the measuring device, for example, via a manual input by the user. Alternatively, a suitable sensor system may also be provided, for example with a light sensor. With the information obtained z. B. be set as that meter 10 interpreted the measured angle and further processed, for example, in a subsequent creation of a floor plan. In addition, by a combination of the measured angle with the distance measuring function and in each case the distance of the measuring tip 50 of the measuring pin 46 to an object to be measured 70 be determined.

3 schematically shows a distance measuring device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention with components integrated therein, such as, inter alia, a distance measuring unit 32 and an angle measuring unit 84 ,

With the distance measuring unit 32 is from a laser 60 emitted, time-modulated laser light 62 is by a collimation optics 64 collimated before the case 12 of the distance measuring device 10 through the outlet 28 leaves. The emitted laser light 66 occurs along a distance measuring direction 68 towards the target object 70 out. From the target object 70 reflected light 72 enters through the opening 30 back in the case 12 of the measuring device 10 one. There it will be through a further optics 74 on a detector 76 focused.

Both the laser 60 as well as the detector 76 are with an evaluation unit 78 connected. The evaluation unit 78 on the one hand controls the temporal modulation of the laser 60 on the other hand, also receives the time-modulated detection signal from the detector 76 , By determining a phase difference between these two signals, it is possible to deduce a time of flight of the emitted and reflected-back light. From this flight time can finally calculate the distance to be measured.

The evaluation unit 78 is also with a potentiometer 80 connected. This potentiometer 80 acts mechanically with the measuring pin 46 together, whereby by pivoting the measuring pin 46 the potentiometer 80 becomes active. The potentiometer and the measuring pin 46 belong to the angle measuring unit 84 , By reading one of the potentiometer 80 generated measuring signal can be based on an angular arrangement of the measuring pin 46 relative to the housing 12 getting closed. This angle arrangement correlates with an angle between one of the main extension direction of the measuring pin 46 predetermined reference direction 82 and the distance measuring direction 68 , in the direction of that of the laser 60 emitted light 66 is emitted.

As one from the potentiometer 80 read out measured value with the reference direction 82 correlated, the evaluation unit 78 thus to an orientation of the distance measuring device 10 infer the room. Furthermore, one in the evaluation device 78 integrated calculation unit 86 with the help of the measuring pen 46 to determine angles determined to be based on the angle and a simultaneously measured distance to the target object 70 to calculate another dimension size, such as a distance, an area or a volume. The evaluation unit 78 thus allows the determination of distances, angles and combined distance / angle quantities.

For example, at the in 6 shown configuration of an internal acute angle based on the knowledge of a distance to a wall opposite the acute angle and on the basis of the knowledge of the angle enclosed by the acute angle angle α and taking into account the dimensions of meter 10 even be closed to a width of the opposite wall.

Both the determined distance to the target object 70 as well as with the help of the measuring pen 46 certain angles can be determined by the evaluation unit 78 via an exit 88 to an ad 26 (in 3 not shown) in order to be displayed to a user there, as separate values or combined measured values in consideration of distance and angle.

Finally, it should be noted that the angle measuring unit 84 instead of one with the axle 48 engaged potentiometer 80 Alternatively, with a rotation rate sensor, an incremental encoder or other suitable device for determining a swivel angle of the measuring pin 46 can be equipped.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 10055510 A1 [0003]

Claims (13)

Distance measuring device ( 10 ), the distance measuring device comprising: a distance measuring unit ( 32 ) for non-contact determination of a distance to a target object ( 70 ) along a distance measuring direction ( 68 ), and - an angle measuring unit ( 84 ), wherein the angle measuring unit ( 84 ) is adapted to determine an angle which is at an angle between a reference direction ( 82 ) and the distance measuring direction ( 68 ) correlates. Distance measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the angle measuring unit ( 84 ) is adapted to measure the angle and to generate an electronic angle measurement signal. Distance measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the distance measuring device ( 10 ) a measuring pen ( 46 ), which relative to the distance measuring direction ( 10 ) is pivotable, and wherein the angle measuring unit ( 84 ) is adapted to determine an angle which is at an angle (α) between a main extension direction of the measuring pin ( 46 ) and the distance measuring direction ( 68 ) correlates. Distance measuring device according to claim 3, wherein a device-side reference point of the distance measurement to a target object ( 70 ) from the angular position (α) of the measuring pin ( 46 ) is dependent. Distance measuring device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the measuring pin ( 46 ) is pivotable by at least 180 °. Distance measuring device according to claim 3 or 5, wherein the measuring pin ( 46 ) is pivotable by up to 270 °. Distance measuring device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the angle measuring unit ( 84 ) for measuring the angle of a potentiometer ( 80 ), a yaw rate sensor and / or an incremental encoder. Distance measuring device according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the distance measuring unit ( 32 ) and the angle measuring unit ( 84 ) in a common housing ( 12 ) are integrated. Distance measuring device according to one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the measuring pin ( 46 ) in the housing ( 12 ) is foldable. Distance measuring device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the measuring pin ( 46 ) around one in a corner of the housing ( 12 ) arranged axis ( 48 ) is formed pivotable. A rangefinder according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising an indicator ( 26 ) for displaying the from the angle measuring unit ( 84 ) certain angle. Distance measuring device according to one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a calculation unit ( 86 ) for calculating a dimension size based on that of the distance measuring unit ( 32 ) and the distance determined by the angle measuring unit ( 84 ) certain angles. Distance measuring device according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the distance measuring unit ( 32 ) comprises: a light source ( 60 ) for emitting light ( 62 . 66 ) along the distance measuring direction ( 68 ) to the target object ( 70 ), a light detector ( 76 ) for receiving from the target object ( 70 ) returning light ( 72 ); and an evaluation unit ( 78 ) for determining the distance to the target object ( 70 ) based on detection signals of the light detector ( 76 ).

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