Device and Method for Attaching an Optical Unit

Abstract

A device for fixing an optical device is disclosed. The device has a housing, an actuating device having an adjustable actuating element, an expansion sleeve having a plurality of expansion segments, which can be displaced in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the expansion sleeve between a closed state and an expanded state, and a first adjusting device, which converts a movement of the actuating device into a radial movement of the expansion segments in the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the expansion sleeve. The expansion segments can be inserted into the receiving opening of the optical device in the closed state of the expansion sleeve and, in the expanded state, form a force-fitting or form-fitting connection with the receiving opening of the optical device.

Claims

1.-17. (canceled)

18. A device for attaching an optical unit, wherein the optical unit includes a cylindrical receiving opening, on a holding apparatus, comprising: a housing with a plurality of housing parts; an actuating device with an adjustable actuating element coupled to the housing; an expansion sleeve with a plurality of expansion segments, wherein the plurality of expansion segments are adjustable in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the expansion sleeve between a closed state and an expanded state; and a first adjusting device, wherein the first adjusting device converts a movement of the actuating device into a radial movement of the plurality of expansion segments in the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the expansion sleeve; wherein the plurality of expansion segments in the closed state are insertable into the cylindrical receiving opening of the optical unit and wherein the plurality of expansion segments in the expanded state form a force-fitting or a form-fitting connection with the cylindrical receiving opening of the optical unit.

19. The device according to claim 18, wherein the first adjusting device is a core pin that is adjustable along an axial direction, wherein the core pin is surrounded by the plurality of expansion segments, and wherein the axial direction runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the expansion sleeve.

20. The device according to claim 19, wherein the core pin has a cone section with a cone-shaped exterior surface, wherein the plurality of expansion segments have a cone-shaped interior surface which is complementary to the cone-shaped exterior surface, and wherein the cone-shaped interior surface slides along the cone-shaped exterior surface in the axial direction when the core pin is moved.

21. The device according to claim 20, wherein the core pin has a step section and a cylindrical section, wherein the cylindrical section is surrounded by a first spring element which is clamped between the step section and one of the plurality of housing parts of the housing.

22. The device according to claim 20, wherein the cone-shaped interior surface has a first guide element, wherein the cone-shaped exterior surface has a second guide element, and wherein the plurality of expansion segments are guided during a movement of the core pin in the axial direction by the first and the second guide elements.

23. The device according to claim 22, wherein the first guide element is a projection and the second guide element is a groove.

24. The device according to claim 18, wherein the plurality of expansion segments each have a connecting section and a ring collar section, wherein the connecting sections in the expanded state form a force-fitting or a form-fitting connection with the cylindrical receiving opening of the optical unit, and wherein the ring collar sections in the expanded state form in an axial direction a form-fitting connection with one of the plurality of housing parts of the housing.

25. The device according to claim 24, wherein the connecting sections have an exterior thread and wherein the exterior thread forms the form-fitting connection with the cylindrical receiving opening.

26. The device according to claim 18, further comprising a clamping ring and a second adjusting device, wherein the second adjusting device transforms the movement of the actuating device into a movement of the clamping ring in an axial direction.

27. The device according to claim 26, wherein the second adjusting device includes a pressure plate and a plurality of cylindrical pins, wherein the plurality of cylindrical pins are surrounded by respective second spring elements which are clamped between the pressure plate and one of the plurality of housing parts of the housing.

28. The device according to claim 26, wherein the actuating element is adjustable between a first position, a second position, and a third position, wherein the first adjusting device converts the movement of the actuating element between the first and the second positions into the radial movement of the plurality of expansion segments in the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the expansion sleeve, and wherein the second adjusting device converts the movement of the actuating element between the second and the third positions into the movement of the clamping ring.

29. The device according to claim 28, wherein the actuating device includes a control disk having a first control region and a second control region, wherein the first control region moves the core pin in the axial direction, and wherein the second control region moves the pressure plate in the axial direction.

30. A holding apparatus in combination with the device according to claim 18, wherein the device is connected to the holding apparatus.

31. The holding apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the device is detachably connected to the holding apparatus.

32. The holding apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the device is non-detachably connected to the holding apparatus.

33. A method for attaching an optical unit, wherein the optical unit includes a cylindrical receiving opening, on a quick-assembly adapter, comprising the steps of: fitting the optical unit on an expansion sleeve with a plurality of adjustable expansion segments, wherein the expansion sleeve is in a closed state; and moving the plurality of adjustable expansion segments out of the closed state and into an expanded state in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the expansion sleeve by an actuating device and a first adjusting device, wherein the plurality of adjustable expansion segments in the expanded state form a force-fitting or a form-fitting connection with the cylindrical receiving opening of the optical unit.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein, after the step of moving, a clamping ring is moved in an axial direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the expansion sleeve toward the optical unit by the actuating device and a second adjusting device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] FIGS. 1A, B a device system with a rotating laser, which is attached to a stand using a quick-assembly adapter according to the invention (FIG. 1A) and the quick-assembly adapter of FIG. 1A in a magnified view (FIG. 1B);

[0040] FIG. 2 the quick-assembly adapter of FIG. 1B with a housing, an actuating device, and an expansion sleeve, which can be adjusted between a closed and expanded state, in a longitudinal cross-section;

[0041] FIG. 3 the actuating device of the quick-assembly adapter of FIG. 1B in a magnified three-dimensional view;

[0042] FIG. 4 the expansion sleeve of the quick-assembly adapter of FIG. 1B, which can be adjusted between the closed and expanded state by means of the actuating device and a first adjusting device constructed as a core pin, in a longitudinal cross-section; and

[0043] FIGS. 5A-C the quick-assembly adapter according to the invention with the rotating laser of FIG. 1A in a first position with a fitted rotating laser (FIG. 5A), a second position with a fixed rotating laser (FIG. 5B), and a third position with a fixed and aligned rotating laser (FIG. 5C).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] FIG. 1A depicts a device system 10 with an optical unit 11, which is attached to a stand 13 as a holding apparatus using a device 12 constructed according to the invention as a quick-assembly adapter. Optical unit 11 is constructed as a rotating laser. Stand 13 is constructed as a tripod and comprises a stand head 14 as well as three stand legs 15, which are only partially depicted in FIG. 1A.

[0045] In the depicted embodiment, quick-assembly adapter 12 is designed as a separate adapter and is detachably attached to stand head 14 by means of a standardized threaded connection. As threaded connections for optical units 11, two thread types have established themselves:

[0046] a ¼-inch 20-pitch Whitworth thread for smaller optical units 11, and a ¾-inch, 16-pitch Whitworth thread for larger optical units 11. On stand head 14, there is provided a stand screw, which is screwed into a matching thread receiver on quick-assembly adapter 12.

[0047] FIG. 1B depicts quick-assembly adapter 12 according to the invention of FIG. 1A in a magnified view. Quick-assembly adapter 12 comprises a housing 16, an actuating device 17, a first connecting device 18, which connects quick-assembly adapter 12 to rotating laser 11, and a second connecting device 19, which connects quick-assembly adapter 12 to stand 13. Second connecting device 19 is constructed as a thread receiver, which can form the threaded connection with a complementarily designed threaded pin of stand 13. If quick-assembly adapter 12 is integrated in stand head 14, the second connecting device is not necessary.

[0048] First connecting device 18 is constructed as an expansion sleeve and comprises a plurality of expansion segments 21, which can form a force- or form-fitting connection with the thread receiver of rotating laser 11. Expansion sleeve 18 can thereby be adjusted by a user between a closed and an expanded state by means of actuating device 17, wherein first connecting device 18 is depicted in a closed state in FIG. 1B. In the embodiment, expansion sleeve 18 comprises three expansion segments 21, which are arranged symmetrically about a longitudinal axis 22. Actuating device 17 can be adjusted about axis of rotation 23.

[0049] FIG. 2 depicts quick-assembly adapter 12 according to the invention of FIG. 1B in a longitudinal cross-section along a section plane, which contains longitudinal axis 22 and axis of rotation 23. Quick-assembly adapter 12 can be connected via first connecting device 18 to rotating laser 11 and via second connecting device 19 to stand 13.

[0050] First connecting device 18 designed as an expansion sleeve can be adjusted by the user between the closed state and the expanded state by means of actuating device 17. When the expansion sleeve is closed, rotating laser 11 can be placed on quick-assembly adapter 12 and expansion sleeve 18 can be inserted into the thread receiver of rotating laser 11. When rotating laser 11 is placed on quick-assembly adapter 12, expansion sleeve 18 is expanded by means of actuating device 17 so that rotating laser 11 is secured on quick-assembly adapter 12. The movement of actuating device 17 is transferred via a first adjusting device 31, designed as a core pin, to expansion segments 21 of expansion sleeve 18.

[0051] When the user does not place rotating laser 11 correctly on quick-assembly adapter 12, there is a risk that the axis of rotation of rotating laser 11 will not coincide with the longitudinal axes of quick-assembly adapter 12 and stand 13, but will be slightly tilted in relation to the longitudinal axes. To remedy a tilting of rotating laser 11 in relation to the longitudinal axes, quick-assembly adapter 12 has a clamping ring 32, which can be adjusted by means of a second adjusting device 33.

[0052] Housing 16 is constructed in a multi-part manner out of three stationary housing parts. The first housing part is constructed as a housing bowl 34 and has on a bottom side 35 thread receiver 19 for connecting quick-assembly adapter 12 to stand 13. On a top side 36, opposite bottom side 35, of quick-assembly adapter 12, the housing bowl is connected to the second housing part constructed as a housing cover 37. Housing cover 37 is constructed in a multi-step manner with a first step and a second step. Expansion segments 21 slide on the first step of housing cover 37 and, in a connected state, grasp from behind third housing part 38 designed in a ring-shaped manner. Clamping ring 32 lies on the second step of stationary housing cover 37.

[0053] The actuating device 17 comprises an actuating element constructed as a rotary switch 41, and a shaft 42, which is seated in the housing bowl 34, so as to rotate about axis of rotation 23. On shaft 42, there is a control disk 43 designed as an eccentric disk, which is non-rotatably connected to shaft 42. By means of control disk 43, a rotational movement of shaft 42 about axis of rotation 23 is converted into a translational movement of first adjusting device 31 or a translational movement of second adjustment device 33 along an axial direction 44. Axial direction 44 is thereby arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of quick-assembly adapter 12.

[0054] Core pin 31 is surrounded by a first spring element 46, which is clamped between stationary housing cover 37 and core pin 31. When core pin 31 is moved in an axial direction 44 toward expansion sleeve 18, first spring element 46 is compressed. First spring element 46 is constructed as a return spring and ensures that expansion segments 21 are moved back to their starting position with the return movement of rotating switch 41. Core pin 31 is surrounded by expansion segments 21 of expansion sleeve 18, which can be adjusted in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of core pin 31. In the embodiment, three expansion segments 21 are provided, which are arranged symmetrically about longitudinal axis 22.

[0055] Second adjusting device 33 comprises a pressure plate 47, which contacts control disk 43, and four cylindrical pins 48. Clamping ring 32 is connected to pressure plate 47 via cylindrical pins 48 and constructed to be adjustable in axial direction 44 by means of second adjusting device 33. Cylindrical pins 48 are surrounded by second spring elements 49, which are clamped between stationary housing cover 37 and adjustable pressure plate 47. When pressure plate 47 is moved in axial direction 44 toward expansion sleeve 18, second spring elements 49 are compressed. Second spring elements 49 are designed as return springs and ensure that pressure plate 47 is moved back to its starting position with a return movement of rotation disk 41.

[0056] FIG. 3 depicts actuating device 17 of quick-assembly adapter 12 of FIG. 1B in a magnified, three-dimensional view. Actuating device 17 comprises rotating switch 41, shaft 42, and control disk 43.

[0057] Control disk 43 is non-rotatably connected to shaft 42. By means of control disk 43, a rotational movement of shaft 42 about axis of rotation 23 is converted into a translational movement of first adjusting device 31 or a translational movement of second adjusting device 33 along axial direction 44. Control disk 43 comprises a first control region 51, which interacts with first adjusting device 31, and a second control region 52, which interacts with second adjusting device 33. First and second control region 51, 52 are integrated in a common control disk. Alternatively, separate control disks can be provided for the first and second control regions, which are non-rotatably connected to shaft 42.

[0058] Adjustment region of actuating device 17 can be divided into two angular regions; in a first angular region, core pin 31 is moved from first control region 51 in axial direction 44 and in a second angular region, pressure plate 47 is moved from second control region 52 in axial direction 44. In the embodiment, control curves of first and second control regions 51, 52 are thereby matched to each other in such a manner that in a first angular region only core pin 31 and in a second angular region only pressure plate 47, are moved in axial direction 44. The distance of first control region 51 to axis of rotation 23 increases in the first angular region and in the second angular region, the distance of second control region 52 from axis of rotation 23 is constant in a first angular region and increases in the second angular region.

[0059] FIG. 4 depicts expansion sleeve 18 of quick-assembly adapter 12 of FIG. 1B, which can be adjusted between the closed and expanded states by means of actuating device 17 and core pin 31, in a longitudinal cross-section along the section plane parallel to longitudinal axis 22 and axis of rotation 23.

[0060] Core pin 31 consists of a step section 53, which contacts control disk 43, a cylindrical section 54, and a cone section 55. Step section 53 contacts a first control region 51 of control disk 43 and transfers the rotational movement of control disk 43 to core pin 31. Cone section 55 is surrounded by expansion segments 21 of expansion sleeve 18. Expansion segments 21 have on the interior side conical interior surfaces 56, which are designed in a complementary manner to conical exterior surfaces 57 of core pin 31. The movement of core pin 31 in axial direction 44 is converted into a radial movement of expansion segments 21.

[0061] To guide expansion segments 21, conical exterior surfaces 57 of core pin 31 have three swallowtail-shaped grooves 58. Conical interior surfaces 56 of expansion segments 21 have swallowtail-shaped projections 59, which are designed to complement grooves 58 and are guided into grooves 58. While expansion segments 21 slide along conical exterior surfaces 57, expansion segments 21 are guided via projections 59 into grooves 58.

[0062] Expansion segments 21 are constructed on the exterior side of a plurality of sections and have a connecting section 61, a middle section 62, and a ring collar section 63. Ring collar section 63 serves to prevent a translational movement of rotating laser 11 in axial direction 44. Through the radial movement of expansion segments 21, ring collar sections 63 grasp from behind stationary third housing part 38 and secure rotating laser 11 on quick-assembly adapter 12. Middle section 62 connects ring collar section 63 to connecting section 61, which can form a force- or form-fitting connection with the receiving opening of rotating laser 11.

[0063] Connecting section 61 has an exterior thread 64, which, when expansion sleeve 18 is closed, can engage in a receiving opening, designed as a thread receiver, of rotating laser 11, and when expansion sleeve 18 is expanded, can form a form-fitting connection with the thread receiver. The properties of exterior thread 64 are advantageously adapted to the interior thread of the thread receiver. The thread section of expansion segments 21 can be replaced by a cylindrical section without threads, wherein the connection between expansion sleeve 18 and the receiving opening of rotating laser 11 is in this case designed as a force-fitting connection.

[0064] FIGS. 5A-C depict quick-assembly adapter 12 and rotating laser 11 of FIG. 1A while attaching rotating laser 11 to quick-assembly adapter 12 in various positions. FIG. 5A thereby depicts the fitted rotating laser 11 in a first position, FIG. 5B depicts the fixed rotating laser 11 in a second position, and FIG. 5C depicts the fixed and aligned rotating laser 11 in a third position.

[0065] FIG. 5A depicts rotating laser 11, which is fitted on expansion sleeve 18 using a receiving opening 71. Expansion sleeve 18 is closed and the connection between expansion sleeve 18 and receiving opening 71 of rotating laser 11 is opened. Rotary switch 41 of actuating device 17 is in the first position. To secure rotating laser 11 on quick-assembly adapter 12, the user moves rotary switch 41 from the first position in rotation direction 72 about axis of rotation 23 into the second position. The rotational movement of rotating switch 41 is transferred via shaft 42 to control disk 43. First control region 51 of control disk 43 contacts step section 53 of core pin 31 and moves core pin 31 in axial direction 44 toward expansion sleeve 18. The translational movement of core pin 31 in axial direction 44 is converted via cone section 55 into a radial movement of expansion segments 21.

[0066] At the end of the radial movement of expansion segments 21, ring collar sections grasp from behind third housing part 38 and the thread sections from with receiving opening 71 of rotating laser 11 a form- and force-fitting connection. FIG. 5B depicts rotating laser 11, which is fixed on adapter 12, in the second position. Expansion sleeve 18 is opened and expansion segments 21 form a form- and force-fitting connection with receiving opening 71 of rotating laser 11.

[0067] To coaxially align the longitudinal axes of rotating laser 11 and quick-assembly adapter 12, the user moves rotary switch 41 out of the second position in rotation direction 72 about axis of rotation 23 into the third position. The rotational movement of rotary switch 41 is transferred via shaft 42 to control disk 43. Second control region 52 of control disk 43 contacts pressure plate 47 and moves clamping ring 32 parallel to longitudinal axis 22 in axial direction 44 toward rotating laser 11.

[0068] FIG. 5C depicts rotating laser 11, which is secured on quick-assembly adapter 12 and whose axis of rotation is arranged coaxially to the longitudinal axis of quick-assembly adapter 12. Using clamping ring 32, which can be adjusted in axial direction 44 by means of the second adjusting device, a tilting of rotating laser 11 relative to the longitudinal axes can be prevented or at least remedied.