Dr. Johannes Heidenhain Gmbh

Siegbert Holstein

Sebastian Tondorf

Helmut Huber

Oliver Schenk

Horst Gschossmann

A linear encoder for use with a guide assembly includes a scale ( ), a head ( ) for scanning the scale ( ), and mounting elements ( ) for releasably attaching the scale ( ) to the guide rail ( ) of the guide assembly, with the mounting elements ( ) being arrangeable outside of the mounting surface ( ) of the guide rail ( ) and having stop surfaces ( ) extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X) of the guide rail ( ) for a parallel alignment of the scale ( ) along the guide rail ( ) and encompassing and engaging reference surface ( ) of the guide rail ( ).

Linear encoder and linear guide assembly with the linear encoder

A length measuring device which includes a carrier body and a measuring band is provided with fastening components which secure the two ends of the measuring band to respective ends of the carrier body. One of the fastening components is provided with a tensioning device for the measuring band. The other fastening component at the other end of the measuring band is fixed to the measuring band by means of screws. A particular geometry is disclosed which results in a flat, low profile configuration for the second fastening component. Because of the unique shape of the second fastening component, the scanning unit, which is longitudinally slideable in the interior of the carrier body, can be removed from the end of the carrier body past the second fastening component without disassembling or readjusting or disturbing the measuring band. The carrier body can be built up from an array of individual components, in which case the measuring band is preferably held in place only on the outer ends of the two end components. Throughout the length of the carrier body, the measuring band is received freely in a groove defined in the carrier body.

Length measuring apparatus

A measuring instrument having a flexible steel measuring scale mounted inside a flanged groove defined by a tubular housing includes a scanning unit, guided along the interior of the housing to scan the scale, and a magnet, mounted on the scanning unit. The magnet acts to pull the steel scale towards the scanning unit, into contact with the flanges of the groove. The spacing between the scanning unit and the flanges is precisely controlled and, therefore, the magnet provides precise control over the spacing between the scale and the scanning unit.

Length measuring instrument

A scanning unit is provided which is adapted for translation in a longitudinal direction along three guide surfaces defined by a length measuring device. The preferred embodiment of this scanning unit includes at least one set of bearings which is adapted to contact each of the three guide surfaces. Each set of bearings includes two bearings which are arranged in tandem along the longitudinal direction such that the separation between the two bearings in each set is greater than the anticipated longitudinal width of irregularities and gaps associated with joints in the guide surfaces.

Scanning unit

A longitudinal measuring device is disclosed which includes a flexible scale mounted inside a tubular member. The tubular member defines a groove having overhanging flanges on each side of the groove and the scale is positioned inside the groove. The width of the scale is chosen to be wider than the separation between the overhanging flanges, and the flanges serve to retain the scale in the groove in a longitudinally displaceable manner without applying distorting forces to the scale. Both the scale and the tubular member are independently mounted to a mounting surface such as a machine component, and the scale is mounted in such a manner that the separation between the ends of the scale can be expanded without dismounting the scale from the machine component.

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Stein, Germany

Siegbert Holstein