Laser instrument

A laser instrument is disclosed. The laser instrument having a laser unit, and a sliding bearing device with a joint socket and a sliding unit, where the sliding unit has a convex surface in the shape of cylinder section and the joint socket has a concave surface in the shape a hollow cylinder section such that the convex surface can engage in the concave surface and the laser unit tilts in a swivel plane during a relative movement between the convex surface and the concave surface.

This application claims the priority of German Patent Document No. 10 2008 041 029.2, filed Aug. 6, 2008, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a laser instrument having a laser unit and a sliding bearing device.

In this case, a laser instrument should be understood as a construction laser such as those that are used in the construction industry for the purposes of defining, transmitting or leveling planes, lines or points. As a result, static construction lasers such as point or line lasers can likewise be subsumed under the term “laser instrument” just like rotary construction lasers, in which the laser unit emits an at least partially rotating laser beam. In particular, the invention is used with rotary construction lasers having a laser unit embodied as a rotational unit, which is why for the sake of simplicity the following specification also relates to this type of construction laser. However, it should be noted that this does not represent a restriction of the protective scope and the invention also relates to all other types of construction lasers having an adjustable laser unit.

Rotary construction lasers having a laser unit embodied as a rotational unit, which emits an at least partially rotating laser beam, are used primarily in the construction industry in order to generate and define horizontal, vertical or defined inclined planes on walls, ceilings and floors. Rotary construction lasers are also used, for example, in scanning operations to establish predefined sections of planes or markings (points, lines, etc.) or to generate them as a reference.

A rugged design is of great significance in the case of rotary construction lasers, because equipment in the construction industry is subjected to extraordinary stresses. At the same time, the equipment must posses a high level of precision. Defining planes or markings or the like must be accomplished with a high level of precision.

Therefore, it is important to achieve a rugged design for the rotary construction lasers wherein adjusting a predetermined angle of inclination of the rotational unit with respect to the housing of the rotary construction laser is precise and simple.

A bearing device for tilting or adjusting the rotational unit of the rotary construction laser must therefore be rugged and easy to adjust. In this case, the rotational unit is essentially adjusted by means of a bearing device. In other words, as a general rule, a rough adjustment is made prior to adjustment, for example, by an operator. This may be accomplished, for example, manually by utilizing levels that are externally visible and attached to the rotary construction laser. Afterwards, the operator may initiate an automatic adjustment, whereby the rotational unit is fine-tuned (adjusted), for example, by means of servomotors and the bearing device.

The objective of the invention is making available a rotary construction laser which satisfies the above-mentioned requirements. Additional advantages of the rotary construction laser are disclosed in the following specification.

The rotary construction laser described here features a rotational unit. The rotational unit can, for example, be rotatably mounted with ball bearings around an axis of rotation and have a deflection device. The deflection device in this case can be used to deflect the laser beam.

The rotary construction laser further comprises a sliding bearing device with a joint socket and a sliding unit or a first sliding part. The sliding unit has a convex surface in the shape of a cylinder section and the joint socket has a concave surface in the shape of a hollow cylinder section such that the convex surface can be engaged in the concave surface. The rotational unit is connected to the sliding unit such that the rotational unit tilts in a swivel plane during a relative movement between the convex surface and the concave surface.

The concave and convex surfaces sliding on one another may be embodied, for example, in the shape of one or more glide shoes. Tilting of the rotational unit is thus produced by sliding the convex surface on the concave surface.

Very good anti-twist protection is yielded due to the embodiment of the sliding bearing device by means of the described convex or concave surfaces. The sliding properties can be precisely defined and twisting with respect to the axis of the cylinder forming the basis of the cylinder section and the axis of the hollow cylinder forming the basis of the hollow cylinder section is not possible.

Furthermore, the embodiment of relatively large sliding surfaces guarantees great mechanical ruggedness. In particular, there is no point mounting. The sliding surfaces in this case may also be interrupted or have different widths. They may also have recesses, for example, in order to thereby reduce the frictional resistance. It is possible to meet the most varied of requirements because of the concrete embodiment of the sliding surfaces.

The sliding bearing therefore produces very good anti-twist protection that has already been mentioned. The good sliding properties are realized by the predefined sliding surfaces.

In addition, because of the embodiment of the sliding bearing device by means of the defined concave or convex surfaces, a swivel plane is definitely predetermined in which the rotational unit tilts. The swivel plane in this case is essentially perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder forming the basis of the cylinder section. There is therefore a preferential direction (swivel plane) in which the rotational unit can be tilted. This is one advantage over other bearings, e.g., a bearing using a ball, universal ball joint, or cardan joint. In the case of these types of bearings, other guiding means must be provided in order to assure a tilt in a preferential direction. As a result, it is possible to dispense with these types of guiding means because of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the sliding unit can include an additional sliding bearing device with an additional joint socket and an additional sliding unit (second sliding part). In this connection, the additional sliding unit has an additional convex surface in the shape of an additional cylinder section and the additional joint socket has an additional concave surface in the shape of an additional hollow cylinder section. In this case, the additional convex surface can engage in the additional concave surface such that the rotational unit tilts in an additional swivel plane during a relative movement between the additional convex surface and the additional concave surface. The additional swivel plane can be independent or different from the swivel plane.

In a preferred embodiment, the swivel plane and the additional swivel plane are at a predetermined angle from one another. The angle in this case can be invariable so that the angle between the swivel planes is determined by the predetermined angle between the axes of the cylinder and of the hollow cylinder. The swivel plane and the additional swivel plane can also be at right angles to one another in a preferred embodiment.

Also preferred is that the radii of the cylinder section and of the hollow cylinder section are essentially equal. As a result, the concave and convex surfaces have the greatest possible contact surface and therefore good guidance and good sliding properties. The radii of the additional cylinder section and of the additional hollow cylinder section can also be essentially equal in a further embodiment. As a result, it also applies here that the additional concave or convex surfaces have an adequate contact surface and therefore good guidance or good sliding properties. The radii of the cylinder section, the additional cylinder section, the hollow cylinder section and the additional hollow cylinder section can also all be essentially equal.

In a further embodiment, the deflection device is embodied such that it deflects the laser beam at a deflection point corresponding to the exit point of the laser beam. The center point or the axis of the cylinder forming the basis of the cylinder section, the center point or the axis of the cylinder forming the basis of the additional cylinder section, the center point or the axis of the hollow cylinder forming the basis of the hollow cylinder section and/or the center point or the axis of the hollow cylinder forming the basis of the additional hollow cylinder section can preferably coincide with the deflection point.

When the center point or the axis of the cylinder forming the basis of the cylinder section, the center point or the axis of the cylinder forming the basis of the additional cylinder section, the center point or the axis of the hollow cylinder forming the basis of the hollow cylinder section and/or the center point or the axis of the hollow cylinder forming the basis of the additional hollow cylinder section coincide with the deflection point, then the height of the deflection point does not change when the rotational unit is tilted. As a result, a simple adjustment of a predefined angle is possible without complicated calculations. In addition, the deflection device can be built into the housing of the rotary construction laser in a compact way. In particular, the housing can be a short distance from the deflection device. This would not be possible with a height adjustment or a change in the distance between the deflection device and the inner housing wall such as those that occur in the case of other known mountings. The sliding bearing described here thus makes a compact and space-saving configuration of the rotary construction laser possible.

Tension springs can preferably be provided, by means of which the concave surface and the convex surface can be pressed together or pulled toward one another. As a result, it is possible for the concave surface and convex surface to remain in contact in all positions. Similarly, additional tension springs can be provided, by means of which the additional concave surface and the additional convex surface can be pressed together or pulled toward one another. The effect of the springs in this case as well is that a predefined force acts on the sliding surfaces and therefore an essentially constant or adjustable sliding property is achieved essentially independent of the position of the housing of the rotary construction laser.

In a preferred embodiment, a safety device firmly connected to the joint socket can also be provided, by means of which the sliding unit can be prevented from falling out of the joint socket. Similarly, the additional joint socket can also feature an additional safety device, by means of which the additional sliding unit can be prevented from falling out of the additional joint socket.

In another preferred embodiment, the convex surface can be produced of material whose sliding property has been modified. The concave surface in this case can be produced of material whose sliding property has not been modified so that a good sliding property is achieved. Likewise, the additional concave surface can be produced of material whose sliding property has been modified and the concave surface and the additional convex surface of material whose sliding property has not been modified. For example, the concave surface and the additional convex surface can be produced of normal plastic and the convex surface and the additional concave surface of plastic whose sliding property has been modified. This results in good sliding properties between the concave and convex surfaces as well as between the additional concave and additional convex surfaces.

The invention is further explained in the following on the basis of the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1shows a first sliding part2(sliding unit) with first glide shoes4-1and4-2and first convex surfaces6-1,6-2. The first convex surfaces6-1,6-2in this case have the shape of a cylinder section.FIG. 1also shows a mounting plate8with first concave surfaces10-1,10-2and first safety devices or projections12-1,12-2. The concave surfaces10-1,10-2have the shape of a hollow cylinder section and form the joint socket of the sliding bearing. Since tilting is only possible in a predetermined swivel plane, the bearing is also designated as a hinge. The swivel plane in this case is essentially perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder forming the basis of the cylinder section or to the axis of the hollow cylinder forming the basis of the hollow cylinder section.

When assembling the sliding bearing device, the first sliding part2is inserted into the mounting plate8so that the first convex surfaces6-1,6-2come to rest on the first concave surfaces10-1,10-2. In order to achieve good contact and therefore good sliding properties, the first concave surfaces10-1,10-2have the shape of a hollow cylinder section, wherein the radius of the hollow cylinder forming the basis of the hollow cylinder section is equal to the radius of the cylinder forming the basis of the cylinder section of the convex surface.

When assembling the sliding bearing device, the first glide shoe4-1then slides with the first convex surface6-1on the first concave surface10-1. Furthermore, the first glide shoe4-2slides with the first convex surface6-2on the first concave surface10-2.

In order to prevent the first sliding part2from falling out of the mounting plate8, the mounting plate8has the first safety device12-1,12-2. As depicted inFIG. 1, the first safety device is embodied in the shape of projections, which, during a relative movement of the first sliding part2with respect to the mounting plate8, move along a circular cutout24in the first sliding part2. As a result, the sliding bearing device then remains fully functional if the rotary construction laser is dropped or set upside down for example.

When the first convex surfaces6-1,6-2slide on the first concave surfaces10-1,10-2, a rotational unit (not shown inFIG. 1, seeFIG. 7) associated with the first sliding part2is tilted in a first swivel plane, which runs parallel to the glide shoes4-1,4-2.

According to the invention, a tilting of the rotational unit can thus be achieved just by providing the first sliding part2and the mounting plate8. Tilting in a first swivel plane is possible as a result. Tilting in other swivel planes or other free tilting can be facilitated by a second sliding part14(additional sliding unit). In one embodiment (not shown), tilting in a second swivel plane can be possible however by other known means.

The second (additional) sliding part14has second glide shoes16-1,16-2and second (additional) convex surfaces18-1,18-2. The second convex surfaces18-1,18-2have the shape of a second (additional) cylinder section.

In order to realize tilting in the second swivel plane, the second sliding part14is inserted into the first sliding part2. To do this, the first sliding part2has second concave surfaces20-1,20-2, which touch the second convex surfaces18-1,18-2when the sliding bearing device is assembled. In this connection, the second convex surface18-1touches the second concave surface20-1and the second convex surface18-2touches the second concave surface20-2. The first sliding part forms a second (additional) joint socket with the second concave surfaces20-1,20-2.

In order to prevent the second sliding part14from falling out of the first sliding part2, the first sliding part2has a second safety device22. The safety device is formed from two projections22-1,22-2, which, during a relative movement between the first sliding part2and the second sliding part14, move along concave-shaped projections26-1,26-2.

The first concave surfaces10-1,10-2therefore form a first “joint socket.” Furthermore, the second concave surfaces20-1,20-2form a second (additional) joint socket.

As already indicated above, it is also possible to attain only one inclination in a swivel plane with the invention. As a result, it suffices for the invention if the sliding bearing device is realized by inserting the first sliding part2into the mounting plate8. Any means can be provided to realize inclinations that deviate from the first swivel plane or inclination plane. Providing a second sliding part14as shown inFIG. 1is just one possibility. The second sliding part14is therefore to be viewed as optional.

The first sliding part2can also be designated as a “cross glider,” because it forms, as it were, the middle piece of the sliding bearing device and facilitates a tilting of the rotational unit in two swivel planes that are perpendicular to one another by means of the first glide shoes4-1,4-2and the second concave surfaces20-1,20-2.

At this point is should be noted that it is by no means imperative that the two swivel planes be perpendicular to one another. All advantages cited in the specification can also be achieved if this is not the case and the swivel planes are at another predetermined angle from one another.

The first sliding part2can advantageously be produced from a material whose sliding property has been modified, e.g., plastic. Further, the mounting plate8and the second sliding part14can be produced from a material whose sliding property has not been modified, e.g., plastic whose sliding property has not been modified. As a result, good sliding properties are produced along all sliding surfaces10-1,10-2,6-1,6-2,20-1,20-2,18-1,18-2, because material whose sliding property has not been modified slides respectively on material whose sliding property has been modified.

With regard to the concave or convex surfaces inFIG. 1, it must also be noted that the radii of the cylinder/hollow cylinder forming the basis of the convex/concave surfaces are essentially equal and the center point or the axis of the cylinders or the hollow cylinders coincide with a deflection point or exit point of the laser (not shown inFIG. 1, seeFIG. 7). To do this, the height of the rotational unit, which for example is rotatably mounted in the second sliding part14, must be correspondingly set or adjusted (seeFIG. 7).

FIG. 2shows a perspective view from above and below of the first sliding part2(cross glider). Moreover,FIG. 3shows a perspective view from above and below of the second sliding part14.

FIG. 4depicts the mounting plate8with the first sliding part2inserted therein. The second sliding part14is inserted into the first sliding part2.FIG. 4also shows tension springs23, which are inserted into corresponding recesses. The concave surface and the convex surface can be pressed together or the additional concave surface and the additional convex surface can be pressed together by means of tension springs. As a result, it is possible to achieve that the concave surface and convex surface remain in contact in all positions or that a predefined force acts on the sliding surfaces and therefore an essentially constant or adjustable sliding property is achieved essentially independent of the position of the housing of the rotary construction laser.

FIG. 5shows a schematic view of the rotary construction laser with the laser unit28positioned in the sliding bearing device. The laser unit28generates a laser beam L, which is deflected at a deflection point U by means of a deflection device (not shown). Based the position of the deflection point U or exit point of the laser in the center point or the axis of the cylinders or hollow cylinders forming the basis of the respective concave or convex surfaces, the deflection point U does not change its position when the laser unit28is tilted. In particular, the deflection point U does not change its height A with respect to the mounting plate8.

FIG. 6shows a sectional view of a rotary construction laser29with a rotational unit30and a sliding bearing device34, in which a laser unit is positioned. The rotational unit30is rotatably mounted around a rotary axis of rotation32.

The rotary construction laser29also features a deflection device36, by means of which a laser beam L generated in the laser unit can be deflected. The deflection point U or exit point of the laser lies in the center points or axes of the cylinders or hollow cylinders forming the basis of the concave or convex surfaces.

The rotary construction laser29further has at least one drive38, by means of which the laser unit and thus the rotational unit30can be tilted in a pre-definable angle.

FIG. 7ashows a further embodiment of a sliding bearing device40. The sliding bearing device40is comprised of a sliding part42with a convex surface44in the shape of a cylinder section and a joint socket46.

The joint socket46features two contact areas48-1,48-2. The convex surface44touches the contact areas48-1,48-2when the sliding part42is inserted into the joint socket46. In the embodiment inFIG. 7a, the contact areas48-1,48-2have a round shape so that essentially in each case a contact point is established between the convex surface44and the respective contact area48-1,48-2. In the case of a relative movement of the sliding part42with respect to the joint socket46, the contact areas or contact surfaces or contact points thus move along the convex surface and thus on a cylinder section.

FIG. 7bshows a further embodiment of a sliding bearing device50with essentially the same sliding part42having a convex surface44as inFIG. 7a. The joint socket52is designed differently than inFIG. 7ahowever. The contact areas54-1,54-2have the shape of a hollow cylinder section.

Other shapes of the joint socket are also conceivable. For example, the joint socket could be V-shaped so that the convex surface44of the sliding part42inFIGS. 7aand7brest at two points (contact areas) on the inner side of the V-shape.

FIG. 8ashows another embodiment of a sliding bearing device56with a sliding part58and a joint socket62. The sliding part58has two contact areas60-1,60-2and the joint socket62is comprised of a concave surface64in the shape of a hollow cylinder section.

When inserting the sliding part58into the joint socket62, the sliding part58touches the concave surface64of the joint socket62with its contact areas60-1,60-2.

As a result, during a movement of the sliding part58, the contact areas60-1,60-2of the sliding part58move relative to the joint socket62along the concave surface64.

FIG. 8bdepicts another embodiment of a sliding bearing device66. In this case, the joint socket is designed the same as inFIG. 8a. However, the sliding part68has contact areas70-1,70-2with a convex section in the shape of a cylinder section.

The foregoing specification described three different embodiments of sliding bearing devices. A first possible embodiment of a sliding bearing device is depicted inFIGS. 1 through 6. In the case of a sliding bearing device according toFIGS. 1 to 6, the sliding unit has a convex surface in the shape of a cylinder section and the joint socket has a concave surface in the shape of a hollow cylinder section. The second possible embodiment of a sliding bearing device is depicted inFIGS. 7aand7b. In this case, the sliding part or the sliding unit has a convex surface in the shape of a cylinder section. The joint socket, on the other hand, does not have a concave surface in the shape of a hollow cylinder section, but contact areas that slide in the case of a movement along the convex surface. The third possible embodiment of the sliding bearing device is depicted inFIGS. 8aand8b. In this case, the joint socket has a concave surface in the shape of a hollow cylinder section. The sliding unit, on the other hand, does not have a convex surface (like the embodiment in accordance withFIGS. 1-6), but contact areas that slide with a movement of the joint along the concave surface of the joint socket.

Any combinations of the three described embodiments of the sliding bearing devices are now possible in order to realize two or more swivel planes of the laser unit.

For example, the tilting of the laser unit in a first swivel plane may be accomplished by means of a sliding bearing device in accordance with the first embodiment (FIGS. 1-6) and the tilting in a second swivel plane that varies from the first swivel plane may be accomplished with a sliding bearing device in accordance with the third embodiment (FIGS. 8a,8b).

Any number of permutations are conceivable.

In addition, all preferred embodiments previously described in connection withFIGS. 1 through 6are also correspondingly applicable in the case of the sliding bearing devices40,50,56and66inFIGS. 7 and 8.

For example, in the case of the sliding bearing devices according toFIGS. 7 and 8, tension springs may be provided as before, by means of which the respective sliding part is pressed into the joint socket. Likewise, safety devices that are firmly connected to the joint socket may be provided, by means of which the sliding unit can be prevented from falling out of the joint socket.

In addition, materials as described above may be selected. For example, an appropriate selection of the materials inFIGS. 7 and 8can assure that that in each case material whose sliding property has been modified, for example plastic, slides on material whose sliding property has not been modified.