Abstract:
A xyθ precision alignment platform including three power units and three moving platforms is provided. Two of the power units can drive a third moving platform moving in X or Y direction. The other power unit has a worm which can drive an arcuate teeth arrange disposed between the second and third moving platforms to drive the third moving platform rotating. Whereby, since the worm is arranged to drive the arcuate teeth arrange laterally, the alignment platform is thin and the rotative movement of the third moving platform can be precisely controlled. Additionally, each power unit may be electrically connected to a controller for respectively driving and controlling each power unit. When only the rotation of the third moving platform is required, only one of the power units needs to be driven, thus simplifying the operation of the alignment platform and improving the work efficiency.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0001]    The present invention is a CIP of application Ser. No. 13/584,833, filed Aug. 14, 2012, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     Description of the Prior Art 
       [0002]    In a conventional alignment platform such as the ultrahigh load alignment device is disclosed in TW200912688. In TW200912688, the device uses three sets of driving devices to drive three sets of moving devices moving linearly so as to drive the moving plateform moving or rotating. When the rotation of the moving plateform is required, the three sets of driving devices must cooperate synchronously, which is uneasy to make the moving plateform move along a circular path precisely. As a result, as a controller or a computer drives the driving devices operating, the controller or the computer have to processing a great quantity of calculation, thus increasing the processing and response time and affecting the work efficiency. 
         [0003]    To improve the defects like that in TW200912688, the inventor had invented an alignment stage applied for a TW patent application with application No. 099118614 which had been granted as TWI390144. The alignment stage includes three power units and three moving units. Two of the power units can drive a third moving unit moving in either of two different directions. The other power units can drive the third moving unit rotating individually. Each power unit is electrically connected to a controller for respectively driving and controlling each power unit. When only the rotation of the third moving platform is required, only one of the power units needs to be driven, thus simplifying the operation of the alignment platform and improving the work efficiency. 
         [0004]    However, the inventor has been seeking a better alignment platform, and a xyθ precision alignment platform is provided in this application, to obviate or at least mitigate the above mentioned disadvantages. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    An object of the present invention is to provide a xyθ precision alignment platform which can accurately and precisely control and adjust the rotation angle. 
         [0006]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a xyθ precision alignment platform which can easily drive workpiece moving and rotating and simplify the operation. 
         [0007]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a xyθ precision alignment platform which is thin. 
         [0008]    To achieve the above and other objects, a xyθ precision alignment platform includes a base, at least one Y-axis guideway unit, a first moving platform, a first power unit, at least one X-axis guideway unit, a second moving platform, a second power unit, a third moving platform, a rotating unit and a third power unit. The at least one Y-axis guideway unit is mounted to the base. The first moving platform is movably coupled with each Y-axis guideway unit, the first moving platform and the base being parallel. The first power unit includes a first motor and a first rod member driven by the first motor, and the first motor is mounted to the base, wherein the first motor drives the first rod member moving to move the first moving platform along each Y-axis guideway unit move. The at least one X-axis guideway unit is co-movable with the first moving platform, and the X-axis guideway unit and the Y-axis guideway unit are nonparallel. The second moving platform is movably coupled with each X-axis guideway unit, and the second moving platform and the base are parallel. The second power unit includes a second motor and a second rod member driven by the second motor, and the second motor is mounted to one of the first moving platform, the first rod member and each X-axis guideway unit, wherein the second motor drives the second rod member to move the second moving platform along each X-axis guideway unit. The third moving platform is rotatably disposed correspondingly above the second moving platform, the third moving platform and the base are parallel. The rotating unit is disposed between the second moving platform and the third moving platform and has a circumferential arcuate teeth arrange. The third power unit is disposed by a lateral side of the second moving platform and includes a third motor and a worm driven by the third motor and engaged with the arcuate teeth arrange, wherein the third motor drives the worm rotating to drive the arcuate teeth arrange to move the third moving platform to rotate relative to the base. 
         [0009]    The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which show, for purpose of illustrations only, the preferred embodiment(s) in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective drawing according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a partial breakdown drawing according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective breakdown drawing according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a side view according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective breakdown drawing showing an alignment platform having plural sets of first and second power units according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 6 to 8  are drawings illustrating a xyθ precision alignment platform in use according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a partial breakdown drawing according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a breakdown drawing according to another embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a breakdown drawing according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]      FIGS. 1 to 4  show a xyθ precision alignment platform according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The xyθ precision alignment platform includes a base  1 , four Y-axis guideway units  2 , a first moving platform  3 , a first power unit  4 , four X-axis guideway units  5 , a second moving platform  6 , a second power unit  7 , four θ-angle guideway units  8 , a third moving platform  9 , a rotating unit  10  and a third power unit  11 . 
         [0020]    The base  1  is a plate body which can be adapted to dispose on a plane. The base  1  defines a longitudinal direction and a width direction, and may be formed with one or more accommodations. 
         [0021]    The Y-axis guideway units  2  are mounted to the base  1 , and each Y-axis guideway unit  2  is engaged in each accommodation. The Y-axis guideway units  2  are parallel. Alternatively, only one Y-axis guideway unit  2  is mounted to the base  1 . 
         [0022]    The first moving platform  3  is movably coupled with the Y-axis guideway units  2  so that the first moving platform  3  is movable along the Y-axis guideway units  2 . The first moving platform  3  and the base  1  are parallel. The first moving platform  3  may include a plate body  31  and at least one sliding block  32 . Each sliding block  32  of each first moving platform  3  is mounted to the plate body  31  of the first moving platform  3  so that each sliding block  32  of each first moving platform  3  and the plate body  31  of the first moving platform  3  are in a cooperative relationship. The sliding blocks  32  of the first moving platform  3  are movably coupled with the Y-axis guideway unit  2 , respectively. The plate body  31  of the first moving platform  3  is formed with at least one recess  311 . 
         [0023]    The first power unit  4  includes a first motor  41  and a first rod member  42  driven by the first motor  41 . The first motor  41  is mounted to the base  1 . The first motor  41  can drive the first rod member  42  moving, and the moving first rod member  42  can move the first moving platform  3  along the Y-axis guideway units  2 . 
         [0024]    The X-axis guideway units  5  are mounted to the first moving platform  3 , or each X-axis guideway unit  5  can be engaged in each recess  311  so that each X-axis guideway unit  5  and first moving platform  3  are co-movable. Each X-axis guideway unit  5  and each Y-axis guideway unit  2  are nonparallel. Alternatively, only one X-axis guideway unit  5  is mounted to the first moving platform  3 . 
         [0025]    The second moving platform  6  is movably coupled with the X-axis guideway units  5  so that the second moving platform  6  is movable along the X-axis guideway units  5 . The second moving platform  6  is preferably parallel to the base  1 . The second moving platform  6  may include a plate body  61  and at least one sliding block  62 . Each sliding block  62  of each second moving platform  6  is mounted to the plate body  61  of the second moving platform so that each sliding block  62  of the second moving platform  6  and the plate body  61  of the second moving platform are in a cooperative relationship. The sliding blocks  62  of the second moving platform  6  are movably coupled with the X-axis guideway units  5 , respectively. The plate body  61  of the second moving platform  6  may further be formed with at least one groove  611 . 
         [0026]    The second power unit  7  includes a second motor  71  and a second rod member  72  driven by the second motor  71 . The second motor  71  is mounted to the first moving platform  3 . Specifically, the second motor  71  may be mounted to the plate body  31  of the first moving platform  3 . In other embodiments, the second motor  71  may be mounted to the first rod member  42  or one of the X-axis guideway units  5  so that the first moving platform  3  can drive the second motor  71  moving synchronously. The second motor  71  can drive the second rod member  72  moving, and the moving second rod member  72  can move the second moving platform  6  along the X-axis guideway units  5 . The second power unit  7  and the first power unit  4 , respectively, drive the second moving platform  6  and the first moving platform  3  moving in different directions. The second rod member  72  and the first rod member  42  extend in different directions. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the first power unit  4  may include plural sets of first motor  41  and first rod member  42 . The second power unit  7  may include plural sets of second motor  71  and second rod member  72 . The first motors  41  and second motors  71  are disposed respectively by lateral sides of the base  1  and the first moving platform  3 . 
         [0027]    The θ-angle guideway units  8  are mounted to the second moving platform  6 , or each θ-angle guideway unit  8  may be engaged in each groove  611  so that each θ-angle guideway unit  8  and the second moving platform  6  are in a cooperative relationship. The θ-angle guideway unit  8  is formed as an arced guiding track. Optionally, only one θ-angle guideway unit  8  is mounted to the second moving platform  6 , or the θ-angle guideway unit may extend to form a circular member. 
         [0028]    The third moving platform  9  is disposed correspondingly above the second moving platform  6  and coupled with the θ-angle guideway units  8  in such a manner that the third moving platform  9  is rotatable along the θ-angle guideway units  8 . The third moving platform  9  and the base  1  are parallel. In this embodiment, the third moving platform  9  includes a plate body  91  and at least one sliding block  92 . Each sliding block  92  of the third moving platform  9  is mounted to the plate body  91  of the third moving platform  9 . The sliding blocks  92  of the third moving platform  9  are movably coupled with the θ-angle guideway units  8 , respectively. 
         [0029]    The rotating unit  10  is mounted between the second moving platform  6  and the third moving platform  9  and has a circumferential arcuate teeth arrange  101 . Specifically, the arcuate teeth arrange  101  is formed as a circular teeth arrange, and the arcuate teeth arrange  101  is preferably disposed within the outermost edge of the third moving platform  9  so that the lateral dimension of the alignment platform is reduced. Corresponding to the base  1 , a top surface of the rotating unit  10  is preferably not higher than a top surface of the third moving platform  9 , and more preferably, lower than a bottom surface of the third moving platform  9  so that the base  1  and the third moving platform  9  are close to each other and the alignment platform is therefore thin. In addition, the rotating unit  10  may be disposed between the second moving platform  6  and the third moving platform  9  so that the rotating unit  10  can be well protected and is not easy to be interfered, accidentally contacted or damaged. 
         [0030]    The third power unit  11  is disposed by a lateral side of the second moving platform  6  and includes a third motor  111  and a worm  112  driven by the third motor  111  and engaged with the arcuate teeth arrange  101 . The second moving platform  6  can drive the third motor  111 , and the moving third motor  111  can drive the worm  112  rotating to drive the arcuate teeth arrange  101  to move the third moving platform  9  along each θ-angle guideway unit  8  to rotate relative to the base  1 . 
         [0031]    Please refer further to  FIG. 6 , as the first motor  41  rotates, the first moving platform  3  moves along the Y-axis guideway unit  2  and drives the X-axis guideway units  5  moving so as to move the second moving platform  6  and third moving platform  9  along Y-axis guideway unit  2 . Please refer further to  FIG. 7 , as the second motor  71  rotates, the second moving platform  6  moves along the X-axis guideway unit  5  and drives the θ-angle guideway units  8  moving so as to move the third moving platform  9  along the X-axis guideway unit  5 . Please refer further to  FIG. 8 , as the third motor  111  rotates, the worm  112  is driven to move the arcuate teeth arrange  101  so that the third moving platform  9  can be driven to rotate along the θ-angle guideway units  8 . Whereby, the third moving platform  9  is able to move along the Y-axis guideway unit  2 , the X-axis guideway unit  5  or the θ-angle guideway units  8 . When the third moving platform  9  is required to rotate, the first motor  41  and second motor  71  need not to be driven, thus resulting a simple operation and easing the work load of the controller and reducing response time of the controller. 
         [0032]    It is noted that, the alignment platform may be alternatively configured in a structure such as that shown in  FIG. 9 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , a rotating unit may include a bearing  102 , wherein an arcuate teeth arrange  101 ′ of the rotating unit is formed as a circular teeth arrange and around the bearing  102 . The circular teeth arrange and a third moving platform  9 ′ are cooperative with each other, and the circular teeth arrange is rotatable around the bearing  102 . In aforementioned embodiment, each plate body is a quadrilateral hollow plate body; however, each plate body may be a quadrilateral solid plate body (for example, the third moving platform  9 ′ arranged as the top plate). Optionally, as shown in  FIG. 10 , an arcuate teeth arrange  101 ″ is noncircular and a part of a circular teeth arrange, wherein the extent of the arcuate teeth arrange  101 ″ may be designed according various requirements or may be constructed by plural arcuate tooth parts separately arranged. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 10 , a bearing  102 ′ is disposed between the second moving platform  6  and the third moving platform  9 . 
         [0033]    It is noted that, an optical ruler may be equipped to the alignment platform, which can improve the control of rotation angle and the precision of measurement and digitalize the rotation angle with small scale for reference. As a result, the user can accurately and precisely control and adjust the rotation angle accordingly, and the alignment platform can be applied to tasks requiring high precision such as to assemble miniature parts or to machine processing or etching. 
         [0034]    In the present invention, through the cooperation of the worm and the arcuate teeth arrange, every circle of rotation of the worm can cause the arcuate teeth arrange rotatively travel with only for a tooth-wide distance, thus avoiding the unenablement of fine adjustment of the third moving platform due to the fast rotation speed of the third motor, and achieving accurate and precise control and adjustment of the rotation angle of the alignment platform. 
         [0035]    Furthermore, in the present invention, since each motor is disposed by the lateral side of the first moving platform or the second moving platform, each motor and each moving platform are stacked so that the alignment platform is thin. 
         [0036]    Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.