CN101685191B - Positioning device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a positioning device, which comprises a framework (60), a motor (61) with a driving shaft, a mandrel (63) provided with a first end (71) and a second end (76) and capable of rotating relative to the framework (60), a coupling (62) elastically connecting the driving shaft to the first end (71) of the mandrel (63) and making the mandrel (63) rotate when the driving shaft of the motor (61) rotates, and supporting components (72, 74 and 75) elastically supporting at least one of the second end (76) of the mandrel (63) and the motor (61) onto the framework (60).

Description

Positioning means

This application is a divisional application of the patent application with the application number 200580046518.8, the filing date of the original application is January 121, 2005, and the title of the invention is "positioning device".

technical field

The invention relates to a positioning device, especially a positioning device of an optical instrument, and an optical instrument equipped with such a positioning device, especially a tachymeter.

Background technique

In many cases, the purpose of a positioning device is to adjust the position of a part to be positioned in a controlled and precise manner. Examples of such positioning devices include focusing or focusing devices used in optical instruments to move a lens or lens system along the optical axis of the lens, for example when an object is imaged, to focus the image.

This type of positioning device is known, for example see JP 62-255907, DE691 17 435T2, JP 3-288108A, JP 8-184742A, JP 08-194148A, JP 7-151947, US2002/0106205A1, JP 2002214506A, US 2002 0106205, WO 95/22778A, DD247493, JP 61-231516A, JP 62-255907, DE 691 17 435T2, JP3-294813A, US 2002/0106205A1 and JP 2000098210A. At least some of these positioning devices use a relatively large number of parts.

When positioning devices are used as focusing devices in optical instruments such as cameras and microscopes, the positioning must be precise and play-free if focusing is to be fast. If the locating device is used in a device operated by a user, the locating device should perform positioning with very little noise.

Focusing devices are used not only in cameras and microscopes, but also in measuring instruments, in particular so-called tachymeters, which include angle-measuring devices and distance-measuring devices, and are often also called tachometers or total stations. These tachymeters consist of telescopes used to aim at targets whose distance or position needs to be determined.

The telescope of this type of tachymeter is specially equipped with an objective lens, which includes a focusing lens or focusing lens group that is usually fixedly connected to a focusing lens tube that can be freely moved in the axial direction, that is, along the optical axis of the telescope, in a guide tube. move. Around the conduit is provided a slotted tube which is fixedly connected to or is part of the housing of the device, the slotted tube is free to rotate about the optical axis and has a groove extending along the length of the optical axis The directions have a pitch. The observer manually operates the lens driver by rotating the grooved tube about the optical axis so that a protrusion of the focusing lens tube which engages the groove moves along a curve in the guide tube defined by the groove. A mechanism for preventing the rotation of the focusing lens tube converts the rotation of the grooved tube into the axial movement of the focusing lens tube. This solution is complex, takes up a lot of space in the telescope, and does not make the structure modular. Since adjusting the focusing lens tube requires a large torque, this solution is hardly suitable for motor driving.

Contents of the invention

A first object of the present invention is to provide a positioning device which operates with little noise.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a positioning device that easily converts the rotation of the motor into the linear movement of the part to be positioned in a play-free and play-free manner.

Furthermore, a third object of the present invention is to provide a positioning device that can guide the components to be positioned easily and precisely without play.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a positioning device comprising: a frame; a motor having a drive shaft; a spindle having a first end and a second end and rotatable relative to the frame; a drive shaft is elastically connected to the first end of the spindle, such that when the drive shaft of the motor rotates, the spindle also rotates; and at least one of the second end of the spindle and the motor is elastically connected. A support assembly supported on a frame.

In the positioning device according to the first aspect of the invention, a motor-driven spindle via a coupling is used to move a body to be driven. The body may be the part to be positioned by the positioning device, or be connected to the part to be positioned. To this end, the spindle may comprise external engagement formations for engaging with complementary engagement formations of the body to be driven. The engagement structure may, for example, include at least one of a protrusion, a rib, a pin, a recess, a groove, or a thread. The complementary engagement formation is adapted to engage the engagement formation to convert rotation of the spindle into movement of the body.

The motor may be any type of motor, in particular an electric motor. For simple and precise positioning, the electric motor can be a stepper motor.

To reduce noise, especially vibration, the bearing assembly elastically supports at least one of the second end of the spindle and the motor, while the coupling elastically connects the drive shaft of the motor and the spindle. This arrangement reduces noise in particular due to vibration damping and/or partial decoupling (coupling) of the components of the positioning device in terms of vibration, which reduces the propagation of sound vibrations along these components and reduces possible vibrations in the structure. resonance.

In order to be able to position the part to be positioned very precisely, the coupling elastically connects the drive shaft of the motor and the first end of the spindle such that the rotation of the drive shaft is transmitted to the first end of the spindle without play. This can be achieved by using a suitable design of the coupling, in particular a suitable choice of the materials used. Preferably, the coupling also supports the spindle at the first end.

Due to the use of a coupling that elastically connects the drive shaft of the motor to the spindle and the use of a bearing assembly that elastically supports at least one of the second end of the spindle and the motor on the frame, the first The positioning device of the aspect produces only little or very low noise when the spindle is rotated by the motor.

In order to achieve low-noise operation of the positioning device, the bearing assembly can have vibration-damping properties. Preferably, vibrations in the acoustic frequency range are damped.

A simple construction of the positioning device is obtained if the support assembly comprises an elastic bearing assembly supporting the second end of the spindle of the frame. Generally any elastomeric bearing assembly can be used. However, in order to obtain a simple modular structure, preferably, the elastic bearing assembly comprises a bearing mounted on the frame and at least one elastic element arranged between the second end of the spindle and the bearing or between the bearing and the frame. Preferably, the second end of the spindle is not in contact with the bearing in the first case and the bearing with the frame in the second case, but is separated by the at least one elastic element. Thus, a partial decoupling between the second end of the spindle and the bearing or between the bearing and the frame can be obtained.

In general, the resilient member may have any suitable shape and may be in any suitable position relative to the frame, bearing and second end of the mandrel. Preferably, at least a section of the elastic element is clamped in the axial direction of the mandrel. In particular, the elastic element may be clamped between an end face of the second end of the spindle and the bearing or between the bearing and the frame. This arrangement makes it possible to mount the mandrel in a substantially fixed position relative to the frame while at the same time achieving vibration damping and/or at least partial decoupling of the mandrel and frame with respect to axial vibrations.

In order to limit the radial movement of the mandrel, preferably at least a section of the elastic element is clamped in the radial direction of the mandrel. In particular, this section of the elastic element can be clamped between the second end of the spindle and the bearing or between the bearing and the frame.

The elastic member can be made of any suitable elastic material. But for good noise reduction, the elastic element is preferably made of an elastomeric material. In particular suitable elastomers or thermoplastic elastomers can be used as elastomeric materials. For example synthetic rubber can be used.

For good noise reduction, the elastic element preferably damps vibrations in the acoustic frequency range. This can be achieved by suitable choice of elastomeric material and suitable shape of the elastic element.

Usually only one elastic element has to be used. However, in order to achieve a good working performance of the positioning device, preferably two or more elastic elements are arranged symmetrically with respect to the mandrel.

The elastic element can be an O-ring. The center of the O-ring may be concentric with the longitudinal axis of the mandrel such that the O-ring is arranged symmetrically about the mandrel. The O-ring facilitates the assembly of the positioning device.

In particular, if only one elastic element is used, it may be cup-shaped. The elastic element may in particular be formed to receive at least a part of the second end of the mandrel or a bearing. Such elastic elements particularly facilitate the assembly of the positioning device.

As another alternative, the elastic element can also be a block. Preferably at least two blocks arranged symmetrically to the mandrel are used, thereby supporting the mandrel symmetrically.

If more than one elastic element is used in the positioning device, any combination of elastic elements, in particular any combination of the three types of elastic elements mentioned above, may be used.

In order to reduce frictional losses and reduce the corresponding noise, the bearing is preferably a rolling bearing.

In general, any coupling that rigidly couples the drive shaft and spindle with respect to rotation of the motor drive shaft may be used to elastically connect the first end of the spindle to the motor drive shaft. In order to simply achieve an elastic connection between the drive shaft and the first end of the spindle, the coupling preferably comprises at least one elastic transmission member. In particular, the material properties and shape of the elastic transmission element can be chosen to provide a good noise reduction. In order to obtain good stability on the one hand and good noise reduction on the other hand, the elastic transmission part can be made of polymer material.

In order to transmit the rotation of the motor drive shaft to the spindle without backlash, the coupling preferably rigidly couples the drive shaft and the spindle with respect to the rotation of the drive shaft, and the coupling is connected to the spindle so that the spindle can be opposed Inclined to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft.

If the spindle includes a groove at the first end in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the spindle, the side walls of the groove are at least partially flared outwards, and when the coupling includes an elastic transmission member connected to and A particularly simple design is obtained when the pin or one of the edges engages the groove without play. The combination of grooves whose side walls are at least partially flared out and pins or edges connected to elastic transmission members allows the spindle to rotate without play in both directions of rotation, especially when the spindle is held by the spindle for the first time When the elastic elements of the bearing assembly at the two ends are biased towards the motor. The groove whose side walls flare out at least in sections is a V-shaped groove, which can be produced on the mandrel particularly easily.

In order to obtain a simple structure of the coupling, the coupling preferably comprises a first connection part rigidly connected to the drive shaft and a second connection part comprising an elastic transmission member and connected to the spindle.

In order to achieve a particularly simple assembly of the coupling, preferably the second connection part is connected to the first connection part by a form fit or an interlocking connection. Since the form-fit connection is preferably a releasable connection, this connection is particularly maintenance-friendly. A positive fit or interlocking connection provides a rigid connection only for rotation of the drive shaft, not necessarily for translation along the longitudinal axis of the mandrel. In particular, the first connection part and the second connection part may be formed so that they are pluggable together along the longitudinal axis of the mandrel. At this time, it can be easily assembled without special tools.

Preferably, the first connection part comprises a square socket at its end facing the mandrel. The square socket can be used to receive the elastic transmission part. The square socket not only makes the manufacture of the first connection simple, but also allows the rotation of the drive shaft to be transmitted to the spindle substantially without play.

The second connection part may in particular comprise a pin on each end of which an elastic O-ring or an elastic disk is provided. This elastic O-ring or elastic disk can be used in particular as the above-mentioned elastic transmission member. This design of the second connecting part makes it possible in particular to use components which can also be used for other purposes, so that the costs of the positioning device can be reduced.

Preferably, the O-ring or resilient disc and resilient element of the bearing assembly bias the drive shaft and spindle towards each other. In particular, the biasing force may be substantially along the axis of the spindle such that the pin or edge remains in contact with the wall of the groove even when torque is applied to the drive shaft. In this way, the spindle is firmly clamped between the support assembly and the motor.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a positioning device, which includes: a positioned member; a rotatable mandrel with an external engagement structure; a body, the body is movable along the mandrel, and has a Complementary engagement formations for engagement with engagement formations of the shaft to convert rotation of the mandrel to translation of the body when the body is prevented from rotating by the mandrel; a securing element for preventing rotation of the body by the mandrel; and an elastic connection The elastic connecting member exerts a torque on the body relative to the mandrel, and transmits the movement of the body to the positioned member.

The positioning device according to the second aspect of the invention may comprise any of the features of the positioning device according to the first aspect of the invention, in particular the features described above. Conversely, the positioning device according to the first aspect of the present invention may further include: a member to be positioned; a body movable along the mandrel, and having a complementary engaging structure engaged with the engaging structure of the mandrel, so as to converting the rotation of the mandrel into translation of the body when the body is prevented from being rotated by the mandrel; a fixed element for preventing the body from being rotated by the mandrel; and an elastic link which applies a torque to make the body The body is inclined relative to the mandrel and transmits the movement of the body to the positioned part.

In the positioning device according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the fixed member prevents the body from being rotated by the mandrel, the mandrel can be moved by means of the engaging structure of the mandrel and the complementary engaging structure of the body engaging with the mandrel engaging structure. Rotation of the shaft translates into linear motion of the body. The elastic link has two functions: firstly, a torque is applied by means of the spring force generated by the deformation of the elastic link to tilt the body relative to the mandrel, in particular around an axis approximately orthogonal to the mandrel. This inclination of the body relative to the arbor causes a corresponding inclination of the engagement formation and the complementary engagement formation relative to each other, so that the rotation of the arbor in both directions of rotation is transformed into the body and thus the positioned part without backlash and play. linear motion. The torque exerted on the body is generated by elastic properties of at least a portion of the elastic link.

Secondly, the elastic connecting piece is used to transmit the motion of the body to the positioned piece, which greatly simplifies the design of the positioning device.

The positioning device according to the second aspect of the invention can easily transmit the rotation of the spindle driven by the motor to the translational movement of the body to be positioned without play and without backlash. In particular, the positioning device does not occupy much space, so it is especially suitable for microscopes, cameras and measuring instruments.

External engagement formations of the mandrel and complementary engagement formations of the body serve to convert rotation of the mandrel into translation of the body when the body is prevented from being rotated by the mandrel by the securing element. In general, any type of engagement structure and complementary engagement structure suitable for the transformation may be used.

Preferably, the complementary engagement formations are formed and arranged such that when torque causes the body to tilt relative to the spindle, a portion of the complementary engagement formations engages with the engagement formations in a first direction along the spindle and another portion of the complementary engagement formations Engages with the engagement structure in a second direction opposite the first direction. Thus, play between the engaging formation and the complementary engaging formation is avoided for movement in both directions.

Preferably, the engagement formation of the mandrel comprises at least one groove wound around the mandrel. The pitch of the grooves wound around the mandrel may be constant or variable. In particular, the engaging formation may comprise external threads formed on the mandrel. Such a mandrel can be easily manufactured with high precision and is easy to assemble.

In these cases in particular, the complementary engagement formation of the body may comprise at least one protrusion or rib. The protrusions or ribs are formed and/or arranged to engage with grooves or threads of the mandrel's engaging formation. The use of protrusions or ribs as complementary engagement formations reduces friction between the engagement formations and the complementary engagement formations when the spindle is rotated while the body is prevented from rotating by the securing element.

In order to achieve particularly low-play operation, the complementary engagement structure of the body preferably comprises at least two protrusions or two ribs arranged diametrically opposite with respect to the mandrel. The protrusions or ribs are arranged so that when torque causes the body to tilt relative to the mandrel, one of the protrusions or ribs engages with an engaging formation such as a groove or thread in a first direction along the mandrel, the second protrusion Or the rib engages with the engagement structure, such as a groove or thread, in a second direction opposite to the first direction. Thus, play between the engaging formation and the complementary engaging formation is avoided for movement in both directions. Generally, the protrusions or ribs may be spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the mandrel such that both the protrusions or ribs may engage the engagement structure.

In another embodiment, the complementary engagement formation of the body comprises at least one thread. Preferably, the thread is a threaded perforation in the body so that the body is precisely guided through the mandrel in the direction of the mandrel. The threads of the complementary engagement formations are engageable with the engagement formations of the mandrel, in particular if the mandrel is provided with threads, the threads of the complementary engagement formations are engageable with the threads of the engagement formations of the mandrel. The inclination of the threads relative to each other causes contact between the flanks of the threads in both directions of the mandrel so that a gap or play between the body and the mandrel in the longitudinal direction of the mandrel is avoided.

In particular in this case, when the engaging formation of the mandrel comprises an external thread, the complementary engaging formation of the body may comprise at least two parallel ribs or grooves. The ribs or grooves can in particular be rectilinear. In this case, the body can be clipped onto the mandrel, since ribs or grooves need not be provided in the perforations, which makes assembly of the positioning device very simple.

Optionally, the engagement formation of the mandrel may comprise at least one protrusion or at least one rib on the outer surface of the mandrel. In this case the complementary engagement formation may for example be a thread in a threaded bore of the body.

Preferably, the engagement formation of the mandrel may comprise at least two protrusions arranged diametrically opposite with respect to the mandrel. The protrusions can in particular be spaced apart from one another in the direction of the mandrel. The complementary engagement formations may especially comprise threads or parallel ribs or grooves. At this point, the protrusions can engage with the complementary engagement formations on their faces facing in the opposite direction along the mandrel, so that the rotation of the mandrel can be converted into the movement of the body without backlash and/or play.

In general, the engagement formation and/or the complementary engagement formation may comprise one or a combination of the features described above.

The resilient link can apply torque in various ways to tilt the body. In one embodiment, at least one section of the elastic link bears against the positioned piece to exert a tilting moment on the body. In this way, the construction of the positioning device is particularly simple. In particular, forces can act simultaneously on the positioned parts. This force can be used to bias the positioned part towards a guide guiding the positioned part, whereby the generation of play or play can further be avoided.

Generally, the elastic link exerts a torque to tilt the body relative to the mandrel about an axis oblique or preferably normal to the longitudinal direction of the mandrel. Preferably, the resilient link is connected to the body and the positioned member and applies the torque about an axis parallel to the mandrel. This additional torque can be used to push the positioned part in the corresponding direction. Thus, the elastic connection can simultaneously exert torques about different axes, ie the torques comprise components in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the mandrel and in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the mandrel.

The elastic link can transmit the movement of the body to the positioned member in any suitable manner. Preferably, the positioned member includes a groove to which the elastic connecting member engages, and the groove preferably has side walls flared outwards. In particular, the groove can be V-shaped. The use of grooves to transmit the movement of the body and the elastic link connected to the body to the positioned part particularly facilitates the assembly of the positioning device. In addition, play-free and play-free transmission of motion is possible in both opposite directions due to the groove having side walls that flare outwards.

In order to apply torque and at the same time transmit the movement of the body to the positioned member, the elastic link preferably comprises an L-shaped arm, the free end of which engages said groove. The geometry of the L-arm may be chosen in conjunction with the material properties of the material used to form the L-arm to set the torque that tilts the body relative to the mandrel.

The elastic link may be made of suitably bent spring steel clamped to the body. The advantage of this embodiment is that the spring steel can be selected so as to retain its elastic properties over a long period of time also under fluctuating environmental conditions, for example large temperature changes.

The construction is particularly simple when the elastic connection is integrally formed with the body. In particular, at least a part of the body and the elastic link may be formed from a suitable polymer material by compression or injection moulding.

The complementary engagement formations in the form of threads in the body can be arranged in different ways. The body may have a bore in which the threads of the body are provided. In particular, threads can be cut on the surface of the hole, which is easy when the body is made of polymer.

Alternatively, the body may comprise a block and a sleeve disposed in the block and having an internal thread for receiving the mandrel. In particular, the sleeve may be made of a material that resists wear caused by the engagement formations of the mandrel and/or produces only low friction when engaged with the engagement formations of the mandrel. In particular, sleeves made of suitable metals can be used. In this way, a very robust design is obtained.

In order to reduce friction between the engagement formations of the mandrel and the complementary engagement formations of the body, the thread in the body may comprise two threaded sections separated by a non-threaded section. At the same time, the body can be stably mounted on the mandrel.

Preferably, a guide is provided for guiding the positioned part in a direction parallel to the mandrel, the guide notably guiding the body. At this time, there is no need for the elastic connecting piece to guide the positioned part, so the structure is simplified, and the guidance of the positioned part is very precise, so the movement of the positioned part is very precise. The guide may in particular be the above-mentioned first guide.

In general, a separate element can be used as the fixing element. But preferably the guide prevents rotation of the body around the mandrel. This guide is thus also the fixing element for preventing the rotation of the body by the mandrel. Thus, the guide provides two different functions, which simplifies the construction of the positioning device.

In order to ensure precise guidance of the positioned member, preferably the guide includes a rod and the positioned member includes a hole for receiving the rod. In this way, the guidance of the positioned part leaves only one degree of freedom for the translational, ie linear, movement of the positioned part.

In order to ensure that the body is prevented from being rotated by the spindle in both directions of rotation, the body preferably comprises a recess for receiving the guide.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a positioning device is provided, the positioning device includes: a positioned part; a first guide for guiding a first section of the positioned part along a first guide axis; a guide surface extending axially and for guiding a second guide member of the second section of the positioned member; and magnet means for biasing the second section of the positioned member toward the guide surface of the second guide member.

The first guide may constrain translation of the positioned member to translation along the first guide axis, but generally does not restrict other movement of the positioned member. The combination of the second guide and the magnet means biasing the second section of the positioned piece towards the guide face of the second guide ensures further restriction of movement of the positioned piece with little or no play or play degree of freedom, so that the positioned part is precisely guided along the guide surface of the second guide part. In particular, if the biasing force of the magnet arrangement is sufficiently high, precise guidance of the positioned piece along the guide surface can be obtained in several orientations of the positioning arrangement relative to gravity, preferably in any orientation. This is particularly important for surveying instruments which comprise a telescope unit with a positioning device which can be rotated at any angle about a horizontal axis.

The positioning device according to the third aspect of the invention may comprise any of the features of the positioning device according to the first aspect of the invention and/or the positioning device according to the second aspect of the invention. Conversely, the positioning device according to the first aspect of the present invention may further include: a positioned member; a first guide for guiding a first section of the positioned member along a first guide axis; a second guide for guiding the second section of the positioned piece; and a magnet arrangement for biasing the second section of the positioned piece toward the guiding surface of the second guide.

The positioning device according to the first aspect of the present invention may further include: a positioned member; a body that is movable along the mandrel and has a complementary engagement structure that engages with the engagement structure of the mandrel to be positioned when the body is positioned. prevents the conversion of the rotation of the mandrel into translation of the body when rotated by the mandrel; a fixed element used to prevent the rotation of the body from the mandrel; applies a torque to tilt the body relative to the mandrel and shift the body's an elastic link for transmitting motion to the positioned part; a first guide for guiding the first section of the positioned part along the first guide axis; having a guide surface extending parallel to the first guide axis and for guiding the positioned part a second guide of the second section of the second guide; and a magnet arrangement that biases the second section of the positioned member toward the guide surface of the second guide. The positioning device according to the second aspect of the present invention may further include: a first guide member for guiding the first section of the member to be positioned along the first guide axis; having a guide surface parallel to the first guide axis and for guiding the a second guide of the second section of the positioning member; and a magnet arrangement biasing the second section of the positioned member toward the guiding surface of the second guide.

In general, it is sufficient that the magnet arrangement comprising at least one magnet biases the second section of the positioned piece towards the guide surface of the second guide piece. In order to be able to avoid play or play of the positioned part relative to the first guide part, the magnet arrangement preferably generates a biasing force inclined to the normal of the guide surface.

Preferably, the first guide restricts movement of the positioned member to movement along the first guide axis and pivotal movement about the first guide axis. In particular, the first guide can thus comprise a guide rod. Smooth and precise guidance can thus be obtained.

In addition, the positioned member may include a guide hole for receiving the guide rod. In this way, the first guide constrains the movement of the positioned part to translation along the first guide axis and only one other degree of freedom, pivotal movement about the first guide axis, whereby through interaction with the second guide and magnet arrangement The combination realizes the precise guidance of the positioned parts.

In order to reduce the friction between the second section of the positioned part and the guide surface, the positioning device preferably further comprises a rolling bearing mounted on the second section of the positioned part and comprising an outer part rolling on the guide surface .

The magnet arrangement includes a magnet that generates a biasing force with a suitable corresponding armature element. In one embodiment, the magnet device includes a magnet fixed on the positioned member. This makes it possible to use small magnets, which saves weight and reduces the extent of the magnetic fields generated by the magnets which could interfere with other components of the positioning device.

Especially in this case, preferably a soft-magnetic or ferromagnetic armature element is mounted on the second guide, with which armature element the magnet arrangement interacts and pulls the second section towards the guide surface. Different materials can be used for the armature element and the second guide of this embodiment to optimize their respective properties.

Optionally, the second guide is made of a soft magnetic or ferromagnetic material, the magnet arrangement interacting with the second guide as an armature element and pulling the second section towards the guide surface. An advantage of this embodiment is that the number of parts required for the positioning device is low.

As an alternative or in addition to magnets fixed on the positioned part, the magnet means may comprise a longitudinally extending magnet fixedly mounted relative to the second guide part, and the positioned part may comprise a soft-magnetic or ferromagnetic section. The ferromagnetic section may be arranged relative to the magnet arrangement such that a force generated between the magnet arrangement and the soft-magnetic or ferromagnetic section, ie the positioned member, pulls the second section towards the guide surface. This embodiment is preferred if it is difficult or impossible to mount the magnet on the part being positioned.

In order to pull the second section of the positioned member toward the guide surface while simultaneously biasing the positioned member in a direction normal to or oblique to the first guide axis, the magnet arrangement preferably generates a direction inclined to the first axis connecting the positioned member. The linear force of the segment and the second segment.

The positioning device according to the invention can be used anywhere, but is preferably used in an optical device comprising a lens to be positioned. At this time, in the positioning device according to the second and/or third aspect of the present invention and its corresponding preferred and special embodiments, the positioned member is a lens holder. In this case, the structure of the corresponding optical device can be greatly simplified.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided an optical instrument comprising a positioning device according to any one of the preceding claims. The optical instrument may in particular be a measuring instrument, such as a spirit level, a theodolite or preferably a tachymeter.

In this case, the optical instrument preferably comprises at least one lens connected to the positioning means. This may result in a very precise and/or low noise and/or play-free and/or play-free positioning of the lens.

Preferably, the optical instrument may include an objective lens and a focusing lens, the focusing lens is arranged relative to the objective lens to form an optical system for imaging a pair of objects, the optical system is connected to the positioning device, so that the object imaged by the optical system can be focus. Corresponding optics can thus be focused with a motor, in particular an electric motor. Also, autofocus is easy if you use the right autofocus sensor and electronics.

The optical instrument may be a telescope, in particular a telescope used in surveying instruments.

Alternatively, the optical instrument may be a camera, in particular a camera used in measuring instruments such as image tachymeters.

In particular, the optical instrument may also comprise an alidade rotatable about a vertical axis, a telescope or a camera mounted on the alidade and tiltable about a tilt axis substantially orthogonal to the vertical axis. Such an optical instrument may in particular be a measuring instrument such as a spirit level, theodolite or tachymeter.

Description of drawings

The present invention is described in detail below by exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a schematic, partially cut-away front view of the tachymeter;

Fig. 2 is a schematic side sectional view of the telescope unit of the tachymeter of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a simplified block diagram of the tachymeter of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is the partially cut-away schematic diagram of the positioning device for positioning the focusing lens of the tachymeter of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the lens holder of the positioning device of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the threaded pipe of the positioning device of Fig. 4;

Figure 7 is a simplified block diagram of a tachymeter according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

8 is a perspective view of a positioning device for moving the focusing lens of the tachymeter of FIG. 7 according to an exemplary preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of a second end of the threaded mandrel in the apparatus of Figure 8, said second end being supported in a frame;

Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of an elastic coupling and a motor for the first end of the threaded mandrel of the device shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is the perspective view of the first end of the motor and the threaded mandrel on which the elastic coupling of Fig. 10 is housed;

Fig. 12 is the sectional view of the motor and the threaded mandrel on which the shaft coupling is housed in the working state;

Figure 13 is an enlarged side view of the body and the elastic connector driven by the threaded mandrel and guided by the first guide in the positioning device of Figure 8;

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the body guided by the first guide and the elastic connector mounted on the body in the assembly shown in Figure 13;

Figure 15 is an enlarged sectional view of the arrangement of Figure 13, two enlarged details showing the relative positions of the threads of the threaded mandrel and the flanks of the internal thread of the body driven by said mandrel;

Figure 16 is a perspective view of a body with a shortened threaded sleeve;

Figure 17 is a perspective view of a body including a threaded sleeve having two spaced apart threaded sections and a resilient connector;

Figure 18 is a perspective view of a body with integrally formed resilient connectors;

Figure 19 is a perspective view of a body with an integrally formed resilient connector and shortened threaded sleeve;

Figure 20 is a front view of a body with integrally formed resilient connectors according to another embodiment;

Figure 21 is a partial view of the first and second guides and the lens holder of the device of Figure 8, the lens holder being guided by these two guides;

22 is a schematic sectional view of a threaded mandrel and a support assembly elastically supporting the threaded mandrel in a positioning device according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

23 is a schematic diagram of an elastically supported motor of a positioning device according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 24 is a schematic perspective view, partially broken away, of a threaded mandrel and a body driven by the mandrel, the body having pins as complementary engagement structures, according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention Examples of positioning device components;

Figure 25 is a schematic side view, partly broken away, of the arrangement in Figure 24;

Figure 26 is a schematic perspective view, partially broken away, of a threaded mandrel and a body driven by the mandrel, the body having pins as complementary engagement structures, according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention Examples of positioning device components;

Figure 27 is a schematic side view, partly broken away, of the arrangement in Figure 26;

Figure 28 is a schematic perspective view, partly broken away, of a mandrel with two pins as engaging features and a body driven by the mandrel, the body having internal threads as complementary engaging features, the mandrel and body being Components of a positioning device according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 29 is a schematic side view, partly broken away, of the arrangement in FIG. 28 .

Detailed ways

The tachymeter shown in Figure 1-3—also known as a total station—is used for surveying purposes in geodesy. In such a measuring operation, the angular position of the target in the horizontal and vertical planes and the distance between said target and the tachymeter are determined, which are then used to determine position data or coordinates of the target. Objects or sections of objects in the field of view can in principle be used as targets, but in many cases artificial targets are also used, for example mirrors to be measured which are placed by a surveyor at predetermined positions. Predetermined points on the ground, such as boundary stones, can be marked using the man-made targets and their positions determined by the tachymeter. However, not only the position of an object can be measured, but also points with known coordinates or positions can be found in the field of view and then marked. For this purpose, by using a tachymeter, the target can be placed at the position given by the coordinates and then mounted with a fixed marker.

In order to conveniently and quickly determine the angular position of the target and the distance of the target from the tachymeter and to detect the target, the tachymeter includes six optical devices in this example. They are: a telescope used to observe the target; two angle measuring devices used to determine the horizontal angle and vertical angle of the target observed by the telescope; one used to determine the distance between the target observed by the telescope and the range meter a distance measuring device; a tracking device for tracking a predetermined target, such as when a person moves it from one position to another in a survey - also known as a tracker; and a device that facilitates the surveyor An alignment aid for the precise alignment of a set artificial target with the tachymeter - also known as a "tracking light". (Also has) two other devices: an inclination sensor or inclinometer for determining the inclination of the tachymeter relative to the horizontal plane, and an optical plumb bob for Orient and/or position the tachymeter for a given point.

1-3 show the structure of the tachymeter in a schematic and simplified illustration.

An alidade 3 is provided on a tripod 1 supported by a stand not shown in the figure. When the tachymeter is properly assembled, the alidade 3 is rotatable about a vertical mandrel or axis 2 perpendicular to the ground. The alidade 3 carries a telescope unit 5 comprising a housing 6 and a permanently built-in telescope, said telescope unit 5 being rotatable about a tilt axis 4 orthogonal to the vertical axis 2 . The alidade 3 and the telescope unit 5 can be rotated by any desired angle, ie even more than 360°, about the vertical axis or the mandrel 2 and the tilt axis 4 respectively. The tachymeter can be carried by the handle 7 provided on the alidade 3 .

Except when the telescope is focusing, any movement of the parts of the tachymeter, detection of measured values and actuation of certain aforementioned optical devices, such as alignment aids, are performed electronically. Fig. 3 shows a block diagram, which schematically shows various functional blocks of the tachymeter, including the interconnection among the blocks. Broken lines indicate physical units in which components and devices are arranged.

The central element of the control unit is a device control computer 8 arranged in the alidade 3 and connected to the various components and devices.

A battery 9 arranged in the alidade 3 and supplies power to a power supply unit 10 is used to supply power to the tachymeter, in particular the device control computer 8 via the power supply unit 10 . The power supply unit 10 provides required operating voltages to all components and devices in the alidade 3 and the telescope unit 5 and any modules connected thereto. For simplicity, the wiring is not shown. As shown in the alidade 3, the individual components can be connected to the device control computer 8 and the power supply unit 10 by separate wiring. However, it is also possible, like the telescope unit 5 , to connect the components to a central bus 11 containing all data and power supply lines.

A slip ring 12 connected to the central busbar 11 is arranged on the tilt axis 4 , via which slip ring electrical or electronic components in the telescope unit 5 can be powered and exchange data with components in the alidade 3 .

The slip ring 12' on the vertical axis 2 makes it possible to use an external power supply and to exchange data with external devices via a plug not shown.

To control or operate the tachymeter, the tachymeter is provided with a detachable control panel 13 and operating elements 14 and 15 in the form of angle encoders, the operating buttons of which are arranged on the alidade 3 .

The control panel 13 is used for communication between the operator and the tachymeter, and is provided with a keyboard 16 for input, a display 17 such as LCD for outputting data, and a computer 18 connected to the display 17 and the keyboard 16 . The control panel 13 is connected to the device control computer 8 and the power supply unit 10 via a releasable connection device 19 . Since the control panel 13 is detachable, it can have its own battery to ensure that the computer 18 continues to work when the control panel 13 is removed. The computer 18 is connected to the device control computer 8 via a connection device 19 and can run many geodetic application programs known per se with its program and data memory.

Operating elements 14 and 15 are connected to device control computer 8 via an interface 20 . The interface 20 is used to input parameter values corresponding to the rotational positions of the operating elements 14 and 15 .

A radio module 21 is connected to the device control computer 8 and has an antenna 22 for exchanging data with remote devices such as remote control devices. For example, the tachymeter can be remotely controlled by a remote control device or remote station located at the target point of the survey, but this remote control device or remote station is not shown in the drawing.

The components and devices of the tachymeter are located in the alidade 3 and the telescope unit 5 with a few exceptions as described below.

In addition to the device control computer 8, all components connected to the device control computer 8 are also located in or on the alidade 3. These components include an inclination sensor or inclinometer 23 , an optical plumb bob 24 , a radio module 21 with antenna 22 , and operating elements 14 and 15 including interfaces for horizontal and vertical adjustment.

The devices located in the telescope unit 5 are a distance measuring device 25 , a tracking device 26 and an alignment aid 27 . An optionally required control or evaluation device is provided by a device control computer 8 arranged in the alidade 3 . For this purpose, the device is connected to a device control computer 8 via bus bars 11 and slip rings 12 . The devices can be turned on individually and the measurement readings can be polled or checked by the device control computer 8 when required. The components used for this purpose are not shown in detail since their operation is known to those skilled in the art.

Drive means 28 and 29 controlled by control circuits 30 and 31 in the alidade 3 are used to rotate the alidade 3 including the telescope unit 5 about the vertical axis 2 and the telescope unit 5 about the tilt axis 4 , respectively. The drive means 28 and 29 can be controlled by the angle measured by the goniometric means.

In order to measure the angle of rotation or the horizontal angle around the vertical axis 2, a horizontal angle dial 32 concentric with the vertical axis 2 and a sensor head 33 mounted on the alidade 3 are used, by means of which the alidade can be detected 3. Thus, the angular position of the telescope unit 5 relative to the horizontal angle dial 32 .

In order to measure the angle of rotation around the tilt axis 4, that is, the vertical angle, a vertical angle dial 34 is correspondingly mounted on the tilt axis coaxially with the tilt axis 4, and is detected by a vertical angle sensing head 35 mounted on the alidade 3 The angular position of the vertical angle dial 34.

Drives 28 and 29 cooperate in a known manner with goniometers, i.e. horizontal angle dial 32 and sensor head 33 or vertical angle dial 34 and sensor head 35, respectively, so that alidade 3 together with telescope unit 5 can Measurably rotatable about the vertical axis 2, the telescope unit 5 is measurably rotatable about the tilt axis 4 to a desired horizontal and vertical angular position. This is achieved in particular by the device control computer 8, which receives the signals from the sensor heads 33 and 35 and controls the control circuit 30 of the horizontal drive device 29 and the control circuit 31 of the vertical drive device 28 according to said signals. The angle at which the alidade 3 is to be turned about the vertical axis 2 and the angle at which the telescope unit 5 is to be turned about the tilt axis 4 can be provided in three ways. First, the operating elements 14 and 15 that are used to rotate in the horizontal plane and the vertical plane in the form of an angle encoder are provided on the alidade, and they are connected with the device control computer 8 via the interface 20, and the corresponding angle input device is controlled. computer8. Optionally, the device control computer 8 determines the angle to be set according to the data obtained from other components of the tachymeter, thereby controlling the control circuits 30 and 31 respectively. A third possibility is to enter the angle through the control panel 13 or to use a remote control station to transmit the angle wirelessly through the radio module 21 .

The respective means mentioned above will be described in detail below.

The optical plumb bob 24 arranged in the alidade 3 is used to center or position the tachymeter above a point on the ground. It consists of a small telescope pointing vertically downward. The optical axis of the small telescope is substantially coaxial with the vertical axis 2 . Therefore, the optical plumb bob 24 can be used to center or position the tachymeter at a point on the ground such as above a boundary stone. As an alternative, it is also possible to use an optical plumb that emits a beam of light downwards in the vertical direction, said beam being substantially coaxial with the vertical axis 2 .

The inclination sensor or inclinometer 23, which is also arranged in the alidade 3, measures the inclination of the alidade 3, and thus the tachymeter, in two mutually orthogonal directions, so that it can be checked whether the vertical axis 2 relative to the ground is Whether the vertical and inclined axis 4 is horizontal.

Further devices are arranged in the telescope unit 5 , which is shown in front view in FIG. 1 and in sectional side view in FIG. 2 .

First, the casing 6 of the telescope unit 5 accommodates a telescope for observing an object. The telescope comprises: an objective lens 36; a focusing lens system 37 arranged behind the objective lens 36 on the optical path, which is hereinafter only referred to as a focusing lens, but may comprise more than one lens; an inverted image prism 38; and a Crosshairs 39 , objective lens 36 , focusing lens 37 and inverted prism 38 form an image on the crosshairs, which image is visible through eyepiece 40 . Moving the focusing lens 37 along the optical axis (as indicated by the double arrow in FIG. 2 ) focuses the image on the crosshairs 39 . The optical axis of the telescope extends coaxially with the optical axis of the objective lens 36 .

A prism 41, a dichroic mirror 42 and a dichroic prism 43 comprising a dichroic layer 44 are also arranged on the optical path of the telescope, which are transparent to visible light and therefore do not affect the function of the telescope, namely imaging.

The distance measuring device 25 measures the distance between the target and the tachymeter by transmitting modulated radiation to the target and receiving radiation reflected back by the target. The distance measuring device 25 then determines the phase difference between the emitted modulated optical radiation and the received optical radiation, and uses the velocity of the radiation to derive from this phase difference the distance between the rangefinder and the target. In another embodiment of the distance measuring device, pulsed optical radiation is emitted, the time of flight of a pulse from the distance measuring device to the target and from the target back to the distance measuring device is determined, and the distance is derived using the radiation velocity from said time of flight. The distance can be derived from this phase difference or the time of flight in the corresponding evaluation electronics of the distance measuring device 25 or using the device control computer 8 .

In this example, the distance measuring device 25 consists of parts of a telescope and other parts. A source of infrared light not explicitly shown in FIG. 2, such as a laser diode, emits pulsed infrared radiation in a predetermined wavelength range. The emitted infrared radiation is focused on the surface of the prism 41 after being focused by the transmitting/receiving optical device 45, and the prism can reflect the light emitted by the infrared light source, and the light is reflected from the prism to the dichroic mirror 42, and the dichroic mirror can The infrared light emitted from the infrared light source of the distance measuring device 25 is reflected so that the infrared light is redirected onto the objective lens 36 . The infrared light source and the emission/reception optical device 45 are arranged and formed so that the light beam sent by the infrared light source is focused on the distance of the focal width (focal width) of the object lens 36 from the object lens 36 along the optical path of the distance measuring device 25, thereby The objective lens 36 emits an approximately parallel beam of light which is then impinged on an object such as a mirror (eg, a triple vertical mirror) or a natural object such as the wall of a house. The reflected beam follows the same path from the target via the objective 36, the dichroic mirror 42 and the prism 41 back to the transmit/receive optics 45 which focus the beam onto a receiving element of the distance measuring device 25 which detects the radiation (not shown in Figure 2). The distance to the target is then derived from the time-of-flight of a pulse between transmission and reception, which time-of-flight is determined using a corresponding electronic circuit. Since the light beam is emitted along the optical axis of the objective lens 36, the distance to the object viewed through the telescope is determined on this optical axis.

Another device in the telescope unit 5 is a tracking device or tracker 26 for automatically aiming the mirror at the point of interest and tracking the mirror as it is moved from one point to another. The tracker 26 includes a transmitter emitting a narrow beam; an objective lens 36 through which the beam passes in the transmitting direction and in the receiving direction after being reflected from the target; receiving optics; and a receiver 46 which detects the reflections from the target and the position of the beam of light on which it is focused by the receiving optics; and a closed loop control which guides the telescope unit 5 and the alidade 3 such that the position of the beam reflected back from the target remains constant at the receiver.

More precisely, the emitter of the tracker 26 comprises a radiation source 47, such as a laser diode, for emitting optical radiation, preferably infrared radiation, and emitter optics comprising first collimating optics 48 and a prism 41, from which radiation The light beam from the source 47 and collimated by the first collimating optical device 48 is reflected on the slope of the prism 41 along the direction of the optical axis of the objective lens 36 . The receiving optical device is composed of a dichroic prism 43 and a second collimating optical device 49 . Finally, the receiver 46 includes a plurality of detection elements sensitive to the radiation emitted by the transmitter. The receiver 46 may use, for example, a quadrant diode or a camera circuit.

The emitter of the tracker 26 emits the light beam emitted by the radiation source 47 , collimated by the first collimating optics 48 and diverted by the prism 41 onto the optical axis of the objective 36 from the center of the objective 36 to the target.

The light beam is reflected back to the tachymeter by an object, for example a three-vertical mirror or a mirror, and then enters the telescope unit 5 again from the objective 36 . On its way to the target and back, the initially narrow beam becomes so wide at a sufficient distance from the target that the returning beam fills the entire diameter of the objective lens 36 so that none of the beam is incident on the prism 41 but Those parts reflected from the prism 41 towards the first collimating optics 48 impinge on the dichroic mirror 42 . The wavelength of the light beam emitted by the emitter and the dichroic mirror 42 are selected such that the light beam passes through the dichroic mirror 42 without substantial reflection, so that the dichroic mirror has virtually no effect on the light beam. The light beam passing through the dichroic mirror 42 then enters the receiving optics. This light beam first enters the dichroic prism 43 . Its dichroic layer 44 selectively reflects the wavelength of the radiation emitted by the emitter, so that it deflects the beam of light entering the dichroic prism 43 in the direction of the second collimating optics 49 but allows visible light to pass through. Second collimating optics 49 focus said light beam from the transmitter, which has been reflected back from the target, onto the receiver 46 of the tracker 26 . If the position of the image of the target on the receiver 46 deviates from a predetermined position, such as a center position, the tracker provides a signal relating to the amount and direction of the deviation to the device control computer 8 (not shown in FIG. 1 ), which The drives 28 and 29 are controlled in order to turn the telescope unit 5 - if necessary together with the alidade 3 - so that the image on the receiver 46 is relocated to a predetermined position, which in this example is the center position.

A further device in the telescope unit 5 is an alignment aid 27 . The alignment aid 27 serves in particular to align a movable object in the form of a mirror with the optical axis of the objective 36 . The alignment aid 27 comprises two LEDs 50, a mirror edge 51 and an objective lens 49'. The light emitted by the two light-emitting diodes 50 , which are arranged one behind the other in FIG. 2 and therefore cannot be shown separately, and one of which emits green light and the other red light, is recombined at the mirror edge 51 together. In this way, the objective lens 49' irradiates a light beam onto the target point of the tachymeter. One side of the light glows green and the other glows red. If a person is at the target point and looks in the direction of the tachymeter, the person can determine that he is on the optical axis of the objective lens 36 and thus the telescope by means of a sudden change from one color to another. Using this arrangement, it is also possible to modulate data onto a light beam emanating from one of the light-emitting diodes 50, preferably operating in the infrared range, and to transmit said data to the target point.

The important optical systems, namely the telescope, the distance measuring device 25 and the tracker 26 all work on the same optical axis because they all use the objective lens 36 .

Accurate aiming of the target with the telescope so that it is aligned with the optical axis of the objective lens 36 is a prerequisite for correct functioning of the distance measuring device or for the tracker to function. However, precise aiming is only possible if the target appears as a sharp image in the telescope, so focusing is especially important.

To this end, according to the prior art shown in FIGS. 4-6 , the position of the focusing lens system or focusing lens 37 is adjustable along its optical axis and the optical axis of the objective lens 36 . FIG. 4 shows the actuation of the focusing lens 37 and its positioning device in the telescope unit 5 in a partial sectional view according to FIG. 2 , which corresponds to the prior art. The driving device comprises: a grooved tube 52 having an internal helical groove 53, which is arranged rotatably about the optical axis in the casing 6 of the telescope unit 5; and a lens holder 54, the lens The holder is guided for linear movement and includes an engagement member 55 guided in a groove 53 of the grooved tube 52 . The grooved tube 52 is rigidly connected to a focus knob 56 by which the grooved tube 52 can be rotated about its own axis. The focusing lens 37 is fitted in one of the lens holders 54 so that its optical axis is substantially coaxial with the rotational axis of the grooved tube 52 and thus with the optical axis of the objective lens 36 . The lens holder 54 is guided parallel to the optical axis of the telescope on two guide surfaces 57 fixedly arranged in the housing 6 of the telescope unit 5 , of which only the rear guide surfaces are visible in the sectional view of FIG. 4 .

FIG. 5 shows the lens holder 54 in its entirety. On the cylindrical portion housing the focusing lens 37, the lens holder 54 includes a link 55 formed on a first arm and guides 58 and 58' on a horizontal second arm parallel to the axis of the cylindrical portion, and On said cylindrical portion, the guides 58 and 58 ′ contact the guide surface 57 . As can be clearly seen from FIG. 4 , the connecting piece 55 moves in the groove 53 of the tube 52 . FIG. 6 shows a complete grooved tube comprising a groove 53 , indicated by a dashed line, running helically around the optical axis parallel to the guide face 57 .

Focusing is performed as follows: when the operator turns the focusing knob 56 at the rear end of the telescope unit 5, the grooved tube 52 also turns so that the link 55 moving in the groove 53 causes the lens holder 54, and thus the focusing lens 37, to move along the direction of the telescope. The optical axis moves because the guide surface 57 prevents the lens holder 54 from rotating.

This positioning solution of the focusing lens 37 takes up a lot of space in the telescope and is difficult to modularize. Due to the high torque required to adjust the grooved tube 52, this solution is hardly suitable for motor driving.

In order to increase the working speed, it is especially required that the movement of the focusing lens 37 has no backlash.

The tachymeter according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention differs from the tachymeter shown in FIGS. 1-3 in the positioning of the focusing lens or system of focusing lenses. The adjustment is motor driven and virtually play-free. For this purpose, the positioning device of the focusing lens is replaced by a positioning device according to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, also referred to as a servo focusing device. As before, the term "focusing lens" is used hereinafter to denote a single lens or a system of lenses.

The tachymeter according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention differs from the above-mentioned tachymeter firstly in the holder and drive means of the focusing lens 37 and secondly in an improved device control computer 8'. Furthermore, the focus is controlled by an operating element 59 connected to the device control computer 8' via the interface 20' (see Fig. 7). This interface 20' differs from the interface 20 only in that it also detects the position of the operating element 59 and outputs this position to the device control computer 8'. All other parts of the tachymeter are unchanged from the above-mentioned tachymeter, so they bear the same reference numerals and the descriptions regarding said parts also apply here.

8 shows a perspective view of a positioning device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is used to move the focusing lens 37 or adjust the position of the focusing lens 37 along the optical axis of the focusing lens 37 or the optical axis of the objective lens 36 shown in dotted lines . The positioning device can be incorporated as a modular unit in the housing 6 of the telescope unit 5 or—in another embodiment—can be formed directly in the housing 6.

The positioning device comprises a drive part including a motor, a part converting rotation into translation and a guide part, all of which have common components. These portions themselves represent preferred embodiments of the invention.

The positioning device has a frame 60 which is fixedly connected to the housing 6 of the telescope unit 5 and on which the fixing parts of the positioning device are fixed or arranged. In brief, the positioning device comprises a motor 61 , more precisely an electric motor, which, via a coupling 62 , turns as an axis a threaded spindle 63 whose rotation is transformed by an integral part 64 Moving in a straight line, the threaded mandrel 63 extends through a body 64 that is non-rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the threaded mandrel 63, said body 64 including an internal thread that engages the thread 70 of the threaded mandrel 63 89. The threads 70 on the spindle 63 and the internal threads 89 of the body represent, respectively, the engagement and complementary engagement formations of the spindle 63 and body 64 which engage to convert rotation of the spindle into linear motion of the non-rotatable body 64 . This linear movement is transmitted via an elastic connection 65 mounted on the body 64 to the part to be positioned in the form of a lens holder 66 on which the focusing lens 37 is fixed. The position of the focusing lens 37 is only adjusted along its optical axis by special guidance to the lens holder 66, wherein the lens holder 66 is guided in a direction parallel to the optical axis with a first guide 67 and a second guide 68, The longitudinal axis of the threaded mandrel 63 is also parallel to the optical axis.

The drive portion comprises: a motor 61 comprising a drive shaft 69; a spindle 63 having an engaging structure in the form of a constant pitch external thread 70; a coupling 62 elastically connected to a first end 71 of the threaded spindle 63 With the motor 61 or its drive shaft 69, so that the two can not rotate relative to each other; The support assembly includes a bearing 72 and two elastic elements. The bearing 72 is held on a bearing housing 73 in the frame 60 by means of elastic elements in the form of two elastic O-rings 74 and 75 and receives the second end 76 of the threaded spindle 63 .

The first end 71 of threaded mandrel 63 is elastically supported on the drive shaft 69 of motor 61 via coupling 62, and its second end 76 is elastically supported with bearing 72 and elastic element or O ring 74 and 75, so that motor 61 and There is no unrestricted transmission of axial and/or radial vibrations between the threaded spindles 63 or between the threaded spindles 63 and the frame 60 .

As shown in detail in FIG. 9 , the bearing 72 is a conventional rolling bearing having a cylindrical housing, which is mounted on the second end 76 of the threaded spindle 63 .

The bearing housing 73 is circular in cross-section and includes a contact surface 77 directed transversely to the spindle axis of the threaded spindle 63 and a peripheral shoulder 78 forming a first cylindrical portion 79 with a smaller diameter and a smaller diameter. Large diameter second cylindrical portion 80 . The diameter of the first cylindrical portion 79 is selected to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the bearing 72 so that the bearing 72 can move radially and axially within the first cylindrical portion. A resilient O-ring 74 is clamped between the front face of the bearing 72 and the contact surface 77 so that it biases the threaded spindle 63 towards the motor 61 . The O-ring 74 limits, preferably damps, vibrations of the bearing 72 and thus the spindle 63 supported on the bearing relative to the bearing seat 73 in the axial direction of the spindle 73 . The O-ring 74 can be, for example, a silicone raw rubber (VMQ) O-ring with a Shore A hardness of 70 sold by C. Otto Gehrckens GmbH & Co. KG Dichtungstechnik, D-25421 Pinneberg, Germany.

The second O-ring 75 clamped between the inner wall of the second cylindrical portion 80 in the bearing housing 73 and the circumferential surface of the bearing 72 serves to elastically support the threaded spindle 63 in the radial direction. Depending on the outer diameter of the bearing 72, the inner diameter of the second cylindrical portion 79 and the diameter of the cross-section of the O-ring 75 are selected such that the bearing 72 compresses the O-ring 75 slightly. The O-ring 75 can be, for example, a silicone raw rubber (VMQ) O-ring with a Shore A hardness of 50 sold by C. Otto Gehrckens GmbH & Co. KG Dichtungstechnik, D-25421 Pinneberg, Germany.

The material of the O-rings 74 and 75 is chosen such that, on the one hand, there is no play in the axial direction of the threaded mandrel that would prevent precise adjustment of the lens holder 66 in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the threaded mandrel 63; on the other hand, During operation of the motor, in particular during short periods of operation, vibrations, in particular in the acoustic frequency range, are not transmitted unrestrictedly between the frame 60 and the threaded spindle 63 .

In another embodiment, the O-ring can also be replaced by a block made of elastic material. At this time, it is advantageous to arrange the block that constitutes the elastic element in the sense of the present invention symmetrically in the radial direction on the circumference of the rolling bearing ring and on the front.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the driving side portion of the coupling 62 and the motor 61 . This coupling, which is arranged between the drive shaft 69 of the motor 61 and the threaded spindle 63 , transmits rotation between the motor 61 and the threaded spindle 63 with damping, play and slippage.

The first connecting part 81 has an opening at its bottom for receiving the end of the drive shaft 69 of the motor 61, which opening is flattened to prevent slipping. Four resilient tabs 82 are provided on said bottom, substantially perpendicular to the bottom or parallel to the drive shaft 69 and forming a square socket. The first connecting part 81 can be made of plastic, for example. The first connecting part 81 is injection molded from a glass fiber reinforced plastic, in this example for example Makrolon PC-GF 25 supplied by Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany comprising 20% by weight of glass fibers glass fiber reinforced polycarbonate.

A second connecting portion 83 consisting of a pin 84 and two resilient O-rings or discs 85 mounted on opposite ends of the pin is inserted into the square socket. The O-ring 85 serves as an elastic transmission member. The diameter of the O-ring 85 is chosen such that, in the assembled state, the second connecting part 83 fits positively and without play in the square socket of the first connecting part 81, so that the drive shaft 69 and the spindle 63 are rigid in relation to rotation are connected together, and the rotation of the drive shaft 69 can be transmitted to the threaded spindle 63 without play. Although in this example the pin 84 is a metal pin and the O-ring 85 is made of plastic, in another embodiment the second connection part can be manufactured as one piece from a suitable plastic. The O-ring 85 can be, for example, an acrylonitrile butadiene raw rubber (NBR) O-ring with a Shore A hardness of 70 sold by C. Otto Gehrckens GmbH & Co. KG Dichtungstechnik, D-25421 Pinneberg, Germany.

As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the threaded mandrel 63 has a groove 86 at its driving side end or first end 71 for connecting with the second connecting portion 83, with an outwardly flared side wall— — In this example a V-shaped groove, said groove 86 is cut axially and extends transversely across the cross-section of the threaded mandrel 63 . FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the motor 61 , the coupling 62 and the first end 71 of the threaded spindle 63 . The first connecting portion 81 is mounted on the flattened end of the drive shaft 69 of the motor 61 . The second connection part 83 fits in the square socket of the first connection part 81 without play and form-fitting, wherein the pin 84 of the second connection part 83 engages with the V-shaped groove 86 of the threaded spindle 63 so that the motor 61 The rotation in both directions of rotation can be transmitted to the threaded spindle 63 without play. Since the second connecting portion 83 combines with the V-shaped groove 86 on the first end 71 of the threaded spindle 63 to compensate for the inclination of the drive shaft 69 relative to the threaded spindle 63, there is no diameter from the motor 61 or the motor drive shaft 69. Radial vibrations are transmitted to the threaded spindle 63 or only severely damped radial vibrations are transmitted to the threaded spindle 63 .

The interaction between the bearing 72 and thus the elastic bearing of the threaded spindle 63 at its second end 76 and the movable bearing at the first end 71 on the drive side makes it possible to drive the thread with low noise and without play in the direction of rotation. Mandrel 63 . The material is preferably selected such that pulsed rotations, ie rotations of short duration or small rotation angles, do not cause excessive noise.

Noise drop may be due to at least one of the following effects, but these effects often occur together. On the one hand, the use of elastic elements having an elastic constant significantly different from those of the drive shaft 69 and the threaded spindle 63 results in a certain decoupling of the axial and/or radial vibrations at both ends of the threaded spindle 63, which decoupling It will hinder the transmission of vibration or the occurrence of sharp resonance. On the other hand, the elastic elements, namely the O-rings 74, 75 and the O-ring 85 each have their own vibration damping effect. This not only impedes the propagation of vibrations, but also damps them.

For actuating the motor 61 (see FIG. 7 ), an operating element 59 in the form of an angle encoder connected via an interface 20' to the device control computer 8' and a control unit 87 for the focus drive, which can be controlled by the device, are provided Controlled by a computer 8 ′, the control unit is arranged in the telescope unit 5 and is used to control the motor 61 . The motor 61 is preferably a stepping motor. To adjust the focal length, the operator actuates the operating element 59 of the servo focus or positioning device, the position of which is entered via the interface 20' into the control computer 8'. Then, the device control computer 8' sends corresponding instructions to the control unit 87 via the bus 11, and the control unit 87 then determines the position of the motor 61 according to the setting on the operating element 59. At this time, the number of steps of the motor 61 can be stored in the control unit 87 or the device control computer 8'. Sensors not shown here can also be used to determine the starting and/or ending position of the focusing lens 37 and thus the starting and ending position of the motor 61 . Such sensors are well known and are therefore omitted from the drawings. These sensors may, for example, be light barriers that detect the position of the lens holder 66 or of components attached to the lens holder in said position. In another embodiment, a rotary potentiometer can be used instead of the angle encoder.

Part of the positioning device that converts the rotation of the mandrel into linear motion of the body is partially shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 . The locating device comprises: a threaded mandrel 63; a body 64 having a bore 88 and an internal thread 89 as a complementary engagement formation with the engagement formation - in this example the thread extending through the bore 88 The external thread 70 of the mandrel 63—engages; the elastic connector 65 mounted on the body 64; the lens holder 66 as the part to be positioned; and the lens holder 66 fixed relative to the frame 60 and guided thereon The first linear guide 67 . In this example, the first guide 67 is a cylindrical guide rod parallel to the threaded mandrel 63 , the longitudinal axis of symmetry of which is the first guide axis.

The lens holder 66 shown in FIGS. 8 and 20 is elongated and includes at its first section or end 90 - in this case the tip - a cylindrical portion with a transverse The longitudinal extension of the lens holder 66 is used to receive the guide hole 91 of the guide rod 67, so that the lens holder 66 can move linearly in the direction of the guide rod 67, thus along the axis of the threaded mandrel 63, and when only the first guide is considered The lens holder 66 can also pivot around the guide rod when the member 67 is in place. Thus, the circumferential surface of the guide rod 67 forms the guide face 92 of the first guide piece 67 .

The lens holder 66 also has a seat 93 for receiving the focusing lens 37 , which seat is arranged relative to the guide hole 91 such that the longitudinal axis of the guide hole 91 is parallel to the optical axis of the focusing lens 37 housed in the lens holder 66 .

Then there is the second section or end 94 of the lens holder 66 on which the rolling bearing 95 is arranged (see FIG. 21 ).

In the cylindrical portion at the first end of the lens holder 66, on the side facing the threaded mandrel 63, a groove 96 with one side wall flared outward—a V-shaped groove in this example, is formed, Said groove extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the guide hole 91 and thus transversely to the guiding direction of the first guide piece 67 .

The body 64 is used together with the elastic connection 65 mounted thereon to transmit the rotation of the threaded spindle 63 to the lens holder 66 .

The body 64 comprises in a piece 97 a threaded sleeve 98 protruding beyond said piece, the internal thread 89 of which forms a complementary engagement formation with the engagement formation of the mandrel 63, ie the external thread of the threaded mandrel 63 . Block 97 may be made of a suitable plastic such as polycarbonate reinforced with short glass fibers. For this purpose, in particular Makrolon PC-GF 30, a polycarbonate supplied by Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany, comprising 30% by weight of glass fibers, can be used. However, other plastics, preferably very hard, can also be used. Thus, in particular technical plastics such as polyamides, polyether ketenes, polyether ether ketones, polyethylene oxide or liquid crystal polymers can be used.

The threaded sleeve 98 is slid into the block 97 after manufacture, or preferably it is molded into the block when the body is formed by injection moulding. The body portion 64 also has an arc-shaped recess 99 on the lower side in the figure, which is consistent with the shape of the first guide member 67 , that is, the guide rod. This recess 99 is formed to guide the body 64 on the first guide 67 such that said guidance has a rotational locking effect preventing the body 64 from turning together when the threaded spindle 63 is turned.

On both sides of the body 64 are provided grooves 100 for receiving the elastic connectors 65, said grooves being arranged with respect to the recess 99 to fit with a threaded mandrel 63 and guide rod 67 when the body 64 is mounted. plane parallel.

The elastic connector 65 has a U-shaped portion 101 with which it is snapped or fitted onto the body 64 , the two arms of said U-shaped portion extending within the groove 100 of the body 64 . An L-shaped arm 102 adjoins the U-shaped portion at an angle of approximately 80° to 90°, the leg of which is connected to the U-shaped portion 101 substantially in the direction of the first guide 67 or threaded spindle 63 Extending, the second arm of this arm constituting the free end extends transversely to the first guide 67 or substantially parallel to the V-shaped groove 96 in the lens holder 66 . The spring connecting piece 65 made of spring steel is dimensioned such that, in the inserted state, the L-shaped spring arm 102 is pressed by its leg at the free end into the V-shaped groove 96 of the lens holder 66 . In this way, the elastic arm 102 deforms in particular in a plane which does not pass through the axis of the internal thread 89 of the body 64 .

This design of body 64 has several effects. On the one hand, a torque is exerted on the body 64 , and thus the threaded sleeve 98 or the internal thread 89 therein, which torque causes the body to incline by a small angle relative to the threaded mandrel 63 . FIG. 15 shows the position of the inner thread 89 of the threaded sleeve 98 relative to the outer thread 70 of the threaded mandrel 63 in a simplified sectional view when the threaded sleeve 98 and the threaded mandrel 63 are inclined at a small angle relative to each other. The magnitude of this small angle is exaggerated in this figure for clarity. Said inclination of the threaded sleeve 98 and thus the body 64 on the threaded mandrel 63 eliminates the play of the threads, since the external thread flanks of the external thread 70 of the threaded mandrel 63 contact the threaded sleeve 98 in a play-free manner The thread flank of the internal thread 89. As a result, regardless of the direction of rotation of the threaded mandrel 63 or the direction of displacement of the body 64, the same flanks of the external thread of the threaded mandrel 63 and the internal thread of the body 64 are always in contact with each other, thereby achieving Backlash-free and play-free drive of the optical axis.

Furthermore, the movement of the body 64 is transmitted to the lens holder 66 by the alignment of the legs of the L-shaped arm 102 of the elastic link 65 connected to the U-shaped portion 101 of the link 65 . The drive is also free of play and play due to the combination of positive and non-positive fit. Furthermore, the lens holder 66 is pushed against the first guide 67, thereby also preventing the occurrence of play. In particular, by correspondingly selecting the material, size and arrangement of the threaded mandrel 63 relative to the first guide 67 of the elastic connector 65, the elastic force of the free end of the connector 65 acting on the V-shaped groove 96 can be selected as : Even if the direction of rotation of the threaded spindle 63 is reversed, there is no play between the body 64 and the first guide 67 that prevents the body 64 from rotating with the spindle 63 that would impair the rotation locking effect of the first guide 67.

Since the resilient connector 65 engages the V-groove 96 not symmetrically but in a plane that is laterally offset relative to the axis of the mandrel, there is also a torque acting on the lens holder 66 to move it around a substantially centered plane. The shaft 63 rotates on an orthogonal axis, the torque causing the lens holder 66 to pivot towards the second guide 68 .

FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of the body 64 in which the threaded sleeve 103 is shortened. This results in reduced friction between the internal thread of the threaded sleeve 103 and the external thread of the threaded mandrel 63 so that less torque is required for adjustment.

FIG. 17 shows a body according to another embodiment in which the threaded sleeve 104 comprises two spaced apart threaded sections 105 separated by an unthreaded section 106 . The advantage of this body is that although the overall length of the threaded sleeve 104 is conducive to providing a good guide on the threaded mandrel 63, the number of turns of the interengaging threads is reduced, which makes the number of turns of the external thread of the threaded mandrel 63 The friction with the internal thread turns of the threaded sleeve 104 is greatly reduced.

Fig. 18 shows a body 107 according to another embodiment, which differs from the body 64 in that the elastic connection is integrally formed. The block 97' now comprises a resilient link 108 in the form of an integral L-shaped arm formed in a similar manner to the arm 102 of the link 65. Both form a single part, which can advantageously be produced by stamping, in particular by casting or injection molding, if suitable plastics are used. In this case, it is preferable to use a plastic that does not or rarely creeps or flows at the expected operating temperature, so that the elastic properties of the connector 108 do not decrease to such an extent that its function is significantly affected even after permanent deformation. For this purpose, plastics with a high glass transition temperature, in particular semi-crystalline plastics, are preferably used. Furthermore, fiber-reinforced plastics such as glass-fiber-reinforced polycarbonate can be used.

Figure 19 shows another embodiment of the body comprising a block with an integral elastic connection 108 as in Figure 18, but in this embodiment the length of the threaded sleeve 103 is shortened.

In another embodiment shown in front view in FIG. 20, the body 64' differs from that of the embodiments in FIGS. 13, 14, 16 and 17 in that the body 64' One side has a protrusion 114 protruding from the side of the body 64 adjacent to the arm 102 , the arm 102 being located behind the protrusion 114 . This protrusion in this embodiment prevents the arm 102 from slipping off the body 64 during assembly of the connector 65 .

The guide portion of the positioning device is used to guide the lens holder 66 (see FIG. 21 ), and the guide portion includes a first guide member 67, a second guide member 68, a lens holder 66 on which a rolling bearing 95 is mounted as a part to be positioned. And a magnet arrangement with a magnet 109 attached to the lens holder 66 .

As described above, the tip 90 , which is the first end having the guide hole 91 , of the lens holder 66 is guided on the first guide 67 . The second end 94 of the lens holder 66 is guided on the second guide 68 . This object is achieved by a rolling bearing 95 which is provided at the second end of the lens holder 66 and whose axis of rotation extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the guide hole 91 .

Furthermore, a magnet 109 is arranged in the section of lens holder 66 forming seat 93 , the dipoles of which form an angle of approximately 30° with the longitudinal axis of lens holder 66 , ie with the axis of rotation of rolling bearing 95 .

The second guide 68 is provided on the frame 60 in parallel with the first guide 67 . The second guide has a guide face 111 parallel to the first guide axis or first guide 67 . The normal to the guide surface 111 is approximately aligned with a longitudinal axis passing through the first guide 67 and the optical axis O of the focusing lens 37 (see FIG. 21 ) and on a possible path of movement of the lens holder 66 in the direction of the first guide 67. The extended plane is orthogonal. As shown in FIG. 21 , the rolling bearing 95 and its cylindrical housing can thus roll on the guide surface 111 when the lens holder 66 is guided along the first guide 67 .

并与磁体109的双极方向成一直线。视其设计和用处而定，衔铁板110可至少在第二引导件68实际用于引导的整个长度上延伸。An armature plate 110 made of a soft magnetic material, such as ferromagnetic material, preferably iron, is mounted on the second guide 68 in its longitudinal direction, ie in a direction parallel to the first guide 67 . The normal N of the armature plate 110 forms an angle of approximately 30° with the guide surface 111

And in line with the dipole direction of the magnet 109 . Depending on its design and use, the armature plate 110 can extend at least over the entire length of the second guide 68 actually used for guidance.

The threaded spindle 63 , the first guide 67 and the second guide 68 or their guide faces 111 are arranged relative to the lens holder 66 such that they are parallel to the optical axis of the focusing lens 37 housed in the lens holder 66 .

A non-positive connection is formed between the lens holder 66 and the armature plate 110 and thus the second guide 68 by the magnetic force generated between the magnet 109 mounted on the lens holder 66 adjacent to the armature plate 110 and the armature plate 110 . In order to prevent additional friction between the armature plate 110 and the magnet 109, a small air gap 112, for example approximately 0.5 mm wide, is provided between the two parts (see FIG. 21 ).

Guiding the lens holder 66 on a first guide 67 in the form of a guide rod with a circular cross section allows movement of the lens holder 66 with two degrees of freedom: on the one hand along the first guide 67 and thus along the focusing lens 37 or the linear movement of the optical axis of the objective lens 36, on the other hand is the pivotal movement around the longitudinal axis of the first guide 67, but this pivotal movement will make the optical axis of the focusing lens 37 and the optical axis of the objective lens 36 not coincident in a straight line.

This degree of freedom is eliminated by the second guide 68 , the magnet 109 and the armature plate 110 . Due to the above-described arrangement of the magnet 109 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the lens holder 66 and the orientation of the armature plate 110, the magnetic force between the magnet 109 and the armature plate 110 is in contact with the guide surface 111 and thus with a threaded spindle 63 and the first guide. The planes of 67 are roughly at an angle of 30°. As a result, a force or torque is generated which pulls the second end 94 of the lens holder 66 with the rolling bearing 95 towards the guide surface 111 of the second guide 68 . This has the result that the second end (of the lens holder) is guided play-free on the second guide 68 or its guide surface 111 . Furthermore, the positioning device can be rotated together with the telescope unit 5 by any desired angle, in particular by 180°, while still being guided without play.

At the same time, the lens holder 66 is pulled onto the first guide 67 by means of its guide hole 91 , so that play is avoided between the lens holder 66 and the first guide in the guide sleeve 91 , ie the guide rod 67 . Tilting of the optical axis of the focusing lens 37 relative to the longitudinal axis of the threaded mandrel 63 or the optical axis of the objective lens 36 , which would result in a locally unfocused image, can thus be avoided.

The friction between the second end of the lens holder 66 and the guide surface of the second guide 68 is greatly reduced by using the rolling bearing 95 drawn towards the second guide 68 so as to be in contact with the second guide.

In another embodiment, the second guide 68 itself can be a magnet. The ferromagnetic armature element can then be arranged on the lens holder 66 or be formed by the lens holder.

The magnet 109 can also use an electromagnet, one of its advantages is that the magnetic force can be changed by changing the magnetic flux.

Furthermore, the angle φ can also vary and can take any value between 0° and 90° other than 30°. The magnet 109 is then preferably mounted on the lens holder 66 with its dipoles approximately aligned with the normal to the armature plate 110 .

In another embodiment, the armature element 110 is replaced by a longitudinally extending magnet of the same size as the armature element 110 and the magnet 109 is replaced by a ferromagnetic armature element of the same shape as the magnet 109 .

Alternatively, various parts of the lens holder may be made of ferromagnetic material such as iron.

In another embodiment of the positioning device shown in FIG. 22, the O-rings 74 and 75 are not arranged between the bearing seat 73 and the bearing 72, but are arranged between the threaded spindle 63 and one of the bearings, The seat can then be rigidly mounted in the bearing housing 73 of the frame.

In addition, as an alternative to the elastic coupling 62, or in addition, the motor 61 can be elastically mounted on the frame 60, for this purpose, for example, an elastic element 113 can be provided between the mounting device on the motor 61 and the frame 60 ( See Figure 23).

The complementary engagement formation of body 64 need not be a thread. The alternative embodiment of the body 64" shown schematically in Figures 24 and 25 differs from one of the embodiments of the body 64 described above in that it comprises a pin 115 which Two protrusions extending radially into the through-hole 116 for receiving the body 64" of the threaded mandrel 63 act as complementary engagement formations. The pins 115 are spaced apart from each other in the direction along the mandrel 63 and are arranged in opposite radial directions. into the through-hole 116. The effect of the inclination of the body 64" is the same as if the internal thread was used as a complementary engagement structure. In each direction along the spindle 63, one of the pins 115 is in contact with the opposite rib or wall section of the threaded groove of the spindle 63 so that there is no play in movement in both directions. .

In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 26 and 27 , a protruding pin 117 as a complementary engagement structure projects into the through hole 116 in a direction tangential to the mandrel 63 to engage the thread of the mandrel 63 . These pins 117 are also spaced from each other in the direction of the mandrel 63 and are arranged at opposite radial positions with respect to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel 63 .

In yet another embodiment, the pin 117 may be replaced by a corresponding rib formed in the body.

Furthermore, the engaging structure of the spindle 63 does not have to be a thread. As shown in Figures 28 and 29, the mandrel 63' may include two protrusions in the form of pins 118 extending from the mandrel 63' in opposite radial directions and spaced apart from each other along the mandrel 63'. The pin 118 has a top end that engages the internal thread of the body 64 . The pins 118 may be press fit in corresponding holes in the mandrel 63'.

In another embodiment, the eyepiece in the tachymeter is replaced by the video sensor part of a camera, and the whole camera is composed of the objective lens 36, the focusing lens 37 and the video sensor part.

The positioning device of the invention can also be used for purposes other than a tachymeter—or more generally, an optical instrument—where the lens holder 66 can be replaced by another element to be positioned.

However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (14)

1. A positioning device, comprising: frame(60); a motor (61) with a drive shaft; a spindle (63; 63') having a first end (71) and a second end (76) and rotatable relative to the frame (60); and a coupling (62) elastically connecting said drive shaft to said first end (71) of said spindle (63; 63') such that when the drive shaft of the motor (61) turns When the spindle (63; 63') also rotates, said coupling (62) includes at least one elastic transmission member (85); wherein A support assembly (72, 74, 75; 113) is provided which elastically supports the second end (76) of the mandrel (63; 63') on the frame (60) on, and said support assembly (72, 74, 75) comprises a resilient bearing assembly (72, 74, 75) supporting the second end (76) of the spindle (63; 63') in the frame (60), The resilient bearing assembly (72, 74, 75) includes a resilient member in the form of an O-ring (74, 75) or a block or cup, wherein at least a portion of the resilient member (74) is along the mandrel (63 63') axially clamped so that the drive shaft (69) and spindle (63; 63') are biased toward each other. 2. The positioning device according to claim 1, characterized in that, said elastic bearing assembly (72, 74, 75) comprises a bearing (72) mounted on the frame (60) and at least one set on the mandrel (63; 63') between the second end (76) of said bearing (72) or between said bearing (72) and the frame (60) of elastic elements (74, 75). 3. The positioning device according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least a part of said elastic element (75) is clamped radially of the mandrel (63; 63'). 4. Positioning device according to claim 2, characterized in that said positioning device comprises two or more said elastic elements (74, 75) arranged symmetrically with respect to the mandrel (63; 63') . 5. The positioning device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the bearing (72) is a rolling bearing. 6. The positioning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling (62) rigidly connects the drive shaft (69) and the spindle (63; 63) relative to the rotation of the drive shaft (69) '); the coupling (62) is connected to the mandrel (63; 63') so that the mandrel (63; 63') can be inclined relative to the rotation axis of the drive shaft (69). 7. Positioning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the spindle (63; 63') comprises at the first end (71) a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the spindle (63; 63') A groove (86); the sidewall of the groove (86) is at least partially flared outward; the coupling (62) includes a 86) Pin (84) engaged without play. 8. The positioning device according to claim 6, characterized in that, said coupling (62) comprises a first connecting portion (81) rigidly connected to said drive shaft (69) and comprises said elastic transmission (85) and connected to the second connecting portion (83) of the mandrel (63; 63'). 9. The positioning device according to claim 8, characterized in that the second connecting part (83) is connected to the first connecting part (81) by a form-locking and play-free fit or by an interlocking connection. ). 10. Positioning device according to claim 8, characterized in that said first connection part (81) comprises a square socket at its end facing the mandrel (63; 63'). 11. The positioning device according to claim 8, characterized in that said second connecting portion (83) comprises a pin (84) on each end of which an elastic O-ring (85) or Resilient disk (85). 12. Positioning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the mandrel (63; 63') has a mandrel axis and an external engagement structure (70; 118), and said positioning device further comprises: The positioned part (66); A body (64; 64'; 64"; 107) movable along the mandrel (63; 63') and having engaging formations (70; 118) with the mandrel (63; 63') Complementary engagement structure (89; 115; 117) to rotate the spindle (63; 63') when the body (64; 64'; 64"; 107) is prevented from rotating with the spindle (63; 63') Translation into body (64; 64'; 64"; 107); a fixing element (67) for preventing the body (64; 64'; 64"; 107) from rotating with the mandrel (63; 63'); and an elastic link (65; 108) which applies a torque to tilt the body (64; 64'; 64"; 107) relative to the axis of the mandrel and to tilt the body (64; 64' ; 64 "; 107) the translation is transmitted to the positioned part (66). 13. Optical instrument comprising a positioning device according to claim 1. 14. Optical device according to claim 13, characterized in that the optical device is a measuring device.

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