Drive unit
US6425285B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 26, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jul 30, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 29, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01B7/34
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A slider holding a measuring tool moves along an approximately reverse U-shaped guide rail provided in parallel with a moving direction of the measuring tool without being rotated. Accordingly, a cross section of the guide rail can be enlarged without increasing the size of the entirety of a drive unit. As a result, high rigidity can be obtained while reducing the size and weight of the drive unit as compared to a conventional arrangement having two shafts. Further, linearity of the slider and the measuring tool moving along a reference surface of the guide rail can be attained with high accuracy. Further, since a pre-load means for biasing the slider toward a guide rail is provided, a position or orientation of the slider and the measuring tool can be stabilized, thus securely repeating movement of the measuring tool.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.