WO2021112809A1 - Point designation system in 3-dimensional space with using multiple laser beams - Google Patents
Point designation system in 3-dimensional space with using multiple laser beams Download PDFInfo
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- WO2021112809A1 WO2021112809A1 PCT/TR2020/051240 TR2020051240W WO2021112809A1 WO 2021112809 A1 WO2021112809 A1 WO 2021112809A1 TR 2020051240 W TR2020051240 W TR 2020051240W WO 2021112809 A1 WO2021112809 A1 WO 2021112809A1
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S17/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. lidar systems
- G01S17/88—Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications
- G01S17/89—Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01C—MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
- G01C15/00—Surveying instruments or accessories not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C13/00
- G01C15/002—Active optical surveying means
- G01C15/004—Reference lines, planes or sectors
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01C—MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
- G01C15/00—Surveying instruments or accessories not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C13/00
- G01C15/02—Means for marking measuring points
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01C—MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
- G01C15/00—Surveying instruments or accessories not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C13/00
- G01C15/02—Means for marking measuring points
- G01C15/06—Surveyors' staffs; Movable markers
Definitions
- the invention relates to the indication of a topography designed in a 3 -dimensional digital environment on a material in real space with non-parallel laser beams.
- the invention increases the work efficiency and work quality by providing the employees with ease of measurement.
- the existing topography is determined with laser surface scanning instruments or different measuring instruments (auto level instrument, metric leveling rod, surveying total station, survey pole, sounding line, caliper, bathometer... etc.).
- the difference between the targeted topography and the current surface is calculated and the information about how much more decrease or increase needed is transmitted verbally or via the monitor to the tool or machine operator who performs the task of decreasing or increasing
- the targeted level is indicated on the material as a line.
- the employee performs his / her operations based on this line.
- Topographic surface scanning instruments The surface is scanned in 3 dimensions for that moment, but the employee who performs the decrease / increase or assembly process cannot see the results of the movements she / he applies on the working material instantly and vividly.
- obtaining the targeted topography in excavation works by using tools or machines is as follows.
- the operator performing the excavation makes excavation maneuvers with her/his own estimations and tries to reach the target topography.
- the excavation process is stopped and the measurement is made in the field with different measuring instruments and the difference between the currently obtained topography and the target topography is calculated by the measurement operators and the excavation operator is informed.
- the operator makes new excavation maneuvers with an eye decision.
- the excavation process must be interrupted to take measurements, calculate the difference and inform the operator, which results time waste. In order to minimize this waste of time, taking measurements and reporting the difference to the operator is often not repeated enough.
- the rapidity of the process has to be directly proportional to the experience of the operator. For example, the aim of the excavation is to obtain a plane parallel to the ground surface with a depth of 5.70 m.
- the operator starts the excavation with her/his own experience. When she/he thinks that she/he has approached a depth of 5.70 m, she/he asks the depth of surface to be measured.
- the excavation process shut off and the measurement is taken. As an example, let the value taken in the measurement is
- the excavation depth may be 5.75 m instead of 5.70 m.
- the difference, 0.05 m. should be backfilled and eventually depths with erroneous values such as
- Approximate surface is tried to be obtained as a target by eye decision. Then, by taking measurements for a small number of points, it is understood how much more increase or decrease should be applied with an eye decision. By this way, bringing an entire surface to exactly the target topography is a difficult and inefficient process.
- the same problems are encountered when positioning formworks or different components in construction works loo.
- the component is positioned firstly with the eye decision of the employee. Later, the measurement is taken with a total station or similar instrument and the deviation amounts are transmitted to the employee. The worker moves the component again and the measurement is taken again. This sequence of work is repeated continuously, with a try of providing position with the least error.
- the topographic laser scanning method Another method used in the related art is the topographic laser scanning method.
- the targeted topography cannot be reflected on the existing surface. It can only be seen on the monitor screen.
- the operator needs to constantly change the eye focus between the monitor screen and the real surface view throughout the working period.
- the proportioning between the virtual surface seen on the screen of monitor and the real surface must be made in the mind of the operator constantly. This causes an increase in the mental effort and job stress required for a successful job.
- a new scan is needed after each maneuver.
- the target topography and scanning results must be displayed on the same monitor so that the difference between them can be understood by the operator.
- the advantages of the invention mentioned above cannot be obtained.
- the presented invention is related to a point out system in space with non-parallel laser beams in order to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages and to bring new advantages to related art.
- the aim of the invention is to realize all these and similar processes in a faster way, with a lower number of employees, lower error rates and lower employee experience. As a natural result of these, economic costs are reduced too. Moreover, since the working process is simplified, the operator performing the operation obtains the target topography more confidently with less work stress. Because she/he sees the result of every maneuver she/he makes, without the need for any intermediaries, with her/his own eyes for a lot of points on the surface. Work is not interrupted with the measurements made for the surface points.
- the invention provides a great value of information to the operators and control teams about the instantaneous state of the surface, by the relative positions and distances of the laser points that they continuously drop on the surface of the workspace. In this way, the different costs of the works are reduced, as well as the error rates. Since the amount of experience needed by the operators decreases, the number of candidate operators increases too. Much more people can quickly accomplish the aforementioned tasks with low error rates with less experience.
- the working area must be fully illuminated in order to work night shifts.
- the invention enables high accuracy work production even in dark environments without the need for surface illumination, by the fact that many laser points dropped on the solid surface can be seen with the naked eye in a dark environment.
- a linear laser light creates a point of its own color on the surface where it hits in a dark environment.
- the presence of these points without illumination is sufficient for the operator to work efficiently, because these laser points can be seen with the naked eye in dark environments.
- the invention can be used successfully by the currently used sunglasses-like laser glasses.
- the invention can be used to position a component outside the international space-station to the correct position relative to the international space-station.
- the invention can be used for the same purposes and with the same advantages it provides.
- Figure 1 Plan view of the invention's working style for 3 different points.
- 1A Left 1 st laser. (Aimed at target point (IS).)
- IB Left 2nd laser. (Aimed at target point (IT).)
- 1H Tie bar. (It ensures that the positions and orientations of the left and right boxes to each other remain constant and allows the invention to be positioned properly on the ground by the 3 adjustable legs- Tripod-. It acts as a carrier body for the invention.)
- Laser beam (Red beam directed from the laser source (1A) to the target point (IS).)
- IK Laser beam. (A red beam directed from the laser source (IB) to the target point (IT).)
- 1M Laser beam. (Green beam directed from laser source (ID) to target point (IS).)
- IP Red laser dot
- Figure 2 The working principle of the STANDING model of the invention.
- 2A Top laser box and 6 laser cells suitable for STANDING model.
- 2B Lower laser box and 6 laser cells suitable for STANDING model.
- 2D The left one of the parts to be positioned.
- 2E Laser beam directed from the relevant cell in the lower laser box to the point to be pointed out.
- 2F Laser beam directed from the relevant cell in the lower laser box to the point to be pointed out.
- 2G Body combining lower and upper laser boxes.
- FIG. 3A Top leveling panel.
- One STANDING model sends at least two laser beams to each of the leveling panels of the other STANDING model.
- the leveling panels act as flat target boards and can be folded sideways as needed or removed after leveling has taken place.
- STANDING model which has leveling panels, has reached the desired space position when at least 6 laser beams coming to 3 leveling panels coincide on the target points marked on the leveling panels they come from.
- Each STANDIG model stands on three manually adjustable legs. As soon as the laser groups form single points on 3 target points of the 3 leveling panels, these 3 legs are fixed. Now correctly positioned and fixed STANDING model can send new laser beams to another STANDING model so that this another STANDING model can also be positioned correctly too.
- 3B Upper laser box and 6 laser cells suitable for STANDING models
- 3C Lower left leveling panel. (In order for two STANDING models to be positioned correctly in space relative to each other, 3-line segments with known space angles and distances between them are needed. The correct position of each STANDING models corresponds to a vertical plane in space over which the reset switches coincide. In order to know the relative positions of the two planes, three points from each plane must be matched.
- Points Bl, B2 and B3 are the target points of the leveling panels.
- the middle point between the two laser sources of the previously and correctly positioned STANDING model can be used as Al point too. These two laser sources, whose middle point is Al point, send two laser beams with correct space angles to B 1 point. These two rays, which are naturally not parallel, coincide on the B1 point.
- the operator moves the STANDING model to be positioned with her / his hands to the left or right, to the back and the forth.
- STANDING model is fixed on the floor via three legs. Adjusting and fixing with three leg is a widely used method. Lengths of 3 legs can be changed individually and they can be fine-tuned and fixed with screws.
- the coincidence of laser points, which are formed by non-parallel laser beams aimed at the same target points in order to form single overlapping points, on 3 leveling panels means that the distances and space angles of these line segments are provided.
- the space angles of these line segments are provided by the robotic control of the invention.
- Laser sources are directed to target space points by the invention, with using a similar method of routing satellite antennas or robotic telescopes to target points in space with robotic control.
- This robotic guidance system is not a new technology, and it is frequently used in existing technologies with many different methods (with step motors, servo motors, etc.). After all, at least 6 laser beams are get directed to 3-B points signed on the middle of 3 levelling panels. The orientation angles of these at least 6 laser beams are calculated by the software of the invention.
- Calculation is based on the relative positions of each other of the STANDING model that owns and directs the laser sources and the other STANDING model which is to be positioned. At least 6 laser sources are directed to 3 B points by the existing robotic technology using at least 12 calculated angle values.
- the STANDING model to be positioned in the correct position is benchmarked to other STANDING model that is already correcdy positioned instead of benchmarking to at least 3 points on the natural surface laying around.
- Already correctly positioned STANDING model may direct its laser beams to levelling panels of the STANDING model which is to be positioned.
- STANDING model which is to be positioned correctly may direct its laser beams to leveling panels of the other STANDING model which is already positioned correctly. It will provide the same benchmarking and positioning in both reverse situations.
- 3D Lower right leveling panel.
- 3E Lower laser box and 6 laser cells suitable for STANDING model.
- 3F 3 adjustable legs.
- the STANDING model staying on the right is positioned correctly according to the 3 benchmark points found on the natural environment surface.
- the STANDING model staying on the left is positioned correctly by benchmarking to leveling panels of the previous
- STANDING model which is already correctly positioned by benchmarking to points found in the natural environment surface.
- 2 STANDING models which are positioned correctly with the benchmark methods written above, pointing out 3 target points that should be designated in the workspace.
- STANDING model on the left designates 2 target points and
- STANDING model on the right designates 1 target point in the figure. 3 pairs of laser beams are sent from the STANDING model on the right to the leveling panels of the STANDING model on the left, in order to position the STANDING model on the left with respect to the
- the STANDING model on the left is maneuvered in different directions by the invention operator in order to obtain overlapped 3 laser point pairs on the marked target points of the 3 leveling panels. As soon as this is obtained, the STANDING model on the left is fixed to the floor in the same position by its adjustable three legs.
- the same positioning process can be achieved by sending 3 laser pairs to the leveling panels belonging to the left one from the right one, instead of sending 3 laser pairs to the leveling panels of the right one from the left one.
- FIG. 1 Usage of the PLANE model of the invention at an excavation site:
- 5A Right box. It contains 5 x 5 matrix array and 25 laser cells suitable for the PLANE model.
- 5B T-shaped body that connects the right and left boxes to each other and keeps the invention fixed on the ground.
- 5C Left box. It contains 5 x 5 matrix array and 25 laser cells suitable for the PLANE model.
- 5E The part of the excavation that is not finished at that time.
- 6D The visible surface of the currently unfinished part of the excavation from above.
- Figure 7 Correctly positioning of two components, which haven’t any contact surface, with respect to each other for assembly or other purposes, bv the invention.
- Figure 8 The surface with the S-shaned cross section that is tried to be obtained, the plane surface obtained at that moment of the excavation and the view presented bv the invention on the material surface at that moment.
- Figure 9 Laser cell suitable for the STANDING model of the invention.
- 9B Stepper motor rotating the 9C platform around the 9 A bar.
- 9C Platform that can rotate around the 9A bar.
- Step motor that rotates the laser source in a vertical plane.
- 9H Part that connects the 9E gear to the platform and provides the axis of rotation to the gear.
- 9K Part that increases and fixes the 9D stepper motor on to the 9C platform.
- Figure 10 Laser cell suitable for the PLANE model of the invention.
- 10A Laser source.
- 10B Gear connected to the laser source1
- 10C Part that provides a rotation slot for the 10B gear and connects this gear to the 10H platform.
- 10D Stepper motor that rotates the 10B gear in its own plane.
- the present invention relates to a point designation system in space with non-parallel laser beams.
- the invention works by targeting more than one laser beam from different sources to a point in space. Multiple laser sources are directed to a target point in space by the robotic use of stepper motors. Since the targeted point is one and the laser sources are more than one, the mentioned laser beams cannot be parallel to each other.
- At least two laser beams are sent to the same target point. If a non-transparent solid material is placed at the aforementioned point (stone, soil, wood, concrete, panels used as concrete molds, metal parts to be assembled, etc.), these laser beams coincide on the target point on this material.
- Target point For example, if one wants to create a pyramid by engraving a prismatic stone block. Any point on the surface of the targeted pyramid may become a target point. The top point and the points forming the edges and comers or any point on its surface may form target points, when scraping up, it stops doing more scraping otherwise it will not get the intended pyramid forum.
- the engraving operator engraves until the target point, she / he stops further engraving otherwise she / he cannot achieve the intended pyramid form.
- the material is placed in the space between the mentioned target point and the laser sources, two separate laser points are formed on the material instead of two overlapping laser points. How much close the material to the sources than the target point, the greater distance occurs between the laser points formed on the material. If the material is placed away from the sources but close to the target point, the distance between these two laser points decreases.
- the written material is a component to be positioned for assembly purposes, its positioning to the targeted position can be accomplished easily and with very low error rates with the aforementioned procedure.
- the invention provides similar convenience for the reduction / increase processes too. For example, whether one aims to build a human face pattern on wet sand, she / he is to take sand from certain points of the sand volume. This is called reduction. On the other hand, she / he is to add sand to some certain points. This is called increase. Prismatic metal ...etc other solid blocks are reduced in this way to obtain machine parts or architectural parts.
- the excavator operator who aims to dig an inverted pyramid-shaped pit into the ground, digs the soil with her / his eye decision and stores it on the other side. This is called reduction. Because she / he works with an eye decision, she / he takes more soil from some places, so she / he adds some soil to such places again. This is called increase.
- the reduction process is the engraving process. Increasing is the process of filling. For this, it is sufficient to have at least two pre-targeted laser beams at the target point. In positioning works, the correct positioning of the component is ensured by coinciding at least 6 laser beams sent by the invention on at least 3 target points on the component. In the reduction / increase works, the topography of the target surface is reached when the point pairs on the working surface coincide with each other.
- Critical points for the creation of the target topography are determined in advance and at least two laser sources are directed to each point by the invention.
- the points, where the laser pairs directed by the invention coincide with each other are obtained on the material surface. This image shows the operator that the target topography has been reached.
- translation and rotation maneuvers are made for the component to be positioned. As soon as the targeted lasers overlap on predetermined critical target points on that component, it is placed and fixed on that position.
- the invention instantly shows the operators whether the components to be positioned are in the correct positions with respect to each other.
- the extent to which the materials deviate from the correct location at that moment can be seen instantly, in the same way that the points do not coincide.
- one aims to position two boxes by knowing the angles and distances between them.
- the invention sends laser beams, which are not parallel to each other, to selected target points of these components on their intended locations. For example, comer points of the boxes become well-chosen target points. Boxes are moved manually or by a machine, so that these non-parallel laser beams overlap on each other at targeted comer points to form designation points. The moment this is achieved on the boxes is the moment that the boxes are positioned correctly.
- the targeted laser sources have different properties instead of having the same properties, it can be understood from the spots formed on the material whether the substance is currently between the laser sources and the substance or beyond both. For example, let the invention send at least two laser beams to the midpoint of a plate standing upright in a correct position.
- 2 non- overlapping separate points are formed.
- one of the two lasers directed at this midpoint is green and the other one is red.
- the green laser source is on the right, and the red source is on the left. If the plate moves away from the laser sources and the designated point, the green laser spot forms on the plate remains on the left, and the red laser spot remain on the right. If the plate closes to sources from designated point, the green spot appears on the right, and the red spot appears on the left
- the internal properties of the invention are as follows. There are at least two laser sources for each point to be designated. Each of these sources can be moved to the targeted point in space with moving them by stepper motors or other robotic methods on two perpendicular axes.
- servo motors or other robotic motor technologies can also be used for the same purpose.
- the distance between laser sources to be directed to the same target point remains constant throughout the process. Throughout the process, the location where the invention is to stay fixed and the targeted points are determined in advance.
- the orientation angles of the laser sources are calculated in the appropriate software loaded on the electronic main board of the invention, and then the sources are directed at the calculated angles by the step motors.
- the orientation angles of the laser sources are calculated in the appropriate software loaded on the electronic main board of the invention, and then the sources are directed at the calculated angles by the step motors.
- the invention there are at least two laser sources for each designation point, the main board, driver boards for each motors and the appropriate software installed on these boards, the battery group that will provide electrical power to this system, the invention body and 3 adjustable leg that is to ensure the invention to stand upright.
- the invention is covered with a suitable shell to prevent damage from atmospheric conditions.
- the shell is the cover that protects the electronics and mechanisms of the invention. Since it works outdoors, waterproof coating material that also provides heat insulation is used, which ensures that the electronics and mechanisms can work properly in difficult outdoor conditions such as high temperatures, low temperatures, high humidity, etc. Where laser beams must pass freely, a transparent shell is used.
- An example for the reduction / increase process can be given as follows. Let the invention send 2 different colored laser beams for each of the different three target points. A single laser beam emitted by a single laser source. A single laser cell owns a single source and convenient motors and mechanisms that manipulate the source robotically. The laser cell convenient for the STANDING model is shown in Figure 9 and in addition to those seen in that figure, a suitable transparent shell should be used for this cell to cover it, allowing the laser beam to pass through. A laser cell convenient to use in the PLANE model consists of the mechanism seen in Figure 10 and the appropriate transparent shell.
- At least two laser sources are directed to a designation point.
- at least two cells send laser beams to a target point.
- the invention consists of 2 boxes. If 3 beams are sent, it consists of 3 boxes.
- each box contains 10 laser cells.
- a single laser source and a robotic mechanism that directs it are replaced. This is applied for both STANDING and PLANE models.
- One invention which can specify 20 different points at the same time and sends 3 laser beams to each designation point, includes 3 boxes and 20 laser cells in each boxes, a total of 60 laser cells and 60 laser sources included in these cells and 120 suitable robotic motors. If the aforementioned 3 laser beams have different properties, these 3 different properties are customized for each box. 20 laser sources in one box can provide red laser beams, while those in the other box can provide blue laser beams and those in the box 3 can provide flashing green laser beams.
- the cells in each box are arranged in a single vertical row to form boxes. Two boxes are joined so that there is a constant distance between them.
- the PLANE model cells are arranged in a matrix in each box instead of a single vertical row. For example, 20 cells in the form of 4 vertical columns and 5 horizontal rows to form a box. Two boxes are then joined with a constant and known distance between them.
- Laser cells in a STANDING model can rotate the laser source 360 degrees in the horizontal plane.
- all the laser sources can designate the same region of the workspace. For example, according to the positioning of the invention, all of them can designate west region but cannot designate east region or vice versa. In this way, the aforementioned STANDING and PLANE models have been adapted according to their intended use.
- FIG. 1 The plan view of an example of a PLANE model is available in Figure 1.
- the invention consists of 3 main parts.
- Left box (1G) right box (II) and connecting rod
- the software owned by the invention performs analytical and trigonometric calculations and calculates which laser source is to rotate in which axis and later on directs the laser sources in to these directions.
- the volume (IS) on which reduction / increase process is being applied, is seen in the figure for that moment.
- the laser beams directed to this point (IS) form two points (IP), (1R) in the same order (1J) and (1M) on the material surface.
- the red one (IP) of these two points remains to the left of the green one (1R), and the distance between them is directly proportional to the distance between the target point (IS) and the current surface.
- the positions of the two different laser points with respect to each other inform the operator about how much further reduction / increase should be made.
- the view that the red dot is on the left and the green dot is on the right indicates that the target point has not been crossed and still needs to be reduced.
- the value of the distance between the red and green points is directly proportional to the depth of reduction should be made. If the aforementioned value is low, the depth of the reduction should be made can be immediately understood by the operator with the naked eye without any other instrument.
- the left 2nd laser (IB) source is directed from the left box (1G) to the target point (IT) and emits a red laser beam (IK).
- the right 2nd laser source (IE) from the right box (II) emits a green laser beam (IN). Since the target point is reached, two laser beams with different colors (IN), (IK) overlap on the material. This display informs the operator that no more reduction / increase should be applied on that point (IT) anymore.
- the target point (IV) remains between the present surface of the material volume (1Z) and the invention because of the excessive reduction.
- the beams directed to the target point (IV) are the red laser beam (1L) from the left third laser source (1C) in the left box (1G) and the green laser beam (ID) from the right 3 laser sources (IF) in the right box
- the laser points (1Y), (1W) do not overlap, because of the excessive reduction at the target point (IV) for that moment. A distance proportional to the excess of the reduction is found between these two points (1Y), (1W).
- the red laser point (IP) is to the left of the green laser point (1R), as the reduction is made less, at the target point (IS) mentioned above. In this other target point (IV), since Ihe reduction is made not less, but more, the red laser point
- (1W) is not to the left but to the right of the green laser point (1 Y).
- the operator is to understand that she / he has reduced more at this point so she / he should try to obtain the target point (IV) by increasing. She / he can estimate the amount of increase she / he should apply from the distance value between two points (1Y), (1W).
- the invention can be positioned by GPS technology using the global coordinate system.
- GPS coordinates of the target points and the point where the invention is to be located should be known.
- the invention can be used without GPS technology too.
- the location of the invention is simulated with the target points in a 3D CAD program.
- Target Points Points belonging to the surface of the aimed project to be produced by reduction / increase method or points belonging to surfaces of the components to be assembled or points of parts only to be located and fixed are included in the target point class.
- a pyramid is to be made by embankment of soil. Visible by the location of the invention in the site; the apex point, points on edges and vertices of the pyramid and points belonging to its surface are the target points. These target (destination) points are defined as
- Invention Points 3 points are determined on the invention. For the PLANE model, these may be the upper right front comer point of the right box, the upper left front comer point of the left box and the point that invention connected to the three legs (Tripod). For the STANDING model, 3 leveling panels have midpoints. The positions of the invention points to each other and to the midpoints of the laser cells included in the invention do not change after the manufacture of the invention throughout the life of its usage. These points are defined as D1 ,
- Benchmark points After an item is positioned at a point on the field, its distance to at least 3 non-moving benchmark points on the natural surface of the field is measured; the measurement values are recorded and then the item is removed from there. Later, when the same item is aimed to be positioned on the same point, it can be positioned with the help of pre-recorded measurements of these 3 benchmark points which have not moved on the field.
- Benchmarking The sketch with recorded data of this is called Benchmark sketch. It is a method and concept used by surveyors.
- 3 points are selected in the field where to be worked. These are called benchmark points and coded as El, E2 and E3. These points should be fixed, non-moving points throughout the project. For example, the highest points of electric poles, comer points of existing structures, etc. If working in a closed volume, a workshop, 3 non-moving points inside the closed volume chosen for this purpose. If working for medical purposes, 3 fixed points are selected on the operation room or table.
- C, D and E points are simulated in a 3D CAD environment.
- An invention that sends 2 laser beams to each target point in this example, consists of 80 laser sources.
- Each cell has 1 laser source and a robotic mechanism that directs it.
- This form of the invention can designate 40 different 20 points in space at the same time. 3 of these 40 designation points are El, E2 and
- E3 points The remaining 37 points are Cl, C2... C37.
- 37 points on the pyramid are selected and designed in 3D CAD environment with naming as Cl, C2... C37, later these 37 points simulated in 3D CAD environment.
- 3 benchmark points are simulated too with El, E2 and E3 coding in the same CAD environment file.
- points Dl, D2 and D3 are simulated in the same CAD file too. After this simulation, the distances between each point C and point E with points Dl, D2 and D3 are measured by CAD program and recorded on a sheet.
- this 120-distance information is entered into the memory of the invention.
- its software firstly demands how many designation points is to be used.
- the keyboard of the invention the number 37 is entered as an input and the ENTER key is pushed.
- the invention asks the distance information for 37 target points by its own screen and the distances recorded on the sheet are entered through the invention keyboard. For example:
- the distance information is requested in the same way for 3 benchmark points by the invention screen, and the invention operator enters the distance information, which was previously measured by CAD environment and recorded on the sheet, into the invention memory via the keyboard.
- this information can be transferred to the invention's main board from a computer with a data transfer cable and appropriate software.
- the software in the invention owns datum of positions of the midpoint of each cell to the points Dl, D2 and D3 and positions of the invention points Dl, D2, D3 relative to each other within the factory settings.
- Cells have same dimensions in their models (cell type suitable for
- PLANE model and cell type suitable for STANDING model As the midpoint of the cells, the outer midpoint of the laser lenses can be selected while their laser sources are at their zero points.
- the invention assigns at least 2 laser cells for each target point. For example, by using distance information of C17 target point to the invention points Dl, D2 and D3 and distance information of midpoints of 2 laser cells assigned for target C17 point to the Dl, D2 and D3 points, it performs calculations and determines which laser source should rotate in which axis with how much rotation degrees. By robotic motors, it rotates the laser sources in the degrees it has calculated. It achieves this by the calculations done by itself in its main board and robotic control it owns. When 3 spheres with different diameters are drawn which's centers are 3 different fixed D points with the information of their relative positions to each other, the intersection of these three spheres gives the target, designation point. By this knowledge, the necessary analytical geometry calculations are made by the invention software and the laser source of each assigned cell is directed to the its designation point.
- the laser beam does not leave a trace in the transparent medium and creates a point on the non-transparent solid medium. If, for example, a plate is placed at the targeted point, two overlapping points occur on the plate. If the plate is placed beyond the target point so as to move away from the invention, two separate points are formed on the plate. If the plate is moved from the target point towards the invention so as to approach the invention, instead of an overlapping point, two separate points are formed again on the plate surface. As the distance between the plate and the target point increases, the distance between the two points on the plate increases too.
- the invention is turned on in the work field.
- the relevant 6 laser sources direct their beams for the benchmark points El, E2 and E3.
- the operator tries to obtain 3 overlapping points on 3 benchmark points by moving the invention up and down with her / his hands. As soon as this is achieved, the three legs of the invention are fixed, and the positioning of the invention is ensured.
- the number of benchmark points can be more than 3. In this way, the error rate can be reduced. If it is necessary to repeat; at least two laser sources are assigned for each target point. Linear distances between each assigned laser source and the target point are measured in the CAD software environment. These measurement values are entered into the memory of the invention in the work field. By the entered input values, the invention does the necessary analytical and trigonometric calculations later each laser source is directed to the angle values obtained as a result of the calculation. While the invention and target points are simulated in the CAD software environment, at least 3 benchmark points available in the field are also included in this simulation. These 3 points, which will serve as benchmark points, must remain constant throughout the project.
- the benchmark points are also evaluated as designation points and at least two laser sources are assigned to each benchmark point too.
- the invention is turned on. Since the invention should be replaced and fixed in the correct position in the field, only the laser sources that are to designate benchmark points are activated in the first stage and at least 6 laser sources emit laser beams for at least 3 benchmark points.
- the invention is moved in order laser beams directed for benchmark points to overlap on related benchmark points. When overlapping succeeded, current position of the invention is now the correct position in the field. So, fixing to floor should be done for it.
- the laser sources assigned for benchmark points are turned off and later all laser sources turned on and they are robotically directed to the target points where they are assigned.
- the invention provides information to the operator directly on the material surface for a lot of points that none of the related art provides.
- the target surface be a hemisphere.
- the operator who performs the excavation or embankment operation is to try to obtain a full hemisphere surface.
- topographers can measure only a small number of points within the available resources compared to the invention, because at least 2 employees are employed for each point measurement and measurements are made sequentially for each point. For a lot of point measurement, it would be a very costly work in terms of time and economy.
- excavation operator is informed live about how much more to excavate or fill for dozens of points instantly. At the end of each excavation or filling maneuver, she / he can instantly see how close the current surface to the target or how it moves away. It is not possible to achieve this advantage with classical topographic measurements instruments with two employees.
- the information can only be given to the operator on an electronic screen, not directly on the work materials' surface.
- 9 target points per square meter on the woik surface are selected. At least two lasers are sent to 9 target points by the invention. The coincidence of these related points on the surface means that the target point is reached.
- 2 laser sources can be directed to the middle of each 1 m2 area, or 100 pair source can be directed to 10 m2 area for that moment.
- 10 target points instead of assigning a single target point to 1 m2 area, 10 target points are assigned, which means that the operator can have much more information flow.
- Assigning a large number of target points to a unit area and specifying these points with lasers ensures much lower error rates.
- Complex topographies usually not designed because their productions in the desired error intervals cannot be achieved usually. By the invention these complex topographies can be produced with high efficiency and low error rates. Correct positioning of a large number of components relative to each other and to the job site can be achieved more efficiently.
- laser sources can be directed only to the target points in that part of the field, in which work and movement is currently in progress. Instead of the entire are if a smaller part of the area is selected by the operator, all laser sources are directed to the selected smaller area and more target points per unit area are designated on the working surface. By this way, laser sources are used more effectively. While determining which points to be target points, a homogeneous distribution per unit area approach can be applied or target points can be determined for special critical points too(Comer points, regions where the slope changes suddenly, start and end points, edges ...etc.).
- the invention can also be used for item positioning purposes too.
- the information of item's comers' and surface points can be input into the invention as described above.
- Positioning of the invention is also done as described above.
- the invention is turned on and the item to be positioned is started to be moved in order each pair of laser beams to overlap between themselves on the selected solid and non-transparent, non-reflective target points on that item.
- the item is in the correct position now and can be fixed in place.
- positions of the points on the item surface created by laser beams assigned for the same points, relative to each other inform the operator in what direction and how much the item should be moved.
- Color differences, differences in flashing frequencies or differences in laser light cross-section diameters shows the operator whether that point of the item is between the designated point and the invention, or beyond both of them; or it has shifted further to the right or left. Whether the middle of the relevant two laser points directed to the designation point on the item remains to the left of the target point informs the operator that the part must be shifted to the left in order to approach the correct position on the same plane. When this midpoint coincides with the target point, the item can now be brought to the exact position by moving it forward and back, not left and right.
- the operator working in reduction / increase work or item positioning project can work much more efficiently and with a low error rate by the invention.
- the working process is not interrupted to take measurements frequently. It is also not necessary to employ a measurement employee to take and report measurements, other than operator who works with the material .
- the whole job starts to be consist of overlapping pairs of laser points with different characteristics, which makes working a game rather than a technical and delicate task. This reduces the work stress of the operator, increases working comfort and working speed. Less experienced operators can also easily achieve precise productions too.
- the invention has two different models for different tasks. These are PLANE and
- STANDING model can be seen in Figure 2 and Figure 3.
- STANDING model has laser cells independent of each other. Two step motors in each cell direct the laser source independently from other cells. Necessary gears and parts are connected to a laser source with two robotic motors. In this way, a mechanism with its protective shell forms a laser cell. Cells are connected on top of each other to form 2 boxes for the STANDING model. Matrix-shaped, combined side by side and one under the other, creates the PLANE model. Cells suitable for
- FIG. 9 shows the laser cell used in the STANDING model. These cells have a protective shell and mounting parts in addition to Figure 9. By the mounting parts, the cells are attached one on top of the other and connected to the STANDING model of the invention.
- the protective shell is made of transparent material and protects the cell from external influences while allowing the laser beams to go outside without loss. Description of Figure 9:
- the cell used in the STANDING model can be seen in Figure 9.
- Figure 10 the sample cell used in the PLANE model can be seen.
- the working principles of both types of cells are similar. Their contents are two robotic motors that directs owned laser sources, necessary gears and other auxiliary parts.
- the basic difference of the two cell types is as follows: The
- STANDING cell can direct the laser source 360 degrees in the horizontal plane and -X to + X degrees in the vertical plane.
- the absolute value of X is between 0 and 90 degrees.
- -X and + X are upper and lower boundaries. In this way, while the laser source can rotate 360 degrees in the horizontal plane, it can rotate up to 2X degrees in total in the vertical plane.
- the X degree value here can be determined according to the size of the cell to be produced.
- the invention consists of suitable cells according to its model. It also contains a battery group and the body owning the robotic main board.
- the rotation degree of the laser sources in the cells is calculated on the main board and transferred to the relevant cell via a cable. Robotic motors in the relevant cells rotate with angle values which is determined by the main board and transferred to motor drivers as electronic signal information.
- the rod of each cell (9 A) is connected to the upper and lower cells or to three adjustable legs of the STANDING model.
- Each cell has a rotating platform (9C) independent of the rod (9 A).
- the step motor (9B) fixed on the platform (9C) enables this platform (9C) to rotate around the rod (9A) to aimed angle.
- the amount of rotation is calculated and controlled by software installed on the main board of the invention.
- the rotational movement of the platform (9C) cannot be more than 360 degrees. Whether it needs to rotate more than 180 degrees in one direction, it makes less than 180 degrees in the other direction. In this way, the cables going into the shaft of the platform (9C) are not frayed since their length is kept enough long.
- STANDING model consists of two main parts.
- Figure 3. Upper laser box (3B) and lower laser box (3E). In two boxes (3B), (3E) an equal number of laser cells exist and are connected to the main board.
- the two boxes can contain laser sources with different features.
- the upper box's laser sources can be green while the lower ones can be red or vice versa.
- 2 boxes can contain laser sources with the same features too.
- STANDING model can be used together with positioning them relative to each other.
- a single STANDING model cannot send laser beams to the end of the tunnel while it is located at the entrance of the tunnel.
- STANDING models can be used together thanks to the leveling panels.
- the invention can be used individually because it can designate each point of the room and can send two laser beams to any target point located in the working volume. In a building with walls, they can only be used individually in that room volume, since the walls do not let laser beams to pass.
- single STANDING models When single STANDING models are placed in each room, they can be connected to each other with another STANDING model located in the corridor so that they can be used in a multiple form.
- Single use of a STANDING model can be seen in Figure 2, and dual use can be seen in
- three points located on the working site are selected as benchmark points and the locations where these points and STANDING model are to be found are simulated in a CAD software environment.
- the critical points of the items to be positioned according to the position of the STANDING model and the numerical information of the benchmark points are transferred to the memory of the STANDING model manually from the keyboard or from a data transfer cable.
- 6 (3+3) laser beams, for 3 benchmark points are guided by the invention.
- the angles between 6 laser sources in horizontal and vertical planes are calculated by the invention and the horizontal and vertical orientation is applied to laser sources according to these values.
- each laser source can rotate within its cell in horizontal and vertical planes, they reset themselves by touching the switch keys fixed to their last turning points.
- the switch keys of all cells are in the same vertical direction, so the horizontal zero point will be in the same vertical line for all cells.
- all laser sources can rotate in their horizontal planes in a coordinated manner at the degrees determined by the main board.
- Vertical resets happen similarly.
- Each cell has a switch key at + X degrees in the vertical plane of rotation.
- laser sources that touch this switch keys understand that they need to rotate -X degrees to reset themselves in the vertical plane. After this vertical zeroing, the laser source in each cell can rotate to their vertical angles they need to be in coordination with other cells.
- FIG. 2 shows a STANDING model located in the correct position during an operation.
- Critical points such as the comers of the part (2D), which is to be positioned, are predefined to the invention.
- the part (2D) is than moved in different directions in the field, ensuring that the laser beams (2E), (2F) coincide at the previously known comer point.
- the operator can easily and instantly understand whether the part (2D) should be moved forward or backward in any direction.
- target points for the invention further facilitates the correct positioning of the part and increases the accuracy.
- Laser pairs can be used sequentially. Once 3 pairs of laser sources have designated an item and positioned it, the same laser sources can change their angle to designate a different item. Laser sources assigned for benchmarking can also begin to designate target points after the invention has been correctly positioned. In this way, if the number of points to be designated as an example is 100, a total of 206 laser cells (6 cells for benchmarking and 200 cells for 100 target points) are not needed. With 5 + 5, 10 laser sources in total, the task can be performed to designate a maximum of 5 points at the same time.
- Laser cells of the STANDING model may be produced modularly and can be used in numbers of 2 + 2, 3 + 3, 4 + 4, 5 + 5 ... etc. depending on the work to be used. Cells can be added or subtracted to the STANDING model in pairs, depending on the place of use. If it is aimed to designate a large number of points at the same time, independent STANDING models can be used together. For this purpose, used
- STANDING models can be benchmarked to natural workspace surface one by one or the first
- STANDING model can be benchmarked to workspace surface first and later other
- STANDING models can be benchmarked to previous STANDING model instead of benchmarking to workspace surface.
- 3 leveling panels (3A), (3C), (3D) attached temporarily to the first STANDING model as can be seen in Figure 3.
- STANDING model to be positioned is benchmarked to the marked target points on the middle of these 3 panels and then fixed to the floor. In this way, multiple STANDING models are fixed to the correct positions relative to each other. After benchmarking process finished, each STANDING model can designate separate points. This feature provides a great advantage in constructions of tunnels...etc. By this way, at the same time the invention can be used for multiple target points which are located far away from each other. Due to obstacles in constructions, tunnel structures, walls ...etc. the same STANDING model cannot be used in a whole building while it is located still in the same position. As described above, the invention can be used together with a high potential in galleries with different branches and obstacles. All target points to be designated are shown for a large area in coordination with each other. Figure 4 shows the combined use of more than one STANDING models in the same field.
- the cells that make up the PLANE model have a different internal structure than the STANDING model, and they are located in PLANE model with a matrix-shape which means that not only on top of each other as in the STANDING model, but also side by side.
- the internal structure of a cell suitable for the PLANE model can be seen.
- This cell consists of the gear (10E) fixed to the body of the invention, the rotatable platform
- the stepper motor (10F) rotating the platform is fixed to the platform (10H).
- the laser source (10A) and the gear (10B) that rotates the laser source are integrated and connected to the part (IOC).
- the gear (10B) can rotate around the rotation slot provided by the part (IOC). This rotation is controlled by the stepper motor (10D) fixed to the platform (10H). In this way, the cell can orient the laser beam to the aimed point on the hemisphere on the platform (10H).
- the platform (10H) cannot rotate more than 360 degrees in total.
- the electrical and signal cables belonging to the cell pass through a hole close to the center of the platform and are connected to the central power group and the main board by connecting with the cables of other cells from the back. Since the cables will be kept long enough, there is no cable erosion during the maximum 360-degree rotation.
- the said cell is covered with a protective and transparent casing. Cells connect to each other in boxes. Laser cell boxes located at top and bottom in the STANDING model are combined as right and left in the PLANE model. 2 boxes are connected to each other with a rod of known length and a strut connected to this rod which is fixed to the floor over 3 adjustable legs.
- the PLANE model's battery group, main board and user interface screen are on the body.
- the combination of the mentioned parts forms the body.
- the benchmarking and positioning of the PLANE model of the invention is same as the STANDING model. Unlike the STANDING model, the PLANE model is ideal for designation a large number of target points and topography at the same time in reduction / increase work, apart from component assembly and item positioning. The usage for this purpose can be seen in Figure 5 and Figure 6.
- the PLANE model positioned and fixed to the workspace to be excavated after the benchmarking has been done can be seen in the figure.
- Figure 5 shows two different parts of the excavation that have been completed (5D) and not yet finished (5E). The surface of this excavation that is visible to the operator at that moment is seen in Figure 6.
- the measurement costs are to be reduced in projects, and the operators can be able to see the results of every instant maneuver directly on the material surface without a need for a second employee. Operators can continue to work at the same speed even in dark environments. Working on the ground where the soil contains too much water is a difficult and demanding job. The physical condition of the sludge makes it difficult to take measurements.
- the invention provides a huge increase in efficiency to projects in such cases.
- the invention which is the PLANE model, consists of two 5x5 matrices.
- the invention can specify targets for a total of 25 points.
- targets for a total of 25 points To make the model more cost effective, it can be created from two matrices, such as 3x3 instead of 5x5.
- it specifies 9 target points instead of 25 points at the same time, but even specifying 9 target points only in the currently active part of the excavation can provide more measurement information that is not provided by the prior art.
- the specified 9 target points can be changed by the operator doing the excavation after that part of the excavation is completed.
- the orientation of 9 pairs of lasers from 2 - 3x3 laser boxes can be changed by the invention according to the operator's choice, and target points of different parts can be shown to the operator or controller at that moment.
- the controls to be made by the controllers at different times can be performed more quickly, with lower errors and moreover, for much more points than manual measurements.
- Controllers can install the PLANE model on the site as described above for control purposes other than the excavation purpose and they can quickly check whether the target surface is produced with sufficient quality or not.
- a very high-resolution control can be achieved by the fact that all matrices of the invention to be designated sequentially to small field parts instead of the whole field.
- Measurements cannot be taken for so such many points in large excavation and fill volumes.
- the areas between the measured points are checked by eye decision.
- unexpected settlements, collapses, etc. there may be manufacturing defects that cause major damages.
- the high control quality offered by the invention helps to minimize such secondary costs and insurance claim payments. Atmospheric conditions adversely affect working conditions both during the excavation and embankment phases, during the control phase. It is a decreasing possibility for employees to do high quality production or control in such uncomfortable situations. Thanks to the convenience provided by the invention, such difficulties are avoided.
- the invention may be aimed to bring two component side by side in certain positions for assembly or for different purposes.
- the invention also provides great convenience for such situations.
- Suitable STANDING or PLANE model of the invention can be used for this purpose.
- Critical points for components to be positioned are defined to the invention. Subsequently, the invention is fixed by positioning on the correct location after the benchmarking and later, laser sources to designate target points are activated. The parts to be positioned are moved manually, with a carrier car or with a crane, so that the laser spot pairs can coincide on relevant critical points which were already determined for parts. As soon as all the targeted laser spots coincide on the critical points of that part, the part is fixed in that position by suitable three legs or other mechanisms. The same is done for other part too. In this way, two separate parts can be fixed both within themselves at the aimed positions relative to each other. Parts with complex geometries can be brought to the target positions quickly and easily.
- the seating molds used in the current state of the art do not ensure that the part is in the correct position in the space and the correct position relative to the other parts, they only ensure that the part is at the correct level with respect to the ground.
- the invention can also be used for suitable purposes in outer space.
- the invention provides convenience to employees in the work of reducing / increasing or positioning parts in the interational space station, moons or other planets or asteroids and their outer spaces too. Description of figure 8:
- the invention provides a great advantage in excavating the vertical walls and ceilings of tunnels and galleries or for lining them with shotcrele.
- the instantaneous topographies of steep walls, ceilings or surfaces with complex geometries that are excavated in a dark environment or covered with a sprayed material and difficult to access, cannot be measured with sufficient details.
- the invention the operator who performs the excavation or coating process can instantly see how much or how less excavation or coating is done. In this way, material wastage and wrong manufacturing are prevented.
- the invention can be used with high success in excavating or filling curved or inclined surfaces in water structures, preparing their molds and coating them with concrete. Much less experienced employee can perform successful operations by the invention. Work stress of the operators is reduced. By the instant and high flow of information, operators work more confidently and faster.
- the invention can also be used in precision excavation and precision piece assembly works in archeology too.
- the invention can be benchmarked according to one of the parts to be joined, and other parts can be combined with the first part by the invention. Laser beam sources with smaller diameters should be used for this purpose.
- Another area where the invention can be used is medical operations.
- doctors can perform manual positioning operations faster and more confidently. Whether the target positioning is caught or not can be seen instantly during the operation. In most cases, the operator doctor must make an eye decision. By the invention, doctor error is minimized. The operator doctor can immediately see the result of every move he makes with his hands, without taking his eyes off the work area. With less work stress and less experience, she / he can perform successful operations much faster.
- thin-section lasers are used as in archaeological use. Benchmarking can be done on predetermined benchmark points on other parts of the body or fixed points slaying on the operation table can be used for this benchmarking purpose.
- the invention is covered with a hygienic shell for such uses. In orthopedics, neurosurgery, plastic surgery and others, the invention can be used successfully with high advantages.
- the laser sources do not have to be constantly turned on.
- the lasers can be turned off at any time and energy savings can be achieved, and when necessary, the same target points can be continued to be designated by turning them on again. If the target distance is too away from the current working surface while using the invention, distance between spots formed by the designation laser pairs are be too great.
- the invention can designate the target point as another secondary temporary target surface closer to the current excavation surface. In this way, there would be no wide range of spots that may cause image clutter. The operator knows that the first surface to reach is the temporary surface and when she / he reaches this surface, the points of the laser pairs are to begin to coincide.
- the invention can be commanded to display the underlying next temporary surface or, if not too deep, final target surface on the actual surface.
- the distance between the laser pairs is not greater than the distance between the right and left points of the two adjacent laser spot pairs and there is no confusing image for the operator. If the distance between the spots formed by each laser pair is left within an area of quarter meter diameter centered on the midpoint of each square meter area, no complex image is to emerge.
- existing laser glasses can be used to see spots of laser beams on surfaces.
- the invention may stay on a mechanism consisting of a shaft that provides horizontal movement in two directions and rotation around the vertical axis on three adjustable legs
- the laser sources in cells can be guided and fixed individually in the technical office with external step motors. In this way, much smaller number of stepper motors are used, but in this case, the cells cannot make new designations during the use in the field.
- the invention turns all these production processes into a simple game.
- Turning a production process into a game enables employees to work more motivated and willing.
- Psychological and mental wear is reduced.
- Work efficiency and quality are also increased.
- the invention can be mounted on aircraft that can remain stationary in the air. In this way, different numbers of aircrafts can be used at the same time with this purpose. So, many inventions can be used in a very large area in coordination with each other.
- the invention provides a fast-effective surface and position control for same works too.
- the components of the invention are produced as modular pieces, separate matrix groupings can be made by the user for each job. If 8x10 two matrix boxes is to be used in one work, laser cells can be separated from this matrix and 3x4 2 matrix boxes can be formed and used in another project. A damaged laser cell can be replaced with a new one without leaving the entire invention inoperative, so the invention can continue to be used without waiting for the repair process of that cell.
- the rods forming the structural part of the invention can be selected and used in different lengths depending on the place of use.
- a STANDING model can designate a target point 360 degrees around the position where it is placed.
- the PLANE model can only designate a target point in the direction they are fixed, just like stadium lighting.
- the invention enables the work process in excavation and filling works to be completed with high efficiency and the other advantages mentioned above.
- the invention and its advantages can be used in excavation or filling works, tunnel and gallery boring, assembly of blocks, assembly of construction molds, production and assembly of architectural elements, positioning operations in outer space and other assembly and positioning works. Designs where error-free manufacturing is very difficult or expensive and rare can be produced at the high quality at lower costs thanks to the advantages provided by the invention.
- invention can be used for the same purposes in more sensitive works such as archeology and medical operations.
- the invention provides great advantages in the control processes of all these works too.
- leveling panels instead of using leveling panels, other fixed points on the STANDING model can also be used for the same purpose.
- PLANE model at least 3 leveling panels can be used too. These panels can be installed in appropriate places on the PLANE model. Or it can be used for the same purpose as the point leveling panels with at least 3 marks on the PLANE model. In this way, PLANE and STANDING models can be benchmarked to each other.
- INDEPENDENT Another model of the invention is called INDEPENDENT.
- the cells mentioned in Figure 9 or Figure 10 can be used depending on the purpose of use.
- INDEPENDENT model has one or more suitable laser cells.
- INDEPENDENT model has at least 3 GPS modules. These GPS models mentioned are located in the geometric comers of an INDEPENDENT model. Thanks to these modules, the INDEPENDENT model can calculate the space coordinates of both its own geometric center and the geometric comer points where GPS modules are placed. With this location information, it can send a laser beam to the designation target point in the global coordinate system. For this, the benchmarking process is not performed as done in PLANE and STANDING models.
- INDEPENDENT model and another STANDING, PLANE or an INDEPENDENT model can send laser beams to the same target points together. In this way, target point designation technique with non-parallel laser beams is achieved too.
- the INDEPENDENT model can be fixed on different structures that move in a controlled or uncontrolled manner. For example, it can be fixed on a floating object swinging by the effect of waves on the sea surface, or on an underwater, above water or flying vehicle.
- it thanks to at least 3 GPS modules it has, it instantly learns the global coordinates of its geometric comer and center points and laser sources are redirected to the target points after each position change. It achieves this with current techniques, GPS positioning and PID technologies. In this way, it is not benchmarked since there is no need for the benchmarking process which necessarily performed in PLANE or STANDING models. Therefore, it is not compulsory for a box to contain at least 3 cells too.
- an INDEPENDENT model does not need a human operator who benchmarks and fixes the invention on the correct location and position. It can send a laser beam to a designation target point on any programmed time with the help of global position information of target points entered into the main board memory. This can be achieved from any location it is fixed which can also be a moving platform too.
- PLANE and STANDING models can be manufactured from one box instead of two boxes.
- the appropriate type of laser cells in the box can indicate the target and benchmark points by sending at least 2 laser beams to the target points.
- PLANE and STANDING models may also contain at least 3 GPS modules too. In this way, they can designate target points by sending laser beams to those points which' s global position information has already known and entered into the main card of the invention, without a need for benchmark process.
- PLANE, STANDING or INDEPENDENT models can be used all together. Same target topography can be designated by 2 or 3 of these 3 different models together. Or, PLANE models can use the leveling panels of the STANDING models as benchmark points too. In this way, in a long and winding tunnel, STANDING models can constitute the main skeleton for benchmarking, while target points of a target topography in a tunnel can be designated by a single PLANE model or by a combination of PLANE and STANDING models working in a coordination. It is a point designation system in space with non-parallel laser beams which’ s properties are;
- At least two boxes consists of a combination of cells, which have desired feature laser sources used for each point to be designated, inside can guide owned laser sources on two axes perpendicular to each other, have distance between them is equal when directed to the same target point and remains constant throughout the process,
- Main board which calculates laser sources' guidance angle with the help of position and location information of invention and distance values between laser sources to each other and to target points, enables laser sources to guide to those determined angles by robotic motors, enables datum of location of the system to stand on for the whole process and tie bar's (1H) length, height and target points' location to be uploaded,
- Battery group that can be placed in the body and provide electrical power to the system.
- Tie bar (1H), which enables left and right boxes' locations and guidance to be stationary, located on adjustable three legs that enables invention to stand on, • Positioning module that enables the system to be positioned (GPS or benchmark lasers overlapping on benchmark points),
- Target points are the target points belonging to the topography of the parts to be produced or positioned.
- Target points are named as Cl, C2 ...etc.
- Benchmark points are named as El, E2 and E3 and are fixed 3 points in the natural work volume.
- positions of each cell to the invention points Dl, D2 and D3 are already uploaded.
- the newly entered C-D and E-D distance information is used by the software on the main board of the invention to calculate which laser cell is to guide to which point in space, and robotically two laser sources are guided to each target point, one from a cell in the right box and the other from a cell in the left box.
- the invention is turned on in the field and the laser sources begin to emit.
- the invention operator transfer and tilt the invention to the right and left, back and forth by his hands in order to obtain at least 3 overlapping points of at least 6 benchmark laser beams already guided to benchmark points on at least 3 benchmark points which are naturally found in work space.
- Three adjustable legs of the invention are fixed as soon as at least 3 overlapping points are obtained of at least 6 laser beams on at least 3 benchmark points. If the positioning is wrong, at least 2 laser beams around each benchmark point, are to create double, separate spots instead of creating a single overlapping point.
- the invention is positioned correctly. If the project uses reduction / increase method, the tool or machine operator can start the reduction / increase process. If sufficient amount of reduction / increase is done, an overlapping points image occurs on target points. If she / he reduced/ increased more or less, at least two separate laser points that do not overlapped on target points are formed around these target points. In the assembly process, the operator who is to perform assembly operations, tries to obtain overlapping laser spots on components' target points by simply moving components in different directions.
- At least two laser beams are guided to each target point.
- These guided laser beams can have different features.
- the laser source in the left box may be red and one in the right may be green.
- lasers in die right box may be flashed while the lasers in the left box may be emitted constantly.
- a possible third box can contain laser sources with more different laser features.
- red in the left box, green in the right box if two boxes are used at a work made excessive reduction, red and green spots form around the target point not overlap just on target point and in addition to this the green spot remains on the left of the red spot and the red spot remains on the right of the green spot. If insufficient reduction is done, the green one of Ihe green and red laser spots around the target point is to remain on the right and the red one is to remain on the left. The same is true when using lasers that constantly be emitted and be flashed.
- the operator who performs the reduction / increase operation can understand whether she / he did more or less reduction/increase by observing the situations to each other of two points with different characteristics spotting around the target points If these two points with different characteristics coincide, it means that the target point has been reached.
- the same feature can be applied to the assembly process too. In a situation that cells in the left box supply red laser beams and those in the right box supply green laser beams for designation target points; in addition to this situation, if the component to be assembled stays between the designation point and the invention, then the red laser point formed around the designation point remains on the left compared to the green laser point.
- Positions of green and red laser points with respect to each other provide the above information to the operator, while the distance of these two points from each other provides Ihe operator the information of how far the designation point is with an absolute numerical distance value. Farther away from the designation point results a higher distance between red and green points.
- This feature provided by the usage of different colored laser sources can also be achieved with other feature differences too. Using laser beams that lighting continuously instead of red and using flashing laser beams instead of green... etc. • Instead of designating with 2 laser beams, 3 or more laser beams can be used for the same purpose too. However, for the invention to work successfully, at least 2 non-parallel laser sources have to be used for die same designation point.
- STANDING model Another application of the invention is the form of STANDING model. It is a STANDING model and its properties are;
- One box is obtained by combining N number of the laser cells seen in Figure 9 on top of each other. A body part with a known length is added between two boxes and in this way, obtained combination is placed on floor with adjustable three legs in a vertical position to form a rod image.
- Each standing model has 3 leveling panels that can be removed or folded sideways. By these leveling panels, while the first of standing models used together is benchmarked to the natural surface outside, the second standing model can be benchmarked to the marked points laying on leveling panels of the previous standing model. Or, on the contrary, the first standing model, which is positioned correctly by benchmarking to the natural environment, emits laser beams to the leveling panels of the next standing model, thus benchmarking of the next standing model is to be achieved.
- the standing model is vertical, not horizontal, form of a plane model which consists of two 1 x N matrix array boxes. Also, the cells in the standing model are the cells in Figure 9, not the cell in Figure 10.
- Main board and battery pack are located inside the body of the invention.
- Digital screen and keyboard which are located on the body of the invention, enable invention operator to input data on the invention. owning these elements.
- the STANDING model is specially designed for item positioning. For example, in buildings, tunnels, etc., in work areas where laser light are to hit impermeable layers, designation points input on all STANDING models can be designated to the employees even in long and curved tunnels in full coordination with each other of STANDING model by the multiple usage them.
- each box contains a total of 5 laser cells, so 10 cells for single standing model. If 20 different components are to be assembled on the same day during a project, maximum of 5 target points can be designated for each component. In the assembly of a subsequent component, 5 target points belonging to this latter component are designated, by the help of keyboard and monitor without moving the invention. In this way, while such an invention model provides up to a maximum 5 target point designation at the same time, it can designate target points for a large number of items within the limits of the invention memory without a new data loading or a new positioning according to new benchmark points. steps of the process.
- Another application of the invention is the form of INDEPENDENT model. It is an
- INDEPENDENT model includes a suitable main board.
- the INDEPENDENT model can precisely calculate the positions of its geometric center and geometric corners in space.
- INDEPENDENT model measures its own location and position information instantly and enables laser sources to designate target points continuously by using the existing ⁇ ) technology. Laser sources' alignment angles are instantly changed by the INDEPENDENT model in order to continuously designate same target points, by the help of the PID module, for possible location and position changes due to moving base. For this, GPS modules, PID module and main board work together.
- All of the laser cells in the INDEPENDENT model may have the same characteristics or each of them may have different properties. (Feature: color, flashing frequency, laser beam cross section diameter... etc.) steps of the process.
- At least 3 GPS modules which enable the invention to determine its own global position and in this global position its own geometric position according to global coordinates, operate in connection with the main board, are located on the invention and as far away from each other as possible.
- PID module operating in coordination with the main board and with at least 3 GPS modules in order to be able to emit uninterrupted and non-deviating laser beams to the same target point during the working period due to the position variability caused by the operation of the invention in a controlled or uncontrolled manner.
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Abstract
The invention allows selected points of the target topography designed in digital environment to be designated instantly and continuously with different laser beams on the working surface. Thanks to the invention, the operator using a tool, or a machine sees directly on the material whether she / he has reached the target topography instantly during her / his working time. In this way, work efficiency increases.
Description
POINT DESIGNATION SYSTEM IN 3-DIMENSIONAL SPACE WITH USING
MULTIPLE LASER BEAMS
Field of the invention:
The invention relates to the indication of a topography designed in a 3 -dimensional digital environment on a material in real space with non-parallel laser beams. In the works done with the decrease or increase method or in the assembly works, the invention increases the work efficiency and work quality by providing the employees with ease of measurement.
Description of the related art:
The existing topography is determined with laser surface scanning instruments or different measuring instruments (auto level instrument, metric leveling rod, surveying total station, survey pole, sounding line, caliper, bathometer... etc.). The difference between the targeted topography and the current surface is calculated and the information about how much more decrease or increase needed is transmitted verbally or via the monitor to the tool or machine operator who performs the task of decreasing or increasing
With laser level instrument, the targeted level is indicated on the material as a line. The employee performs his / her operations based on this line.
Topographic surface scanning instruments. The surface is scanned in 3 dimensions for that moment, but the employee who performs the decrease / increase or assembly process cannot see the results of the movements she / he applies on the working material instantly and
vividly.
In the related art, the difference between the topography targeted in the decrease / increase or component assembly works and the topography obtained at that moment during the work cannot be seen instantly by the tool / machine operator on the working volume.
For example, obtaining the targeted topography in excavation works by using tools or machines is as follows. The operator performing the excavation makes excavation maneuvers with her/his own estimations and tries to reach the target topography. Again, when it is thought that the target surface is approached in an estimation, the excavation process is stopped and the measurement is made in the field with different measuring instruments and the difference between the currently obtained topography and the target topography is calculated by the measurement operators and the excavation operator is informed. According to the declared value, the operator makes new excavation maneuvers with an eye decision.
During of all these processes, the excavation process must be interrupted to take measurements, calculate the difference and inform the operator, which results time waste. In order to minimize this waste of time, taking measurements and reporting the difference to the operator is often not repeated enough. The rapidity of the process has to be directly proportional to the experience of the operator. For example, the aim of the excavation is to obtain a plane parallel to the ground surface with a depth of 5.70 m. The operator starts the excavation with her/his own experience. When she/he thinks that she/he has approached a depth of 5.70 m, she/he asks the depth of surface to be measured. The excavation process shut off and the measurement is taken. As an example, let the value taken in the measurement is
5.45 m. The operator is informed that she/he needs to excavate a further 0.25 m depth. The operator tries to catch this 0.25 m value with her/his own experience. In the next
measurement, the excavation depth may be 5.75 m instead of 5.70 m. In this case, the difference, 0.05 m., should be backfilled and eventually depths with erroneous values such as
5.72 or 5.68 are obtained instead of exactly 5.70. A running excavation process in this way proceeds inefficiently. It is necessary to lake measurements very frequently, for this the excavation process must be interrupted, and excessive excavation and filling processes cause both time, labor and energy loss. Filling works are also carried out in a similar sequence and achievement of the intended surface is achieved inefficiently Moreover, if the target topography has spherical geometries instead of plane, etc., the process mostly walks through operator’s estimations. Taking measurements for a lot of more points on the target surface, result in too much time and source consumption. As a result of this, more point measurements are not done. It is very difficult to take measurements for surfaces such as steep slopes and ceilings. A high error rate of excavation / filling is performed.
The same problems are experienced in the decrease / increase or assembly procedures performed in surgical operations. While an operator doctor targeting a volume, surface or position, information cannot be obtained instantly on the surface being worked on.
Approximate surface is tried to be obtained as a target by eye decision. Then, by taking measurements for a small number of points, it is understood how much more increase or decrease should be applied with an eye decision. By this way, bringing an entire surface to exactly the target topography is a difficult and inefficient process.
The same problems are encountered when positioning formworks or different components in construction works loo. The component is positioned firstly with the eye decision of the employee. Later, the measurement is taken with a total station or similar instrument and the deviation amounts are transmitted to the employee. The worker moves the component again and the measurement is taken again. This sequence of work is repeated continuously, with a
try of providing position with the least error.
Measuring even for a single point on inner sides of curved surfaces such as tunnels or on steep slopes is a very difficult process. These designed, non-plane topographies are achieved without a large number of point measurements. Since the number of measurement points is low, the large areas between these points are produced and controlled by eye.
In all these production processes, working on the surface and measuring, calculating the deviation amount and transmitting it to the operator often requires a large number of employees; the working process is often interrupted to take measurements. Total effort and costs are high. The error rates are also not as low as provided by the invention.
In the control of finished works, the control team takes measurements for a small number of points belonging to the surface in order not to increase costs. In order to accurately measure a non-plane surface, measurements at multiple points has to be done, which increases time and economic costs. Moreover, these control processes, which take a long time and are often carried out in open air conditions, are also a low comfortable working process for employees.
In all these works exemplified above, positioning, assembly, decrease / increase works and measurement, calculating and reporting the difference and control works all must be done by separate persons. Moreover, the amount of deviation from the target topography cannot be directly and continuously notified to the operator over the working surface, and after the operator learns the deviation value from another employee, she/he tries to reduce this deviation value with a second maneuver. In addition, measurements are made for a small number of surface points Therefore, the areas between the measured points and the amount of error reduced below the limits can be kept close to the target topography with the eye of
the employee. Since a high number of measurements cannot be taken, large areas are kept close to the target topography by eye decision. While this is not a relatively difficult task for plane surfaces, it causes a lot of error for complex topographies. These errors are tried to be reduced by secondary corrections.
Another method used in the related art is the topographic laser scanning method. In this method, although many of the above problems are solved, the targeted topography cannot be reflected on the existing surface. It can only be seen on the monitor screen. The operator needs to constantly change the eye focus between the monitor screen and the real surface view throughout the working period. The proportioning between the virtual surface seen on the screen of monitor and the real surface must be made in the mind of the operator constantly. This causes an increase in the mental effort and job stress required for a successful job. A new scan is needed after each maneuver. In addition, the target topography and scanning results must be displayed on the same monitor so that the difference between them can be understood by the operator. However, since the information flow cannot be done directly over the working surface, the advantages of the invention mentioned above cannot be obtained.
Brief Description of the Invention
The presented invention is related to a point out system in space with non-parallel laser beams in order to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages and to bring new advantages to related art.
The aim of the invention is to realize all these and similar processes in a faster way, with a lower number of employees, lower error rates and lower employee experience. As a natural result of these, economic costs are reduced too. Moreover, since the working process is
simplified, the operator performing the operation obtains the target topography more confidently with less work stress. Because she/he sees the result of every maneuver she/he makes, without the need for any intermediaries, with her/his own eyes for a lot of points on the surface. Work is not interrupted with the measurements made for the surface points.
There is no need to employ extra measuring workers. In addition, measurements don’t be taken for multiple points at the same time on curved surfaces such as tunnels or vertical slopes. Taking measurements for curved or flat ceilings is also a very difficult process. As the surface complexity increases, it becomes practically impossible to measure for a sufficient amount of points and therefore designed geometries cannot go beyond the producibility limits available. Designers also avoid designing complex surfaces as it will be difficult to manufacture. The invention instantly and continuously informs operators and control teams with a lot of information on the real surface for these situations too. It removes the manufacturability concerns of the designers. The invention provides a great value of information to the operators and control teams about the instantaneous state of the surface, by the relative positions and distances of the laser points that they continuously drop on the surface of the workspace. In this way, the different costs of the works are reduced, as well as the error rates. Since the amount of experience needed by the operators decreases, the number of candidate operators increases too. Much more people can quickly accomplish the aforementioned tasks with low error rates with less experience.
In addition, the working area must be fully illuminated in order to work night shifts.
Measurements cannot be taken in dark environments. By the invention, even in dark environments, more surface information that the related art cannot provide is rapidly provided to operators and control teams. It is possible to produce high quality work without
illumination in dark environments.
The invention enables high accuracy work production even in dark environments without the need for surface illumination, by the fact that many laser points dropped on the solid surface can be seen with the naked eye in a dark environment. A linear laser light creates a point of its own color on the surface where it hits in a dark environment. The presence of these points without illumination is sufficient for the operator to work efficiently, because these laser points can be seen with the naked eye in dark environments. In highly illuminated environments, the invention can be used successfully by the currently used sunglasses-like laser glasses.
With the help of the invention, component positioning in the outer space can be easily done.
For example, the invention can be used to position a component outside the international space-station to the correct position relative to the international space-station. In moons, planets and asteroids or outer spaces, the invention can be used for the same purposes and with the same advantages it provides.
With the invention, indicating measurement and difference information for many points at the same time is provided to operators and control teams instantly and continuously.
Description of Figures:
In order to better understand the developed invention, the figures and explanations regarding the figures are given below.
Figure 1: Plan view of the invention's working style for 3 different points.
1A: Left 1 st laser. (Aimed at target point (IS).)
IB: Left 2nd laser. (Aimed at target point (IT).)
1C: Left 3rd laser. (Aimed at the target point (IV).)
ID: Right 1st laser. (Aimed at target point (IS).)
IE: Right 2nd laser. (Aimed at target point (1U).)
IF: Right 3rd laser. (Directed to target point (IV).)
1G: Left box.
1H: Tie bar. (It ensures that the positions and orientations of the left and right boxes to each other remain constant and allows the invention to be positioned properly on the ground by the 3 adjustable legs- Tripod-. It acts as a carrier body for the invention.)
II: Right box.
1J: Laser beam. (Red beam directed from the laser source (1A) to the target point (IS).)
IK: Laser beam. (A red beam directed from the laser source (IB) to the target point (IT).)
1L: Laser beam. (A red beam directed from the laser source (1C) to the target point (IV).)
1M: Laser beam. (Green beam directed from laser source (ID) to target point (IS).)
IN: Laser beam. (Green beam directed from laser source (IE) to target point (IT).)
10: Laser beam. (Green beam directed from laser source (IF) to target point (IV).)
IP: Red laser dot.
1R: Green laser dot.
IS: The target point stayed in the material due to insufficient reduction (or excessive increase).
IT: The target point reached is also the point where the laser beams (11), (14) coincide.
1U: Target topography line.
IV: The target point that is out of the material due to excessive reduction (or under increase).
1W: Red laser dot.
1Y: Green laser dot.
1Z: Material. (Available solid volume obtained by the instant reduction or increase method.)
Figure 2: The working principle of the STANDING model of the invention.
2A: Top laser box and 6 laser cells suitable for STANDING model.
2B: Lower laser box and 6 laser cells suitable for STANDING model.
2C: Tripod.
2D: The left one of the parts to be positioned.
2E: Laser beam directed from the relevant cell in the lower laser box to the point to be pointed out.
2F: Laser beam directed from the relevant cell in the lower laser box to the point to be pointed out.
2G: Body combining lower and upper laser boxes.
2H: The right one of the parts that aimed to be positioned.
Figure 3: Linking to each other STANDING models of the invention.
3A: Top leveling panel. One STANDING model sends at least two laser beams to each of the leveling panels of the other STANDING model. The leveling panels act as flat target boards and can be folded sideways as needed or removed after leveling has taken place. The
STANDING model, which has leveling panels, has reached the desired space position when at least 6 laser beams coming to 3 leveling panels coincide on the target points marked on the leveling panels they come from. Each STANDIG model stands on three manually adjustable legs. As soon as the laser groups form single points on 3 target points of the 3 leveling panels, these 3 legs are fixed. Now correctly positioned and fixed STANDING model can send new laser beams to another STANDING model so that this another STANDING model can also be positioned correctly too.
3B: Upper laser box and 6 laser cells suitable for STANDING models
3C: Lower left leveling panel. (In order for two STANDING models to be positioned correctly in space relative to each other, 3-line segments with known space angles and distances between them are needed. The correct position of each STANDING models corresponds to a vertical plane in space over which the reset switches coincide. In order to know the relative positions of the two planes, three points from each plane must be matched.
Let there be points Al, A2 and A3 in plane A. Let B 1, B2 and B3 be points on the B plane. If the space angles and distances of the line segments between Al and Bl, A2 and B2 and A3 and B3 are provided, the B plane is to reach its intended position relative to the A plane.
Points Bl, B2 and B3 are the target points of the leveling panels. The middle point between the two laser sources of the previously and correctly positioned STANDING model can be used as Al point too. These two laser sources, whose middle point is Al point, send two laser beams with correct space angles to B 1 point. These two rays, which are naturally not parallel, coincide on the B1 point. For this aim, the operator moves the STANDING model to be
positioned with her / his hands to the left or right, to the back and the forth. When at least 6 laser beams provide 3 overlapping points on 3 B points, STANDING model is fixed on the floor via three legs. Adjusting and fixing with three leg is a widely used method. Lengths of 3 legs can be changed individually and they can be fine-tuned and fixed with screws.
The coincidence of laser points, which are formed by non-parallel laser beams aimed at the same target points in order to form single overlapping points, on 3 leveling panels means that the distances and space angles of these line segments are provided. The space angles of these line segments are provided by the robotic control of the invention. Laser sources are directed to target space points by the invention, with using a similar method of routing satellite antennas or robotic telescopes to target points in space with robotic control. This robotic guidance system is not a new technology, and it is frequently used in existing technologies with many different methods (with step motors, servo motors, etc.). After all, at least 6 laser beams are get directed to 3-B points signed on the middle of 3 levelling panels. The orientation angles of these at least 6 laser beams are calculated by the software of the invention. Calculation is based on the relative positions of each other of the STANDING model that owns and directs the laser sources and the other STANDING model which is to be positioned. At least 6 laser sources are directed to 3 B points by the existing robotic technology using at least 12 calculated angle values. In this way, the STANDING model to be positioned in the correct position is benchmarked to other STANDING model that is already correcdy positioned instead of benchmarking to at least 3 points on the natural surface laying around. Already correctly positioned STANDING model may direct its laser beams to levelling panels of the STANDING model which is to be positioned. With a same manner of reverse, STANDING model which is to be positioned correctly may direct its laser beams to
leveling panels of the other STANDING model which is already positioned correctly. It will provide the same benchmarking and positioning in both reverse situations.
3D: Lower right leveling panel.
3E: Lower laser box and 6 laser cells suitable for STANDING model.
3F: 3 adjustable legs.
Figure 4: Multiple STANDING models working together:
The STANDING model staying on the right is positioned correctly according to the 3 benchmark points found on the natural environment surface. The STANDING model staying on the left is positioned correctly by benchmarking to leveling panels of the previous
STANDING model, which is already correctly positioned by benchmarking to points found in the natural environment surface. In this figure, 2 STANDING models, which are positioned correctly with the benchmark methods written above, pointing out 3 target points that should be designated in the workspace. STANDING model on the left designates 2 target points and
STANDING model on the right designates 1 target point in the figure. 3 pairs of laser beams are sent from the STANDING model on the right to the leveling panels of the STANDING model on the left, in order to position the STANDING model on the left with respect to the
STANDING model already correctly positioned on the right. The STANDING model on the left is maneuvered in different directions by the invention operator in order to obtain overlapped 3 laser point pairs on the marked target points of the 3 leveling panels. As soon as this is obtained, the STANDING model on the left is fixed to the floor in the same position by its adjustable three legs. The same positioning process can be achieved by sending 3 laser
pairs to the leveling panels belonging to the left one from the right one, instead of sending 3 laser pairs to the leveling panels of the right one from the left one.
Figure 5: Usage of the PLANE model of the invention at an excavation site:
5A: Right box. It contains 5 x 5 matrix array and 25 laser cells suitable for the PLANE model.
5B: T-shaped body that connects the right and left boxes to each other and keeps the invention fixed on the ground.
5C: Left box. It contains 5 x 5 matrix array and 25 laser cells suitable for the PLANE model.
5D: The fully completed part of the excavation.
5E: The part of the excavation that is not finished at that time.
Figure 6: The image formed on the soil surface as a result of usage of invention seen in figure
5:
6A: Right box.
6B: Body.
6C: Left box.
6D: The visible surface of the currently unfinished part of the excavation from above.
6E: Overlapping laser dots on the visible surface of the fully finished part of the excavation.
6F: The surface of the finished part of the excavation visible from above.
Figure 7: Correctly positioning of two components, which haven’t any contact surface, with respect to each other for assembly or other purposes, bv the invention.
Figure 8: The surface with the S-shaned cross section that is tried to be obtained, the plane surface obtained at that moment of the excavation and the view presented bv the invention on the material surface at that moment.
8A: The point formed on the material surface, originating from the laser on one side of the
SURFACE model of the invention.
8B: The point formed on the material surface originating from the laser on the other side of the SURFACE model of the invention.
8C: The line of intersection of the target surface.
8D: The line of intersection of the plane surface that is currently available.
Figure 9: Laser cell suitable for the STANDING model of the invention.
9A: Rod.
9B: Stepper motor rotating the 9C platform around the 9 A bar.
9C: Platform that can rotate around the 9A bar.
9D: Step motor that rotates the laser source in a vertical plane.
9E: Gear connected to the laser source.
9F: Laser source.
9G: The gear attached to the platform.
9H: Part that connects the 9E gear to the platform and provides the axis of rotation to the gear.
9K: Part that increases and fixes the 9D stepper motor on to the 9C platform.
Figure 10: Laser cell suitable for the PLANE model of the invention.
10A: Laser source.
10B: Gear connected to the laser source1
10C: Part that provides a rotation slot for the 10B gear and connects this gear to the 10H platform.
10D: Stepper motor that rotates the 10B gear in its own plane.
10E: Gear, which is independent from platform 10H, enables platform to rotate with 10F stepper motor.
10F: Stepper motor rotating the 10H platform.
10H: Rotating platform.
Detailed Description of the Invention:
In this detailed description, the innovation subject to the invention is explained only with examples that do not have any limiting effect for a better understanding of the subject.
The present invention relates to a point designation system in space with non-parallel laser beams.
The invention works by targeting more than one laser beam from different sources to a point in space. Multiple laser sources are directed to a target point in space by the robotic use of stepper motors. Since the targeted point is one and the laser sources are more than one, the mentioned laser beams cannot be parallel to each other.
At least two laser beams are sent to the same target point. If a non-transparent solid material is placed at the aforementioned point (stone, soil, wood, concrete, panels used as concrete molds, metal parts to be assembled, etc.), these laser beams coincide on the target point on this material. (Target point: For example, if one wants to create a pyramid by engraving a prismatic stone block. Any point on the surface of the targeted pyramid may become a target point. The top point and the points forming the edges and comers or any point on its surface may form target points, when scraping up, it stops doing more scraping otherwise it will not
get the intended pyramid forum. When the engraving operator engraves until the target point, she / he stops further engraving otherwise she / he cannot achieve the intended pyramid form.) If the material is placed in the space between the mentioned target point and the laser sources, two separate laser points are formed on the material instead of two overlapping laser points. How much close the material to the sources than the target point, the greater distance occurs between the laser points formed on the material. If the material is placed away from the sources but close to the target point, the distance between these two laser points decreases.
Similarly, if the material is positioned beyond the target point with the same side of target point according to sources, separate laser points are formed for each laser beams instead of overlapping laser points on the material. If the material is placed further in this side, the distance between these laser points increases.
As described above, if the written material is a component to be positioned for assembly purposes, its positioning to the targeted position can be accomplished easily and with very low error rates with the aforementioned procedure. The invention provides similar convenience for the reduction / increase processes too. For example, whether one aims to build a human face pattern on wet sand, she / he is to take sand from certain points of the sand volume. This is called reduction. On the other hand, she / he is to add sand to some certain points. This is called increase. Prismatic metal ...etc other solid blocks are reduced in this way to obtain machine parts or architectural parts. The excavator operator, who aims to dig an inverted pyramid-shaped pit into the ground, digs the soil with her / his eye decision and stores it on the other side. This is called reduction. Because she / he works with an eye decision, she / he takes more soil from some places, so she / he adds some soil to such places again. This is called increase. The reduction process is the engraving process. Increasing is the process of filling. For this, it is sufficient to have at least two pre-targeted laser beams at
the target point. In positioning works, the correct positioning of the component is ensured by coinciding at least 6 laser beams sent by the invention on at least 3 target points on the component. In the reduction / increase works, the topography of the target surface is reached when the point pairs on the working surface coincide with each other.
By targeting more than one space point, a surface belonging to the aimed topography is obtained. Critical points for the creation of the target topography are determined in advance and at least two laser sources are directed to each point by the invention. In the reduction / increase works, after the sufficient amount of reduction / increase of the material is done, the points, where the laser pairs directed by the invention coincide with each other, are obtained on the material surface. This image shows the operator that the target topography has been reached. When the positioning process is being done; translation and rotation maneuvers are made for the component to be positioned. As soon as the targeted lasers overlap on predetermined critical target points on that component, it is placed and fixed on that position.
The invention instantly shows the operators whether the components to be positioned are in the correct positions with respect to each other. The extent to which the materials deviate from the correct location at that moment can be seen instantly, in the same way that the points do not coincide. For example, one aims to position two boxes by knowing the angles and distances between them. The invention sends laser beams, which are not parallel to each other, to selected target points of these components on their intended locations. For example, comer points of the boxes become well-chosen target points. Boxes are moved manually or by a machine, so that these non-parallel laser beams overlap on each other at targeted comer points to form designation points. The moment this is achieved on the boxes is the moment that the boxes are positioned correctly. Then, two or more boxes can be successfully positioned and later on, joining or fixing process can be applied between them. Merging with
weld, assembling with screws, merging with another unifying piece ...etc. all these methods can be used with their existing usages. For example, one hundred bars are to be mounted to each other with certain angles between them. These bars are positioned correctly by the invention as described above. In the current technique, since each bar is positioned and connected with respect to the previous bars position, the sum of the errors of each connection gives the amount of deviation of the last bar, which is to be a high value. Since the invention does not specify the position of each bar relative to the previous bar, but according to the correct position of it, these total deviation amounts are eliminated and correct positioning is provided. After the correctly positioning process, welding, screwing, etc., joining is performed with existing techniques.
The farther the item is from the designated point, the farther the point marks are to be form from each other which are spots of the laser pairs directed to the target points on the item. If the targeted laser sources have different properties instead of having the same properties, it can be understood from the spots formed on the material whether the substance is currently between the laser sources and the substance or beyond both. For example, let the invention send at least two laser beams to the midpoint of a plate standing upright in a correct position.
Laser beams coincide at the midpoint of the plate to form a single point. When the plate is brought away from its correct position (away from invention too) or brought closer towards the invention, instead of 2 overlapping points on the middle point of the plate, 2 non- overlapping separate points are formed. Let one of the two lasers directed at this midpoint is green and the other one is red. When the plate and laser sources are viewed from above, let the green laser source is on the right, and the red source is on the left. If the plate moves away from the laser sources and the designated point, the green laser spot forms on the plate remains on the left, and the red laser spot remain on the right. If the plate closes to sources
from designated point, the green spot appears on the right, and the red spot appears on the left
(Figure 1). To give an example of different laser beams sent to the same point, at least two laser sources can be given with different colors, different laser beam cross section diameters or different flashing frequencies. A similar situation is achieved by sending more than 2 laser beams to the same target point.
The internal properties of the invention are as follows. There are at least two laser sources for each point to be designated. Each of these sources can be moved to the targeted point in space with moving them by stepper motors or other robotic methods on two perpendicular axes.
Instead of stepper motors, servo motors or other robotic motor technologies can also be used for the same purpose.
The distance between laser sources to be directed to the same target point remains constant throughout the process. Throughout the process, the location where the invention is to stay fixed and the targeted points are determined in advance. By the data of distances between the sources and the position information to the target points of the invention, the orientation angles of the laser sources are calculated in the appropriate software loaded on the electronic main board of the invention, and then the sources are directed at the calculated angles by the step motors. By the distance datum between the sources and the position information to the target points of the invention, the orientation angles of the laser sources are calculated in the appropriate software loaded on the electronic main board of the invention, and then the sources are directed at the calculated angles by the step motors. For this purpose, in the invention there are at least two laser sources for each designation point, the main board, driver boards for each motors and the appropriate software installed on these boards, the battery group that will provide electrical power to this system, the invention body and 3 adjustable leg that is to ensure the invention to stand upright. The invention is covered with a
suitable shell to prevent damage from atmospheric conditions. The shell is the cover that protects the electronics and mechanisms of the invention. Since it works outdoors, waterproof coating material that also provides heat insulation is used, which ensures that the electronics and mechanisms can work properly in difficult outdoor conditions such as high temperatures, low temperatures, high humidity, etc. Where laser beams must pass freely, a transparent shell is used.
An example for the reduction / increase process can be given as follows. Let the invention send 2 different colored laser beams for each of the different three target points. A single laser beam emitted by a single laser source. A single laser cell owns a single source and convenient motors and mechanisms that manipulate the source robotically. The laser cell convenient for the STANDING model is shown in Figure 9 and in addition to those seen in that figure, a suitable transparent shell should be used for this cell to cover it, allowing the laser beam to pass through. A laser cell convenient to use in the PLANE model consists of the mechanism seen in Figure 10 and the appropriate transparent shell.
At least two laser sources are directed to a designation point. In other words, at least two cells send laser beams to a target point. If at least two laser beams are sent to each designation point, the invention consists of 2 boxes. If 3 beams are sent, it consists of 3 boxes. For example, if the invention that sends 2 beams to each designation point and had a capacity of designating maximum 10 points at the same time, it should contain 2 boxes. In such a case, each box contains 10 laser cells. In each cell, a single laser source and a robotic mechanism that directs it are replaced. This is applied for both STANDING and PLANE models. One invention, which can specify 20 different points at the same time and sends 3 laser beams to each designation point, includes 3 boxes and 20 laser cells in each boxes, a total of 60 laser cells and 60 laser sources included in these cells and 120 suitable robotic motors. If the
aforementioned 3 laser beams have different properties, these 3 different properties are customized for each box. 20 laser sources in one box can provide red laser beams, while those in the other box can provide blue laser beams and those in the box 3 can provide flashing green laser beams. In the STANDING model, the cells in each box are arranged in a single vertical row to form boxes. Two boxes are joined so that there is a constant distance between them. In the PLANE model, cells are arranged in a matrix in each box instead of a single vertical row. For example, 20 cells in the form of 4 vertical columns and 5 horizontal rows to form a box. Two boxes are then joined with a constant and known distance between them.
Laser cells in a STANDING model can rotate the laser source 360 degrees in the horizontal plane. In a PLANE model, all the laser sources can designate the same region of the workspace. For example, according to the positioning of the invention, all of them can designate west region but cannot designate east region or vice versa. In this way, the aforementioned STANDING and PLANE models have been adapted according to their intended use.
The plan view of an example of a PLANE model is available in Figure 1. In the example figure, the invention consists of 3 main parts. Left box (1G), right box (II) and connecting rod
(1H) which connects these two boxes at a fixed distance and placed and fixed on floor with three adjustable legs. In the left box (1G), there are 3 horizontally arranged laser cells of the appropriate type that provide red laser light. Left laser beams (1A), (IB), (1C) are emitted from these 3 cells. In the other right box (II) there are 3 laser cells in the same arrangement but including 3 green color laser sources. Right lasers beams (ID), (IE), (IF) are emitted from these 3 cells. The data of the position where the invention will stay during the process, the length and height information of the connecting rod (1H) and the position information of the target points (IS), (IT), (IV) are entered into the memory of the invention. With this
information, the software owned by the invention (For example, even Arduino robot driver boards can be prepared and loaded with such a software for laser designation) performs analytical and trigonometric calculations and calculates which laser source is to rotate in which axis and later on directs the laser sources in to these directions. The volume (IS), on which reduction / increase process is being applied, is seen in the figure for that moment. In this case, since the target point is between the invention and the current surface of the material, the laser beams directed to this point (IS) form two points (IP), (1R) in the same order (1J) and (1M) on the material surface. Since the target point is between the current surface and the invention, the red one (IP) of these two points remains to the left of the green one (1R), and the distance between them is directly proportional to the distance between the target point (IS) and the current surface. The positions of the two different laser points with respect to each other inform the operator about how much further reduction / increase should be made. For this exemplary use of the invention, the view that the red dot is on the left and the green dot is on the right indicates that the target point has not been crossed and still needs to be reduced. The value of the distance between the red and green points is directly proportional to the depth of reduction should be made. If the aforementioned value is low, the depth of the reduction should be made can be immediately understood by the operator with the naked eye without any other instrument.
The surface of the target point (IT) and the current volume (1Z) coincides at that moment.
That means the target point (1Z) has been reached. The left 2nd laser (IB) source is directed from the left box (1G) to the target point (IT) and emits a red laser beam (IK). Similarly, the right 2nd laser source (IE) from the right box (II) emits a green laser beam (IN). Since the target point is reached, two laser beams with different colors (IN), (IK) overlap on the
material. This display informs the operator that no more reduction / increase should be applied on that point (IT) anymore.
The target point (IV), on the other hand, remains between the present surface of the material volume (1Z) and the invention because of the excessive reduction. The beams directed to the target point (IV) are the red laser beam (1L) from the left third laser source (1C) in the left box (1G) and the green laser beam (ID) from the right 3 laser sources (IF) in the right box
(II). The laser points (1Y), (1W) do not overlap, because of the excessive reduction at the target point (IV) for that moment. A distance proportional to the excess of the reduction is found between these two points (1Y), (1W). The red laser point (IP) is to the left of the green laser point (1R), as the reduction is made less, at the target point (IS) mentioned above. In this other target point (IV), since Ihe reduction is made not less, but more, the red laser point
(1W) is not to the left but to the right of the green laser point (1 Y). By the positions of the two different colored points to each other, the operator is to understand that she / he has reduced more at this point so she / he should try to obtain the target point (IV) by increasing. She / he can estimate the amount of increase she / he should apply from the distance value between two points (1Y), (1W).
Positioning the invention:
The invention can be positioned by GPS technology using the global coordinate system. In this case, GPS coordinates of the target points and the point where the invention is to be located should be known. Apart from that, the invention can be used without GPS technology too. For this, the location of the invention is simulated with the target points in a 3D CAD program.
There exist 3 types of points to be simulated in a CAD environment.
Target Points: Points belonging to the surface of the aimed project to be produced by reduction / increase method or points belonging to surfaces of the components to be assembled or points of parts only to be located and fixed are included in the target point class.
For example, a pyramid is to be made by embankment of soil. Visible by the location of the invention in the site; the apex point, points on edges and vertices of the pyramid and points belonging to its surface are the target points. These target (destination) points are defined as
Cl, C2...etc.
Invention Points: 3 points are determined on the invention. For the PLANE model, these may be the upper right front comer point of the right box, the upper left front comer point of the left box and the point that invention connected to the three legs (Tripod). For the STANDING model, 3 leveling panels have midpoints. The positions of the invention points to each other and to the midpoints of the laser cells included in the invention do not change after the manufacture of the invention throughout the life of its usage. These points are defined as D1 ,
D2 and lastly D3.
Benchmark points: After an item is positioned at a point on the field, its distance to at least 3 non-moving benchmark points on the natural surface of the field is measured; the measurement values are recorded and then the item is removed from there. Later, when the same item is aimed to be positioned on the same point, it can be positioned with the help of pre-recorded measurements of these 3 benchmark points which have not moved on the field.
This is called Benchmarking. The sketch with recorded data of this is called Benchmark sketch. It is a method and concept used by surveyors.
In a similar way, 3 points are selected in the field where to be worked. These are called benchmark points and coded as El, E2 and E3. These points should be fixed, non-moving points throughout the project. For example, the highest points of electric poles, comer points of existing structures, etc. If working in a closed volume, a workshop, 3 non-moving points inside the closed volume chosen for this purpose. If working for medical purposes, 3 fixed points are selected on the operation room or table.
After these points are selected, C, D and E points are simulated in a 3D CAD environment.
An invention that sends 2 laser beams to each target point, in this example, consists of 80 laser sources. In this case, there are 2 boxes and 40 cells in each box. Each cell has 1 laser source and a robotic mechanism that directs it. This form of the invention can designate 40 different 20 points in space at the same time. 3 of these 40 designation points are El, E2 and
E3 points. The remaining 37 points are Cl, C2... C37. For example, if one wants to build a pyramid in the soil with the increase (embankment) method. 37 points on the pyramid are selected and designed in 3D CAD environment with naming as Cl, C2... C37, later these 37 points simulated in 3D CAD environment. After these 37 points simulated, 3 benchmark points are simulated too with El, E2 and E3 coding in the same CAD environment file.
Finally, the invention points Dl, D2 and D3 are simulated in the same CAD file too. After this simulation, the distances between each point C and point E with points Dl, D2 and D3 are measured by CAD program and recorded on a sheet.
For example, for point C17:
Distance C17-D1: 2,256 m
Distance C17-D2: 1,723 m
Distance C17-D3: 2,182 m
In the same way, a total of 9 distance information is measured and recorded for 3 E points.
For example, for point E2:
Distance E2-D1: 5,112 m
Distance E2-D2: 7,657 m
Distance E2-D3: 4.954 m
Instead of a pyramid form, different surfaces can be designed in 3D CAD environment too.
For example, in plastic or orthopedic surgery, body parts replace the pyramid form given in the example above. As 3 benchmark points, 3 fixed points on the operation table are selected.
For a total of 40 points (37 points C and 3 E points) mentioned in the example, a total of 120 distance information is to be recorded.
Later, this 120-distance information is entered into the memory of the invention. After the invention is turned on, its software firstly demands how many designation points is to be used. By the keyboard of the invention, the number 37 is entered as an input and the ENTER key is pushed. Then, the invention asks the distance information for 37 target points by its own screen and the distances recorded on the sheet are entered through the invention keyboard. For example:
<6
ON SCREEN: "Enter distance Cl 6-D3: "
BY THE KEYBOARD: “1.364” ENTER key
ON SCREEN: "Enter distance Cl 7-D1: "
BY THE KEYBOARD “2.256” ENTER key
ON SCREEN: "Enter distance Cl 7-D2: "
BY THE KEYBOARD “1.723” ENTER key
ON SCREEN: "Enter distance C17-D3: "
BY THE KEYBOARD “2.182“ENTER key
ON SCREEN: "Enter distance C18-D1 : "
BY THE KEYBOARD "4.320" ENTER key
Then, the distance information is requested in the same way for 3 benchmark points by the invention screen, and the invention operator enters the distance information, which was previously measured by CAD environment and recorded on the sheet, into the invention memory via the keyboard.
Instead of entering individual values from the keyboard, this information can be transferred to the invention's main board from a computer with a data transfer cable and appropriate software.
The software in the invention owns datum of positions of the midpoint of each cell to the points Dl, D2 and D3 and positions of the invention points Dl, D2, D3 relative to each other within the factory settings. Cells have same dimensions in their models (cell type suitable for
PLANE model and cell type suitable for STANDING model). As the midpoint of the cells, the outer midpoint of the laser lenses can be selected while their laser sources are at their zero points.
The invention assigns at least 2 laser cells for each target point. For example, by using distance information of C17 target point to the invention points Dl, D2 and D3 and distance information of midpoints of 2 laser cells assigned for target C17 point to the Dl, D2 and D3 points, it performs calculations and determines which laser source should rotate in which axis
with how much rotation degrees. By robotic motors, it rotates the laser sources in the degrees it has calculated. It achieves this by the calculations done by itself in its main board and robotic control it owns. When 3 spheres with different diameters are drawn which's centers are 3 different fixed D points with the information of their relative positions to each other, the intersection of these three spheres gives the target, designation point. By this knowledge, the necessary analytical geometry calculations are made by the invention software and the laser source of each assigned cell is directed to the its designation point.
The laser beam does not leave a trace in the transparent medium and creates a point on the non-transparent solid medium. If, for example, a plate is placed at the targeted point, two overlapping points occur on the plate. If the plate is placed beyond the target point so as to move away from the invention, two separate points are formed on the plate. If the plate is moved from the target point towards the invention so as to approach the invention, instead of an overlapping point, two separate points are formed again on the plate surface. As the distance between the plate and the target point increases, the distance between the two points on the plate increases too.
The invention is turned on in the work field. In the first stage of the work, the relevant 6 laser sources direct their beams for the benchmark points El, E2 and E3. The operator tries to obtain 3 overlapping points on 3 benchmark points by moving the invention up and down with her / his hands. As soon as this is achieved, the three legs of the invention are fixed, and the positioning of the invention is ensured.
The number of benchmark points can be more than 3. In this way, the error rate can be reduced. If it is necessary to repeat; at least two laser sources are assigned for each target point. Linear distances between each assigned laser source and the target point are measured in the CAD software environment. These measurement values are entered into the memory of
the invention in the work field. By the entered input values, the invention does the necessary analytical and trigonometric calculations later each laser source is directed to the angle values obtained as a result of the calculation. While the invention and target points are simulated in the CAD software environment, at least 3 benchmark points available in the field are also included in this simulation. These 3 points, which will serve as benchmark points, must remain constant throughout the project. In the CAD environment, the benchmark points are also evaluated as designation points and at least two laser sources are assigned to each benchmark point too. After all the data are entered into the invention in the field, the invention is turned on. Since the invention should be replaced and fixed in the correct position in the field, only the laser sources that are to designate benchmark points are activated in the first stage and at least 6 laser sources emit laser beams for at least 3 benchmark points. With trial and error method, the invention is moved in order laser beams directed for benchmark points to overlap on related benchmark points. When overlapping succeeded, current position of the invention is now the correct position in the field. So, fixing to floor should be done for it. After the invention is fixed, the laser sources assigned for benchmark points are turned off and later all laser sources turned on and they are robotically directed to the target points where they are assigned. The invention provides information to the operator directly on the material surface for a lot of points that none of the related art provides.
For example, let the target surface be a hemisphere. The operator who performs the excavation or embankment operation is to try to obtain a full hemisphere surface. For this project, topographers can measure only a small number of points within the available resources compared to the invention, because at least 2 employees are employed for each point measurement and measurements are made sequentially for each point. For a lot of point measurement, it would be a very costly work in terms of time and economy. With the
invention, excavation operator is informed live about how much more to excavate or fill for dozens of points instantly. At the end of each excavation or filling maneuver, she / he can instantly see how close the current surface to the target or how it moves away. It is not possible to achieve this advantage with classical topographic measurements instruments with two employees. In the laser scanning method, although the instantaneous state of the field can be measured, the information can only be given to the operator on an electronic screen, not directly on the work materials' surface. For example, in the hemisphere operation, 9 target points per square meter on the woik surface are selected. At least two lasers are sent to 9 target points by the invention. The coincidence of these related points on the surface means that the target point is reached.
Since the invention owns limited number of laser sources, all of these sources may only be directed to the area where the work is currently being done, instead of the whole project area.
This limited number of laser sources can thus be used more effectively. If the entire working area is 100 m2 and there are 100 + 100, 200 laser sources on the model used of the invention,
2 laser sources can be directed to the middle of each 1 m2 area, or 100 pair source can be directed to 10 m2 area for that moment. In this case, instead of assigning a single target point to 1 m2 area, 10 target points are assigned, which means that the operator can have much more information flow. Assigning a large number of target points to a unit area and specifying these points with lasers ensures much lower error rates. Complex topographies usually not designed because their productions in the desired error intervals cannot be achieved usually. By the invention these complex topographies can be produced with high efficiency and low error rates. Correct positioning of a large number of components relative to each other and to the job site can be achieved more efficiently. With the additional motion sensors owned by the invention, laser sources can be directed only to the target points in that
part of the field, in which work and movement is currently in progress. Instead of the entire are if a smaller part of the area is selected by the operator, all laser sources are directed to the selected smaller area and more target points per unit area are designated on the working surface. By this way, laser sources are used more effectively. While determining which points to be target points, a homogeneous distribution per unit area approach can be applied or target points can be determined for special critical points too(Comer points, regions where the slope changes suddenly, start and end points, edges ...etc.).
Apart from the reduction or increase works, the invention can also be used for item positioning purposes too. The information of item's comers' and surface points can be input into the invention as described above. Positioning of the invention is also done as described above. After that, the invention is turned on and the item to be positioned is started to be moved in order each pair of laser beams to overlap between themselves on the selected solid and non-transparent, non-reflective target points on that item. As soon as all laser beams overlap on the item, it is understood that the item is in the correct position now and can be fixed in place. Throughout this process, as written above, positions of the points on the item surface created by laser beams assigned for the same points, relative to each other, inform the operator in what direction and how much the item should be moved. Color differences, differences in flashing frequencies or differences in laser light cross-section diameters shows the operator whether that point of the item is between the designated point and the invention, or beyond both of them; or it has shifted further to the right or left. Whether the middle of the relevant two laser points directed to the designation point on the item remains to the left of the target point informs the operator that the part must be shifted to the left in order to approach the correct position on the same plane. When this midpoint coincides with the target
point, the item can now be brought to the exact position by moving it forward and back, not left and right.
The operator working in reduction / increase work or item positioning project, can work much more efficiently and with a low error rate by the invention. The working process is not interrupted to take measurements frequently. It is also not necessary to employ a measurement employee to take and report measurements, other than operator who works with the material .The whole job starts to be consist of overlapping pairs of laser points with different characteristics, which makes working a game rather than a technical and delicate task. This reduces the work stress of the operator, increases working comfort and working speed. Less experienced operators can also easily achieve precise productions too.
The invention has two different models for different tasks. These are PLANE and
STANDING models.
STANDING model can be seen in Figure 2 and Figure 3. STANDING model has laser cells independent of each other. Two step motors in each cell direct the laser source independently from other cells. Necessary gears and parts are connected to a laser source with two robotic motors. In this way, a mechanism with its protective shell forms a laser cell. Cells are connected on top of each other to form 2 boxes for the STANDING model. Matrix-shaped, combined side by side and one under the other, creates the PLANE model. Cells suitable for
STANDING and PLANE models are basically composed of similar parts. Figure 9 shows the laser cell used in the STANDING model. These cells have a protective shell and mounting parts in addition to Figure 9. By the mounting parts, the cells are attached one on top of the other and connected to the STANDING model of the invention. The protective shell is made of transparent material and protects the cell from external influences while allowing the laser beams to go outside without loss.
Description of Figure 9:
The cell used in the STANDING model can be seen in Figure 9. In Figure 10, the sample cell used in the PLANE model can be seen. The working principles of both types of cells are similar. Their contents are two robotic motors that directs owned laser sources, necessary gears and other auxiliary parts. The basic difference of the two cell types is as follows: The
STANDING cell can direct the laser source 360 degrees in the horizontal plane and -X to + X degrees in the vertical plane. The absolute value of X is between 0 and 90 degrees. The angles
-X and + X are upper and lower boundaries. In this way, while the laser source can rotate 360 degrees in the horizontal plane, it can rotate up to 2X degrees in total in the vertical plane.
The X degree value here can be determined according to the size of the cell to be produced.
The invention consists of suitable cells according to its model. It also contains a battery group and the body owning the robotic main board. The rotation degree of the laser sources in the cells is calculated on the main board and transferred to the relevant cell via a cable. Robotic motors in the relevant cells rotate with angle values which is determined by the main board and transferred to motor drivers as electronic signal information. The rod of each cell (9 A) is connected to the upper and lower cells or to three adjustable legs of the STANDING model.
Each cell has a rotating platform (9C) independent of the rod (9 A). There is circular gear (9G) attached to the rod (9A) from the bottom of the platform (9C). The step motor (9B) fixed on the platform (9C) enables this platform (9C) to rotate around the rod (9A) to aimed angle. The amount of rotation is calculated and controlled by software installed on the main board of the invention. There is a second step motor (9D) fixed on the platform (9C) by means of part
(9K) 10. Adjacent to this is another connector piece (9H) exists. The gear (9E) is connected on this second part (9H). The gear (9E) can rotate in the vertical plane in the slots provided by the part (9H). This gear (9E) is driven by the gears of the step motor (9D). It makes a
rotational movement at the value determined by the software. There is one laser source (9F) connected to gear (9E). The electrical energy and signal cables required by the stepper motors
(9B), (9D) and the laser source (9F), reach to the battery group and the main board of the invention through the bar (9A). The rotational movement of the platform (9C) cannot be more than 360 degrees. Whether it needs to rotate more than 180 degrees in one direction, it makes less than 180 degrees in the other direction. In this way, the cables going into the shaft of the platform (9C) are not frayed since their length is kept enough long.
STANDING model consists of two main parts. Figure 3. Upper laser box (3B) and lower laser box (3E). In two boxes (3B), (3E) an equal number of laser cells exist and are connected to the main board. There is a body (2G) that provides a structural connection between the upper box (3B) and the lower box (3E) and allows the cables to pass through, and also contains the battery group, the main board, the monitor and the keyboard. The lower laser box
(3E) is attached to adjustable three legs (3F). The height of the legs is changed manually with screws. This process is done during the above-mentioned benchmarking process to ensure that the STANDING model of the invention stays at the correct position with correct angles.
While the upper laser box (3B) and the lower laser box (3E) have the same laser sources within themselves, the two boxes can contain laser sources with different features. For example, the upper box's laser sources can be green while the lower ones can be red or vice versa. 2 boxes can contain laser sources with the same features too.
Multiple STANDING models working together:
Multiple STANDING model can be used together with positioning them relative to each other. For example, in a long and sinuous tunnel, a single STANDING model cannot send laser beams to the end of the tunnel while it is located at the entrance of the tunnel. For this purpose, STANDING models can be used together thanks to the leveling panels. For
example, if the invention is to be used in a rectangular prismatic volume, it can be used individually because it can designate each point of the room and can send two laser beams to any target point located in the working volume. In a building with walls, they can only be used individually in that room volume, since the walls do not let laser beams to pass. When single STANDING models are placed in each room, they can be connected to each other with another STANDING model located in the corridor so that they can be used in a multiple form. Single use of a STANDING model can be seen in Figure 2, and dual use can be seen in
Figure 4. More than two STANDING models can be used interconnected in the same way as dual use in Figure 4.
Before the usage of the invention, three points located on the working site are selected as benchmark points and the locations where these points and STANDING model are to be found are simulated in a CAD software environment. The critical points of the items to be positioned according to the position of the STANDING model and the numerical information of the benchmark points are transferred to the memory of the STANDING model manually from the keyboard or from a data transfer cable. Then the invention brought to the site and turned on. First of all, 6 (3+3) laser beams, for 3 benchmark points, are guided by the invention. The angles between 6 laser sources in horizontal and vertical planes are calculated by the invention and the horizontal and vertical orientation is applied to laser sources according to these values. As each laser source can rotate within its cell in horizontal and vertical planes, they reset themselves by touching the switch keys fixed to their last turning points. For horizontal rotations, the switch keys of all cells are in the same vertical direction, so the horizontal zero point will be in the same vertical line for all cells. In this way, all laser sources can rotate in their horizontal planes in a coordinated manner at the degrees determined by the main board. Vertical resets happen similarly. Each cell has a switch key at
+ X degrees in the vertical plane of rotation. By the software in the main board, laser sources that touch this switch keys understand that they need to rotate -X degrees to reset themselves in the vertical plane. After this vertical zeroing, the laser source in each cell can rotate to their vertical angles they need to be in coordination with other cells. After the invention is turned on and reset itself, a total of 3 pairs of laser sources start to emit directed laser beams towards the benchmark points. The user moves the STANDING model with his hand in the site and finds the correct position by seeing overlapped 3 laser spot pairs on 3 benchmark points existing on the site by trial and error method. When the user provides these 3 overlaps, she / he fixes the height of the 3 adjustable legs by placing them on the ground. With this process, the STANDING model is fixed in the correct position in the site. Now all laser pairs, including the lasers used for benchmarking, can begin to designate target points in the field.
For this, benchmark lasers now designate target points too, not the benchmark points, by entering a command into the invention. Figure 2 shows a STANDING model located in the correct position during an operation. Critical points such as the comers of the part (2D), which is to be positioned, are predefined to the invention. The part (2D) is than moved in different directions in the field, ensuring that the laser beams (2E), (2F) coincide at the previously known comer point. By the differences in light colors ... etc., the operator can easily and instantly understand whether the part (2D) should be moved forward or backward in any direction. The fact that a large number of comers and different points (previously marked points on the surface ... etc.) for the same part are defined as designation, target points for the invention further facilitates the correct positioning of the part and increases the accuracy.
If it is intended to designate a large number of points in the workspace, it is not necessary to have a double laser sources for each target point on the STANDING model. Laser pairs can
be used sequentially. Once 3 pairs of laser sources have designated an item and positioned it, the same laser sources can change their angle to designate a different item. Laser sources assigned for benchmarking can also begin to designate target points after the invention has been correctly positioned. In this way, if the number of points to be designated as an example is 100, a total of 206 laser cells (6 cells for benchmarking and 200 cells for 100 target points) are not needed. With 5 + 5, 10 laser sources in total, the task can be performed to designate a maximum of 5 points at the same time. Laser cells of the STANDING model may be produced modularly and can be used in numbers of 2 + 2, 3 + 3, 4 + 4, 5 + 5 ... etc. depending on the work to be used. Cells can be added or subtracted to the STANDING model in pairs, depending on the place of use. If it is aimed to designate a large number of points at the same time, independent STANDING models can be used together. For this purpose, used
STANDING models can be benchmarked to natural workspace surface one by one or the first
STANDING model can be benchmarked to workspace surface first and later other
STANDING models can be benchmarked to previous STANDING model instead of benchmarking to workspace surface. For this, 3 leveling panels (3A), (3C), (3D) attached temporarily to the first STANDING model as can be seen in Figure 3. The second
STANDING model to be positioned is benchmarked to the marked target points on the middle of these 3 panels and then fixed to the floor. In this way, multiple STANDING models are fixed to the correct positions relative to each other. After benchmarking process finished, each STANDING model can designate separate points. This feature provides a great advantage in constructions of tunnels...etc. By this way, at the same time the invention can be used for multiple target points which are located far away from each other. Due to obstacles in constructions, tunnel structures, walls ...etc. the same STANDING model cannot be used in a whole building while it is located still in the same position. As described above, the
invention can be used together with a high potential in galleries with different branches and obstacles. All target points to be designated are shown for a large area in coordination with each other. Figure 4 shows the combined use of more than one STANDING models in the same field.
PLANE model of the invention:
Difference of PLANE model from STANDING model; while in the STANDING model the invention can designates points around 360 degrees, the PLANE model designates points in the region less than 180 degrees in the horizontal plane to which they are oriented as boxes.
For this purpose, the cells that make up the PLANE model have a different internal structure than the STANDING model, and they are located in PLANE model with a matrix-shape which means that not only on top of each other as in the STANDING model, but also side by side. In Figure 10, the internal structure of a cell suitable for the PLANE model can be seen.
This cell consists of the gear (10E) fixed to the body of the invention, the rotatable platform
(10H) on this gear and other components above it. The stepper motor (10F) rotating the platform is fixed to the platform (10H). The laser source (10A) and the gear (10B) that rotates the laser source are integrated and connected to the part (IOC). The gear (10B) can rotate around the rotation slot provided by the part (IOC). This rotation is controlled by the stepper motor (10D) fixed to the platform (10H). In this way, the cell can orient the laser beam to the aimed point on the hemisphere on the platform (10H). There is one switch key under gear
(10E) in each cell. As soon as a tooth on the platform (H) touches this switch, the cell will reset itself and the intended angle is rotated backwards from this reset point. The position of the switch is 0 degrees, it is also the starting position. Reset switches of these types of cells are located in the same position in all cells. In this way, the zero points of the cells combined
side by side and on top of each other at equal intervals, become coordinated. Even though the platforms in the cells rotate, the position of the switch remains constant at all times, so the initial position does not change during the life span of the cells, starting from the manufacturing of the cells.
The platform (10H) cannot rotate more than 360 degrees in total. The electrical and signal cables belonging to the cell pass through a hole close to the center of the platform and are connected to the central power group and the main board by connecting with the cables of other cells from the back. Since the cables will be kept long enough, there is no cable erosion during the maximum 360-degree rotation. The said cell is covered with a protective and transparent casing. Cells connect to each other in boxes. Laser cell boxes located at top and bottom in the STANDING model are combined as right and left in the PLANE model. 2 boxes are connected to each other with a rod of known length and a strut connected to this rod which is fixed to the floor over 3 adjustable legs. The PLANE model's battery group, main board and user interface screen are on the body. The combination of the mentioned parts forms the body. The benchmarking and positioning of the PLANE model of the invention is same as the STANDING model. Unlike the STANDING model, the PLANE model is ideal for designation a large number of target points and topography at the same time in reduction / increase work, apart from component assembly and item positioning. The usage for this purpose can be seen in Figure 5 and Figure 6.
Figure 5 description:
The PLANE model positioned and fixed to the workspace to be excavated after the benchmarking has been done can be seen in the figure. There are two boxes (5C), (5A) on the right and on the left of which contain matrix-shaped located cells. If the laser sources in the left box (5C) and the right box (5 A) send laser beams with different characteristics, it can be
understood that the target surface is approached or passed. If they emit laser beams of the same property (color ... etc.), it gives the information that the target point has not been reached, but it does not give the information whether reduction is approached or passed designation point. Since at the beginning of the work distances from the current surface of material to the target points are high, the points formed by the laser pairs on the material surface are far apart too. During the excavation, these distances decrease as the target surface is approached, and when the target surface is reached, distances decreases to zero and laser pairs exactly coincide on the same points. Figure 5 shows two different parts of the excavation that have been completed (5D) and not yet finished (5E). The surface of this excavation that is visible to the operator at that moment is seen in Figure 6.
Description of figure 6:
The overlapping points (6E) of the relevant laser pairs are seen in Figure 6 on the fully completed part of the excavation (6F). On part (6D) where the excavation is not yet completed and an inclined surface is waiting to be excavated (6D), laser pairs form discrete points on the material surface. Since there is less depth waiting to be excavated in the part close to the place where the PLANE model of the invention is located, laser spot pairs are closer to each other than the part where the depth waiting to be excavated is higher. The operator doing the excavation instantly sees where she / he has reached the exact excavation depth, where she / he needs to excavate more or less, just over the material surface. It is a laborious and costly task to request and make new measurements after each excavation maneuver. Thanks to the invention, the measurement costs are to be reduced in projects, and the operators can be able to see the results of every instant maneuver directly on the material surface without a need for a second employee. Operators can continue to work at the same speed even in dark environments. Working on the ground where the soil contains too much
water is a difficult and demanding job. The physical condition of the sludge makes it difficult to take measurements. The invention provides a huge increase in efficiency to projects in such cases.
In figure 6, the invention, which is the PLANE model, consists of two 5x5 matrices. As a result, the invention can specify targets for a total of 25 points. To make the model more cost effective, it can be created from two matrices, such as 3x3 instead of 5x5. In this way, it specifies 9 target points instead of 25 points at the same time, but even specifying 9 target points only in the currently active part of the excavation can provide more measurement information that is not provided by the prior art. The specified 9 target points can be changed by the operator doing the excavation after that part of the excavation is completed. For the excavation of the new part or for the control of the old excavated parts, the orientation of 9 pairs of lasers from 2 - 3x3 laser boxes can be changed by the invention according to the operator's choice, and target points of different parts can be shown to the operator or controller at that moment. By the invention, the controls to be made by the controllers at different times can be performed more quickly, with lower errors and moreover, for much more points than manual measurements. Controllers can install the PLANE model on the site as described above for control purposes other than the excavation purpose and they can quickly check whether the target surface is produced with sufficient quality or not. A very high-resolution control can be achieved by the fact that all matrices of the invention to be designated sequentially to small field parts instead of the whole field. Measurements cannot be taken for so such many points in large excavation and fill volumes. The areas between the measured points are checked by eye decision. As a result of this, unexpected settlements, collapses, etc., there may be manufacturing defects that cause major damages. The high control quality offered by the invention helps to minimize such secondary costs and insurance
claim payments. Atmospheric conditions adversely affect working conditions both during the excavation and embankment phases, during the control phase. It is a decreasing possibility for employees to do high quality production or control in such uncomfortable situations. Thanks to the convenience provided by the invention, such difficulties are avoided.
Description of Figure 7:
It may be aimed to bring two component side by side in certain positions for assembly or for different purposes. The invention also provides great convenience for such situations.
Suitable STANDING or PLANE model of the invention can be used for this purpose. Figure
7 shows the use of the PLANE model, which consists of two 1x5 matrix boxes. Critical points for components to be positioned are defined to the invention. Subsequently, the invention is fixed by positioning on the correct location after the benchmarking and later, laser sources to designate target points are activated. The parts to be positioned are moved manually, with a carrier car or with a crane, so that the laser spot pairs can coincide on relevant critical points which were already determined for parts. As soon as all the targeted laser spots coincide on the critical points of that part, the part is fixed in that position by suitable three legs or other mechanisms. The same is done for other part too. In this way, two separate parts can be fixed both within themselves at the aimed positions relative to each other. Parts with complex geometries can be brought to the target positions quickly and easily. The seating molds used in the current state of the art do not ensure that the part is in the correct position in the space and the correct position relative to the other parts, they only ensure that the part is at the correct level with respect to the ground.
The invention can also be used for suitable purposes in outer space. The invention provides convenience to employees in the work of reducing / increasing or positioning parts in the interational space station, moons or other planets or asteroids and their outer spaces too.
Description of figure 8:
Let one aim to obtain a surface with a S-curve shaped cross section (8C) as in Figure 8. Let the current situation be a plane surface (8D). The image that the PLANE model of the invention is to display on the current surface of the material can be seen in the upper part of
Figure 8. While laser point pairs stay away from each other at points far from the target surface, laser pairs overlap at the points where the target point is obtained, giving a single point image. The laser beam types that slay on the left (8A) where the excavation done less, stay on the right where the excavation is done excessively. In this way, it can be understood whether the target point is ahead or behind.
The invention provides a great advantage in excavating the vertical walls and ceilings of tunnels and galleries or for lining them with shotcrele. The instantaneous topographies of steep walls, ceilings or surfaces with complex geometries that are excavated in a dark environment or covered with a sprayed material and difficult to access, cannot be measured with sufficient details. Thanks to the invention, the operator who performs the excavation or coating process can instantly see how much or how less excavation or coating is done. In this way, material wastage and wrong manufacturing are prevented. Likewise, the invention can be used with high success in excavating or filling curved or inclined surfaces in water structures, preparing their molds and coating them with concrete. Much less experienced employee can perform successful operations by the invention. Work stress of the operators is reduced. By the instant and high flow of information, operators work more confidently and faster.
Apart from the works described above, the invention can also be used in precision excavation and precision piece assembly works in archeology too. After doing a CAD design for the result of joining and uploading it to the invention, the invention can be benchmarked
according to one of the parts to be joined, and other parts can be combined with the first part by the invention. Laser beam sources with smaller diameters should be used for this purpose.
Another area where the invention can be used is medical operations. By the invention, doctors can perform manual positioning operations faster and more confidently. Whether the target positioning is caught or not can be seen instantly during the operation. In most cases, the operator doctor must make an eye decision. By the invention, doctor error is minimized. The operator doctor can immediately see the result of every move he makes with his hands, without taking his eyes off the work area. With less work stress and less experience, she / he can perform successful operations much faster. For this purpose, thin-section lasers are used as in archaeological use. Benchmarking can be done on predetermined benchmark points on other parts of the body or fixed points slaying on the operation table can be used for this benchmarking purpose. The invention is covered with a hygienic shell for such uses. In orthopedics, neurosurgery, plastic surgery and others, the invention can be used successfully with high advantages.
While using the invention, the laser sources do not have to be constantly turned on. The lasers can be turned off at any time and energy savings can be achieved, and when necessary, the same target points can be continued to be designated by turning them on again. If the target distance is too away from the current working surface while using the invention, distance between spots formed by the designation laser pairs are be too great. In this case, the invention can designate the target point as another secondary temporary target surface closer to the current excavation surface. In this way, there would be no wide range of spots that may cause image clutter. The operator knows that the first surface to reach is the temporary surface and when she / he reaches this surface, the points of the laser pairs are to begin to coincide. After that, the invention can be commanded to display the underlying next
temporary surface or, if not too deep, final target surface on the actual surface. In this way, the distance between the laser pairs is not greater than the distance between the right and left points of the two adjacent laser spot pairs and there is no confusing image for the operator. If the distance between the spots formed by each laser pair is left within an area of quarter meter diameter centered on the midpoint of each square meter area, no complex image is to emerge.
When the invention is used in veiy bright environments, existing laser glasses can be used to see spots of laser beams on surfaces.
The invention may stay on a mechanism consisting of a shaft that provides horizontal movement in two directions and rotation around the vertical axis on three adjustable legs
(tripod) on which it is fixed. In this way, while positioning the invention, it can be brought to the exact position on the desired vertical surface by sliding the invention with screws in two horizontal axes perpendicular to each other more precisely and more easily and by rotating in vertical axis as accurately required.
Instead of using two stepper or servo motors in each cell used in the invention, the laser sources in cells can be guided and fixed individually in the technical office with external step motors. In this way, much smaller number of stepper motors are used, but in this case, the cells cannot make new designations during the use in the field.
Eventually, the invention turns all these production processes into a simple game. The game of overlapping the points formed on the surface by 2 or more laser beams with different characteristics directed at the same designation points; bringing them closer to each other game. Turning a production process into a game enables employees to work more motivated and willing. Psychological and mental wear is reduced. Work efficiency and quality are also increased.
The invention can be mounted on aircraft that can remain stationary in the air. In this way, different numbers of aircrafts can be used at the same time with this purpose. So, many inventions can be used in a very large area in coordination with each other.
Apart from all these mentioned production works, the invention provides a fast-effective surface and position control for same works too.
If the components of the invention are produced as modular pieces, separate matrix groupings can be made by the user for each job. If 8x10 two matrix boxes is to be used in one work, laser cells can be separated from this matrix and 3x4 2 matrix boxes can be formed and used in another project. A damaged laser cell can be replaced with a new one without leaving the entire invention inoperative, so the invention can continue to be used without waiting for the repair process of that cell. The rods forming the structural part of the invention can be selected and used in different lengths depending on the place of use.
A STANDING model can designate a target point 360 degrees around the position where it is placed. On the other hand, the PLANE model can only designate a target point in the direction they are fixed, just like stadium lighting.
The invention enables the work process in excavation and filling works to be completed with high efficiency and the other advantages mentioned above. The invention and its advantages can be used in excavation or filling works, tunnel and gallery boring, assembly of blocks, assembly of construction molds, production and assembly of architectural elements, positioning operations in outer space and other assembly and positioning works. Designs where error-free manufacturing is very difficult or expensive and rare can be produced at the high quality at lower costs thanks to the advantages provided by the invention. Apart from these works, invention can be used for the same purposes in more sensitive works such as
archeology and medical operations. The invention provides great advantages in the control processes of all these works too.
In the STANDING model of the invention, instead of using leveling panels, other fixed points on the STANDING model can also be used for the same purpose. For the PLANE model, at least 3 leveling panels can be used too. These panels can be installed in appropriate places on the PLANE model. Or it can be used for the same purpose as the point leveling panels with at least 3 marks on the PLANE model. In this way, PLANE and STANDING models can be benchmarked to each other.
Another model of the invention is called INDEPENDENT. In the INDEPENDENT model, the cells mentioned in Figure 9 or Figure 10 can be used depending on the purpose of use.
INDEPENDENT model has one or more suitable laser cells. In addition, INDEPENDENT model has at least 3 GPS modules. These GPS models mentioned are located in the geometric comers of an INDEPENDENT model. Thanks to these modules, the INDEPENDENT model can calculate the space coordinates of both its own geometric center and the geometric comer points where GPS modules are placed. With this location information, it can send a laser beam to the designation target point in the global coordinate system. For this, the benchmarking process is not performed as done in PLANE and STANDING models. One
INDEPENDENT model and another STANDING, PLANE or an INDEPENDENT model can send laser beams to the same target points together. In this way, target point designation technique with non-parallel laser beams is achieved too.
The INDEPENDENT model can be fixed on different structures that move in a controlled or uncontrolled manner. For example, it can be fixed on a floating object swinging by the effect of waves on the sea surface, or on an underwater, above water or flying vehicle. In this case, thanks to at least 3 GPS modules it has, it instantly learns the global coordinates of its
geometric comer and center points and laser sources are redirected to the target points after each position change. It achieves this with current techniques, GPS positioning and PID technologies. In this way, it is not benchmarked since there is no need for the benchmarking process which necessarily performed in PLANE or STANDING models. Therefore, it is not compulsory for a box to contain at least 3 cells too.
By this feature, an INDEPENDENT model does not need a human operator who benchmarks and fixes the invention on the correct location and position. It can send a laser beam to a designation target point on any programmed time with the help of global position information of target points entered into the main board memory. This can be achieved from any location it is fixed which can also be a moving platform too.
PLANE and STANDING models can be manufactured from one box instead of two boxes.
The appropriate type of laser cells in the box can indicate the target and benchmark points by sending at least 2 laser beams to the target points.
PLANE and STANDING models may also contain at least 3 GPS modules too. In this way, they can designate target points by sending laser beams to those points which' s global position information has already known and entered into the main card of the invention, without a need for benchmark process.
PLANE, STANDING or INDEPENDENT models can be used all together. Same target topography can be designated by 2 or 3 of these 3 different models together. Or, PLANE models can use the leveling panels of the STANDING models as benchmark points too. In this way, in a long and winding tunnel, STANDING models can constitute the main skeleton for benchmarking, while target points of a target topography in a tunnel can be designated by a single PLANE model or by a combination of PLANE and STANDING models working in a coordination.
It is a point designation system in space with non-parallel laser beams which’ s properties are;
• At least two boxes consists of a combination of cells, which have desired feature laser sources used for each point to be designated, inside can guide owned laser sources on two axes perpendicular to each other, have distance between them is equal when directed to the same target point and remains constant throughout the process,
• Two robotic motors and necessary gear mechanism that enable the laser source in each laser cell to be guided to a designation target point in space on two perpendicular axes in that cell,
• Main board, which calculates laser sources' guidance angle with the help of position and location information of invention and distance values between laser sources to each other and to target points, enables laser sources to guide to those determined angles by robotic motors, enables datum of location of the system to stand on for the whole process and tie bar's (1H) length, height and target points' location to be uploaded,
• Battery group that can be placed in the body and provide electrical power to the system.
• Tie bar (1H), which enables left and right boxes' locations and guidance to be stationary, located on adjustable three legs that enables invention to stand on,
• Positioning module that enables the system to be positioned (GPS or benchmark lasers overlapping on benchmark points),
• Leveling panels that can be attached and removed or folded sideways that allow the use of the STANDING models of the invention together,
• Suitable laser cells according to used PLANE or STANDING models of the invention,
• Protective shell, which protects the laser cells from exteral influences, allowing the laser beams to go outside without loss by having the relevant portion from transparent material,
• Body, owning these elements.
It is the method of working of the point designation system in space with non-parallel laser beams which includes;
• In a 3D CAD environment, positions of target points, invention and 3 benchmark points are simulated. The points of the invention are three fixed points named as
Dl, D2 and D3 and located on the invention. Target points are the target points belonging to the topography of the parts to be produced or positioned. Target points are named as Cl, C2 ...etc. Benchmark points are named as El, E2 and E3 and are fixed 3 points in the natural work volume.
• In this simulated 3D CAD environment, the distances between of all target points
(Ci) and benchmark points (Ej) to invention points (Dk) are measured and recorded on a sheet.
• These recorded distance values are uploaded into the main board of the invention via the digital display and keyboard of the invention or by other data transfer methods.
• In the factory settings of the invention, positions of each cell to the invention points Dl, D2 and D3 are already uploaded. The newly entered C-D and E-D distance information is used by the software on the main board of the invention to calculate which laser cell is to guide to which point in space, and robotically two laser sources are guided to each target point, one from a cell in the right box and the other from a cell in the left box.
• After the laser sources are guided by the invention, the invention is turned on in the field and the laser sources begin to emit.
• The invention operator transfer and tilt the invention to the right and left, back and forth by his hands in order to obtain at least 3 overlapping points of at least 6 benchmark laser beams already guided to benchmark points on at least 3 benchmark points which are naturally found in work space.
• Three adjustable legs of the invention are fixed as soon as at least 3 overlapping points are obtained of at least 6 laser beams on at least 3 benchmark points. If the positioning is wrong, at least 2 laser beams around each benchmark point, are to create double, separate spots instead of creating a single overlapping point.
• After this process, the invention is positioned correctly. If the project uses reduction / increase method, the tool or machine operator can start the reduction / increase process. If sufficient amount of reduction / increase is done, an
overlapping points image occurs on target points. If she / he reduced/ increased more or less, at least two separate laser points that do not overlapped on target points are formed around these target points. In the assembly process, the operator who is to perform assembly operations, tries to obtain overlapping laser spots on components' target points by simply moving components in different directions.
When this is achieved, all parts to be assembled are positioned correctly according to each other and benchmark points.
• At least two laser beams are guided to each target point. These guided laser beams can have different features. For example, the laser source in the left box may be red and one in the right may be green. Or lasers in die right box may be flashed while the lasers in the left box may be emitted constantly. A possible third box can contain laser sources with more different laser features. In the aforementioned form (red in the left box, green in the right box), if two boxes are used at a work made excessive reduction, red and green spots form around the target point not overlap just on target point and in addition to this the green spot remains on the left of the red spot and the red spot remains on the right of the green spot. If insufficient reduction is done, the green one of Ihe green and red laser spots around the target point is to remain on the right and the red one is to remain on the left. The same is true when using lasers that constantly be emitted and be flashed.
In this way, the operator who performs the reduction / increase operation can understand whether she / he did more or less reduction/increase by observing the situations to each other of two points with different characteristics spotting around the target points If these two points with different characteristics coincide, it
means that the target point has been reached. The same feature can be applied to the assembly process too. In a situation that cells in the left box supply red laser beams and those in the right box supply green laser beams for designation target points; in addition to this situation, if the component to be assembled stays between the designation point and the invention, then the red laser point formed around the designation point remains on the left compared to the green laser point.
When the assembly operator sees the red point on the left and the green point on the right, he realizes that she / he should shift the component beyond the invention more, and later she / he applies this shift. When the component is shifted too much, this time around the designation point, green point remains on the left compared to the red one. Seeing this, the operator pulls this component towards the invention again and the red and green laser points start to coincide just on the designation point. This visual shows the operator that the target part point has reached the designation point in real space. Achieving this for at least 3 target points indicates that the solid-shaped component is correctly positioned in space.
Positions of green and red laser points with respect to each other provide the above information to the operator, while the distance of these two points from each other provides Ihe operator the information of how far the designation point is with an absolute numerical distance value. Farther away from the designation point results a higher distance between red and green points. This feature provided by the usage of different colored laser sources can also be achieved with other feature differences too. Using laser beams that lighting continuously instead of red and using flashing laser beams instead of green... etc.
• Instead of designating with 2 laser beams, 3 or more laser beams can be used for the same purpose too. However, for the invention to work successfully, at least 2 non-parallel laser sources have to be used for die same designation point.
Providing laser beams not to have same feature, enables depth information about target points to the operator instantly.
• When all laser pairs coincide on their target points on the materials to be reduced / increased or on the components to be assembled, the intended reduction / increase process or the component positioning process for assembly... etc. has been achieved.
• The invention can be turned off and the next usage can be achieved with same process steps. steps of the process.
Another application of the invention is the form of STANDING model. It is a STANDING model and its properties are;
• It is manufactured with laser cells seen in Figure 9.
• One box is obtained by combining N number of the laser cells seen in Figure 9 on top of each other. A body part with a known length is added between two boxes and in this way, obtained combination is placed on floor with adjustable three legs in a vertical position to form a rod image.
• Each standing model has 3 leveling panels that can be removed or folded sideways. By these leveling panels, while the first of standing models used
together is benchmarked to the natural surface outside, the second standing model can be benchmarked to the marked points laying on leveling panels of the previous standing model. Or, on the contrary, the first standing model, which is positioned correctly by benchmarking to the natural environment, emits laser beams to the leveling panels of the next standing model, thus benchmarking of the next standing model is to be achieved.
• The standing model is vertical, not horizontal, form of a plane model which consists of two 1 x N matrix array boxes. Also, the cells in the standing model are the cells in Figure 9, not the cell in Figure 10.
• Main board and battery pack are located inside the body of the invention. Digital screen and keyboard, which are located on the body of the invention, enable invention operator to input data on the invention. owning these elements.
It is the working method of the aforementioned Standing model includes;
• The STANDING model is specially designed for item positioning. For example, in buildings, tunnels, etc., in work areas where laser light are to hit impermeable layers, designation points input on all STANDING models can be designated to the employees even in long and curved tunnels in full coordination with each other of STANDING model by the multiple usage them.
• STANDING and PLANE models can be used together by the leveling panels. At the entrance of a long and curved tunnel, the first standing model is benchmarked
to the natural surface, and the plane model can be benchmarked to the last standing model.
• The transfer of the benchmark and target point information to the main boards of the STANDING and PLANE models is carried out in the same way.
• STANDING and PLANE models are positioned accurately on the work site using benchmarks points.
• Two laser beams are designated for each target point, one from the lower box and the other from the upper box. The operator who assembles the components tries to get laser points that coincide exacdy on target points on the item by moving it in various directions. As soon as she / he achieves this, she / he understands that the item is brought to the correct position. For example, construction framework components or assembly of different parts... etc.
• As an example, on a STANDING model, each box contains a total of 5 laser cells, so 10 cells for single standing model. If 20 different components are to be assembled on the same day during a project, maximum of 5 target points can be designated for each component. In the assembly of a subsequent component, 5 target points belonging to this latter component are designated, by the help of keyboard and monitor without moving the invention. In this way, while such an invention model provides up to a maximum 5 target point designation at the same time, it can designate target points for a large number of items within the limits of the invention memory without a new data loading or a new positioning according to new benchmark points. steps of the process.
Another application of the invention is the form of INDEPENDENT model. It is an
INDEPENDENT model and its properties are;
• It contains at least 1 of the laser cells in Figure 9 or Figure 10.
• In an INDEPENDENT model, laser cells in Figure 9 or Figure 10 can be found in any number.
• There are at least 3 GPS modules in the INDEPENDENT model.
• INDEPENDENT model that is to be fixed on a moving base has a PID module.
• INDEPENDENT model includes a suitable main board.
• FREE model includes a suitable battery pack as an electrical power supply. owning these elements.
It is the working method of the aforementioned INDEPENDENT model includes;
• Thanks to its at least 3 GPS modules, the INDEPENDENT model can precisely calculate the positions of its geometric center and geometric corners in space.
• Manually benchmarking is not necessary.
• Global Positioning System information of target points are input on the main board.
• Using the GPS information of itself and target points, it calculates how many degrees the laser source in which cell is to rotate on which axis and later on it
enables the relevant robotic motors to rotate at these angles, then turns on laser sources on and starts to designate target points.
• In a situation lhat the base of the INDEPENDENT model .where it is located and fixed on, is in a motion, INDEPENDENT model measures its own location and position information instantly and enables laser sources to designate target points continuously by using the existing ΡΠ) technology. Laser sources' alignment angles are instantly changed by the INDEPENDENT model in order to continuously designate same target points, by the help of the PID module, for possible location and position changes due to moving base. For this, GPS modules, PID module and main board work together.
• All of the laser cells in the INDEPENDENT model may have the same characteristics or each of them may have different properties. (Feature: color, flashing frequency, laser beam cross section diameter... etc.) steps of the process.
The following situations may vary with invention model changes.
A. Any featured laser source that emits a laser beam to a target point.
B. A cell containing two suitable robotic motors that can direct the laser source in clause A on two axes and electronic and mechanical parts required for these robotic motors.
C. The main board that the necessary numerical information is input and does necessary calculations and later directs the laser sources in the cells to the target points.
D. The electrical power source that provides energy to the invention.
E. To be used only in mobile and fixed INDEPENDENT models of the invention; at least 3 GPS modules, which enable the invention to determine its own global position and in this global position its own geometric position according to global coordinates, operate in connection with the main board, are located on the invention and as far away from each other as possible.
F. To be used in the INDEPENDENT model of the invention which has a movable location; PID module operating in coordination with the main board and with at least 3 GPS modules in order to be able to emit uninterrupted and non-deviating laser beams to the same target point during the working period due to the position variability caused by the operation of the invention in a controlled or uncontrolled manner.
For PLANE and STANDING models;
It is mandatory to own at least 6 of the B.
It is mandatory to own one of the C.
It is mandatory to own one of the D.
It is not mandatory to own any of the E. It is beneficial to own.
It is not mandatory to own any of the F. It does not help to be owned.
For fixed position INDEPENDENT model only;
It is mandatory to own at least 1 of the B.
It is mandatory to own 1 of the C.
It is mandatory to own 1 of the D.
It is mandatory to own at least 1 of the E.
It is not mandatory to own any of the F. It does not help to be owned.
For mobile position INDEPENDENT model only:
It is mandatory to own at least 1 of the B.
It is mandatory to own 1 of the C.
It is mandatory to own 1 of the D.
It is mandatory to own 1 of the E.
It is mandatory to own 1 of the F.
Claims
1. Point designation system in space with non-parallel laser beams, comprising
• At least two boxes, which are used for each point to be targeted, can rotate in two axes, have equal distances between them when they are directed to the same target point and remain constant throughout the process, and contain a combination of cells with any desired feature laser source,
• Two robotic motors and necessary gear mechanism that enable the laser source in each laser cell to be directed to a target point in space on two axes located in that cell with methods of existing robotic techniques,
• The main board .which calculates orientation angles of laser sources with the help of distance information between laser sources and the position information of these laser sources to target points, makes robotic motors to align laser sources to angles calculated, allows inputs of information of the location where the system is to be located during the process and of relative positions of all laser cells and target points to each other and of target points' location into the memory of the system,
• Power group that can be placed in the body and provides electrical power to the system,
• Positioning module that enables the system to be positioned in order to make laser beams overlapped on GPS or benchmark points,
• Laser cells suitable for PLANE and STANDING models
• Protective casing that protects the laser cell from external influences, allowing laser beam to go outside without loss by making the relevant area of transparent material, contained.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
TR201919502 | 2019-12-07 | ||
TR2019/19502 | 2019-12-07 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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WO2021112809A1 true WO2021112809A1 (en) | 2021-06-10 |
Family
ID=76221740
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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PCT/TR2020/051240 WO2021112809A1 (en) | 2019-12-07 | 2020-12-07 | Point designation system in 3-dimensional space with using multiple laser beams |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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WO (1) | WO2021112809A1 (en) |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2010179435A (en) * | 2009-02-09 | 2010-08-19 | Japan Science & Technology Agency | Robot control system and robot control method |
JP2012083157A (en) * | 2010-10-08 | 2012-04-26 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Outdoor feature detection system, program for the same, and record media of program for the same |
RU2665352C1 (en) * | 2017-12-05 | 2018-08-29 | Акционерное общество "Научно-исследовательский институт "Полюс" им. М.Ф. Стельмаха" (АО "НИИ "Полюс" им. М.Ф. Стельмаха") | Laser pointer/range finder |
-
2020
- 2020-12-07 WO PCT/TR2020/051240 patent/WO2021112809A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2010179435A (en) * | 2009-02-09 | 2010-08-19 | Japan Science & Technology Agency | Robot control system and robot control method |
JP2012083157A (en) * | 2010-10-08 | 2012-04-26 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Outdoor feature detection system, program for the same, and record media of program for the same |
RU2665352C1 (en) * | 2017-12-05 | 2018-08-29 | Акционерное общество "Научно-исследовательский институт "Полюс" им. М.Ф. Стельмаха" (АО "НИИ "Полюс" им. М.Ф. Стельмаха") | Laser pointer/range finder |
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