US 12,072,178 B2
3D scanner using a structured beam of probe light
Rasmus Kjaer, Copenhagen K (DK); Thomas Allin Højgaard, Espergærde (DK); and Herman Scherling, Kokkedal (DK)
Assigned to 3SHAPE A/S, Copenhagen K (DK)
Filed by 3SHAPE A/S, Copenhagen K (DK)
Filed on Apr. 11, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/298,622.
Application 18/298,622 is a continuation of application No. 16/312,045, granted, now 11,650,045, previously published as PCT/EP2017/065553, filed on Jun. 23, 2017.
Claims priority of application No. PA 2016 70455 (DK), filed on Jun. 24, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2023/0243645 A1, Aug. 3, 2023
Int. Cl. G01B 11/25 (2006.01); A61C 9/00 (2006.01); A61C 13/00 (2006.01); A61C 19/04 (2006.01); G02B 26/10 (2006.01); G02B 30/60 (2020.01); H04N 1/00 (2006.01); H04N 1/04 (2006.01)
CPC G01B 11/2513 (2013.01) [A61C 9/006 (2013.01); A61C 13/0004 (2013.01); A61C 19/04 (2013.01); G01B 11/25 (2013.01); G01B 11/2527 (2013.01); G02B 26/10 (2013.01); G02B 30/60 (2020.01); H04N 1/00827 (2013.01); H04N 1/04 (2013.01)] 38 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A 3D scanner for recording a digital 3D representation of an object, the 3D scanner comprising:
a projector unit configured for projecting a structured beam of probe light comprising a spatial pattern onto the object which is placed in a scan volume, the object comprising a dental impression or a physical dental object;
an imaging unit arranged to acquire 2D images of the pattern imaged onto the object when the object is illuminated by the structured beam; and
an actuator unit arranged to control the position of the structured beam at the object by rotating a movable portion of the projector unit around a pivoting axis, the actuator unit comprising a rotation motor comprising or arranged to drive a wheel, where a surface of the wheel is operatively coupled to the movable portion of the projector unit,
wherein the movable portion of the projector unit comprises a light source, wherein the light source is movable around the pivoting axis,
wherein the actuator unit comprises a second pivoting axis, wherein the second pivoting axis is orthogonal to the pivoting axis of the movable portion of the projector unit.