Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
250231140 | Incremental shaft readers; i.e., with means to generate increments of angular shaft rotation | 55 |
20090001259 | ROTARY DEVICE - Disclosed is a rotary device that rotatably and movably supports a rotary body, thereby reducing the number of parts, as compared to the related art. | 01-01-2009 |
20090072130 | Rotary Encoder Apparatus and Method - Rotary encoder apparatus is described that comprises an encoder scale or ring and an encoder scale reader. The encoder scale includes an incremental scale and one or more reference marks. The encoder scale reader comprises at least a first readhead and a second readhead that each produce a reference mark signal when passed over a reference mark of the encoder scale. The apparatus also comprises a reference position setter for determining, as the encoder scale reader is rotated relative to the encoder scale, at least one angularly repeatable reference position of the encoder scale relative to the encoder scale reader using a first reference mark signal produced by the first readhead and second reference mark signal subsequently produced by the second readhead. | 03-19-2009 |
20090236508 | Incremental encoder - An incremental encoder, which comprises a light source, a code wheel, a first photo-sensitive unit, a second photo-sensitive unit, a first inverse-phase photo-sensitive unit and a comparison circuit, is disclosed. The light source provides a detecting light. The code wheel comprises many diaphanous holes. The detecting light is sieved into a light pulse signal by the diaphanous holes when the code wheel is rotating. The first photo-sensitive unit, the second photo-sensitive unit and the first inverse-phase photo-sensitive unit generates the first electronic signal, the second electronic signal and the first inverse-phase electronic signal respectively based on the light pulse signal. The comparison circuit generates a voltage signal by composing the first electronic signal and the first inverse-phase electronic signal, generates a first digital signal based on the voltage signal and the first electronic signal, and generates a second digital signal based on the voltage signal and the second electronic signal. | 09-24-2009 |
20100140463 | ENCODER AND METHOD FOR PRECISELY INDICATING POSITIONS - An encoder and method for precisely indicating the position of a first member with respect to a second member by utilizing a pattern of machine-sensible elements carried on a track of the first member; the machine-sensible elements being located at successive incremental rotations on the track of the first member and each representing one of the binary values “0” and “1”; and a plurality of “n” sensors, wherein “n” is greater than “3”, carried by the second member at a plurality of spaced locations thereon in proximity to the track of the first member and alignable with the machine-sensible elements of the first member. Each sensor thus senses the binary value of each machine-sensible element with which it is aligned to produce an output corresponding to the binary value of the machine-sensible element with which it is aligned, whereby the outputs of all the sensors constitute a binary code, preferably a Gray code, of “n” bits identifying the position of the first member with respect to the second member. | 06-10-2010 |
20100252722 | Optical encoder assembly including collimating reflective surface features - An optical encoder assembly including at least one light source or emitter element, at least one light detector or sensor element, at least one code member including a plurality of code elements arranged along a track extending along a plane with the emitter element and the sensor element positioned on a first side of the plane, and a reflector element positioned on an opposite second side of the plane and including a reflective surface having one or more collimating reflective surface features that reflect light emitted from the emitter element to the code element and on to the sensor element. | 10-07-2010 |
20100282955 | SEALED ROTARY MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - A measurement system ( | 11-11-2010 |
20110017905 | MICROFLUIDIC DEVICE, MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME, AND METHOD FOR DETECTING REFERENCE ANGLE OF THE MICROFLUIDIC DEVICE - A microfluidic device includes a platform having a disc shape, a chamber formed on the platform, and a home position mark formed on the platform. The at least one chamber and the home position mark are arranged at a same distance from a center of the platform. The home position mark has a light transmittance which is different from a light transmittance of the at least one chamber. A microfluidic system includes a light emitting part which emits light; a light receiving part arranged to receive the light emitted by the light emitting part; the microfluidic device arranged between the light emitting part and the light receiving part; an operating part which rotates the microfluidic device; and a control part which compares an intensity of light incident upon the light receiving part with a with a reference value to detect a reference angle of the microfluidic device. | 01-27-2011 |
20110155895 | ROTARY ENCODER WHICH DETECTS ROTATION ANGLE - A rotary encoder | 06-30-2011 |
20110215230 | OPTICAL ENCODER - The invention relates to optical encoders providing binary logic signals representing increments of relative position of two elements of the encoder, the two elements being mobile with respect to one another. The encoder includes at least one pair formed of a luminous emitter and of a luminous detector which are secured to the fixed element, the emitter producing a luminous radiation that the detector can detect, and at least one mark secured to the movable element, during the motion of the movable element with respect to the fixed element, the mark being able to place itself in the path of the luminous radiation so as to be detected by the detector. The encoder further includes a plane printed circuit, secured to the fixed element and on which the pair of emitter and detector is arranged. | 09-08-2011 |
20110233393 | MOTOR ASSEMBLY SENSOR CAPTURE SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A motor may be configured to drive a drive shaft and an engagement member supported on the drive shaft. A detectable feature comprising a rotary member may be supported on the drive shaft such that movement of the drive shaft by the motor changes a state of the detectable feature. At least one sensor may be arranged to detect the state of the detectable feature. Circuitry may be configured to provide a signal in response to a change in the state of the detectable feature detected by the at least one sensor. | 09-29-2011 |
20110260042 | Power Angle Monitor - A system and method for monitoring the rotation of a generator rotor and calculating a power angle using an optical rotor displacement monitor. The monitor uses a light beam directed toward the rotor to detect a marking thereon, and generates an electrical pulse when the marking is detected. The time between the pulse and a reference point (such as a zero crossing) of the signal waveform from the terminals of the generator is used to calculate the power angle of the generator. The system is adaptive in that it can account for new markings on the rotor. The system may be connected to a network so that power angles from various generators on the electrical network may be compared. The system may further be connected to a common time source such that a time stamp may be applied to the power angles from various generators, allowing for more accurate comparison of the power angles. | 10-27-2011 |
20110303831 | ROTARY ENCODER THAT DETECTS ROTATION ANGLE - A rotary encoder | 12-15-2011 |
20130240719 | ROTARY ENCODER AND METHOD OF DETECTING ABNORMALITY OF ROTARY ENCODER - A signal output unit generates an A phase output signal of a rectangular wave and a B phase output signal of a rectangular wave from the A phase sinusoidal wave signal and the B phase sinusoidal wave signal, respectively and outputs the generated signals. An internal signal generating unit (comparator) generates an A phase internal signal of a rectangular wave and a B phase internal signal of a rectangular wave from the A phase sinusoidal wave signal and the B phase sinusoidal wave signal, respectively, which are further processed by counters, and an abnormality detector. Each counter resets in response to a pulse edge of a signal for detection. The abnormality detector detects an abnormality when the count value of at least one of counters reaches a prescribed value. | 09-19-2013 |
20130284909 | Rotation Angle Detecting Apparatus - A rotation angle detecting apparatus comprises a shaft portion space formed in a rotation shaft, a bearing holder space, a first condenser lens, a second condenser lens to face the first condenser lens, a detection pattern provided at a focal position of one of the first condenser lens and the second condenser lens, an image sensor provided at a focal position of the other of the first condenser lens and the second condenser lens, and an arithmetic unit for calculating an angle displacement of the rotation shaft. The arithmetic unit carries out a total circumferential scanning, extracts a frequency component, carries out a scanning of a reference designation pattern, and calculates the angle displacement of the rotation shaft based on a phase difference of the frequency component and the number of frequencies corresponding to a change in a position of the reference designation pattern. | 10-31-2013 |
20130306850 | INDEXED OPTICAL ENCODER, METHOD FOR INDEXING AN OPTICAL ENCODER, AND METHOD FOR DYNAMICALLY ADJUSTING GAIN AND OFFSET IN AN OPTICAL ENCODER - An optical encoder may include an encoder disk, an illumination system, and a detector to detect light diffracted from the encoder disk. The encoder disk may include a signal track comprising a diffraction grating, and an index track comprising a reflective index mark, wherein a width of the index mark is larger than a pitch of the diffraction grating. An indexing method may include providing an encoder disk, providing an illumination system to direct light to the encoder disk, providing a detector structured to detect light diffracted from the encoder disk, calculating an estimated count of quadrature states from a rising edge of an index pulse to a middle of the index interval, and calculating the quadrature state at an approximate center of the index pulse. A dynamic parameter correction method may include calculating a target gain and offset and correcting values based on the target gain and offset. | 11-21-2013 |
20140042308 | OPTICAL ROTARY ENCODER AND CORRECTION METHOD THEREFOR - An optical rotary encoder includes a light source, a rotation body including a reflecting diffraction grating, a light receiving unit including a plurality of light receiving elements, a synthetic unit that combines output signals output from the plurality of light receiving elements to obtain a signal, which represents a fringe pattern component at a certain cycle, included in a light reflected by the reflecting diffraction grating and, and a detection unit that detects a direction based on a first signal and a second signal, the direction being a direction in which a distance between the rotation body and the light receiving unit varies, the first signal and the second signal being obtained by the synthetic unit, the first signal indicating a fringe pattern component having a cycle shorter than the certain cycle, the second signal indicating a fringe pattern component having a cycle longer than the certain cycle. | 02-13-2014 |
20140158873 | MOTOR ASSEMBLY SENSOR CAPTURE SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A motor may be configured to drive a drive shaft and an engagement member supported on the drive shaft. A detectable feature comprising a rotary member may be supported on the drive shaft such that movement of the drive shaft by the motor changes a state of the detectable feature. At least one sensor may be arranged to detect the state of the detectable feature. Circuitry may be configured to provide a signal in response to a change in the state of the detectable feature detected by the at least one sensor. | 06-12-2014 |
20140183346 | POSITION DETECTION APPARATUS, DRIVE CONTROL APPARATUS, AND LENS APPARATUS - A position detection apparatus includes a signal output configured to output a plurality of signals, the position detection apparatus detecting a relative position of a position detection target from a reference position on the basis of the plurality of signals, a relative position detection unit configured to detect the relative position of the position detection target from the reference position on the basis of the plurality of signals, an absolute position detection unit configured to detect an absolute position of the position detection target on the basis of the plurality of signals; and a reference position setting unit configured to set the absolute position detected by the absolute position detection unit as the reference position. | 07-03-2014 |
20150048242 | PHASE ESTIMATION METHOD AND APPARATUS THEREFOR - Phase estimation apparatus processes sensor signals from sensors to estimate a phase of a periodically varying state of an object, such as position of a moving object. A phase estimation processor applies a first correlation calculation to simultaneously collected samples of the sensor signals to generate first quadrature values, where the first correlation calculation employs variable calculation values, and applies a phase calculation to the first quadrature values to generate the phase estimation. A pre-quadrature calibration circuit applies respective second correlation calculations to respective sequences of samples of the sensor signals individually to generate second quadrature values for each of the sensor signals, and applies phase and/or magnitude calculations to the sets of second quadrature values to generate the variable calculation values for the first correlation calculation, thereby compensate for the error component and improve accuracy of the estimated phase. | 02-19-2015 |
20150300846 | INPUT DEVICE FOR AN ELECTRICAL DEVICE - An input device for an electrical device includes a base which can be attached to the electrical device and has at least one light source for producing a measurement beam, and at least one sensor for detecting the reflected measurement beam. An input actuator is movable in relation to the base and includes a plurality of reflection bodies for deflecting the measurement beam onto the sensor. Each reflection body has an entry area for entry of the measurement beam into the reflection body, at least one reflection surface for reflecting the measurement beam, and an outlet area for outlet of the measurement beam from the reflection body. | 10-22-2015 |
20150323350 | ROBUST INDEX CORRECTION OF AN ANGULAR ENCODER BASED ON READ HEAD RUNOUT - A method is given for finding a reference correction value of an index mark of an angular encoder. The angular encoder includes a first read head, a second read head, and a patterned element having incremental marks and an index mark. In a first instance and in a second instance, the patterned element is rotated relative to the read heads to obtain incremental readings from the first read head and the second read head and an index mark from the first read head. Based on these readings, a processor determines, in the first instance, a first reference position and, in the second instance, a second reference position. The processor determines the reference correction value based at least in part on the first reference position and the second reference position. | 11-12-2015 |
20150323354 | ROBUST INDEX CORRECTION OF AN ANGULAR ENCODER IN A THREE-DIMENSIONAL COORDINATE MEASUREMENT DEVICE - A 3D measurement device sends a beam of light to a point on an object, receives the reflected light, and determines a distance and two angles to the point, one of the angles measured by an angular encoder, which includes a disk having incremental marks and an index mark. Light from the 3D device is rotated to reflect light from a reference reflector to produce a first synchronization signal. A first difference angle is determined based on counts of the incremental marks and on the first synchronization signal. Light from the 3D device is rotated to reflect light from the reference reflector to produce a second synchronization signal. A second difference angle is determined based on counts of the incremental marks and on the second synchronization signal. The reference correction value of the index mark is determined based on the first and second difference angles. | 11-12-2015 |
20150323355 | ROBUST INDEX CORRECTION OF AN ANGULAR ENCODER USING ANALOG SIGNALS - A method for finding a reference correction value of an angular encoder index mark is given. The angular encoder has a first read head, a second read head, and a patterned element that includes incremental marks and an index mark. In a first instance, the first read head detects the presence of the index mark and, in response, the second read head generates a first analog signal. In a second instance, the first read head detects the presence of the index mark and, in response, the second read head generates a second analog signal. A processor determines the reference correction value based at least in part on the first analog signal and the second analog signal. | 11-12-2015 |
20150338250 | Encoder Eccentricity Correction for Elevator Systems - An encoder assembly ( | 11-26-2015 |
20150362342 | DISPLACEMENT DETECTING DEVICE - To provide a displacement detecting device capable of achieving an improvement in a measurement range without being restricted by an origin mark or an origin signal. A displacement detecting device | 12-17-2015 |
20150369637 | MEASUREMENT SCALE - A measurement scale device includes at least one scale marking, wherein the or each scale marking includes at least one periodic nanostructure that represents scale device information. | 12-24-2015 |
20160069713 | Optical Encoder Including Diffuser Members - An optical encoder having diffuser members, and methods for detecting the rotational movement of the cylinder of the optical encoder are disclosed. The optical encoder may include a rotatable cylinder configured to reflect light. The rotatable cylinder may include an encoding pattern of alternating reflective stripes having distinct light-reflective properties. The optical encoder may also include a light source positioned adjacent the rotatable cylinder, and an array of optical sensors positioned adjacent the rotatable cylinder. The array of optical sensors may receive the reflected light from the rotatable cylinder. The optical encoder may include a diffuser member positioned on the rotatable cylinder, the light source, and the array of optical sensors. | 03-10-2016 |
20160076917 | Encoder Alignment Structure - An encoder system comprising an encoder assembly and an encoder alignment structure is disclosed. The encoder assembly may include at least a coding member, a hub, and a housing. The encoder alignment structure may comprise a major surface, a plurality of catches, and a recessed region. The major surface may be coupled with the housing to substantially enclose the hub and the coding member. The plurality of catches may be disposed around the periphery of the major surface and may be configured to secure the encoder alignment structure to the housing. The recessed region of the major surface may be converging from the periphery of the major surface between two of the plurality of catches towards the hub so as to provide access for a user to adjust the hub around the axis of rotation. | 03-17-2016 |
20160116306 | OPTICAL POSITION DETECTION OF A TIMEPIECE CROWN STEM - A method of detecting a movement of a timepiece setting stem arranged to be moved axially along and/or rotated about its longitudinal axis. The method includes a light source illuminating a portion of the setting stem; a light detector receiving a reflected or diffracted light pattern from the setting stem; a processor forming a first pixel pattern representative of the reflected light pattern at a first time instant; the processor forming a second pixel pattern representative of the reflected light pattern at a second, later time instant; and determining that the setting stem has been moved, if the second pixel pattern is different or shifted with respect to the first pixel pattern. | 04-28-2016 |
20160131508 | SERVOMOTOR AND ENCODER - An encoder includes a first multiple rotation counter that generates first multiple rotation data using a rotation signal indicating one rotation of a rotational shaft of a motor, a second multiple rotation counter that generates second multiple rotation data using the rotation signal, a first cumulative-number calculation unit that calculates first accumulated multiple rotation data using an angle signal indicating a rotational angle of the rotational shaft, a second cumulative-number calculation unit that calculates second accumulated multiple rotation data using the angle signal, and a first comparative diagnosis unit that diagnoses whether the encoder has a fault by performing a comparison to determine whether the first multiple rotation data, the second multiple rotation data, the first accumulated multiple rotation data, and the second accumulated multiple rotation data are a same value. | 05-12-2016 |
20160138943 | DUAL ENCODER - A dual encoder ( | 05-19-2016 |
20160161295 | ENCODER AND MOTOR WITH ENCODER - An encoder includes an object body having an absolute pattern formed along a measurement direction, a light source positioned such that the light source emits light to the absolute pattern of the object body, and light receiving elements aligned along the measurement direction such that the light receiving elements receive the light transmitted through or reflected by the absolute pattern of the object body. The light receiving elements include a first light receiving element having a polygonal shape and having a first region in the polygonal shape and a second region formed on an inner side of the first region such that the second region has an optical sensitivity lower than an optical sensitivity of the first region and that the first region includes corner portions of the polygonal shape. | 06-09-2016 |
20160178405 | METHOD FOR INTRODUCING A STRUCTURE INTO AN ELEMENT, IN PARTICULAR AN ELEMENT OF AN ANGLE MEASURING SYSTEM | 06-23-2016 |
20190145799 | OPTICAL ROTATION ANGLE MEASURING SYSTEM | 05-16-2019 |
250231150 | With plural gear driven discs | 2 |
20090152452 | REFLECTIVE MULTI-TURN ENCODER - A reflective optical encoder for a gear train. The reflective optical encoder includes a gear train with a plurality of gears. Each of the gears is operably coupled to at least one other gear of the plurality of gears. A reflective code pattern is accessible on a surface of at least one of the gears. A reflective optical sensor detects light reflected by the reflective code pattern. Position logic coupled to the optical sensor determines a rotational parameter of the gear train based on the light reflected by the reflective code pattern. Additionally, the position logic may determine rotational parameter of a pinion coupled to the gear train based on the rotational parameter of the gear train. | 06-18-2009 |
20100001177 | Rotary Encoder with Built-in-Self-Test - A rotary encoder using built-in self test ability with redundant and fault tolerant position sensing. Wherein the rotary encoder is used with a variety of rotary equipment including a valve actuator including the generation of speed data ( | 01-07-2010 |
250231160 | Using phase difference of output signals from plural photodetectors | 5 |
20110101209 | ROTARY POSITION DETECTOR AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - A rotary position detector includes a housing having an inner space having a reflective element therewithin. A light source emits light rays upwardly. A base supports a light detector assembly having a first number of toroidal-sector-shaped light sensors disposed in pairs about a motor shaft axis, one “A” detector element and one “B” detector element alternately disposed. A light blocker rotates with the shaft above the light detector assembly and the light source and includes a second number of opaque, equal-surface-area elements arrayed about the axis, the second number equal to one-half the first number. A circuit measures a signal from the “A” and “B” detectors relating to an amount of light falling thereon, a difference related to an angular position of the motor shaft. | 05-05-2011 |
20110147572 | ROTARY ENCODER AND ROTATION MECHANISM INCLUDING THE SAME - A rotary encoder includes two first detection units disposed at positions that are symmetrical about a rotation axis, each of the first detection units outputting an incremental signal, and second detection unit that outputs an absolute signal φ | 06-23-2011 |
20110210238 | ENCODER - An encoder which measures displacement of a moving part includes a light-emitting unit; a moving part which moves relative to the light-emitting unit; a first pattern track which includes a plurality of first unit patterns sequentially formed on the moving part, separated from one another and having different widths; a first light-receiving unit which is disposed to correspond to the light-emitting unit and detects first information light received from the light-emitting unit via a first pattern of the first unit patterns; at least one second light-receiving unit which is disposed to correspond to the light-emitting unit and detects second information about light received from the light-emitting unit via at least one second pattern of the first unit patterns; and a displacement calculating unit which calculates a relative displacement of the moving part with respect to a reference position based on the first and second information. | 09-01-2011 |
20130140446 | Rotary Position Detector and Associated Methods - A rotary position detector includes a housing having an inner space having a reflective element. A light source emits light rays upwardly. A base supports a light detector assembly having a first number of toroidal-sector-shaped light sensors disposed in pairs about a motor shaft axis, one “A” detector element and one “B” detector element alternately disposed. A light blocker positioned between the light source and the light sensors rotates with the shaft. The light blocker includes a second number of opaque, equal-surface-area elements arrayed about the axis, the second number equal to one-half the first number. A circuit measures a signal from the “A” and “B” detectors relating to an amount of light falling thereon, a difference related to an angular position of the motor shaft. | 06-06-2013 |
20160116307 | POSITION DETECTING DEVICE, ELECTRONIC APPARATUS, RECORDING APPARATUS, ROBOT, AND POSITION DETECTING METHOD - A position detecting device detects the position of a moving body by using first and second detected signals that have voltage values changing in connection with a movement of the moving body. The position detecting device includes a difference computing unit that computes first and second difference values, the first being the difference between a center voltage of the first detected signal and the voltage value of the first detected signal, and the second being the difference between a center voltage of the second detected signal and the voltage value of the second detected signal. A ratio computing unit computes a difference-sum ratio index in accordance with the ratio of the difference value between the absolute values of the first and second difference values and the absolute value of the second difference value to the sum of the absolute values of the first and second difference values. | 04-28-2016 |
250231170 | With means to indicate a complete shaft rotation | 3 |
20100224768 | OPTICAL ENCODER, MOTOR, AND MOTOR SYSTEM - An optical encoder includes a rotation disc, an annular slit, a light source, an absolute-value-related detecting unit, and a signal processing device. The annular slit includes a first annular slit and a second annular slit which are decentered in a mutually different direction. The light source is configured to irradiate light on the annular slit. The absolute-value-related detecting unit is configured to detect transmitted light or reflected light irradiated from the light source and transmitted or reflected at the annular slit to output a detected signal. The absolute-value-related detecting unit includes a first detecting unit corresponding to the first annular slit and a second detecting unit corresponding to the second annular slit. The signal processing device is configured to detect an absolute rotational angle of the rotation disc based on the detected signal output from the absolute-value-related detecting unit. | 09-09-2010 |
20110084200 | Position Transmitter with Multi-Turn Position Acquisition - This invention relates to a position transmitter for the acquisition of the position of a shaft, rotatable about an axis of rotation, with a first optical sensor arrangement for the acquisition of the single-turn position of the shaft, and a second optical sensor arrangement for the acquisition of the multi-turn position of the shaft. | 04-14-2011 |
20110084201 | Position Transmitter with Multi-Turn Position Acquisition - This invention relates to a position transmitter for the acquisition of the position of a shaft, rotatable about an axis of rotation, comprising an optical sensor arrangement with a plurality of sensor elements, in which the plurality of sensor elements are provided for the acquisition of the single-turn position of the shaft, and whereby part of the plurality of sensor elements is provided for the acquisition, in particular for the gearless acquisition, of the multi-turn position of the shaft. | 04-14-2011 |
250231180 | Position indicating shaft encoders with means to generate a unique signal for each specific angular shaft position | 11 |
20080251700 | ENCODER WITH A COMBINED POSITION AND INDEX TRACK - An optical encoder. The encoder includes a coding element, an emitter, and a detector. The coding element has a track with a track pattern. The track pattern includes a plurality of optically distinguishable sections, which include a plurality of position sections and an index section. The emitter generates a light signal incident on the track of the coding element. The detector includes a combined position and index photodetector array. The combined position and index photodetector array includes a plurality of position photodetectors and an index photodetector. Embodiments of this type of optical encoder implement position and index sections in a single track on the coding element. | 10-16-2008 |
20080251701 | ENCODER WITH A COMBINED POSITION AND INDEX TRACK - An optical encoder. The encoder includes a coding element, an emitter, and a detector. The coding element has a track with a track pattern. The track pattern includes a plurality of optically distinguishable sections, which include a plurality of position sections and an index section. The emitter generates a light signal incident on the track of the coding element. The detector includes a combined position and index photodetector array. The combined position and index photodetector array includes a plurality of position photodetectors and an index photodetector. Embodiments of this type of optical encoder implement position and index sections in a single track on the coding element. | 10-16-2008 |
20080277570 | HIGH PRECISION COMPACT ROTATION ANGLE ABSOLUTE ENCODER - An angle absolute encoder comprises a code rod encoded with code marks configured in segments, such that each successive segment has an increasing number of code marks, arranged at an angle to the rotation axis depending on the number of code marks in each segment. The angle of the code mark is determined by the number of code marks in the respective segment, the width of the segment parallel to the rotation axis of the code rod and the radius of the code rod. The angular resolution increases according to the number of code marks in each segment. Light is reflected from or transmitted through the code marks and detected by a light detector to determine absolute angle position. | 11-13-2008 |
20100127162 | OPTICAL JOG WHEEL WITH SPIRAL CODING ELEMENT - A user navigational apparatus. The user navigational apparatus includes a dial, a coding element, and an encoder. The coding element is coupled to a dial. The coding element includes a track of alternating reflective and non-reflective sections, each having a substantially oblique leading edge relative to a direction of movement of the coding element. The encoder includes an emitter and a detector. The emitter generates a light signal incident on the track of the coding element. The detector detects a reflected light signal which corresponds to a portion of the incident light signal that is reflected off of the reflective sections of the track. The detector also generates a channel signal corresponding to the reflected light signal. | 05-27-2010 |
20100176283 | Sensor and method for determining an angular position of a rotor using an elongated member - A sensor for determining an angular position of a rotor comprises an elongated member for attachment to the rotor for lengthwise movement in response to rotation of the rotor. The elongated member has a length and includes indicia identifying predetermined designated segments along the length. A field source generates a field adjacent to a selected portion of the length of the elongated member. A field effect detector detects at least one of the indicia associated with the selected portion of the length of the elongated member in response generation of the field adjacent the selected portion. The detected one of the indicia identifies at least one of the designated segments. The identified designated segment is functionally related to the angular position of the rotor. | 07-15-2010 |
20100219332 | Electronic Code Disk Position Selecting Device - The present invention is an electronic system which can select high-precision positions by an electronic code disk position selecting device. The device includes an active spindle ( | 09-02-2010 |
20120153135 | ABSOLUTE ROTARY ENCODER - An absolute rotary encoder comprises a scale having marks arranged at a first pitch; a first detector and a second detector including plural photoelectric conversion elements arranged at a second pitch smaller than the first pitch, and configured to detect a predetermined number of marks, the second detector disposed opposite to the first detector; and a computing device. The computing device is configured to generate a data string by quantizing a periodic signal output from the first detector, and obtains first angle data from the data string, to normalize amplitudes of the periodic signals output from the first and second detectors, to average the normalized periodic signal to obtain second angle data from a phase of the averaged periodic signal, and to combine the first and second angle data to generate data representing an absolute rotation angle. | 06-21-2012 |
20120153136 | ABSOLUTE ROTARY ENCODER - An absolute rotary encoder comprises: a rotary member which includes a cylindrical surface on which a plurality of marks are arranged at a predetermined pitch in a circumferential direction; a light source configured to emit a light toward the cylindrical surface; a detector configured to detect a predetermined number of marks of the plurality of marks; and a computing device configured to obtain an absolute rotation angle of the rotary member based on an output from the detector. The detector is configured to output a signal corresponding to the predetermined number of marks and having an uneven period resulting from a geometrical layout of the light source, the cylindrical surface, and the detector. The computing device is configured to correct the signal using correction data so as to reduce unevenness of the period, and to obtain the absolute rotation angle of the rotary member using the corrected signal. | 06-21-2012 |
20130320201 | OPTICAL ENCODER - An optical encoder includes: an optical scale having periodical optical patterns and can be relatively and angularly displaced; a projector for irradiating the optical scale with light; a light receiver for receiving light from the optical scale; and a calculator for calculating an absolute rotation angle θ of the optical scale in accordance with a signal from the light receiver. The optical patterns include a plurality of light shielding portions and a plurality of light transmitting portions, each of the portions being located alternately. When a pitch of an n-th light shielding portion in a predetermined circumferential direction is denoted by Pn and a width of the n-th light shielding portion is denoted by Wn, a transmissivity T(θn) corresponding to an angle θn of the n-th light shielding portion and the pitch Pn of the light shielding portion satisfy predetermined equations, and the width Wn of the light shielding portion in the optical pattern varies in accordance with a function of the pitch Pn of the light shielding portion. | 12-05-2013 |
20140299755 | OPTICAL ENCODER - Provided is an optical encoder, including: a light receiving unit; and a scale moving relatively to the light receiving unit and including a first track and a second track each having patterns intended for projecting light onto the light receiving unit, wherein the number of patterns of the first track is Ns*Nd+i (where, Ns and i are an integer of 1 or greater, and Nd is an integer of 2 or greater), and the number of patterns of the second track is (Ns−1)*Nd+i, so an absolute angle of the scale can be calculated in real time and in high resolution. | 10-09-2014 |
20150354993 | REFLECTIVE TYPE OPTICAL ENCODER - A code plate of an optical encoder has a nonplanar incident part on a first major surface for transmitting light emitted from a light emitter to the inside of the code plate, and a planar primary reflection part for fully reflecting the transmitted light. The first major surface is also provided with a code pattern part which extends in a ring shape around the rotation axis at a position different from the incident part to switch transmission/non-transmission of the totally reflected light in accordance with a rotation position of the code plate. The code pattern part has nonplanar exit parts which transmit the totally reflected light, and planar secondary reflection parts which again totally reflect the totally reflected light. The secondary reflection parts and exit parts are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis. | 12-10-2015 |