Patent application number | Description | Published |
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 |
20090090851 | SHAFT-MOUNTED DETECTOR FOR OPTICAL ENCODER - A transmissive optical encoder is disclosed. The transmissive optical encoder includes a detector, a code wheel, and an emitter. The detector includes an aperture through the detector. The aperture is configured to receive a rotary shaft of a motor. The code wheel is coupled to the rotary shaft of the motor. Rotation of the rotary shaft results in corresponding rotation of the code wheel. The emitter is configured to emit a light signal through the code wheel toward the detector. Rotation of the code wheel results in modulation of the light signal at the detector. Embodiments of the transmissive optical encoder consume relatively little space and facilitate alignment of the emitter and detector. | 04-09-2009 |
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 |
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 |
20100155586 | Optical Encoder Systems, Devices and Methods - Disclosed are various embodiments of high-speed, high-performance, low-noise optical encoders having various means for preventing undesired stray light from reaching light detectors incorporated therein. Structures employed to block stray light in the optical encoders include light barriers, air gap trenches, and coatings disposed between first and second sides of a substrate of the encoder. Also disclosed are compact single track optical encoders having a single dome lens disposed thereover, and dual track triple dome lens optical encoders. Methods of making such optical encoders are also disclosed. | 06-24-2010 |
20100314532 | Optical Encoder Systems, Devices and Methods - Disclosed are various embodiments of high-speed, high-performance, low-noise optical encoders having various means for preventing undesired stray light from reaching light detectors incorporated therein. Structures employed to block stray light in the optical encoders include light barriers, air gap trenches, and coatings disposed between first and second sides of a substrate of the encoder. Also disclosed are compact single track optical encoders having a single dome lens disposed thereover, and dual track triple dome lens optical encoders. Methods of making such optical encoders are also disclosed. | 12-16-2010 |
20120205528 | THREE-CHANNEL ENCODER USING A SINGLE OPTICAL TRACK - An optical encoder is disclosed. Specifically, a three-channel encoder is disclosed which utilizes a single track for all three channels. An index channel is provided on the same optical track as the first and second channels which are used to determine incremental angular position. Thus, a more compact and simple three-channel encoder is provided. | 08-16-2012 |
20130037705 | ENHANCED OPTICAL REFLECTIVE ENCODER - An optical encoder and optical encoding system are disclosed. Specifically, an encoder having a light detector elevated relative to a light source is described. The relative height difference between the light source and the light detector enables the optical encoder to minimize noise at the light detector without requiring a separate light baffle between the light source and light detector. Methods of manufacturing and operating such an encoder are also described. | 02-14-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090236507 | SHAFT-MOUNTED DETECTOR FOR OPTICAL ENCODER - A transmissive optical encoder is disclosed. The transmissive optical encoder includes a detector, a code wheel, and an emitter. The detector includes an aperture through the detector. The aperture is configured to receive a rotary shaft of a motor. The code wheel is coupled to the rotary shaft of the motor. Rotation of the rotary shaft results in corresponding rotation of the code wheel. The emitter is configured to emit a light signal through the code wheel toward the detector. Rotation of the code wheel results in modulation of the light signal at the detector. Embodiments of the transmissive optical encoder consume relatively little space and facilitate alignment of the emitter and detector. | 09-24-2009 |
20100171028 | Reflective Optical Encoder Package and Method - Disclosed are various embodiments of a reflective optical encoder package having a light emitter and a light detector disposed on an integrated circuit having an optically transparent glass layer disposed thereover. The package can be manufactured without resort to wirebonding techniques and instead can be made using wafer level packaging methods and materials. The package can also be made of lower profile or smaller footprint than many conventional optical encoder packages, and may be employed to sense or detect rotary or linear motion. | 07-08-2010 |
20100171029 | Reflective Multi-Turn Encoders with Different Light Sensing Systems - Disclosed herein are a number of different embodiments of reflective multi-turn optical encoders with different light sensing systems. Three different basic configurations of reflective multi-turn optical encoder light sensing systems are disclosed herein: (a) optical encoders employing multiple arrays of light detectors; (b) optical encoders employing multiple arrays of stacked die light sensors, and (c) optical encoders employing variable tone density light sensing systems. | 07-08-2010 |
20110207578 | Harmonic Gear Multi-Turn Encoder - Various embodiments of harmonic gear multi-turn encoders are disclosed that provide the ability to accurately sense absolute rotational positions over a wide range of rotational counts. High gear reduction ratios in each stage of the multi-turn encoders permit very small size and volume encoders to be provided, thereby opening up many new applications for multi-turn encoders. In one embodiment, inductive means are employed to determine the number of revolutions a central shaft operably connected to an encoder module has turned. The inductive coils comprise emitter coils and receiver coils, which are operably associated with and opposed to corresponding encoder devices. The various embodiments of the harmonic gear multi-turn encoders disclosed herein are capable of operating under high temperature conditions and withstanding the effects of various environmental contaminants, and are also amenable to miniaturization and low cost manufacturing. | 08-25-2011 |