Patent · US Expired

Two-dimensional optical encoder with three gratings in each dimension

US5204524A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
4References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 9, 1992
Grant dateApr 20, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 9, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01D5/36
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A first grating is formed on a main scale, and a second and third gratings on an index scale. The first grating generally assumes a cruciform shape, and consists of a grating having grating lines arranged in the X-direction and another grating having grating lines arranged in the Y-direction. The second grating is formed in a square central area of the index scale, and consists of two gratings having grating lines arranged in the X-direction and divided at the center and another two gratings having grating lines arranged in the Y-direction and divided at the center. The third grating consists of four gratings having grating lines arranged in the X-direction with different phases and another four gratings having grating lines arranged in the Y-direction with different phases. A light-emitting element and eight photodetectors that are arranged corresponding to the respective gratings of the third grating are fixed to a movable member on which the index scale is attached. Light emitted from the light-emitting element passes though the second grating, reflected by the first grating, passes through the third grating, and finally detected by the photodetectors. Alternatively, the first g…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.