Patent · US Expired

Encoder having a slidably engaged floating aperture piece

US6646571B1 · kind B1 · utility

11Cited by
7References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 7, 2002
Grant dateNov 11, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 7, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03M1/245
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An encoder includes a housing, a light source coupled to the housing, and a light sensor coupled to the housing and positioned to receive a light beam from the light source. The encoder also includes a wheel having opaque and transmissive sections which may be positioned to pass through the light beam before it reaches the light sensor. The encoder further includes a floating aperture piece, which defines at least one aperture. The aperture is positioned so that the light beam must pass through it before reaching the light sensor. The floating aperture piece slidably engages the housing while allowing a loose tolerance between a position of the wheel and a position of the housing, thereby substantially eliminating a positioning error between the aperture and the wheel.

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