Multi-track optical encoder employing beam divider
US7193204B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 7, 2003 |
| Grant date | Mar 20, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 20, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01D5/38
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical encoder includes a sensor head, an encoder scale, and an optical wavefront dividing element. The sensor head includes a substrate, a light source, a first optical detector, and a second optical detector. The light source, the first optical detector, and the second optical detector are disposed on the substrate. The scale includes a first track and a second track. The optical wavefront dividing element is disposed between the sensor head and the scale. A light beam emitted by the light source is divided into a first beam and a second beam by the wavefront dividing element. The first beam is incident on the first track and the second beam is incident on the second track. Light from the first beam diffracted by the first track is incident on the first optical detector. Light from the second beam diffracted by the second track is incident on the second optical detector.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.