Optical encoder and method for using same
US7355165B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 23, 2006 |
| Grant date | Apr 8, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 8, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01D5/268
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical encoder, a system and a method for outputting a signal are provided. The optical encoder and the system have a shaft extending from an interior of a housing. A circuit board having a light emitting element and a light detector is connected to the housing. The light emitting element emits an amount of light within the interior of the housing. A light pipe transmits, deflects and/or directs the amount of light from the light emitting element toward the light detector. A rotor which is connected to the shaft rotates to change the amount of light received by the light detector. The shaft is connected to a sprocket which contacts a spring to produce a sound or vibration which indicates the shaft is rotating, twisting and/or turning. The circuit board outputs a signal via a cable based on the amount of light received by the light detector. The signal corresponds to a position and/or a location of the shaft.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.