Transmissive optical encoder

US7552873B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Avago Technologies ECBU IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. · SG

Inventors

• Boon Keat Tan · Bukit Mertajam, MY
• Kheng Hin Toh · Bukit Mertajam, MY
• Susan Hunter · Fort Collins, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 14, 2005
• Grant date: Jun 30, 2009
• Expiry date: Aug 21, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01D5/34707
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

In one embodiment, an optical encoder includes a light source, a detector array and a code member. The detector array is positioned in spaced-apart relation to the light source and includes at least one detector set. Each of the at least one detector sets includes a plurality of detector elements. The code member 1) is positioned between the light source and the detector array, 2) is moveable with respect to the detector array along a displacement direction, and 3) defines a plurality of circular or elliptical openings through which light emitted by the light source is filtered to produce light spots that travel across the detector array as the code member moves with respect to the detector array. Other embodiments are also disclosed.