Optical encoder

An optical encoder comprising:

• first, second, and third light receiving elements that are sequentially disposed and adjacent to each other;
• and
• a detection signal generation unit that outputs a detection trigger when an output level of the second light receiving element that receives incident light after the first light receiving element is higher than an output level of the first light receiving element that has previously received the incident light, and outputs a non-detection trigger when an output level of the third light receiving element that receives incident light after the second light receiving element is higher than the output level of the second light receiving element, further comprising:
• a light emitting element that has an optical axis substantially overlapping an optical axis of the second light receiving element;
• a mobile object which includes reflection regions and transmission regions which are alternately arranged at an equally spaced interval to define a pitch between successive reflection regions and a pitch of successive transmission regions, wherein the pitch of the reflection regions and the pitch of the transmission regions of the mobile object are larger than the pitch of the first second, and third light receiving elements;
• and
• a stationary window portion that does not narrow a light receiving aperture of the second light receiving element located between the first and third light receiving elements and that narrows light receiving apertures of the first and third light receiving elements, wherein the stationary window portion is provided between the mobile object and the first, second, and third light receiving elements, and wherein the stationary window portion includes a central aperture and a part by which the central aperture is defined, the part overlapping part of the light receiving apertures of the first and third light receiving elements but not overlapping the light receiving aperture of the second light receiving element.