Power transfer device with contactless optical encoder and color reflective surface

An optical angular offset sensing device, comprising:

• an optical encoder including a light generating element and a light sensor;
• an armature including a reflective surface, the reflective surface having a generally semicircular shape and a spectrum of color disposed thereon varying from a first end of the surface to a second end of the surface;
• and
• a housing operable to enclose both the optical encoder and the armature and rotationally support the armature;
• wherein an electrical voltage generated by light from the light generating element being reflected back to the sensor from the reflective surface is proportional to a wavelength of the light reflected from the reflective surface to the optical encoder and is indicative of an angular rotation of the armature relative to the optical encoder.

An optical angular offset sensing system, the system comprising:

• an optical device including a light generating element and a light sensor;
• a reflective surface having a generally semicircular perimeter shape and a spectrum of color varying from a first end of the surface to a second end of the surface;
• and
• at least one color disposable on the reflective surface having a wavelength continuously increasing between the first end and the second end;
• wherein an electrical voltage generated by light from the light generating element being reflected back to the sensor from the reflective surface is proportional to the wavelength of the light reflected to the optical device.

An optical angular offset sensing system, the system comprising:

• an optical device including a light generating element and a light sensor;
• a reflective surface having a generally semicircular perimeter shape and a spectrum of color varying from a first end of the surface to a second end of the surface;
• at least one color disposable on the reflective surface such that a wavelength of the color continuously increases between the first and second ends;
• an electrical voltage generated by light from the light generating element being received by the sensor after reflection from the reflective surface;
• and
• a discrete circuit separate from the optical device operable to convert the electrical voltage to a linear voltage indicative of a device angular offset.

An optical angular offset sensing system, the system comprising:

• an optical device including a light generating element and a light sensor;
• a reflective surface having a generally semicircular perimeter shape and a spectrum of color varying from a first end of the surface to a second end of the surface such that an electrical voltage is generated by light from the light generating element being received by the sensor after reflection from the reflective surface;
• at least one color disposable on the reflective surface wherein a wavelength of the color continuously increases between the first and second ends;
• and
• an electronic control module connected to the optical device, the electronic module operable to receive the electrical voltage generated by the sensor and utilize the electrical voltage to control a shift position of an automotive transfer case.

A method for controlling a power transfer device using an optical device having a light generating element and a photo-detector device, and a reflective surface, the method comprising:

• producing an output light from the light generating element;
• applying a spectrum of color varying from a first end of the reflective surface to a second end of the reflective surface;
• rotatably positioning the reflective surface to reflect the light from the reflective surface to the photo-detector device such that a wavelength of the color continuously increases between the first and second ends;
• generating an electrical voltage using the photo-detector device, the electrical voltage being proportional to the wavelength of the color;
• and
• utilizing the electrical voltage to control a shift position of the power transfer device.

A method for sensing angular offset using an optical device having a light generating element and a photo-detector device, and a reflective surface, the method comprising:

• producing an output light from the light generating element;
• applying a spectrum of color varying from a first end of the reflective surface to a second end of the reflective surface such that a wavelength of the color continuously increases between the first and second ends;
• positioning the reflective surface to reflect the light from the reflective surface to the photo-detector device;
• and
• generating an electrical voltage using the photo-detector device, the electrical voltage being proportional to the wavelength of the color.