Reflective multi-turn encoder
AssigneeAvago Technologies ECBU IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
InventorsSze Kuang Lee, Weng Fei Wong
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A reflective optical encoder for a gear train. The reflective optical encoder includes a gear train with a plurality of gears. Each of the gears is operably coupled to at least one other gear of the plurality of gears. A reflective code pattern is accessible on a surface of at least one of the gears. A reflective optical sensor detects light reflected by the reflective code pattern. Position logic coupled to the optical sensor determines a rotational parameter of the gear train based on the light reflected by the reflective code pattern. Additionally, the position logic may determine rotational parameter of a pinion coupled to the gear train based on the rotational parameter of the gear train.
Claims21
A reflective optical encoder comprising:
- a gear train with a plurality of gears, wherein each of the gears is operably coupled to at least one other gear of the plurality of the gears;
- a reflective code pattern accessible on a surface of at least one of the gears;
- a second reflective code pattern accessible on a second surface of the same gear within the gear train;
- a reflective optical sensor to detect light reflected by the reflective code pattern;
- and
- position logic coupled to the optical sensor, the position logic to determine a rotational parameter of the gear train based on the light reflected by the reflective code pattern.
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A reflective optical encoder comprising:
- a gear;
- a reflective code pattern accessible on a surface of the gear;
- a reflective optical sensor to detect light reflected by the reflective code pattern;
- a second reflective code pattern accessible on a second surface of the same gear within the gear train;
- and
- position logic coupled to the reflective optical sensor, the position logic to determine a rotational parameter of the gear train based on the light reflected by the reflective code pattern.
An apparatus comprising:
- means for generating light incident on a surface of a gear within a gear train;
- means for generating light incident on a second surface of the same gear within the gear train;
- means for detecting a rotational movement of the gear within the gear train;
- and
- means for computing a rotational movement of a pinion coupled to the gear train based on the rotational movement of the gear within the gear train.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.