Positioning arrangement and method
AssigneeAgilent Technologies, Inc.
InventorsLibero Zucchelli, Luigi Gastaldi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The arrangement includes first and second patterns such as photolithographic patterns of electrically conductive indicia provided on respective first and second surfaces of the components to be positioned. The patterns are adapted for relative movement in sliding contact relationship along the positioning axis. The patterns of electrically conductive indicia define electrically conductive pads at least one of which reaches the condition of being either open or closed when the surfaces on which the patterns are provided reach a given position along the positioning axis. Sensing is preferably effected by means of an amperometer.
Claims9
An arrangement for the relative positioning of a first component and a second component, said first and second components having respective first and second surfaces adapted for positioning at a given position along a given axis, wherein said arrangement includes first and second patterns of electrically conductive indicia provided on said first and second surfaces, said patterns being adapted for relative movement along said axis in sliding contact therebetween, whereby said first and second patterns of indicia jointly define at least one electrically conductive path which reaches at least one condition of being either electrically open or closed depending on said first and second surfaces having reached said given position of said movement along said given axis.
An arrangement for the relative positioning of a first component and a second component, said first and second components having respective first and second surfaces adapted for positioning at a given position along a given axis, wherein said arrangement includes first and second patterns of electrically conductive indicia provided on said first and second surfaces, said patterns being adapted for relative movement along said axis in sliding contact therebetween, whereby said first and second patterns of indicia jointly define at least one electrically conductive path which reaches at least one condition of being either open or closed depending on said first and second surfaces having reached said given position of said movement along said given axis, and wherein at least one of said first and second patterns includes a plurality of parallel conductive tracks extending crosswise of said given axis and the other of said first and second patterns includes at least one electrically conductive pad adapted to electrically connect at least one pair of adjacent tracks of said plurality of parallel conductive tracks, wherein said at least one condition corresponds to said pad electrically connecting the adjacent tracks of said at least one pair.
A method for the relative positioning of a first component and a second component, said method comprising:
- providing an arrangement for the relative positioning of a first component and a second component, said first and second components having respective first and second surfaces adapted for positioning at a given position along a given axis, wherein said arrangement includes first and second patterns of electrically conductive indicia provided on said first and second surfaces, said patterns being adapted for relative movement along said axis in sliding contact therebetween, whereby said first and second patterns of indicia jointly define at least one electrically conductive path which reaches at least one condition of being either open or closed depending on said first and second surfaces having reached said given position of said movement along said given axis, and
- sensing the electrical continuity of said at least one electrically conductive path to detect when said at least one electrically conductive path reaches said at least one condition, whereby said at least one electrically conductive path reaching said at least one condition is indicative of said first and second components having reached said given position along said given axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.