Device for transferring light signals between two elements relatively movable to one another
AssigneeSiemens Aktiengesellschaft
InventorsGeorg Hemmeter, Günter Schwesig
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Abstract
To ensure an energy-efficient transfer of light signals between two elements of a machine which are movable relative to one another, a device and a method for transferring light signals between such elements is provided. A first element has a plurality of light sources for delivering light signals and a second element has at least one photoreceiver for receiving the light signals. A unit causing the turning on or off is configured such as to effect a turning on or off of only one portion of the light sources.
Claims16
A device for transferring light signals between two elements of a machine which are movable relative to one another, comprising:
- a first element having a plurality of light sources for delivering light signals;
- a second element having a photoreceiver for receiving the light signals;
- and
- a unit causing the delivery of the light signals, wherein the unit effects a turning on or off of only one portion of the light sources,
- wherein the unit performs a selection of the portion of the light sources turned on or off on the basis of a received light signal,
- wherein a device for determining a relative position of the first element with respect to the second element is provided and thus the light signals are generated, and
- wherein the device for determining the relative position further has a single light source arranged on the second element and also a group of photoreceivers arranged on the first element.
A method for transferring light signals between two elements of a machine, the two elements moving relative to one another, comprising:
- delivering light signals by a first element having a plurality of light sources, wherein only one portion of the light sources delivers light signals simultaneously;
- receiving the light signals by a second element having a photoreceiver;
- causing the delivering of the light signals by a unit, wherein the unit effects a turning on or off of only one portion of the light sources,
- wherein the unit performs a selection of the portion of the light sources turned on or off on the basis of a received light signal,
- wherein a device for determining a relative position of the first element with respect to the second element is provided and thus the light signals are generated, and
- wherein the device for determining the relative position further has a single light source arranged on the second element and also a group of photoreceivers arranged on the first element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.