ENCODER COMMUNICATION CIRCUIT

• US 20080079624A1
• Filed: 09/18/2007
• Published: 04/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fanuc Ltd (Fanuc Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fanuc Ltd (Fanuc Corporation)
• Inventors: KIKUCHI, Hirofumi, TANIGUCHI, Mitsuyuki
• Granted Patent: US 8,823,576 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 341/173
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/24457 Failure detection

Abstract

When a communication abnormality occurs between an encoder and communication circuit apparatus in a work apparatus feeding back data output from encoders for control by a control apparatus, an encoder communication circuit is used in place of the encoder to identify the location of occurrence of the abnormality. The encoder communication circuit outputs encoder data comprised position or speed data and alarm data to said control apparatus when connected to the control apparatus through a communication cable.

Claims

1. An encoder communication circuit, comprising:

a communicator having the same interface as an interface of an encoder connected to a control apparatus and

an encoder data generator generating predetermined encoder data including position or speed data and alarm data, wherein

said predetermined encoder data is output to said control apparatus through said communication interface when connected to said control apparatus.

2. An encoder communication circuit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said encoder data is comprised of a single pattern and the single pattern is repeatedly output to said control apparatus.

3. An encoder communication circuit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said encoder data is comprised of a plurality of patterns and the plurality of patterns are repeatedly output to said control apparatus.

4. An encoder communication circuit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said alarm data includes data showing that the encoder is not in an initial state.

5. An encoder communication circuit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said alarm data includes at least one type of data of data disabling operation of a servo motor controlled by said control apparatus.

6. An encoder communication circuit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said interface is a serial interface.