ROTARY ENCODERS FOR USE WITH TROLLING MOTORS
First Claim
1. A rotary encoder for use with a trolling motor, comprising:
- a housing defining an aperture and a linear guide;
an input sleeve to extend through the aperture, the input sleeve comprising an exterior groove, at least a portion of the groove is non-perpendicular relative to a longitudinal axis of the input sleeve, the groove comprising a first end, a second end and a central portion, the first end is longitudinally spaced from the central portion and the second end is longitudinally spaced from the central portion; and
a shuttle to be biased and movably positioned within the linear guide, the shuttle comprising a protrusion to engage and follow the groove as the input sleeve is rotated relative to the housing to enable rotary position information to be obtained from the input sleeve, wherein the protrusion is biased to reengage the central portion if rotation of the input sleeve moves the protrusion past the first end or the second end to prevent the encoder from being damaged by over-rotation of the input sleeve.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Rotary encoders for use with trolling motors are disclosed. An example rotary encoder includes a housing defining an aperture and a linear guide and an input sleeve to extend through the aperture. The input sleeve includes an exterior guide to be engaged and followed by a shuttle to enable rotary position information to be obtained from the input sleeve. The shuttle is movably coupled within the linear guide. The shuttle is biased to engage a central portion of the exterior guide if rotation of the input sleeve moves the shuttle past first or second ends of the groove to prevent the rotary encoder from being damaged by over-rotation of the input sleeve.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A rotary encoder for use with a trolling motor, comprising:
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a housing defining an aperture and a linear guide; an input sleeve to extend through the aperture, the input sleeve comprising an exterior groove, at least a portion of the groove is non-perpendicular relative to a longitudinal axis of the input sleeve, the groove comprising a first end, a second end and a central portion, the first end is longitudinally spaced from the central portion and the second end is longitudinally spaced from the central portion; and a shuttle to be biased and movably positioned within the linear guide, the shuttle comprising a protrusion to engage and follow the groove as the input sleeve is rotated relative to the housing to enable rotary position information to be obtained from the input sleeve, wherein the protrusion is biased to reengage the central portion if rotation of the input sleeve moves the protrusion past the first end or the second end to prevent the encoder from being damaged by over-rotation of the input sleeve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A rotary encoder for use with a trolling motor, comprising:
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a housing defining an aperture and a linear guide; and an input sleeve to extend through the aperture, the input sleeve comprising a guide to be engaged and followed by a shuttle to enable rotary position information to be obtained from the input sleeve, the shuttle movably coupled within the linear guide, wherein the shuttle is biased to engage a central portion of the guide if rotation of the input sleeve moves the shuttle past first or second ends of the groove. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A rotary encoder, comprising:
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a housing defining an aperture; an input sleeve to extend through the aperture; means for obtaining rotary position information from the input sleeve over 360 degrees of rotation of the input shaft; and means for preventing the rotary encoder from being damaged by over-rotation of the input sleeve. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification