Multi-track optical shaft position and timing cylinder
First Claim
1. Optical encoder apparatus for sensing predetermined parameters relating to the rotation of a shaft, comprising:
- a cylindrical support member mounted on said shaft;
a coding member having a first and second portion, said first portion including at least one coding track having a predetermined coding pattern of surface areas which selectively pass and block light energy and projecting axially beyond one end of said cylindrical support member, and said second portion being positioned around and supported by the outer surface of said cylindrical support member;
retaining means for holding said coding member in place on said cylindrical support member; and
at least one photo emitter element and at least one photo sensor element respectively located on either side of said coding track for directing light energy toward said coding track and sensing the light energy passing therethrough for generating an electrical signal which is thereby able to provide information as to shaft position and direction as well as timing information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A shaft position, direction and timing assembly for a stepper motor in an ectrically controlled printing system operating in an environment subjected to relatively strong vibrational and shock levels is disclosed. A cylindrical coding member having one or more photo-optical coding tracks located adjacent one edge is mounted on the stepper motor shaft by being held in position by an inner support cylinder and an outer retaining collar. These three elements are commonly fastened to the stepper motor shaft by a pair of mutually opposing set screws. Photo emitter and receptor elements contained in a bifurcated subassembly are located at the edge of the cylindrical coding so as to oppose a coding pattern formed on the coding tracks for generating an electrical signal in response to the coding pattern acting to pass or interrupt light energy transmitted from the emitter to the receptor elements.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. Optical encoder apparatus for sensing predetermined parameters relating to the rotation of a shaft, comprising:
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a cylindrical support member mounted on said shaft; a coding member having a first and second portion, said first portion including at least one coding track having a predetermined coding pattern of surface areas which selectively pass and block light energy and projecting axially beyond one end of said cylindrical support member, and said second portion being positioned around and supported by the outer surface of said cylindrical support member; retaining means for holding said coding member in place on said cylindrical support member; and at least one photo emitter element and at least one photo sensor element respectively located on either side of said coding track for directing light energy toward said coding track and sensing the light energy passing therethrough for generating an electrical signal which is thereby able to provide information as to shaft position and direction as well as timing information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification