Force and torque converter with improved digital optical sensing circuitry
First Claim
1. A device for providing a detection signal in response to a drive signal for driving a plurality of first sensor components, the device comprising:
- a control circuit having a first output that provides a digital control signal, a first input for receiving a comparison signal, and a second output that provides the detection signal according to the comparison signal;
a digital-to-analog converter having an input coupled to the first output of the control circuit, and an output that provides the drive signal in response to the digital control signal; and
a measuring circuit having a first input coupled to the output of the digital-to-analog converter, a second input that receives a result signal from a plurality of second sensor components co-acting with the plurality of first sensor components, and an output coupled to the first input of the control circuit that provides the comparison signal, wherein the digital control signal provided by the control circuit has a first drive value during a first time interval to drive the plurality of first sensor components, and a plurality of comparison values during a second time interval to measure a result value of the result signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus provides an electronic signal in response to at least one of an applied force and an applied torque. The apparatus includes a detection device that detects movement of a movable member relative to a base, and provides the electronic signal, by driving a plurality of first sensor components. The detection device includes a control circuit having a first output that provides a digital control signal, and a first input for receiving a comparison signal, and a second output that provides the detection signal according to the comparison signal; a digital-to-analog converter having an input coupled to the first output of the control circuit, and an output that provides the drive signal in response to the digital control signal; and a measuring circuit having a first input coupled to the output of the digital-to-analog converter, a second input that receives a result signal from a plurality of second sensor components co-acting with the plurality of first sensor components, and an output coupled to the first input of the control circuit that provides the comparison signal, the plurality of first sensor components and the plurality of second sensor components co-acting with the controlling mechanism. The detection device is constructed using a method of constructing a printed circuit board assembly which includes the steps of: (A) forming a series of grooves in first PCB material to produce a bending region thereon; (B) bonding second PCB material to the first PCB material to produce a intermediate assembly, the second PCB material having an electrically conductive layer on one side; and (C) bending the intermediate assembly into the printed circuit board assembly.
58 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A device for providing a detection signal in response to a drive signal for driving a plurality of first sensor components, the device comprising:
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a control circuit having a first output that provides a digital control signal, a first input for receiving a comparison signal, and a second output that provides the detection signal according to the comparison signal; a digital-to-analog converter having an input coupled to the first output of the control circuit, and an output that provides the drive signal in response to the digital control signal; and a measuring circuit having a first input coupled to the output of the digital-to-analog converter, a second input that receives a result signal from a plurality of second sensor components co-acting with the plurality of first sensor components, and an output coupled to the first input of the control circuit that provides the comparison signal, wherein the digital control signal provided by the control circuit has a first drive value during a first time interval to drive the plurality of first sensor components, and a plurality of comparison values during a second time interval to measure a result value of the result signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A device for providing a detection signal in response to a drive signal for driving a plurality of first sensor components, the device comprising:
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a control circuit having a first output that provides a digital control signal, a first input for receiving a comparison signal, and a second output that provides the detection signal according to the comparison signal; a digital-to-analog converter having an input coupled to the first output of the control circuit, and an output that provides the drive signal in response to the digital control signal; and means, coupled to the first input of the control circuit, for providing the comparison signal according to a comparison of the analog signal of the digital-to-analog converter and a result signal from a plurality of second sensor components co-acting with the plurality of first sensor components, wherein the digital control signal provided by the control circuit has a first drive value during a first time interval to drive the plurality of first sensor components, and a plurality of comparison values during a second time interval to measure a result value of the result signal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for providing an electronic signal in response to at least one of an applied force and an applied torque, the apparatus comprising:
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a base; a movable member that provides movement relative to the base in response to the at least one of an applied force and an applied torque; a controlling mechanism connected to the base and co-acting with the movable member to control the movement of the movable member relative to the base; and a detection device that detects the movement of the movable member relative to the base, and provides the electronic signal, by driving a plurality of first sensor components, the detection device including; a control circuit having a first output that provides a digital control signal, a first input for receiving a comparison signal, and a second output that provides a detection signal, as the electronic signal, according to the comparison signal, a digital-to-analog converter having an input coupled to the first output of the control circuit, and an output that provides the drive signal in response to the digital control signal, and a measuring circuit having a first input coupled to the output of the digital-to-analog converter, a second input that receives a result signal from a plurality of second sensor components co-acting with the plurality of first sensor components, and an output coupled to the first input of the control circuit that provides the comparison signal, the plurality of first sensor components and the plurality of second sensor components co-acting with the controlling mechanism, wherein the digital control signal provided by the control circuit has a first drive value during a first time interval to drive the plurality of first sensor components, and a plurality of comparison values during a second time interval to measure a result value of the result signal. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification