Device for converting a mechanical variable into an electrical variable

• US 5,986,585 A
• Filed: 03/07/1995
• Issued: 11/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Deutsche Thomson-Brandt Gmbh (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Deutsche Thomson-Brandt Gmbh (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Pusch, Olaf
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): WONG, ALBERT KANG
• Application Number:
  US08/400,205
• Time in Patent Office: 1,715 Days
• Field of Search: 341/20, 345/179, 178/18, 33/1 M, 346/33 M
• US Class Current: 341/20
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/12 using electric or magnetic means G01D5/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/252 a combination of conductors or channels
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means

Abstract

A device for converting a mechanical deflection into a corresponding electrical variable which can be used to produce deflection. A cost-effective, energy-saving and good-resolution position measuring device, indicating transmitter or desired position value transmitter. One end of a pair of sliding contacts is driven by electrical drive signals over at least two contact surfaces, the other end of the pair of sliding contacts is displaced over conductor tracks led in parallel, as a result of which drive signals are transmitted via the contacted conductor tracks as evaluation signals. The device is usable in open-loop and closed-loop control technology, for example cursor control on a screen via an infrared remote control transmitter.

Claims

1. Device for converting an at least one-dimensional mechanical deflection into an electrical variable corresponding to this deflection, wherein

one end of a pair of sliding contacts is driven by electrical drive signals over at least two contact surfaces,

another end of the pair of sliding contacts is displaced over a number, necessary for a specific resolution, of conductor tracks led in parallel within a surface section, and

by means of the displacement of the pair of sliding contacts, drive signals are transmitable via contacted conductor tracks as evaluation signals.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein for resolving the mechanical deflection in two dimensions, the same conductor tracks are used as for the deflection in one dimension.

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein an increase or reduction of the number of conductor tracks results in a correspondingly high or low resolution.

4. Device according claim 1, wherein by applying two further contact surfaces arranged as a pair, the resolution of the mechanical deflection in two dimensions is carried out both in the positive and in the negative direction.

5. Device according to claim 1, wherein by turning the conductor tracks, running in parallel, through 180°

and guiding them back, the ability to drive individual position points is four times higher.

6. Device according to claim 1, wherein the drive signals are transmitted via the contacted conductor tracks at their ends as evaluation signals.

7. Device according to claim 1, wherein the driving and the evaluation of the signals are undertaken by a microprocessor.

8. Device according to claim 2, wherein an increase or reduction of the number of conductor tracks results in a correspondingly higher or lower resolution.

9. Device according to claim 2, wherein by applying two further contact surfaces arranged as a pair, the resolution of the mechanical deflection in two dimensions is carried out both in a positive direction and in a negative direction.

10. Device according to claim 3, wherein by applying two further contact surfaces arranged as a pair, resolution of the mechanical deflection in two dimensions is carried out both in a positive direction and in a negative direction.

11. Device according to claim 2, wherein by turning the conductor tracks, running in parallel, through 180°

and guiding them back, the ability to drive individual position points is four times higher.

12. Device according to claim 4, wherein by turning the conductor tracks, running in parallel, through 180°

and guiding them back, the ability to drive individual position points is four times higher.

13. Device according to claim 2, wherein the drive signals are transmitted via the contacted conductor tracks at their ends as evaluation signals.

14. Device according to claim 5, wherein the drive signals are transmitted via the contacted conductor tracks at their ends as evaluation signals.

15. Device according to claim 2, wherein the driving and the evaluation of the signals are undertaken by a microprocessor.

16. Device according to claim 6, wherein the driving and the evaluation of the signals are undertaken by a microprocessor.