Abstract: The invention provides a system for sensing angular motion. The system includes a light source, a transducing member, and a modulating member having a track of translucent and opaque regions positioned between the light source and the transducing member. The transducing member includes optical receivers spaced across a width larger than or equal to three translucent and three opaque regions. The optical receivers, which may be interlaced across the transducing member, generate a plurality of output signals that form at least one output channel signal. The system may further include a second track of translucent and opaque regions and a second interlaced transducing member. The second transducing member includes a second plurality of optical receivers arranged to generate a plurality of signals that may be used to generate at least one index signal.

Abstract: An optoelectronic sensor has a light source (10) for the transmission of a scanning beam (11), a light deflection unit (12), which is formed for the periodic deflection of the scanning beam (11) within an angular transmitting range (14), a receiving device for detection light reflected from an object to be sensed and/or back-scattered light, and a deflector (18) which has a light entry surface (20) arranged at least regionally within the angular transmission range (14). The light deflector is formed for the deflection of light incident through the light entry surface (20) onto a photo-detector (22). The photo-detector (22) can be coupled to a synchronization circuit to produce a synchronization pulse for the determination of the start of a sensing period.

Abstract: An optical angle and/or distance measurement module for measuring its position with respect to a scale embodiment contains a device for light detection and a device for imaging part of the scale embodiment on the light detection device. In addition, the module contains a beam splitter, through the use of which firstly incident light can be guided onto the scale embodiment and secondly, light coming from the scale embodiment can be guided to the detection device. The module can contain two module elements, of which a first module element contains the light detection device and a second module element contains a device for permitting a sliding relative movement with respect to the scale embodiment. An integrated incorporated measurement transmitter can be implemented with the module. The measurement transmitter can be incorporated cost-effectively and in an integrated manner and nevertheless permits a high resolution.

Abstract: A steering wheel angle sensor includes first and second sensors, a differential gear, and a detector. The first sensor determines steering wheel angular position within one revolution and the second sensor determines number of steering wheel revolutions. The first sensor has a first rotor carrying a first coding. The first rotor and the first coding rotate as the steering wheel rotates. The second sensor has a second rotor and a second coding movable by the second rotor. The gear includes driving, reference, and planetary wheels for coupling the rotors such that the rotors rotate at different speeds with respect to one another as the steering wheel rotates. The second rotor engages with a pivoted lever into an arm carrying the second coding such that the second coding pivots as the second rotor rotates. The detector scans the first coding within an angular segment of the steering wheel range of rotation as the first coding rotates.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a rotation angle detector capable of detecting and storing information for a direction and an angle of rotation of steering wheel while maintaining a condition of reduced power consumption from a battery, when an engine is not running. In achieving the object, the invention discloses a structure, wherein the detector keeps a control means (8) including a memory unit (11) in a memory back-up mode when an ignition switch (7a), i.e.

Abstract: An absolute-value encoder device for detecting a plurality of rotation quantities is disclosed. An A/B phase forming portion 610 forms an A-phase pulse signal and a B-phase pulse signal, based on light passing through a slit rotating together with a rotary shaft. One period of each of those pulse signals corresponds to one revolution of a rotary shaft. The A- and B-phase pulse signals are displaced in phase by 90° from each other. When an A/B-phase state detecting portion 640 detects a state change of each of those pulse signals, a clock forming portion 66 changes a frequency of a clock pulse signal to another frequency.

Abstract: An optical displacement sensor is used to measure the rotary displacement between two shafts which rotate together. By connecting the shafts together by means of a torsion bar, the sensor may be used to measure transmitted torque. The sensor comprises first and second coaxial discs mounted on the shafts and having slots formed therein. A light source directs light through the slots onto an array of photodetectors and a data processor determines the displacement or torque from the positions on the array of images of the slot edges.