Abstract: A rotary encoder comprising a magnet, AMR or GMR sensors and an evaluation means. The AMR or GMR sensors are arranged to generate two signals that unambiguously encode the rotary position of the magnet within a predetermined range of rotary positions and a direction of rotation of the magnet. The evaluation means is arranged to derive single-turn and multi-turn information solely from the signals. The encoder is arranged to be switched to a power saving state for a predetermined period of time, to be at least partially reactivated thereafter and to compare a current value derived from the signals with a stored previous value derived from the signals.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 10, 2008
Date of Patent:
November 27, 2012
Assignee:
Dall Production APS
Inventors:
Jorgen Schmidt, Morten Christiansen, Hans Hilmar Dall