Abstract: A signal processing apparatus includes a first signal processing unit and a second signal processing unit. The first signal processing unit executes a first predetermined operation with respect to first and second signal groups and to extract a first component having a predetermined characteristic when an optical signal output device is in a normal state, the first signal group whose amplitude or direct current component gradually increases with a predetermined direction displacement of a displacement detection target, the second signal group whose amplitude or direct current component gradually decreases with the predetermined direction displacement of the displacement detection target. The second signal processing unit executes a second predetermined operation with respect to the first and second signal groups and to extract an output containing a second component, which is peculiar to an optional position of the displacement detection target.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus includes a phase shift unit and a signal processing unit. The phase shift unit shifts phases of at least one set of first periodic signals and second periodic signals. The first periodic signals are output from an optical signal output device connected to a displacement detection target and have amplitude gradually increasing with a displacement in a predetermined direction of the displacement detection target. The second periodic signals are output from the optical signal output device connected to the displacement detection target and have amplitude gradually decreasing with the displacement in the predetermined direction of the displacement detection target. The signal processing unit executes a predetermined operation with respect to the first and second periodic signals output from the phase shift unit to obtain a displacement of the displacement detection target.

Abstract: An optical encoder comprises an encoder head and a scale having a second grating that has an optical pattern. The encoder head has a light emission unit to emit specific light to the scale, a light transmission member to transmit the light emitted from the light emission unit and a light detection unit having light detection elements arranged at a predetermined pitch. The light transmission member has a first grating having an optical pattern of a predetermined pitch and an aperture to narrow the light emitted from the light emission unit and impinging on the second grating of the scale. A motion of an image on the light detection elements of the light detection unit is detected. The image is formed by the light reflected or diffracted by the second grating of the scale after the light impinges on the scale through the light transmission member.

Abstract: An optical encoder includes a scale, and a detecting head which is disposed facing the scale. The scale is provided with a grating which has a predetermined optical pattern with respect to a direction of relative movement, and the detecting head is provided with a light emitting section which irradiates predetermined light to the scale, and a light detecting section which detects a movement of a pattern of light distribution formed on a light receiving surface of a photodetector, by light reflected by the grating upon being irradiated to the scale from the light emitting section. A light transmitting member is disposed on a surface of the light emitting section and the photodetector of the detecting head, toward the scale, and a light propagation controlling pattern for controlling propagation of light is disposed on a surface of the light transmitting member, facing the scale.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus includes a phase shift unit and a signal processing unit. The phase shift unit shifts phases of at least one set of first periodic signals and second periodic signals. The first periodic signals are output from an optical signal output device connected to a displacement detection target and have amplitude gradually increasing with a displacement in a predetermined direction of the displacement detection target. The second periodic signals are output from the optical signal output device connected to the displacement detection target and have amplitude gradually decreasing with the displacement in the predetermined direction of the displacement detection target. The signal processing unit executes a predetermined operation with respect to the first and second periodic signals output from the phase shift unit to obtain a displacement of the displacement detection target.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus includes a first signal processing unit and a second signal processing unit. The first signal processing unit executes a first predetermined operation with respect to first and second signal groups and to extract a first component having a predetermined characteristic when an optical signal output device is in a normal state, the first signal group whose amplitude or direct current component gradually increases with a predetermined direction displacement of a displacement detection target, the second signal group whose amplitude or direct current component gradually decreases with the predetermined direction displacement of the displacement detection target. The second signal processing unit executes a second predetermined operation with respect to the first and second signal groups and to extract an output containing a second component, which is peculiar to an optional position of the displacement detection target.

Abstract: An optical encoder is configured as follows. Namely, the optical encoder includes a signal processing circuit which processes encoder signals output from a plurality of encoder heads, a control unit which specifies one of the plurality of encoder heads, sets the signal output of the specified encoder head in an on state, and further sets the outputs of the encoder heads not specified in an off state, thereby causing only the specified encoder head to output an encoder signal to the signal processing circuit, switch signal lines, and a common wiring line which is shared by the plurality of encoder heads and which transmits the encoder signals to the signal processing circuit.

Abstract: An optical encoder includes a scale which is installed on one member of which, displacement is detected, and a detecting head which is installed on the other member which moves relatively with respect to the one member, and is disposed facing the scale. A predetermined optical pattern in a direction of relative movement is provided, and the detecting head includes a light emitting section which irradiates a predetermined light on the scale, a light detecting section which includes a light receiving surface which receives light through the optical pattern, which is irradiated on the scale from the light emitting section, and which detects light distribution formed on the light receiving surface, a first light transmitting member which is disposed in an optical path between the light emitting section and the scale, and a second light transmitting member which is disposed in an optical path between the scale and the light detecting section.

Abstract: A displacement sensor which detects a positional displacement of a movable member, comprises a position signal generating section configured to generate a periodical signal in accordance with movement of the movable member, a generating section of a signal for detecting a reference position, configured to generate the signal for detecting the reference position, when the movable member is in a predetermined position, a reference position detection circuit configured to detect that the movable member is in a reference position based on the signal for detecting the reference position, generated by the generating section of the signal for detecting the reference position, in synchronization with the periodical signal generated by the position signal generating section, and a selecting section configured to be capable of selecting a phase position to be synchronized from a plurality of phase positions on the periodical signal in the synchronization in the reference position detection circuit.

Abstract: An optical encoder comprises an encoder head and a scale having a second grating that has an optical pattern. The encoder head has a light emission unit to emit specific light to the scale, a light transmission member to transmit the light emitted from the light emission unit and a light detection unit having light detection elements arranged at a predetermined pitch. The light transmission member has a first grating having an optical pattern of a predetermined pitch and an aperture to narrow the light emitted from the light emission unit and impinging on the second grating of the scale. A motion of an image on the light detection elements of the light detection unit is detected. The image is formed by the light reflected or diffracted by the second grating of the scale after the light impinges on the scale through the light transmission member.

Abstract: An optical encoder includes a scale, and a detecting head which is disposed facing the scale. The scale is provided with a grating which has a predetermined optical pattern with respect to a direction of relative movement, and the detecting head is provided with a light emitting section which irradiates predetermined light to the scale, and a light detecting section which detects a movement of a pattern of light distribution formed on a light receiving surface of a photodetector, by light reflected by the grating upon being irradiated to the scale from the light emitting section. A light transmitting member is disposed on a surface of the light emitting section and the photodetector of the detecting head, toward the scale, and a light propagation controlling pattern for controlling propagation of light is disposed on a surface of the light transmitting member, facing the scale.

Abstract: In a triple slit optical encoder, a first grating and a third grating are formed on separate members, and values of a first effective width W1 and a first pitch p1 of an optical pattern on the first grating, and a third effective width W3 and a third pitch p3 of an optical pattern on the third grating are set to values such that a periodic signal having the amplitude effective for detection of a relative displacement of a scale is achieved based on periodicity of the self-image, refractive indices of substances of substances and/or spaces interposed in the optical path from a bare LED up to a photodetector, and the thickness of those substances and/or spaces in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane on which the second grating is formed.

Abstract: An optical encoder includes a scale which is installed on one member of which, displacement is detected, and a detecting head which is installed on the other member which moves relatively with respect to the one member, and is disposed facing the scale. A predetermined optical pattern in a direction of relative movement is provided, and the detecting head includes a light emitting section which irradiates a predetermined light on the scale, a light detecting section which includes a light receiving surface which receives light through the optical pattern, which is irradiated on the scale from the light emitting section, and which detects light distribution formed on the light receiving surface, a first light transmitting member which is disposed in an optical path between the light emitting section and the scale, and a second light transmitting member which is disposed in an optical path between the scale and the light detecting section.

Abstract: In a triple slit optical encoder, a first grating and a third grating are formed on separate members, and values of a first effective width W1 and a first pitch p1 of an optical pattern on the first grating, and a third effective width W3 and a third pitch p3 of an optical pattern on the third grating are set to values such that a periodic signal having the amplitude effective for detection of a relative displacement of a scale is achieved based on periodicity of the self-image, refractive indices of substances of substances and/or spaces interposed in the optical path from a bare LED up to a photodetector, and the thickness of those substances and/or spaces in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane on which the second grating is formed.

Abstract: An optical encoder is a reflecting triple grating type optical encoder. A light projecting section of the optical encoder which includes a combination of a bare chip LED and a first grating of a first pitch p1, irradiates a predetermined light. A photodetecting section of the optical encoder which includes a combination of a photodetector and a third grating of a third pitch p3 detects a movement of a self image. Each of the first grating and the third grating is disposed substantially parallel with respect to a scale, and a substantially parallel and substantially flat light transmitting area is formed in a predetermined portion of a surface of a detecting head. A light transparent member is disposed in a space between the surface of the detecting head, and the first grating and the second grating.

Abstract: A displacement sensor which detects a positional displacement of a movable member, comprises a position signal generating section configured to generate a periodical signal in accordance with movement of the movable member, a generating section of a signal for detecting a reference position, configured to generate the signal for detecting the reference position, when the movable member is in a predetermined position, a reference position detection circuit configured to detect that the movable member is in a reference position based on the signal for detecting the reference position, generated by the generating section of the signal for detecting the reference position, in synchronization with the periodical signal generated by the position signal generating section, and a selecting section configured to be capable of selecting a phase position to be synchronized from a plurality of phase positions on the periodical signal in the synchronization in the reference position detection circuit.

Abstract: A displacement sensor which detects a positional displacement of a movable member, comprises a position signal generating section configured to generate a periodical signal in accordance with movement of the movable member, a generating section of a signal for detecting a reference position, configured to generate the signal for detecting the reference position, when the movable member is in a predetermined position, a reference position detection circuit configured to detect that the movable member is in a reference position based on the signal for detecting the reference position, generated by the generating section of the signal for detecting the reference position, in synchronization with the periodical signal generated by the position signal generating section, and a selecting section configured to be capable of selecting a phase position to be synchronized from a plurality of phase positions on the periodical signal in the synchronization in the reference position detection circuit.

Abstract: An electrostatic encoder comprising receiving coupling electrodes formed on a scale, and extending in a predetermined direction, transmitting coupling electrodes provided on a sensor head, and located to face the receiving coupling electrodes, digital electrodes provided on the scale to extend from the receiving coupling electrodes in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction, and arranged at a predetermined pitch, two pairs of interdigital electrodes provided on the sensor head, and located to face the digital electrodes, a voltage applying portion configured to apply an alternating voltage to the transmitting coupling electrodes, and a potential difference detecting portion configured to detect a potential difference between the interdigital electrodes of each of the two pairs of interdigital electrodes.

Abstract: An optical encoder is a reflecting triple grating type optical encoder. A light projecting section of the optical encoder which includes a combination of a bare chip LED and a first grating of a first pitch p1, irradiates a predetermined light. A photodetecting section of the optical encoder which includes a combination of a photodetector and a third grating of a third pitch p3 detects a movement of a self image. Each of the first grating and the third grating is disposed substantially parallel with respect to a scale, and a substantially parallel and substantially flat light transmitting area is formed in a predetermined portion of a surface of a detecting head. A light transparent member is disposed in a space between the surface of the detecting head, and the first grating and the second grating.

Abstract: An optical displacement sensor comprises a surface emitting laser light source, a scale and a photosensor. The surface emitting laser light source emits a light beam having a predetermined shape. The scale is displaceable in such a manner as to cross the light beam emitted from the surface emitting laser light source and has a diffraction grating of a predetermined period formed thereon for forming a diffraction interference pattern from the light beam. The photosensor receives a predetermined portion of the diffraction interference pattern.