Abstract: An optical displacement sensor structure includes a plurality of light receiving elements and a plurality of optical fibers together with one light source, wherein light emitted from the one light source is efficiently introduced into the plurality of optical fibers from the circumferences of the optical fibers, well kept inside the optical fibers while transmitting therethrough, and exits out from the end face of one end portion of each optical fiber so as to impinge on each light receiving element. This structure, with only one light source, provides a plurality of optical displacement sensors thus reducing power consumption without suffering a problem of light loss and successfully enables downsizing.

Abstract: In an external force detecting device including a support section and an action section disposed inside the support section, three optical displacement sensors are provided at an equiangular distance of 120 degrees about the rotational symmetry axis of the support section and each include a light source disposed at either the support section or the action section, and a light receiving element disposed at one section of the support section and the action section, the one section not provided with the light source, and the action section is located between the light source and the light receiving element. The external force detecting device described above enables an easy mounting of constituent members and a high resolution measurement, even when the diameter of the device is reduced.

Abstract: An external force detecting device comprises a hollow-cylindrical support section, an action section disposed centrally inside the support section, and an optical displacement sensor which includes, at the action section on its center axis: a light source to emit a light beam in a direction along the center axis of the action section; a light branching member to branch the light beam into three light beams to progress respectively in three directions oriented at an equi-angular distance; and a light reflecting member to reflect the three light beams in a direction parallel to a plane perpendicular to the center axis, and which also includes, at the support section, three light receiving elements arranged in a rotation-symmetric manner at a 120 degree interval with their light receiving faces looking toward the center axis of the action section so as to receive respectively the three light beams reflected.

Abstract: There is provided an optical multiplexer which includes a plurality of light sources to emit light beams having respective different wavelengths, and a diffraction grating to reflect the light beams emitted from the light sources. The plurality of light sources are positioned and oriented with respect to one another and to the diffraction grating so that the light beams which are emitted from the light sources, fall on the diffraction grating, and are reflected thereat are mixed so as to proceed along one common optical path. This enables downsizing of a device and ensures a reliable multiplexing of light beams with a simple optical system.

Abstract: An optical displacement sensor structure includes a plurality of light receiving elements and a plurality of optical fibers together with one light source, wherein light emitted from the one light source is efficiently introduced into the plurality of optical fibers from the circumferences of the optical fibers, well kept inside the optical fibers while transmitting therethrough, and exits out from the end face of one end portion of each optical fiber so as to impinge on each light receiving element. This structure, with only one light source, provides a plurality of optical displacement sensors thus reducing power consumption without suffering a problem of light loss and successfully enables downsizing.

Abstract: A torque measuring device for a rotating body comprises: a rotary section including first and second flanges provided respectively at driving and driven sides, and a hollow cylinder provided between the first and second flanges; light emitting elements provided at an outer circumference of the rotary section, and adapted to emit light based on output from each of torque detectors provided at an inner surface of the hollow cylinder thereby sending an optical signal; a light conductive member to receive the optical signal at a light receiving surface thereof, and to guide the optical signal along its longitudinal directions; and a torque calculator to calculate torque of the rotary section based on the optical signal guided by the light conductive member, wherein the light conductive member has an optical path converting means formed at either the light receiving surface or a surface thereof opposite to the light receiving surface.

Abstract: A torque measuring device for a rotating body includes: a rotary section integrally including a first flange, a second flange, and a hollow cylinder disposed between the first and second flanges; a plurality of torque detectors disposed at the inner circumference of the hollow cylinder; and a light receiving unit. The torque measuring device described above further includes: a light emitting element disposed at the rotational center axis of the rotary section and adapted to emit light based on an output from each of the torque detectors thereby sending an optical signal; a light branching unit to branch the optical signal into a plurality of subsequent signals; and a plurality of passages formed in the rotary section and allowing respective subsequent signals to exit out the rotary section and to be received by the light receiving unit.

Abstract: An optical displacement sensor in an external-force detecting device comprises a light source, an optical sensor, and a light reflecting means. The light source and the optical sensor are disposed at an action section of the device adapted to receive an external force, and the light reflecting means is disposed at a support section of the device adapted to support the action section via elastic spoke sections, and light emitted from the light source is reflected at the light reflecting means and received at the optical sensor whereby displacement of the action section relative to the support section is detected for calculation of an external force applied.

Abstract: A torque measuring device for a rotating body includes: a rotary section integrally including a first flange, a second flange, and a hollow cylinder disposed between the first and second flanges; a plurality of torque detectors disposed at the inner circumference of the hollow cylinder; and a light receiving unit. The torque measuring device described above further includes: a light emitting element disposed at the rotational center axis of the rotary section and adapted to emit light based on an output from each of the torque detectors thereby sending an optical signal; a light branching unit to branch the optical signal into a plurality of subsequent signals; and a plurality of passages formed in the rotary section and allowing respective subsequent signals to exit out the rotary section and to be received by the light receiving unit.

Abstract: An external force detecting device comprises a hollow-cylindrical support section, an action section disposed centrally inside the support section, and an optical displacement sensor which includes, at the action section on its center axis: a light source to emit a light beam in a direction along the center axis of the action section; a light branching member to branch the light beam into three light beams to progress respectively in three directions oriented at an equi-angular distance; and a light reflecting member to reflect the three light beams in a direction parallel to a plane perpendicular to the center axis, and which also includes, at the support section, three light receiving elements arranged in a rotation-symmetric manner at a 120 degree interval with their light receiving faces looking toward the center axis of the action section so as to receive respectively the three light beams reflected.

Abstract: A torque measuring device for a rotating body comprises: a rotary section including first and second flanges provided respectively at driving and driven sides, and a hollow cylinder provided between the first and second flanges; light emitting elements provided at an outer circumference of the rotary section, and adapted to emit light based on output from each of torque detectors provided at an inner surface of the hollow cylinder thereby sending an optical signal; a light conductive member to receive the optical signal at a light receiving surface thereof, and to guide the optical signal along its longitudinal directions; and a torque calculator to calculate torque of the rotary section based on the optical signal guided by the light conductive member, wherein the light conductive member has an optical path converting means formed at either the light receiving surface or a surface thereof opposite to the light receiving surface.

Abstract: An optical displacement sensor in an external-force detecting device comprises a light source, an optical sensor, and a light reflecting means. The light source and the optical sensor are disposed at an action section of the device adapted to receive an external force, and the light reflecting means is disposed at a support section of the device adapted to support the action section via elastic spoke sections, and light emitted from the light source is reflected at the light reflecting means and received at the optical sensor whereby displacement of the action section relative to the support section is detected for calculation of an external force applied.