Abstract: A first grating is formed on a main scale, and a second and third gratings on an index scale. The first grating generally assumes a cruciform shape, and consists of a grating having grating lines arranged in the X-direction and another grating having grating lines arranged in the Y-direction. The second grating is formed in a square central area of the index scale, and consists of two gratings having grating lines arranged in the X-direction and divided at the center and another two gratings having grating lines arranged in the Y-direction and divided at the center. The third grating consists of four gratings having grating lines arranged in the X-direction with different phases and another four gratings having grating lines arranged in the Y-direction with different phases. A light-emitting element and eight photodetectors that are arranged corresponding to the respective gratings of the third grating are fixed to a movable member on which the index scale is attached.

Abstract: In one type of an angular velocity sensor, a constant vibration is applied in an X direction to one end of a vibrator which is fixed at another end and the vibrator vibrates in a Y direction perpendicular to the X direction by an action of Coriolis force caused by the angular velocity of the vibrator about the Z axis with an amplitude proportional to an angular velocity about a Z axis. An angular velocity sensor of this invention utilizes a photoelectric encoder for measurement of the vibration amplitude of the vibrator in the Y direction. The encoder includes a main scale mounted on the free end of the vibrator; an index scale mounted on a housing of the sensor to face the main scale; and a photoelectric element for sensing light reflected from the main scale and passing through the index scale.

Abstract: In an optical encoder of a three grating system, a pitch P2 of a second grating for illuminating a first grating is set at a value larger than a pitch P1 of the first grating and a length of a light transmitting portion of the second grating is set at a value smaller than or equal to the length of the pitch P1. With this arrangement, the incoherency between illuminating lights transmitted through the second grating is improved and an SN ratio of a detection signal is raised. Further, when the reflection type optical encoder is to be realized by use of the three grating system, the second grating and third grating are formed separatedly on the second scale at positions different from each other, and further, a plurality of the third gratings different in phase from each other are formed, so that a plurality of light receiving signals different in phase from one another can be obtained. With this arrangement, the reflection type optical encoder of a desirable three grating system can be realized.

Abstract: In an optical encoder of a three grating system, a pitch P2 of a second grating for illuminating a first grating is set at a value larger than a pitch P1 of the first grating and a length of a light transmitting portion of the second grating is set at a value smaller than or equal to the length of the pitch P1. With this arrangement, the incoherency between illuminating lights transmitted through the second grating is improved and an SN ratio of a detection signal is raised. Further, when the reflection type optical encoder is to be realized by use of the three grating system, the second grating and third grating are formed separatedly on the second scale at positions different from each other, and further, a plurality of the third gratings different in phase from each other are formed, so that a plurality of light receiving signals different in phase from one another can be obtained. With this arrangement, the reflection type optical encoder of a desirable three grating systems can be realized.

Abstract: An absolute position type of displacement detector employs multiple grating tracks. The pitches of the gratings in the respective tracks are set to be just slightly different so as to detect an absolute position from a small number of analog signals by a vernier. The number of tracks is set to be three or more so as to multiply the vernier, thereby enabling absolute position measurement in a wide measurement range.

Abstract: In an optical encoder using a collimated lighting system, an index scale is inclined toward a main scale by a predetermined value. With this arrangement, a component of variation in the detection signal due to variations in the grating gap can be offset or integrated to be removed from a geometric image of the first grating in the detection signal, whereby the dependence of an S/N ratio of the detection signal on the grating gap can be avoided.

Abstract: In a reflection type encoder having a main scale and an index scale with first and second gratings, respectively, and using a diffusing light source, diffused rays from a point light source are focused by a condensing lens to produce a secondary point light source positioned on a plane defined by the second gratings of the index scale. With this arrangement, a collimator lens can be dispensed with, so that the encoder can be rendered compact in size. Furthermore, the respective elements can be easily supported and positioned.

Abstract: In a diffraction type optical displacement encoder using a diffractive light source and having a main scale grating and an index scale grating, a light-receiving element receives two rays satisfying a relationship concerning the lengths of light paths at the rays between the light source and the index scale grating, and the width of the light receiving element, wherein the difference between the path length of each ray is approximately equal to an integral multiple of the square of the pitch of the main scale grating divided by the wavelength of the light source, and the width of the light receiving element, measured as the distance between the impingement points of the two rays at the index scale, is integrally related to the difference in ray path lengths and the angle of the impinging rays due to an offsetting of the light-receiving element.

Abstract: An optical type displacement detecting device including a main scale and an index scale, wherein a pitch of a first optical grating formed on the main scale is set at P and a pitch of a second optical grating formed on the index scale is set at P/n, thereby producing divided detection signal having pitch P/n. Furthermore, the pitch of the second optical grating is set at (u+v) P/u or (u+v) P/(2u) (u is a gap between a diffusive light source and the first optical grating and v is a gap between the first and second optical gratings), so that a collimator lens can be dispensed with. Further, higher harmonic components of the first optical grating are utilized, whereby the pitch of the second optical grating is set at substantially (u+v) Q/u or (u+v) Q/(2u) (Q=P/m, and m is a whole number of 2 or more), thereby preventing the pitch of the second optical grating from being divided into small ones.

Abstract: A cable connecting device is disclosed for detachably, electrically connecting a flexible cable protected by a flexible electric wire tube to a wiring in a component movable within a predetermined scope.

Abstract: This disclosure depicts a linear scale type displacement measuring device wherein the measuring device comprises a frame member connected to one of two bodies to be measured, a main scale held on the frame member and an index scale connected to the other of the two bodies, and a relative displacement between the two bodies is measured from a relative movement between the main scale and the index scale. A main scale holding member having two guide surfaces corresponding to two surfaces intersecting each other of the main scale is bondedly fixed at a predetermined pitch to the frame member in its longitudinal direction, and the main scale is bondedly fixed to the main scale holding member in a state of being urged against the guide surfaces of the main scale holding member by urging means utilizing a main scale engaging portion separately provided or formed on the main scale holding member itself.

Abstract: In a linear scale type displacement measuring instrument capable of measuring a relative displacement between two workpieces to be measured from a relative movement between a main scale and an index scale, there are provided elastic member non-joining portions each having a pitch and a length to be determined by the material qualities of the main scale, an elongate case and elastic members to connect the main scale to the elongate case, and the length of the main scale, whereby a thermal stress acting on the main scale through the elastic members at the time of temperature change is reduced.