Shaft Angle Transducers Patents (Class 250/231.13)
  • Patent number: 10113888
    Abstract: The position detection apparatus includes the first optical position detector used with an optical scale having periodic patterns. The first position detector receives lights from the periodic patterns when moving relatively to the optical scale with a movement of a movable member to generate first detection signals respectively changing at periods corresponding to periods of the periodic patterns. The second non-optical position detector generates a second detection signal changing with the movement of the movable member. The calculator produces a first position signal by using the first detection signals, produces a second position signal whose resolution is different from that of the first position signal, by using the second detection signal, and performs a calculation for combining the first and second position signals together to produce an absolute position signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirofumi Honda, Daisuke Ishikawa, Toshihiko Tomosada
  • Patent number: 10107650
    Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring the angular position of a laser beam emitter using only distance measurements. What is physically measured is a feature that is affixed to the laser beam emitter and moves with it. Respective distances which are respective functions of the azimuth and zenith angles are measured using respective position encoders. In accordance with some embodiments, the respective distances are measured using linear encoders (optical or magnetic); in accordance with other embodiments, the respective distances are measured using laser interferometer-based encoders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Casey J. Dunn, Navrit P. Singh
  • Patent number: 10082893
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for entering an input through a rotary motion, including a rotating body, and a fixed body to which the rotating body is coupled and rotates, wherein a first magnetic material and a second magnetic material are disposed on the rotating body and the fixed body, respectively, such that a clicking sensation to the rotation of the rotating body is generated by a magnetic force between the first and second magnetic materials, and an optical sensor and one or more magnetic sensors are disposed on the fixed body such that an amount, a direction, or a speed of rotation of the rotating body is recognized by the optical sensor, and wherein the one or more magnetic sensors detect the magnetic force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hee-Young Yun, Junhui Lee, Hyung-Jin Park
  • Patent number: 10081409
    Abstract: A bicycle control apparatus is provided that can improve the stability of the behavior of a bicycle. The bicycle control apparatus includes a controller configured to reduces an output of a motor that assists a manual drive force, upon determining a pitch angle of a bicycle body becomes greater than or equal to a prescribed angle, or based on a state of a suspension that absorbs vibrations of a bicycle, or upon determining a load that is applied to a rear wheel of a bicycle becomes less than a prescribed load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Hiroyuki Miyoshi, Etsuyoshi Watarai
  • Patent number: 10072949
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a main body; a rotary member rotatably mounted upon and enclosing at least a portion of the main body, the rotary member including a first region corresponding to a first attribute and a second region corresponding to a second attribute, the first and second regions being alternately arranged on one face of the rotary member; a sensor module configured to acquire attribute information corresponding to at least a partial region of the rotary member as the rotary member is rotated; and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to confirm a change in at least one of the first attribute and the second attribute and to determine at least one of a rotated angle and a rotated direction of the rotary member based on the change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki-Hun Eom, Tae-Gyun Kim, Hee-Young Yun, Hee-Woong Yoon
  • Patent number: 10060767
    Abstract: An example apparatus is described which comprises a rotary member supported by a bearing. A rotary encoder is registered with respect to the rotary member to rotate therewith and a sensing arrangement is registered with respect to a surface of the bearing. The sensing arrangement is responsive to rotation of the encoder to generate a signal indicative of a rotational characteristic of the rotary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Isidoro Maya Agudo, Alberto Borrego Lebrato, Alfons Lobete Camps, David Chanclon
  • Patent number: 10059464
    Abstract: A position sensor system for a landing gear assembly includes a cylinder operatively coupled to an aircraft. Also included is a piston configured to translate within the cylinder. Further included is a pattern disposed on an outer surface of the piston. Yet further included is a scanner operatively coupled to the cylinder and positioned to optically detect the pattern during translation of the piston. Also included is a microprocessor in operative communication with the scanner and configured to receive data from the scanner for conversion to a quantity of movement of the piston relative to the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Charles W. Clarke
  • Patent number: 10013073
    Abstract: A rotary input device comprising: a bezel portion that includes one or more pressing members; and one or more switch units, wherein each of the switch units is arranged to come in physical contact with any of the pressing members when the bezel portion is rotated, and generate an electrical on/off signal when the switch unit comes in physical contact with any of the pressing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Eun Kim, Ki-Young Kwon, Kyung-Hwan Kim, Ji-Hoon Park, Tae-Yoon An, Tae-Won Um, In-Ho Oh, Jae-Woong Choi
  • Patent number: 10001407
    Abstract: An optical detecting device includes a reflecting element, a main body, a light source and a plurality of photosensitive elements. The reflecting element has a reflecting surface. The main body has an installing surface. The installing surface at least partially faces to the reflecting surface. The main body is configured to move along a moving direction relative to the reflecting element. The moving direction is substantially parallel with the reflecting surface. The light source is disposed on the installing surface and is configured to emit a light ray towards the reflecting surface. The photosensitive elements are disposed on the installing surface. Sides of the photosensitive elements close to the light source surround the light source to form a light source region. The light source is at least partially located in the light source region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: NATIONAL CHIAO TUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mang Ou-Yang, Ting-Wei Huang, Hou-Chi Chiang, Zheng-Lin He
  • Patent number: 9995760
    Abstract: A rotational speed measuring device for measuring the rotational speed on coaxially arranged drive shafts is described, wherein a first drive shaft is formed as an inner shaft in a second drive shaft embodied as a hollow shaft. The hollow shaft has at least one opening and a rotational speed encoder which is arranged on the inner shaft and can be detected through the opening of the hollow shaft. A rotational speed sensor is arranged on the outer side of the hollow shaft and is configured to pick up the rotational speed on the rotational speed encoder. A corresponding method for measuring the rotational speed on coaxially arranged drive shafts is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Hans-Peter Fleischmann
  • Patent number: 9985642
    Abstract: An angle encoder has first and second components rotatable with respect to each other, and an encoder pattern having codewords for indicating the angle between the first and second components. The encoder pattern has a set of base encoder channels coded with a conventional Gray code, and a set of Booster channels for improving the resolution of angle measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: ZEROKEY INC.
    Inventors: Matthew William Lowe, Vahid Dehghanian
  • Patent number: 9976647
    Abstract: A vehicular shift apparatus includes an operation member configured to be put in five shift positions including a home position, a drive position, a reverse position, a drive-side neutral position, and a reverse-side neutral position. Nine sensing elements are provided to sense a magnet moved by movement of the operation member. The home position is allocated with three sensing elements, and each of the remaining four shift positions is allocated with two sensing elements, wherein two of the sensing elements allocate to the home position are shared by other two of the shift positions. The five shift positions and four intermediate positions between respective two adjacent shift positions are determined, based on combination of outputs of the nine sensing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI KIKO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Koji Onishi
  • Patent number: 9976878
    Abstract: In a length or position measuring system which has an at least locally substantially linear measuring gauge and at least one sensor to be moved relative to the measuring gauge, wherein the measuring gauge includes an incremental track and at least one absolute track and wherein the incremental track and the at least one absolute track have poles arranged in the longitudinal direction of the measuring gauge, the poles of the at least one absolute track form at least two regions in the sensor with different field strengths or signal amplitudes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Ballufff GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Burkhardt, Achim Zern
  • Patent number: 9976874
    Abstract: A magnetic encoder device (3) of the present invention includes a base portion (33) having a mounting surface (33b) for mounting to a rotary shaft (2), a cored bar (35) fitted and fixed over the base portion (33), and a double-row magnetic encoder track (30) formed on the cored bar (35). Through movement of each of magnetic poles of the magnetic encoder track (30) over a region opposed to a magnetic sensor (4), an angle of the rotating rotary shaft is detected. The base portion (33) is formed of a sintered metal, and the mounting surface (33b) is subjected to sizing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toru Takahashi, Tatsuo Nakajima, Hiroyuki Hakamata, Ikuo Uemoto, Shinji Miyazaki, Takuji Harano, Takayuki Oda
  • Patent number: 9909862
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to curved arrays of individually addressable light-emitting elements for sweeping out angular ranges. One example device includes a curved optical element. The device may also include a curved array of individually addressable light-emitting elements arranged to emit light towards the curved optical element. A curvature of the curved array is substantially concentric to at least a portion of the circumference of the curved optical element. The curved optical element is arranged to focus light emitted from each individually addressable light-emitting element to produce a substantially linear illumination pattern at a different corresponding scan angle within an angular range. The device may further include a control system operable to sequentially activate the individually addressable light-emitting elements such that the substantially linear illumination pattern sweeps out the angular range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Sameer Ansari, Roman Lewkow, Jason Holt
  • Patent number: 9874463
    Abstract: In an optical encoder which includes a rotary plate formed with a plurality of slit arrays and a plurality of light receiving parts corresponding to the slit arrays, at least one of the outer edge of a light receiving part located on the outer side of the optical axis X of light emitted from a light emitting part and the inner edge of the light receiving part located on the inner side of the optical axis X is positioned at a greater distance from the optical axis than the edge of the slit array corresponding to the light receiving part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Miaomiao Wang, Nobuyuki Ootake
  • Patent number: 9835480
    Abstract: A multiturn rotary encoder includes: a single-turn unit, including a code carrier that is able to be scanned by a single-turn scanner in order to generate single-turn position signals, and a single-turn evaluation unit for processing the single-turn position signals to form at least one single-turn code word that indicates the absolute position of an input shaft within one revolution; a first multiturn unit dependent on a power supply, including at least a first multiturn code carrier that is able to be scanned by a first multiturn scanner in order to generate first multiturn position signals, and a first multiturn evaluation unit for processing the first multiturn position signals to form a first multiturn code word that indicates the number of revolutions executed by the input shaft; and a second multiturn unit independent of a power supply, including at least a second multiturn code carrier that is able to be scanned by a second multiturn scanner in order to generate second multiturn position signals, and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBH
    Inventor: Martin Von Berg
  • Patent number: 9823096
    Abstract: A code plate of an optical encoder has a nonplanar incident part on a first major surface for transmitting light emitted from a light emitter to the inside of the code plate, and a planar primary reflection part for fully reflecting the transmitted light. The first major surface is also provided with a code pattern part which extends in a ring shape around the rotation axis at a position different from the incident part to switch transmission/non-transmission of the totally reflected light in accordance with a rotation position of the code plate. The code pattern part has nonplanar exit parts which transmit the totally reflected light, and planar secondary reflection parts which again totally reflect the totally reflected light. The secondary reflection parts and exit parts are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventor: Akinobu Sakata
  • Patent number: 9773190
    Abstract: The present invention mainly provides a precision calibration method for being applied in a high-precise rotary encoder system, wherein the primary technology feature of the precision calibration method is that: using a laser speckle image capturing module to capture N frames of laser speckle image from an optical position surface of a rotary encoding body, and then using image comparison libraries and particularly-designed mathematical equations to calculate N number of image displacements, so as to eventually calculate N number of primary variation angles and sub variation angles corresponding to the N frames of laser speckle image. Therefore, after the rotary encoding body is rotated by an arbitrary angle, an immediate angle coordinate can be precisely positioned according to the primary variation angles, the secondary variation angles and the N number of image displacements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: NATIONAL CHUNG-SHAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Yi-Yuh Hwang, Guang-Sheen Liu, Chin-Der Hwang, Wei-Guo Chang, Chih-Ming Liao
  • Patent number: 9767560
    Abstract: The present disclosure illustrates a work mode control method. The work mode control method includes the following steps. First, capturing an image once every capturing interval. Next, determining a shutter time, an average brightness and an image quality in response to the images. The shutter time is associated with a frequency of the optical encoder to capture the images. The average brightness is associated with a brightness of environmental light sensed by the optical encoder. The image quality is associated with clarity of the images. Then, adjusting a work mode of the optical encoder in response to the shutter time, the average brightness and the image quality. Finally, controlling the optical encoder to enter a rest mode when the shutter time is higher than a first threshold, the average brightness is higher than a second threshold, and the image quality is lower than a third threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING (PENANG) SDN. BHD.
    Inventor: Siew-Chin Lee
  • Patent number: 9759584
    Abstract: In a scale, a reference detection pattern and a displacement detection pattern are formed. A detection head outputs a reference detection signal, a phase compensation signal, and a displacement detection signal. A signal processing unit generates a reference signal by amplifying one or both of the phase compensation signal and the reference detection signal and adding up them, and detects a position of the detection head relative to the scale. A combined light receiving grating includes a reference detection light receiving grating and a phase compensation light receiving grating disposed so as to be shifted from the reference detection light receiving grating in the measurement direction. A combined light receiving element includes a reference detection light receiving element configured to output the reference detection signal and a phase compensation light receiving element configured to output the phase compensation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Kato
  • Patent number: 9733069
    Abstract: An optical position-measuring device for detecting the position of two objects movable relative to each other includes a measuring standard that is joined to one of the two objects and has a measuring graduation having a periodic arrangement of graduation regions along at least a first graduation direction. The position-measuring device also includes a scanning unit having a plurality of optical elements, which is disposed in a manner allowing movement relative to the measuring standard. Via the arrangement and formation of the optical elements of the scanning unit, a scanning beam path results in which partial beams of rays reaching interference propagate in mirror symmetry in relation to a plane of symmetry and either fall in V-shaped fashion on the measuring standard and/or are reflected back in a V-shape by the measuring standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Holzapfel
  • Patent number: 9712180
    Abstract: An angle encoder has first and second components rotatable with respect to each other, and an encoder pattern having codewords for indicating the angle between the first and second components. The encoder pattern has a set of base encoder channels coded with a conventional Gray code, and a set of Booster channels for improving the resolution of angle measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: ZEROKEY INC.
    Inventors: Matthew William Lowe, Vahid Dehghanian
  • Patent number: 9689715
    Abstract: A light source array used in illumination portions for optical encoders comprising an illumination portion, a scale grating extending along a measuring direction and receiving light from the illumination portion, and a detector configuration. The light source array comprises individual sources arranged in a grid pattern and coinciding with two transverse sets of parallel grid pattern lines that have two different grid line pitches between their parallel lines. Different instances of the light source array may be mounted with different rotational orientations about an axis normal to the grid pattern, for use in different illumination portions adapted for use with respective scale gratings having different grating pitches along the measuring axis direction. By using the different respective rotational orientations, the individual sources are aligned along respective illumination source lines that are spaced apart by different respective illumination source line pitches along the measuring axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Brynn Kristen Hickman MacCoy, Casey Edward Emtman, Daniel John Kapner
  • Patent number: 9664537
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an encoder system comprising an encoder assembly and an encoder alignment structure is disclosed. The encoder assembly may include at least a detector, a hub, a housing, an index sensor of the detector, and a coding member having an index mark. The encoder alignment structure may have a projecting structure. The detector may be coupled with the housing, and the projecting structure may slideably engage the hub so as to align the index mark of the coding member with the index sensor of the detector in a first alignment arrangement. In another embodiment, an encoder assembly configured for receiving an alignment structure having a projecting structure is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Kek Leong Yap, Siow Ming Tan, Cheng Kwong Cheang
  • Patent number: 9658049
    Abstract: A sensor head for an encoder assembly includes a housing and at least two detectors. The sensor head is intended for scanning directly toward a rotatable encoding member positioned on a carrier ring. The carrier ring is intended to be installed on a shaft of a machine. The detectors are arranged on detector strips are displaceably attached to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: LEINE & LINDE AB
    Inventors: Richard Arnstein, Magnus Larsson
  • Patent number: 9641108
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a motor having a rotor rotatable relative to a stator include commutating the motor to cause the rotor to rotate to a known position. While the rotor is at the known position, a position of an encoder magnet configured to rotate with the rotor is measured. Subsequent commutation of the motor is adjusted to take into account a difference between the known position of the rotor and the measured position of the encoder magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Bharath Suda, James David
  • Patent number: 9618370
    Abstract: The optical encoder includes a scale provided with a scale pattern reflecting or transmitting light from a light source, and a sensor receiving the light from the scale pattern. The sensor is provided with a light-receiving element array. The light-receiving element array includes multiple light-receiving element groups with a pitch P. Each group is constituted by two or more light-receiving elements whose outputs are added together. An intermediate pattern is provided between the scale and the sensor. The intermediate pattern includes a first pattern to form a first light intensity distribution with a first spatial period shorter than the pitch P on the light-receiving element array and a second pattern to form a second light intensity distribution with a second spatial period longer than the pitch P on the light-receiving element array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Chihiro Nagura
  • Patent number: 9605982
    Abstract: In a rotary encoder of the present invention, each track of a rotary disk has transmitting parts and non-transmitting parts alternately arranged in the circumferential direction. Each non-transmitting part has a plurality of projecting parts which are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction. Each projecting part has a pair of reflecting surfaces which retro reflect incident light toward a light emitting part. A plurality of tracks include a periodic track where transmitting parts and non-transmitting parts are arranged with a periodic pattern and non-periodic tracks where transmitting parts and non-transmitting parts are arranged in a non-periodic pattern. The periodic track and non-periodic track are respectively arranged at positions in the radial direction where further reflected light at the light emitting part after retro reflection at the reflecting surfaces of the non-periodic track will not enter the periodic track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Ootake
  • Patent number: 9594169
    Abstract: The present invention intends to provide an altitude detecting unit capable of, while utilizing both the advantages of a satellite positioning system and a pressure sensor, making an altitude measurement error, which may occur when combining them, as small as possible, and provide the others, and has determined a conversion expression adapted to convert from pressure into altitude such that at each of multiple valid altitude measurement points at which a satellite positioning system detects accurate altitude, altitude based on pressure is made equal to altitude by the satellite positioning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Horiba, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shun Fukami, Katsumi Uratani
  • Patent number: 9574915
    Abstract: The present invention mainly provides a precision calibration method for being applied in a high-precise rotary encoder system, wherein the primary technology feature of the precision calibration method is that: using a laser speckle image capturing module to capture N frames of laser speckle image from an optical position surface of a rotary encoding body, and then using image comparison libraries and particularly-designed mathematical equations to calculate N number of displacement vectors based on the N frames of laser speckle image, so as to eventually calculate N number of angle coordinates corresponding to the N frames of laser speckle image based on the plurality of displacement vectors. Moreover, a rotation matrix is further proposed and used in this precision calibration method, and used for treating the displacement vectors with a displacement vector transforming process in order to effectively enhance the position precision of the high-precise rotary encoder system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: National Chung-Shan Institute of Science & Technology
    Inventors: Yi-Yuh Hwang, Wei-Kuo Chang
  • Patent number: 9575416
    Abstract: A lithographic apparatus including a moveable object (WT) and a displacement measuring system arranged to determine a position quantity of the moveable object. The displacement measuring system includes an encoder (BC) and a grid structure. One of the encoder and the grid structure is connected to the moveable object. The grid structure includes a high precision grid portion (HG) and a low precision grid portion (LG). The encoder is arranged to cooperate with the high precision grid portion to determine the position quantity relative to the grid structure with a high precision. The encoder is arranged to cooperate with the low precision grid portion to determine the position quantity relative to the grid structure with a low precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Engelbertus Antonius Fransiscus Van Der Pasch, Ruud Antonius Catharina Maria Beerens, Martinus Agnes Willem Cuijpers, Christiaan Alexander Hoogendam, Fransiscus Mathijs Jacobs, Willem Herman Gertruda Anna Koenen, Erik Roelof Loopstra
  • Patent number: 9560724
    Abstract: A dual encoder (07) has a first shaft (09) being mounted in a housing (16) so as to be rotatable, wherein a first locking mechanism, for locking different rotational positions of the first shaft (09), and at least one first rotation signal generator (26, 27), for generating a signal showing a switchover between two locking positions, are provided at the first shaft (09), and having a second shaft (10) being mounted in the housing (16) so as to be coaxially rotatable, wherein a second locking mechanism for locking different rotational positions of the second shaft (10) and at least one second rotation signal generator (28, 29) for generating a signal showing a switchover between two locking positions are provided at the second shaft (10), wherein both shafts (09, 10) include activation elements (11, 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: MA LIGHTING TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Roland Jördens, Michael Adenau
  • Patent number: 9557194
    Abstract: An input device for an electrical device includes a base which can be attached to the electrical device and has at least one light source for producing a measurement beam, and at least one sensor for detecting the reflected measurement beam. An input actuator is movable in relation to the base and includes a plurality of reflection bodies for deflecting the measurement beam onto the sensor. Each reflection body has an entry area for entry of the measurement beam into the reflection body, at least one reflection surface for reflecting the measurement beam, and an outlet area for outlet of the measurement beam from the reflection body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Marianne Both, Andreas Dachs, Roman Makhtyuk, Bernd Martin, Herbert Mayer, Matthias Sorg
  • Patent number: 9534935
    Abstract: An encoder includes a scale including an origin detecting pattern, an origin detector, and a processor. The origin detector includes a plurality of detecting element groups including a first, second, third, and fourth detectors. The first and second detectors and the third and fourth detectors are symmetrically arranged to a center of each detecting element group, respectively. A part of the origin detecting pattern having a physical characteristic different from an origin peripheral part is shorter than each detecting element group. The origin detector outputs a first signal from the first and third detectors, and a second signal from the second and fourth detectors. The processor outputs a fifth signal based on a third signal from the first signal and a first threshold, and a fourth signal from the second signal and a second threshold as an origin signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: CANON PRECISION, INC.
    Inventor: Ryo Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9525093
    Abstract: An optical proximity sensor is provided that comprises an infrared light emitter an infrared light detector, a first molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component disposed over and covering the light emitter and a second molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component disposed over and covering the light detector. Located in-between the light emitter and the first molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component, and the light detector and the second molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component is a gap. Layers of infrared opaque, attenuating or blocking material are disposed on at least some of the external surfaces forming the gap to substantially attenuate or block the transmission of undesired direct, scattered or reflected light between the light emitter and the light detector, and thereby minimize optical crosstalk and interference between the light emitter and the light detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: James Costello, Rani Ramamoorthy Saravanan, Boon Keat Tan
  • Patent number: 9523862
    Abstract: An image blur correction device includes a driving motor that rotates a driven object in an axial rotation direction of a fulcrum axis. The driving motor includes a stator that has either one of a magnet and a driving coil mounted thereon, a first rotor that is positioned to face the stator and has the other of the magnet and the driving coil mounted thereon so as to rotate in a state where the first rotor is attracted toward the stator by magnetic force, a plurality of rolling members that rotates in accordance with rotation of the first rotor and revolves about an axis of rotation of the first rotor, and a second rotor that holds the plurality of rolling members and rotates with the driven object incorporated therein about the axis of rotation of the first rotor in accordance with revolution of the plurality of rolling members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Hattori
  • Patent number: 9518842
    Abstract: A linear encoder device (60) includes: a synchronization signal generation unit (83) configured to generate a periodic synchronization signal synchronized with a movement distance when a first sensor (66) installed to face a linear scale (61) is moved along the linear scale (61) based on a signal output by the first sensor (66); a reference signal generation unit (82) configured to generate a pulse signal indicating that the reference mark is detected based on a signal output by a second sensor (67) installed along with the first sensor (66); and a reference position detection unit (84) configured to generate a reference position signal indicating that a reference position decided in advance is detected when the synchronization signal is changed to a predetermined value after the reference signal generation unit (82) generates the pulse signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: THK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Moriyuki, Hiroshi Kaneshige
  • Patent number: 9519051
    Abstract: An optoelectronic device has a first component provided to generate radiation, a second component provided to receive radiation, a connection board and a frame. The first component and the second component are arranged on the connection board. The frame is arranged on the connection board. The first component is arranged in a first opening in the frame. The second component is arranged in a second opening in the frame. The first opening and the second opening extend from a main face of the frame opposite the connection board in the direction of the connection board. The main face between the first opening and the second opening has an intermediate region, in which a reflection of radiation incident on the main face is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH
    Inventor: Hubert Halbritter
  • Patent number: 9509195
    Abstract: An example embedded encoder for an outrunner brushless motor is provided. An example motor includes a motor shaft, a stationary stator, a rotor coupled to the motor shaft and provided external to the stationary stator for rotating around the stationary stator to cause rotation of the motor shaft, and a faceplate coupled to the stationary stator that includes a cavity. The motor also includes an encoder embedded into the cavity of the faceplate that comprises a code wheel coupled to the motor shaft and a read head for providing an output indicative of an angular position of the code wheel. The faceplate provides alignment between the code wheel and the read head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: REDWOOD ROBOTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Edsinger, Matt Carney
  • Patent number: 9500162
    Abstract: A valve apparatus performs at least one of a first operation in which an electric motor is energized in a valve-close direction and a rotation shaft is rotated until its rotation is stopped and a second operation in which the electric motor is deenergized and a valve is fully closed by a biasing force of a return spring. Thereby, a rotation angle of the rotation shaft becomes a rotation-stop angle or the rotation angle becomes in the backlash range, so that a biasing force of the return spring is not transmitted to the rotation shaft. Then, the electric motor generates a specified torque, which is less than a valve-opening torque by which the valve starts opening. Thereby, a rotation angle of the rotation shaft can be stopped at a full-close angle. The full-close angle can be made correspond to an output of a rotational angle sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazushi Sasaki, Ryo Sano, Satoshi Ishigaki, Hiroki Shimada
  • Patent number: 9482516
    Abstract: A method is used to determine an aiming point for a sighting system used by a shooter to shoot a target. The method includes receiving a range signal that corresponds to a distance from the shooter to the target. A first position signal is received from a magnification system sensor. A first magnification setting based at least in part on the first position signal is then determined. Thereafter, a first aiming point based at least in part on both of the range signal and the first magnification setting is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: BURRIS CORPORATION
    Inventors: John McCarthy, Walter D. Stoddard, Douglas F. Paterson
  • Patent number: 9482560
    Abstract: The invention relates to a position transmitter with a position code and an optical sensor element for detecting at least one part of the position code. The sensor element has a row of photosensitive detection regions, which convert incident photons into electric charges, and a readout structure for outputting an electric data signal corresponding to the stored electric charges. The sensor element has an analog memory unit structure with a number of N>1 rows of photo-insensitive analog memory cells in order to temporarily store the electric charges and an electric switching structure, by means of which a charge transfer can be carried out between the detection regions and the memory cells, between the memory cells amongst one another, and between the memory cells and the readout row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventor: Robert Fritsch
  • Patent number: 9470555
    Abstract: An encoder includes a scale, an encoder head, and a multiplication processing circuit. The encoder head includes a signal generation unit configured to generate a substantially sine-wave signal, and an output unit configured to output one of the substantially sine-wave signal and the center voltage of the substantially sine-wave signal to the multiplication processing circuit. The multiplication processing circuit includes a mode switching unit configured to switch a processing mode to one of an offset voltage detection processing mode in which an offset voltage serving as a difference between a predetermined reference voltage and the center voltage is corrected, and a displacement amount detection processing mode in which displacement detection processing is performed, an offset voltage detection unit configured to detect the offset voltage, and an offset voltage correction unit configured to correct an offset voltage of the substantially sine-wave signal output from the output unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiromasa Fujita
  • Patent number: 9413376
    Abstract: An angle encoder has first and second components rotatable with respect to each other, and an encoder pattern having codewords for indicating the angle between the first and second components. The encoder pattern has a set of base encoder channels coded with a conventional Gray code, and a set of Booster channels for improving the resolution of angle measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Helio Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew William Lowe, Vahid Dehghanian
  • Patent number: 9402567
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the dimensions of human feet is comprised of a base and a cover, which fits over it to define the borders of two essentially rectangular wells into which the feet to be measured are placed. A pressure pad assembly comprising a matrix of sensors is placed at the bottom of base. The walls of the wells are defined by PCBS comprising arrays comprised of a multitude of emitter/detector pairs, which are used to make length and width measurements of said feet. MCUs on the pressure pad assembly and computation means comprise software algorithms that automatically make length, width, and pressure measurements and correct errors in the length and width measurements caused by misalignment of the feet in the wells. Methods of using the apparatus are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: AETREX WORLDWIDE INC.
    Inventors: Noam Danenberg, Gerby Eliaho, Yuval Bechor
  • Patent number: 9400165
    Abstract: A rotational position sensing device for sensing rotation of an axially adjustable shaft of a shaft and arm assembly of a door that does not require readjustment after the shaft and arm assembly are adjusted includes a fixed bracket supporting a post, a position sensor having an upper portion, a lower portion and an extended portion, and a rotating portion. The extended portion extends from the upper portion of the position sensor and constrains the post of the bracket such that the upper portion of the position sensor is unable to axially rotate relative to the bracket. The rotating section is adapted to be fixed to the shaft and engage with the lower portion of the position sensor, such that the rotating portion rotates relative to the upper portion of the position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.
    Inventor: Matthew Chapman
  • Patent number: 9395215
    Abstract: A linear encoder includes a housing, a scale disposed within the housing and a sensor unit disposed within the housing facing the scale with a gap between the sensor unit and the scale. The sensor unit is configured to scan the scale and obtain position information. At least one adjustment hole for a gap adjustment is disposed in at least one of the housing and an end cover of the housing at a position corresponding to a position of the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBH
    Inventor: Katsumi Motoyuki
  • Patent number: 9389102
    Abstract: A selector lever arrangement for operating a transmission in a motor vehicle with a mounting fixture, a selector lever which is mounted at the fixture in such a way that it can be moved into the designated selector lever positions and an optical detection device for the selector lever position, which includes a carrier, several optical sensors which are arranged on the carrier, an optical deflector, at least one self-luminous light source that is arranged on the carrier, by means of which light can be directed onto the sensors via the deflectors, and a coding element equipped with an optical coding that is arranged within the optical path, which can be shifted into the designated coding positions by means of moving the selector lever, whereby the coding element is intended to be allocated between the sensors and the deflector that is made in form of a light guiding element, which is arranged at the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Ralf Hartrampf, Andreas Giefer, Ludger Rake
  • Patent number: 9383274
    Abstract: The torque detection apparatus detects torque using torsion of a torsion bar. The torque detection apparatus includes a first rotating shaft and a second rotating shaft connected with a torsion bar in which torsion is produced when torque is applied, at least one optical scale that moves with rotations of the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft, at least one optical sensor that is paired with the optical scale, and detects the polarization of transmissive light or reflected light, the polarization varying depending on a position where light source light is passed through or reflected on the optical scale, and a computing unit that computes a relative rotational angle of the optical scale with respect to the optical sensor, and computes rotational displacements of the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Oguchi, Kunihiko Sasao, Sumio Sugita