초록 ▼

An absolute position encoder converts absolute mechanical position to a digital output value. A single-track, rotary embodiment of the encoder includes several conductive pick-up segments that are symmetrically arranged along a circular pick-up track, with each pick-up segment connected to a respect

An absolute position encoder converts absolute mechanical position to a digital output value. A single-track, rotary embodiment of the encoder includes several conductive pick-up segments that are symmetrically arranged along a circular pick-up track, with each pick-up segment connected to a respective output terminal. A metallic rotor of the encoder comprises a plurality of contacts that are positioned in alignment with the pick-up track such that the contacts slidably contact different pick-up segments as the rotor is rotated. The contacts on the rotor are conductively interconnected, and are maintained at a common voltage via a sliding connection between the rotor and a collector ring. The output of the encoder is a cyclical Gray code sequence, which may be used in combination with a ROM look-up table accurately track position. Linear and multi-track embodiments are also disclosed.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An absolute digital position encoder, comprising:a plurality of conductive pick-up segments positioned along a common elongate pick-up track, said pick-up segments electrically insulated from one another, each pick-up segment corresponding to a respective digit of an outp

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An absolute digital position encoder, comprising:a plurality of conductive pick-up segments positioned along a common elongate pick-up track, said pick-up segments electrically insulated from one another, each pick-up segment corresponding to a respective digit of an output code;a moveable member which is movable relative to said plurality of pick-up segments; anda plurality of contacts electrically connected to one another such that said contacts are at a common voltage, each of said plurality of contacts positioned in alignment with said common pick-up track and movable into and out of mechanical contact with at least one of said pick-up segments in response to movement of the moveable member;wherein said pick-up segments, said moveable member and said contacts are arranged such that a sequence of values of said output code generated when said moveable member is moved relative to said pick-up segments is a cyclic Gray code sequence.