Improving Optical Encoder Resolution with LED Coating
Here’s PatSnap Eureka !
Summary
Problems
Optical position encoders face limitations in resolution due to imperfections in light emission properties caused by glass plates and manufacturing tolerances, leading to refractions, shadows, and reduced signal quality.
Innovation solutions
The method involves coating and de-coating the light exit surface of the LED light source to create a precise light exit window, which is independent of the LED light source's dimensions, allowing for improved emission properties and higher resolutions by avoiding undesired refractions and reflections.
TRIZ Analysis
Specific contradictions:
General conflict description:
Principle concept:
If a glass plate is arranged above the LED light source to enable defined emission and prevent damage, then the LED light source is protected and emission is controlled, but refractions and reflections occur that impair light emission and reduce measurement precision
Why choose this principle:
The harmful glass plate covering the LED light source is completely removed from the system. The LED light source is exposed directly to the outside environment, eliminating the source of refractions and reflections that degraded measurement precision, while the molded housing provides alternative protection
Principle concept:
If a glass plate is arranged above the LED light source to enable defined emission and prevent damage, then the LED light source is protected and emission is controlled, but refractions and reflections occur that impair light emission and reduce measurement precision
Why choose this principle:
The molded housing serves as an intermediary protective structure that replaces the glass plate's protective function without introducing optical interference. The housing encloses the LED light source and other component parts, providing mechanical protection while allowing direct light emission
Application Domain
Data Source
AI summary:
The method involves coating and de-coating the light exit surface of the LED light source to create a precise light exit window, which is independent of the LED light source's dimensions, allowing for improved emission properties and higher resolutions by avoiding undesired refractions and reflections.
Abstract
A method for producing an optical position encoder including an optoelectronic component and a measuring scale which is illuminated by an LED light source of the optoelectronic component. The LED light source is molded not a mold housing such that a light outlet surface of the LED light source is outwardly exposed, and the light outlet surface has a coating and is uncoated in some regions in order to provide a light outlet window. The disclosure additionally relates to an optical position encoder including an optoelectronic component with a mold housing in which an LED light source is arranged such that a light outlet surface of the LED light source is outwardly exposed, the light outlet surface being coated and having an uncoated light outlet window, and including a measuring scale which is illuminated by the LED light source of the optoelectronic component.