Roller module

Abstract

The roller module includes a support, a wheel, and an optical encoder. The support has a first pivot portion, a first receiving groove, a second receiving groove, and a second pivot portion. The first pivot portion is disposed on the first receiving groove. The second receiving groove includes a retaining wall, a first guide rail, and a second guide rail. The second pivot portion is formed on the retaining wall, and the first and second guide rails are connected to and opposite to the retaining wall. A portion of the wheel is received within the first receiving groove. The wheel has a first shaft and a second shaft; the first shaft is inserted into the first pivot portion, and the second shaft is inserted into the second pivot portion. The wheel is pivotally mounted on the support and rotates about an axis as its rotation center. The optical encoder is mounted in the second receiving groove by being guided by the retaining wall, the first guide rail, and the second guide rail.

Claims

1. A roller module, comprising: A support base having a first pivot portion, a first receiving groove, a second receiving groove, and a second pivot portion, wherein the first receiving groove and the second receiving groove are disposed adjacent to each other, the first pivot portion is disposed on the first receiving groove, the second receiving groove includes a retaining wall, a first guide rail, and a second guide rail, wherein the second pivot portion is formed on the retaining wall, and the first guide rail and the second guide rail are connected to the retaining wall and disposed opposite to each other; a wheel, a portion of which is received in the first receiving groove, the wheel having a first shaft and a second shaft, the first shaft being inserted into the first pivot portion, and the second shaft being inserted into the second pivot portion, thereby pivotally mounted on the support base, and rotating about an axis as the center of rotation; and an optical encoder, which is mounted in the second receiving groove by means of the guide wall, the first guide rail, and the second guide rail.

2. The roller module as described in claim 1, wherein the optical encoder includes a grating turntable, a bracket, a substrate, a light emitting element, and a light receiving element, wherein, The grating turntable is fixed on the second shaft and rotates synchronously with the wheel. When the grating turntable rotates, the light receiving element can receive all, partially, or not receive the light generated by the light emitting element.

3. The roller module as described in claim 2, wherein the first guide rail includes a first slit, and the substrate has a first parallel positioning piece extending from one edge of the substrate, wherein when the optical encoder is installed in the second receiving groove, the first parallel positioning piece is inserted into the first slit.

4. The roller module as described in claim 3, wherein the second guide rail includes a second slit, and the substrate has a second parallel positioning piece extending from the edge of the other side of the substrate, wherein when the optical encoder is mounted in the second receiving groove, the second parallel positioning piece is inserted into the second slit.

5. The roller module as described in claim 2, wherein the barrier includes a third slit and the substrate has a first vertical positioning piece that extends from one edge of the substrate by bending. When the optical encoder is installed in the second receiving groove, the first vertical positioning piece is inserted into the third slit.

6. The roller module as described in claim 5, wherein the barrier includes a fourth slit and the substrate has a second vertical positioning piece that extends from the edge of the substrate by bending. When the optical encoder is installed in the second receiving groove, the second vertical positioning piece is inserted into the fourth slit.

7. The roller module as described in claim 1 further includes a magnetic ring and an electro-permanent magnet assembly. The magnetic ring is mounted on the inner side of the wheel and rotates synchronously with the wheel. The magnetic ring includes a plurality of spokes arranged radially about the axis. The support includes a platform disposed beside the first pivot for supporting the electro-permanent magnet assembly. The electro-permanent magnet assembly has a first operating state and a second operating state. When the electro-permanent magnet assembly is in the first operating state, it provides a first magnetic attraction force from an axial direction parallel to the axis to at least one of the spokes. When the electro-permanent magnet assembly is in the second operating state, it provides a second magnetic attraction force from the axial direction to at least one of the spokes. The first magnetic attraction force is greater than the second magnetic attraction force.

8. The roller module as described in claim 7, wherein the electro-permanent magnet assembly comprises: A first permanent magnet; a coil surrounding the first permanent magnet; a second permanent magnet; a third permanent magnet; a first magnetically conductive block magnetically coupling the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet, the first magnetically conductive block including a first connecting portion and a first protrusion, the first connecting portion connecting the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet, the first protrusion axially protruding from the first connecting portion toward the magnetically conductive ring, and the first protrusion adjacent to at least one of the plurality of spokes; and a second magnetically conductive block magnetically coupling the first permanent magnet and the third permanent magnet.

9. The roller module as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first protrusion has a plurality of first claws arranged radially about the axis, each of the first claws being adjacent to one of the plurality of spokes.

10. The roller module as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second magnetic block includes a second connecting portion and a second protrusion, the second connecting portion connecting the first permanent magnet and the third permanent magnet, the second protrusion protruding axially from the second connecting portion toward the magnetic ring, and the second protrusion being adjacent to at least one of the plurality of spokes.

11. The roller module as claimed in claim 10, wherein the second protrusion has a plurality of second claws arranged radially about the axis, each of the second claws being adjacent to one of the plurality of spokes.

12. The roller module as described in claim 8 further includes a magnetic sheet magnetically coupled to the second permanent magnet and the third permanent magnet, wherein, The first permanent magnet, the first magnetically conductive block, the second permanent magnet, the magnetically conductive sheet, the third permanent magnet, and the second magnetically conductive block form a closed loop in structure.

13. The roller module as described in claim 12, wherein when the electro-permanent magnet assembly is in the first operating state, the magnetic lines of force generated by the electro-permanent magnet assembly are transmitted outward through the first magnetic block or the second magnetic block to one of the plurality of spokes, and when the electro-permanent magnet assembly is in the second operating state, the magnetic lines of force generated by the electro-permanent magnet assembly are concentrated inside the closed loop.

14. The roller module as described in claim 8, wherein when the coil is energized, the electro-permanent magnet assembly switches from the first operating state to the second operating state, or from the second operating state to the first operating state.

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