Linear encoder track and measurement unit with arcuate motion

Abstract

To provide a movable part configured to rotate in an arcuate motion about a pivoting part, and an electronic position encoder configured to measure the absolute relative position of a detection part and a scale part, one of the detection part and the scale part forming the movable part.SOLUTION: A first scale element part and a second scale element part of a first track part and a second track part are in a linear shape and are parallel to each other, and the second track part is closer to a pivoting part than the first track part. In the scale part, a first signal modulation scale element is along the first scale element part in accordance with a first signal modulation element linear space step WSME1. a second signal modulation scale element is along the second scale element part in accordance with a second signal modulation element linear space step WSME2 different from the first signal modulation element linear space step WSME1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification relates to a measuring instrument that includes a measuring unit (e.g., a stylus) that rotates in an arc motion around a rotating part in a metric system, more specifically, and a corresponding measurement value is determined by an electronic position encoder. Examples of such measuring instruments include test indicators, lever-type dial indicators, lever-type dial gauges, and the like.

Background Art

[0002] Some measuring instruments have a moving member (e.g., including a stylus) that moves in an arc motion during use (e.g., to determine a measurement value of a processed product to be inspected). As an example, a test indicator (which may also be referred to as a lever indicator, lever-type dial indicator, lever-type dial gauge, etc.) is described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2022 / 0341733 (‘733 publication), and includes a stylus that rotates at a corresponding rotation angle around a rotating part (e.g., in an arc motion). Due to the rotation of the stylus, a sector gear on the opposite side of the rotating part moves, and accordingly, an encoder that detects the rotation angle rotates. As described above, such a test indicator may be used to inspect a processed product (e.g., with the contact point of the stylus pressed against the surface of the processed product), thereby measuring minute displacements such as circumferential deflection, overall deflection, flatness, parallelism, etc., or performing precise comparative inspections such as determining the processing error of the processed product.

[0003] In certain embodiments, it may be desirable for such a measuring instrument to include an encoder (e.g., for measuring an arc motion) that combines desirable characteristics such as a compact size, high resolution, high precision, low cost, and robustness against contamination. In such a measuring instrument, a configuration of an encoder that provides an improved combination of these characteristics is desirable.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] This summary is provided to introduce a simplified part of the concepts described later in the mode for carrying out the invention. This summary is not intended to identify the important features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0005] According to one aspect, a measuring device including a movable part and an electronic position encoder is provided. The movable part is configured to rotate in an arc motion about a rotating part, includes a movable encoder part MEP, and the maximum movement range of the arc motion of the movable encoder part MEP is less than 360 degrees.

[0006] The electronic position encoder is configured to measure the absolute relative position between a detection part and a scale part, for example, along the arc motion direction. The movable encoder part MEP of the movable part includes one of the detection part or the scale part. The scale part extends along a scale direction and has a first scale element part including a first signal modulation scale element and a second scale element part including a second signal modulation scale element. The detection part is configured to be close to the scale part by the relative movement between the detection part and the scale part caused by the arc motion of the movable encoder part MEP. The detection part includes a magnetic field generation part configured to generate a magnetic flux that changes according to a drive signal, and a sensing part. The sensing part has i) a first set of first sensing elements, a first sensing element part arranged in a first track part together with the first scale element part, and ii) a first set of second sensing elements, a second sensing element part arranged in a second track part together with the second scale element part.

[0007] The first and second scale element parts of the first and second track parts are linear, parallel to each other, and the second track part is located closer to the rotating part than the first track part. The first signal modulation scale element is arranged along the first scale element part according to a first signal modulation element linear space step WSME1, and the second signal modulation scale element is arranged along the second scale element part according to a second signal modulation element linear space step WSME2 different from the first signal modulation element linear space step WSME1.

[0008] According to another aspect, a method of operating a measuring instrument including a movable part and an electronic position encoder is provided. The method includes supplying a drive signal to generate a changing magnetic flux in a magnetic field generating part, and receiving a detection signal from a detection part, the detection signal including a detection signal from a first set of first sensing elements operating in conjunction with a first signal modulation scale element and a detection signal from a first set of second sensing elements operating in conjunction with a second signal modulation scale element. According to this method, the first and second scale element parts of the first and second track parts are linear and parallel to each other, the second track part is closer to the rotating part than the first track part, the first signal modulation scale element is arranged along the first scale element part according to a first signal modulation element linear space step WSME1, and the second signal modulation scale element is arranged along the second scale element part according to a second signal modulation element linear space step WSME2 different from the first signal modulation element linear space step WSME1.

[0009] According to a further aspect, an electronic position encoder is provided, which is configured to measure the absolute relative position between a detection part and a scale part, for example, along an arc motion, and is configured to be used in a measuring instrument including a movable part configured to rotate in an arc motion about a rotating part.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of exemplary components of a measuring instrument 100 (e.g., a test indicator) including an electronic absolute position encoder 101. In various implementations, the electronic absolute position encoder 101 includes a scale unit 170 and a detection unit 167, and together they form a transducer TDR. As will be described in more detail below, the encoder 101 utilized herein is an absolute position (ABS) encoder and provides an absolute position using two or more encoder tracks (i.e., all positions within the absolute range of the encoder 101 have a unique combination of signals). Generally, ABS encoding may be more robust than incremental (INC) encoding (e.g., counting increments during movement), and thus may be more desirable for certain implementations (e.g., can withstand power cycling without losing position). The measuring instrument 100 includes appropriate user interface functions such as a display 138 and / or user-operable control elements 136 (e.g., switches, buttons, etc.). Additionally, the measuring instrument 100 may further include a power supply 165.

[0012] All of these elements of the measuring instrument 100 and / or the encoder 101 are connected to a signal processing configuration 166 (e.g., including one or more signal processors), and in various implementations, may be implemented in an integrated circuit (IC) chip as electronic circuits for signal processing and display. The signal processing configuration 166 receives a detection signal from the detection unit 167, processes the detection signal, and determines the absolute position of the detection unit 167 along the scale unit 170. It will be understood that the signal processing configuration 166 may include any combination of signal processing and physical circuits. In various implementations, the signal processing configuration 166 and the detection unit 167 may be included as part of an electronic assembly 160 (e.g., disposed on a substrate).

[0013] Figure 2 shows further details of one implementation form of the measuring instrument 100, such as the measuring instrument in Figure 1. As will be described in more detail below, the measuring instrument 100 includes an electronic position encoder 101 that includes a transducer TDR. In the example of Figure 2, the measuring instrument 100 is a test indicator (which may also be referred to as a lever indicator, a lever-type dial indicator, a lever-type dial gauge, etc.). In various implementation forms, certain aspects of the mechanical structure and operation of the measuring instrument 100 may be similar to those of conventional test indicators, such as those described in the aforementioned '733 publication.

[0014] As shown in Figure 2, the contact portion CPN (e.g., stylus) is coupled to the rotating portion PPN (e.g., rotates about the rotation point PPT of the rotating portion PPN) and rotates about the rotating portion PPN at a corresponding angle (e.g., in an arc motion). The contact portion CPN has a contact point CPT at its end that can be used to contact the inspection object in order to perform a measurement operation (e.g., to measure the displacement and / or dimensions of the inspection object, etc.). The measured value may be displayed on a digital display (e.g., the display 138 in Figure 1) that can be attached to the measuring instrument body MIB or other locations of the measuring instrument 100. The measuring instrument 100 may be provided with several control elements (e.g., the control element 136 in Figure 1).

[0015] The movable part MPN of the measuring instrument 100 includes the contact part CPN on the first side of the rotating part PPN and a movable encoder part support member MEPSM that supports the movable encoder part MEP on the second side of the rotating part PPN. The movable part MPN is configured to rotate the support member MEPSM and the movable encoder part MEP in an arc motion ARCM (e.g., the arc motion direction ARCD) corresponding to the inspection object measurement operation (e.g., for measuring the inspection object) that rotates the contact part CPN relative to the rotating part PPN (e.g., caused by the contact point CPT contacting or moving along the surface of the inspection object). In the measuring instrument 100, the maximum angular movement range θ of the arc motion ARCM of the movable encoder part MEP MAXis less than 360 degrees (e.g., in some implementations, less than 90 degrees, or less than 45 degrees, or less than 15 degrees, etc.). Such a relatively small angular movement range is common in some types of measuring instruments, particularly in applications where the inspection target is measured using only a relatively small deflection of the contact part CPM (e.g., stylus).

[0016] In various implementations, the movable encoder unit MEP may include one of the detection unit 167 or the scale unit 170 (e.g., as described above in relation to FIG. 1 and as will be described in more detail below in relation to FIG. 3). One of the detection unit 167 or the scale unit 170 not included in the movable encoder unit MEP is included in a fixed encoder unit FEP (not shown, but may be fixed to the measuring instrument body MIB, for example) located in the vicinity of the movable encoder unit MEP. As a specific example, the movable encoder unit MEP may be arranged to face the fixed encoder unit FEP in parallel, and the front surface of the movable encoder unit MEP facing the fixed encoder unit FEP may be separated from the fixed encoder unit FEP by a gap (e.g., 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm) along the z-axis direction. Regardless of whether the detection unit 167 is included in the movable encoder unit MEP or the fixed encoder unit FEP, the front surface of the detection unit 167 (including its constituent conductors, for example) may be covered by an insulating coating.

[0017] In the orientation of FIG. 2, the fixed encoder unit FEP may be located directly below the movable encoder unit MEP (and thus not visible in FIG. 2). The fixed encoder unit FEP and the movable encoder unit MEP (note that it includes the detection unit 167 and the scale unit 170, for example) correspondingly form a transducer TDR. As described above, the relative movement between the movable encoder unit MEP and the fixed encoder unit FEP (i.e., corresponding to the relative movement between the detection unit 167 and the scale unit 170) is due to the movement of the movable encoder unit MEP in the arc movement direction ARCD caused by the movement of the contact part CPN (e.g., as part of the inspection target measurement operation).

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the first and second movement limit indicators ML1 and ML2 are shown by dashed lines, which indicate the maximum movement range of the arc movement ARCM (for example, including the movable encoder unit MEP), and the maximum angular movement range θ MAX corresponds to. The electronic position encoder 101 is an absolute position encoder that utilizes two or more encoder tracks (see, for example, FIG. 3) to provide absolute positioning (i.e., every position has a unique combination of signals) corresponding to the absolute angle measurement range θ ABS as will be described in more detail below. In the example of FIG. 2, the absolute angle measurement range θ ABS is shown as being approximately equal to the maximum angular movement range θ MAX , but it will be understood that in another implementation, the absolute angle measurement range θ ABS and the maximum angular movement range θ MAX may be different (for example, in most such implementations, the absolute angle measurement range θ ABS is greater than the maximum angular movement range θ MAX , and in all cases, the absolute angle measurement range θ ABS is less than 360 degrees). In some implementations, the absolute angle measurement range θ ABS and the maximum angular movement range θ MAX are shown in the example of FIG. 2 for illustrative purposes and may not be to scale.

[0019] The end point ENDPT of the end of the movable encoder unit support member MEPSM also corresponds to the end point of the movable part MPN. The end point ENDPT is at the end of the movable part MPN opposite to the contact point CPT at the end of the contact part CPN. As referred to herein, the contact part CPN and the contact point CPT are on the first side surface of the rotating part PPN, and the support member MEPSM, the movable encoder unit MEP, and the end point ENDPT are above the second side surface of the rotating part PPN.

[0020] The measuring instruments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are one of various applications that implement an electronic position encoder that has evolved over the years to provide a relatively optimized combination of elements such as a compact size, low-power operation (e.g., for long battery life), high resolution and high-precision measurement, low cost, and robustness against contamination. It will be understood that in any application, it is highly desirable for any of these elements to be improved even slightly, but particularly difficult to achieve considering the design constraints imposed to achieve commercial success in various applications. The principles disclosed herein improve some of these elements for various applications.

[0021] FIG. 11 is a plan view schematically showing certain features of a representative prior art inductive electronic position encoder shown in U.S. Patent No. 6,011,389 ('389 patent), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and shown as background information related to various principles disclosed elsewhere herein. FIG. 11 further includes reference number annotations for showing common reference numbers or symbols used to designate common elements in other figures included herein. The following simplified description is based on '389, and some of the common reference numbers or symbols in other figures herein are shown in parentheses near the original reference numbers of the '389 patent. For a detailed description of FIG. 11 with respect to the prior art, refer to the '389 patent. Accordingly, only a simplified description (e.g., including specific disclosure content of the '389 patent relevant herein) is described herein.

[0022] As disclosed in the ‘389 patent, a transducer as shown in FIG. 11 includes at least two substantially coplanar paths of wires or windings. The transmitting winding 102 (PRTFGE’’’) forms a large planar loop. In this example, the transmitting winding 102 forms the entirety of the magnetic field generating section PRTFGE’’’. The receiving winding 104 (PRTSEN’’, SETSEN’’’) is disposed substantially in the same plane as the transmitting winding 102 and is laid in one direction as indicated by the arrows of a zigzag or sine wave pattern and then in the opposite direction as indicated by the arrows, such that, as shown, the windings cross to form alternately arranged loops 106 (SEN+’’’) and 108 (SEN-’’’). As a result, each of the alternating loops 106 (SEN+’’’) and 108 (SEN-’’’) of the receiving winding 104 (PRTSEN’’, SETSEN’’’) has a different winding direction compared to adjacent loops. By applying an alternating (changing) current to the transmitting winding 102 (PRTFGE’’’), the transmitting winding generates a time-varying magnetic field (changing magnetic flux) that extends through the loops 106 (SEN+’’’) and 108 (SEN-’’’) of the receiving winding 104 (PRTSEN’’, SETSEN’’’). In various implementations, the loops 106 (SEN+’’’) and 108 (SEN-’’’) may be designated as a set (SETSEN’’’) of sensing elements of a sensing section (PRTSEN’’’).

[0023] A scale section (170’’’) or a scale pattern 112 (180’’’) including a conductive object (for example, a signal modulation element such as a conductive plate 114 (SME’’’), some of which are outlined by short dashed lines in FIG. 11), when the conductive object moves (approaches) near the detection unit (167’’’), a variable magnetic field generated by the transmission winding 102 (PRTFGE’’’) induces eddy currents in the conductive object, thereby generating a magnetic field from the object that opposes the changing transmission magnetic field (changing magnetic flux). As a result, the magnetic flux received by the receiving winding 104 (PRTSEN’’’) changes or is interrupted, and thereby the receiving winding outputs a non-zero EMF signal (voltage) at the output terminals V+ and V- of the receiving winding 104, and the polarity changes as the conductive object moves between the “+” loop 106 (SEN+’’’) and the “-” loop 108 (SEN-’’’).

[0024] The distance between the positions of two loops of the same polarity (e.g., the distance from the position of loop 106 (SEN+’’’) to the position of the next loop 106 (SEN+’’’)) is defined as the linear spatial step 110 (WSEN’’’) of the set of sensing elements (SETSEN’’’), which may also be referred to as the pitch or wavelength in a particular implementation. In a particular implementation, it may be equal to the linear spatial step 110 (WSME’’’) of the scale pattern 180’’’ of the scale section (170’’’) arranged along the scale direction SCD’’’ and / or the measurement axis direction MA’’’. Therefore, it can be seen that each loop 106 (SEN+’’’) and / or 108 (SEN-’’’) has a length or maximum dimension of 0.5*(WSEN’’’) along the measurement axis direction (MA’’’), which may also be referred to as the scale direction SCD’’’. When the above-mentioned conductive object (e.g., conductive plate 114 (SME’’’)) is near the receiving coil 104 (PRTSEN’’’) and its position changes continuously along the measurement axis 300 (MA’’’), the AC amplitude of the signal output from the receiving coil (PRTSEN’’’) changes continuously and periodically with the linear spatial step 110 (WSME’’’), due to the periodic change of loops 106 (SEN+’’’) and 108 (SEN-’’’) and the local disruption of the transmitted magnetic field by the conductive object (e.g., conductive plate 114 (SME’’’)). Therefore, the signal output from the receiving coil (PRTSEN’’’) may be used (e.g., processed) to indicate the relative position between the detection section (167’’’) and the scale section (170’’’). As shown in FIG. 11, it will be understood that the above-described transmitting coil 102 (PRTFGE’’’) and receiving coil 104 (PRTSEN’’’) are an example of a prior art implementation of an element designated as the detection section (167’’’).

[0025] FIG. 3 shows a partial implementation of a transducer TDR configured to be utilized with an arc motion ARCM between a detection unit 167 and a scale unit 170, such as that utilized in the electronic position encoder 101 of the measuring instrument 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the transducer TDR utilizes two track portions TR1 and TR2.

[0026] It will be appreciated that some aspects of the magnetic field generating element and the sensing element of the detection unit (e.g., detection unit 167, etc.) as described herein operate and may be understood based at least in part on the principles as described above in connection with FIG. 11. In the implementation of FIG. 3, the scale unit 170, the detection unit 167, and the signal processing configuration 166 (e.g., of FIGS. 1 and 2) cooperate to provide an electronic position encoder 101 that can be used to measure the relative position between two elements (e.g., between the detection unit 167 and the scale unit 170 and / or an element attached thereto), such as along the arc motion direction. In various implementations, the detection unit 167 is formed on a detection substrate, and the scale unit 170 including a periodic scale pattern 180 is formed on a scale substrate, and the measurement operation includes relative movement between the two substrates (which may be relatively planar and parallel to each other, for example). In various implementations, the detection unit 167 and the scale unit 170 may generally be in respective planes extending along the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction, and the z-axis direction may be orthogonal to these planes.

[0027] In various implementation forms, the scale unit 170 extends along the scale direction SCD and includes a first scale element unit PRTSC1 including a first signal modulation element SME1 and a second scale element unit PRTSC2 including a second signal modulation element SME2. The first signal modulation element SME1 is arranged along the scale direction SCD to form a first signal modulation element pattern PATSME1. The second signal modulation element SME2 is arranged along the scale direction SCD to form a second signal modulation element pattern PATSME2. The first signal modulation element pattern PATSME1 and the second signal modulation element pattern PATSME2 are each a part of the periodic scale pattern 180 of the scale unit 170. In various implementation forms, the periodic scale pattern 180 may sometimes be referred to as a signal modulation pattern 180. In various implementation forms, the first and / or second signal modulation elements SME1 and SME2 (i.e., those included in the first and second scale element units PRTSC1 and PRTSC2) may be fabricated on the scale substrate (e.g., using a known printed circuit manufacturing method).

[0028] The relative movement between the detection unit 167 and the scale unit 170 (e.g., in the circular motion direction) may indicate a relative position and / or a measured value (e.g., with respect to the relative position between the detection unit 167 and the scale unit 170). As described above in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2, the measured relative position or dimension may be displayed on the display 138 (e.g., a digital display). In various implementation forms, control elements 136 such as on / off switches and other arbitrary control buttons may be included.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the detection unit 167 may include a magnetic field generation unit PRTFGE and a sensing unit PRTSEN arranged along the scale direction SCD. In various implementation forms, with respect to the sensing unit PRTSEN, the scale direction SCD may be called the sensing unit direction SPD, or alternatively may be called. The magnetic field generation unit PRTFGE includes a first magnetic field generation element unit PRTFGE1 and a second magnetic field generation element unit PRTFGE2. The sensing unit PRTSEN includes a first sensing element unit PRTSEN1 and a second sensing element unit PRTSEN2. As will be described in more detail below, the first sensing element unit PRTSEN1 is configured to operate in conjunction with the first magnetic field generation element unit PRTFGE1 and the first scale element unit PRTSC1 as a part of the first track unit TR1, and the second sensing element unit PRTSEN2 is configured to operate in conjunction with the second magnetic field generation element unit PRTFGE2 and the second scale element unit PRTSC2 as a part of the second track unit TR2.

[0030] The magnetic field generation unit PRTFGE may include a number of extensions ELP and ends EDP. The extensions generally extend along the scale direction SCD and thus may be parallel to the scale direction SCD, while the ends may generally be transverse (e.g., perpendicular) to the scale direction SCD. The extensions ELP and ends EDP can be combined to form a region (e.g., a changing magnetic flux can be generated by a current passing through the extensions and ends resulting from a drive signal), and the region may include a specific sensing element.

[0031] The magnetic field generation unit PRTFGE includes a first magnetic field generation element unit PRTFGE1 and a second magnetic field generation element unit PRTFGE2. The first magnetic field generation element unit PRTFGE1 is configured to operate in conjunction with the first signal modulation element SME1 of the first sensing element unit PRTSEN1 and the first scale element unit PRTSC1. The first magnetic field generation element unit PRTFGE1 includes extension portions ELP1A, ELP1B, ELP1C, ELP1D and end portions EDP1A, EDP1B, EDP1C, EDP1D (for example, in some implementation forms, it is assumed to form two magnetic field generation element loops such as a figure-eight configuration, and / or otherwise, it can be regarded as a single electric field generation element loop that forms two loops in a configuration that forms two internal regions). More specifically, the extension portions ELP1A and ELP1B and the end portions EDP1A and EDP1D can be regarded as forming a first magnetic field generation element first half-loop FGE1FHL having an internal region FGE1FHIA. The first magnetic field generation element first half internal region FGE1FHIA is configured to be aligned with the first half pattern portion FHPP1 of the first scale element unit PRTSC1. The extension portions ELP1C and ELP1D and the end portions EDP1C and EDP1B can be regarded as forming a first magnetic field generation element second half-loop FGE1SHL having an internal region FGE1SHIA. The first magnetic field generation element second half internal region FGE1SHIA is configured to be aligned with the second half pattern portion SHPP1 of the first scale element unit PRTSC1.

[0032] In various implementation forms, the end EDP (for example, or other parts of the first magnetic field generating element part PRTFGE1) may include ports or other connection configurations. For example, the end EDP1B may be divided into two parts, such as being provided with two contact points. The contact points may be used to receive drive signals and may be provided at positions where signal lines / circuit traces from the processing unit 166 are connected, etc. In various implementation forms, such ports may represent a general connection configuration, such as being connected to a magnetic field generation drive electronic device. Such a magnetic field generation drive electronic device may include electronic components such as capacitors and transistors in various implementation forms to provide a drive signal for the first magnetic field generating element part PRTFGE1 to generate a varying magnetic flux, and may be at least partially or completely included in or connected to the processing unit 166.

[0033] During operation, an alternating current may be provided, but for the sake of simplifying the following description, only a unidirectional current will be described (for example, as an example of a unidirectional direction and / or because diodes and other components / configurations may be provided to limit the current flow to one direction). As an example, a current (such as provided by a drive signal) may flow through the following series of parts (for example, as the order in the case of a unidirectional current), including the end EDP1D, the extension part ELP1A, the end EDP1A, the extension part ELP1B, and the end EDP1B, the extension part ELP1C, the end EDP1C, and the extension part ELP1D. According to this example of the current flow, it will be understood that the current flow is in the same direction (for example, from left to right in FIG. 3) through the extension parts (that is, the extension parts ELP1A and ELP1C) at the outer boundary of the configuration, and in the same direction (that is, from right to left in FIG. 3) through the extension parts (that is, the extension parts ELP1B and ELP1D) in the center of the configuration. This also corresponds to the current flowing around the first half-loop FGE1FHL of the first magnetic field generating element in the counterclockwise direction and the current flowing around the first half-loop FGE1SHL of the first magnetic field generating element in the clockwise direction (that is, note that the direction of the current flowing through each loop is opposite, and correspondingly, the polarities of the magnetic fluxes generated from each loop are also opposite).

[0034] Such directions / orientations / polarities of the current flow and the corresponding magnetic flux may be advantageous for a particular configuration, such as resulting in a signal generated in the first sensing element SEN1 (e.g., such that it is at least partially aligned with the internal regions FGE1FHIA and FGE1SHIA of the first magnetic field generating element portion PRTFGE1). As one aspect, in relation to the reverse directions of the currents generated by the respective loops FGE1FHL and FGE1SHL and the reverse polarities of the corresponding magnetic fluxes, the spatially offset first and second half-pattern portions FHPP1 and SHPP1 provide a detection signal (i.e., from the first sensing element portion PRTSEN1) indicating the position of the first sensing element portion PRTSEN1 relative to the first scale element portion PRTSC1.

[0035] The second magnetic field generating element section PRTFGE2 is configured to operate in conjunction with the second signal modulation element SME2 of the second sensing element section PRTSEN2 and the second scale element section PRTSC2. The second magnetic field generating element section PRTFGE2 includes extension portions ELP2A, ELP2B, ELP2C, ELP2D and end portions EDP2A, EDP2B, EDP2C, EDP2D (for example, in some implementations, it forms two magnetic field generating element loops such as a figure-eight configuration, and / or can be regarded as a single electric field generating element loop that forms two loops in a configuration that forms two internal regions). More specifically, the extension portions ELP2A and ELP2B and the end portions EDP2A and EDP2D can be regarded as forming a first half loop FGE2FHL of the second magnetic field generating element having an internal region FGE2FHIA. The first half internal region FGE2FHIA of the second magnetic field generating element is configured to be aligned with the first half pattern portion FHPP2 of the second scale element section PRTSC2. The extension portions ELP2C and ELP2D and the end portions EDP2C and EDP2B can be regarded as forming a second half loop FGE2SHL of the second magnetic field generating element having an internal region FGE2SHIA. The second half internal region FGE2SHIA of the second magnetic field generating element is configured to be aligned with the second half pattern portion SHPP2 of the second scale element section PRTSC2.

[0036] In various implementations, the end EDP (e.g., or other parts of the second magnetic field generating element part PRTFGE2) may include ports or other connection configurations. For example, the end EDP2B may be divided into two parts such as two contact points being provided. The contact points may be used to receive drive signals and may be provided at locations where signal lines / circuit traces from the processing unit 266 can be connected. In various implementations, such ports may represent common connection configurations such as being coupled to magnetic field generation drive electronics. Such magnetic field generation drive electronics may include electronic components such as capacitors and transistors in various implementations to provide drive signals for the second magnetic field generating element part PRTFGE2 to generate a varying magnetic flux, and may be at least partially or fully included in or connected to the processing unit 266.

[0037] During operation, an alternating current may be provided, but for simplicity of the following description, only a unidirectional current will be described (e.g., as an example of a unidirectional direction and / or because diodes and other components / configurations may be provided to limit the current flow to one direction). As an example, a current (e.g., such as provided by a drive signal) may flow through the following series of parts (e.g., as the order in the case of a unidirectional current), including the end EDP2D, the extension part ELP2A, the end EDP2A, the extension part ELP2B, and the end EDP2B, the extension part ELP2C, the end EDP2C, and the extension part ELP2D. According to this example of the current flow, it will be understood that the current flow is in the same direction (e.g., from left to right in FIG. 3) through the extension parts (i.e., the extension parts ELP2A and ELP2C) at the outer boundary of the configuration, and in the same direction (i.e., from right to left in FIG. 3) through the extension parts (i.e., the extension parts ELP2B and ELP2D) at the center of the configuration. This also corresponds to the current flowing around the second magnetic field generating element first half loop FGE2FHL in the counterclockwise direction and the current flowing around the second magnetic field generating element second half loop FGE2SHL in the clockwise direction (i.e., note that the direction of the current flowing through each loop is opposite, and correspondingly the polarities of the magnetic fluxes generated from each loop are also opposite).

[0038] Such directions / orientations / polarities of the current flow and the corresponding magnetic fluxes may be advantageous for a particular configuration, such as resulting in a signal generated in the second sensing element SEN2 (e.g., such that it is at least partially aligned with the internal regions FGE2FHIA and FGE2SHIA of the second magnetic field generating element portion PRTFGE2). As one aspect, the spatially offset first and second half-pattern portions FHPP2 and SHPP2, in relation to the reverse directions of the currents and the reverse polarities of the corresponding magnetic fluxes generated by the respective loops FGE2FHL and FGE2SHL, are noted to result in a detection signal (i.e., from the second sensing element portion PRTSEN2) indicating the position of the second sensing element portion PRTSEN2 relative to the second scale element portion PRTSC2.

[0039] Thus, the sensing unit PRTSEN includes first and second sensing element units PRTSEN1 and PRTSEN2 (e.g., each including respective sensing elements SEN1 and SEN2). In the illustrated implementation, the sensing elements SEN1 and SEN2 are connected in series and include a sensing loop element (alternatively referred to as a sensing coil element or a sensing winding element) that is generally transverse (e.g., nominally perpendicular) to the scale direction SCD. The first sensing element unit PRTSEN1 includes a first set SET1SEN1 of the first sensing elements and a second set SET2SEN1 of the first sensing elements. The second sensing element unit PRTSEN2 includes a first set SET1SEN2 of the second sensing elements and a second set SET2SEN2 of the second sensing elements. In the illustrated implementation, adjacent loop elements (e.g., conductive loops) in each set of sensing elements are connected by a configuration of conductors on various layers of a PCB according to known methods (e.g., in some implementations, by a feedthrough that may include conductors passing through microvias, also sometimes referred to as blind vias or buried vias). For example, adjacent sensing elements SEN1 in each set of the first sensing element unit PRTSEN1 and adjacent sensing elements SEN2 in each set of the second sensing element unit PRTSEN2 may have opposite winding polarities (e.g., as described above with respect to FIG. 11, the sensing elements in each set alternate between SEN+ and SEN-). That is, if a first loop corresponding to a sensing element responds with a positive-polarity sensing signal contribution to a changing magnetic field, an adjacent loop corresponding to an adjacent sensing element responds with a negative-polarity sensing signal contribution. In various contexts of this specification, a loop having a positive-polarity sensing signal contribution may be referred to as a SEN+ sensing element, and a loop having a negative-polarity sensing signal contribution may be referred to as a SEN- sensing element. In various implementations, the sensing elements in each set are connected in series such that their sensing signals or signal contributions are summed for each set, and the "summed" sensing signal is output to a signal processing configuration 166 (e.g., of FIG. 1) at a sensing signal output connection (e.g., connections for signals SIG1A and SIG1B and for SIG2A and SIG2B each).

[0040] In the illustrated implementation form, the first set SET1SEN1 of the first sensing elements includes 12 first sensing elements SEN1 (i.e., including the first sensing elements SEN1-A1 to SEN1-A12), and the second set SET2SEN1 of the first sensing elements includes 12 first sensing elements SEN1 (i.e., including the first sensing elements SEN1-B1 to SEN1-B12). For the sake of simplicity in illustration, only the first two sensing elements (i.e., A1 to A2 and B1 to B2) and the last two sensing elements (i.e., A11 to A12 and B11 to B12) of each set are labeled, but it will be understood that the sensing elements (i.e., A3 to A10 and B3 to B10) also correspond to the remaining sensing elements as shown in the illustration. In the illustrated implementation form, the first set SET1SEN2 of the second sensing elements includes 6 second sensing elements SEN2 (i.e., including the second sensing elements SEN2-A1 to SEN2-A6), and the second set SET2SEN2 of the second sensing elements includes 6 second sensing elements SEN2 (i.e., including the second sensing elements SEN2-B1 to SEN2-B6). For the sake of simplicity in illustration, only the first two sensing elements (i.e., A1 to A2 and B1 to B2) and the last two sensing elements (i.e., A5 to A6 and B5 to B6) of each set are labeled, but it will be understood that the sensing elements (i.e., A3 to A4 and B3 to B4) also correspond to the remaining sensing elements as shown in the illustration.

[0041] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, in various implementation forms, it will be understood that it is advantageous to configure a detector to provide two or more sets of sensing elements at different spatial phase positions (for example, in each of the first sensing element unit PRTSEN1 and the second sensing element unit PRTSEN2). Thus, for example, the first set SET1SEN1 of the first sensing elements and the second set SET2SEN1 of the first sensing elements are at different spatial phase positions. Similarly, the first set SET1SEN2 of the second sensing elements and the second set SET2SEN2 of the second sensing elements are at different spatial phase positions. However, it should be understood that the configuration of the sensing elements as described herein is not intended to be limiting and is merely illustrative. As an example, in some implementation forms, individual sensing element loops may output individual signals to corresponding signal processing configurations, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 9,958,294, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. More generally, various known sensing element configurations can be used in combination with the principles described herein for use in combination with various scale patterns, signal processing schemes, and the like.

[0042] In the illustrated implementation form of the scale unit 170 and the scale pattern 180, the first signal modulation element pattern PATSME1 of the first scale element unit PRTSC1 in the first track unit TR1 includes a first half pattern unit FHPP1 and a second half pattern unit SHPP2, and each half pattern unit includes a column of first signal modulation elements SME1. Similarly, the second signal modulation element pattern PATSME2 of the second scale element unit PRTSC2 in the second track unit TR2 includes a first half pattern unit FHPP2 and a second half pattern unit SHPP2, and each half pattern unit includes a column of second signal modulation elements SME2.

[0043] In various implementation forms, the signal modulation element SME1 and / or SME2 may include a conductive plate (for example, one formed by an area fabricated on a printed circuit board, one formed by a raised area extending from a conductive substrate, one fabricated on a glass substrate, or one fabricated according to other fabrication methods, etc.). The scale pattern 180 is generally mounted on the scale portion 170. During operation, it will be understood that there is relative movement (for example, along the arc movement direction) between the scale pattern 180 and the detection unit 167. The scale pattern 180 has spatial characteristics that vary as a function of position so as to provide detection signals dependent on position that occur in the sensing elements SEN1 and SEN2 of the sensing portion PRTSEN within the detection unit 167. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, in various implementation forms, the magnetic field generation portion PRTFGE and the sensing portion PRTSEN of the detection unit 167 may be formed according to various alternative configurations that are used in combination with various corresponding signal processing methods.

[0044] In one particular exemplary embodiment, the detection unit 167 is arranged to face the scale portion 170 in parallel, and the front surface of the detection unit 167 facing the scale portion 170 may be separated from the scale portion 170 (and / or the scale pattern 180) by a gap distance (for example, 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm) along the z-axis direction. The front surface of the detection unit 167 (for example, including its constituent conductors) may be covered by an insulating coating.

[0045] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the described embodiments and the incorporated references, it will be understood that various elements may be present on different manufacturing layers located in different planes along the z-axis direction as necessary to provide various operating gaps and / or insulating layers. Throughout the drawings of the present disclosure, the illustrated x-axis, y-axis, and / or z-axis dimensions of one or more elements may be exaggerated for clarity, but it will be understood that they are not intended to be inconsistent with the various design principles and relationships described herein.

[0046] The transducer TDR includes a first transducer unit PRTTDR1 and a second transducer unit PRTTDR2. The first transducer unit PRTTDR1 includes a first sensing element unit PRTSEN1, a first magnetic field generating element unit PRTFGE1, and a first scale element unit PRTSC1. The second transducer unit PRTTDR2 includes a second sensing element unit PRTSEN2, a second magnetic field generating element unit PRTFGE2, and a second scale element unit PRTSC2. The first and second scale track units TR1 and TR2 include a first oscillator unit PRTTDR1 and a second oscillator unit PRTTDR2, respectively. As described herein, the operation of the first transducer unit PRTTDR1 of the first track unit TR1 generates detection signals SIG1A and SIG1B, and the operation of the second transducer unit PRTTDR2 of the second track unit TR2 generates detection signals SIG2A and SIG2B. By processing the signals (e.g., by the signal processing configuration 166), it becomes possible to determine the absolute relative position between the detection unit 167 and the scale unit 170.

[0047] The first transducer unit PRTTDR1 of the first track unit TR1 and the second transducer unit PRTTDR2 of the second track unit TR2 can each operate according to first and second driving operations, and these operations can be executed simultaneously or at different timings in various implementation forms. As part of the first driving operation, the first magnetic field generating element unit PRTFGE1 generates a magnetic flux that changes in response to a coil driving signal (e.g., provided from the signal processing configuration 166). The first sensing element SEN1 of the first sensing element unit PRTSEN1 provides detection signals (e.g., SIG1A and SIG1B) that respond to the local effect on the changing magnetic flux provided by the first signal modulation element SME1 of the first scale element unit PRTSC1 (e.g., including the first signal modulation element SME1 that is relatively adjacent to the sensing element SEN1 along the z-axis direction or aligned in other ways). As part of the second driving operation, the second magnetic field generating element unit PRTFGE2 generates a magnetic flux that changes in response to a coil driving signal (e.g., provided from the signal processing configuration 166). The second sensing element SEN2 of the second sensing element unit PRTSEN2 provides detection signals (e.g., SIG2A and SIG2B) that respond to the local effect on the changing magnetic flux provided by the second signal modulation element SME2 of the second scale element unit PRTSC2 (e.g., including the second signal modulation element SME2 that is relatively adjacent to the sensing element SEN2 along the z-axis direction or aligned in other ways).

[0048] The signal processing configuration (e.g., the signal processing configuration 166 in FIG. 1) may be configured to determine the position of the sensing unit PRTSEN (e.g., including the first sensing element unit PRTSEN1 and the second sensing element unit PRTSEN2) of the detection unit 167 with respect to the scale unit 170 based on the detection signal input from the detection unit 167. For example, the first sensing element unit PRTSEN1 may provide detection signals SIG1A, SIG1B, and the second sensing element unit PRTSEN2 may provide detection signals SIG2A, SIG2B. In various implementation forms, the detection signal may be referred to as a sensing signal, additionally or alternatively. The signal from the detection unit 167 is input to the signal processing configuration 166 and may be used to determine the measured value / position of the detection unit 167 with respect to the scale unit 170. Generally, the sensing element unit and the magnetic field generating element unit are at least partially as described above in relation to FIG. 11 (e.g., of an inductive encoder), and at least partially those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,841,274, 5,886,519, 5,894,678, 6,124,708, 10,520,335, 10,612,943, and 10,775,199, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0049] FIG. 4 shows some dimensions and aspects of the measuring instrument 100 including the transducer TDR. In FIG. 4, certain elements (e.g., the first scale element unit PRTSC1, the second scale element unit PRTSC2, the movable encoder unit support member MEPSM, etc.) are each represented as a line (e.g., its position may correspond to the center line of the corresponding component or the position of other representations). A representation of the rotating part PPN including the rotation point PPT as part of the movable part MPN is shown (e.g., the contact part CPN is not shown in FIG. 4, but it will be understood that it is located under the rotating part PPN as shown in FIG. 2).

[0050] The movable encoder unit support member MEPSM is shown as moving in an arc motion direction around the rotating part PPN in an arc. The support member MEPSM has a maximum angular movement range θ MAXAs part of moving across, it may move between the first and second movement limit indicators ML1 and ML2. In some implementations, the maximum angular movement range θ MAX may correspond to the absolute angular measurement range θ ABS In various alternative implementations, the absolute angular measurement range θ ABS and the maximum angular movement range θ MAX may be different. As described above in connection with FIG. 2, the endpoint ENDPT corresponds to the end of the movable encoder unit support member MEPSM and to the end of the movable part MPN, and correspondingly moves in an arc along the arc movement direction.

[0051] In some implementations, the first and second scale element parts PRTSC1 and PRTSC2 of the scale part 170 may be attached to the movable encoder unit support member MEPSM (for example, in an implementation where the movable encoder unit MEP includes the scale part 170), in which case the first and second scale element parts PRTSC1 and PRTSC2 move relative to the detection part 167 according to the arc movement ARCM along the arc movement direction ARCD. Alternatively, when the movable encoder unit MEP includes the detection part 167, the detection part 167 may be attached to the movable encoder unit support member MEPSM, and correspondingly, moves relative to the first and second scale element parts PRTSC1 and PRTSC2 of the scale part 170 according to the arc movement ARCM in the arc movement direction ARCD.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first scale element part PRTSC1 and / or the first sensing element part PRTSEN1 has a first central reference point REF1 located at a first radius RD1 from the rotating part PPN (for example, from the rotation point PPT of the rotating part PPN), which is arranged at the central x and / or y-axis position such as the center line of the first scale element part PRTSC1 and / or the first sensing element part PRTSEN1. The second scale element part PRTSC2 and / or the second sensing element part PRTSEN2 has a second central reference point REF2 located at a second radius RD2 from the rotating part PPN (for example, from the rotation point PPT of the rotating part PPN), which is arranged at the central x and / or y-axis position such as the center line of the second scale element part PRTSC2 and / or the second sensing element part PRTSEN2. Further, a central reference point REF0 is shown (for example, it may be located at an intermediate point between the central reference points REF1 and REF2, and / or between the first scale element part PRTSC1 and the second scale element part PRTSC2, etc.), and the central reference point REF0 is located at a radius RD0 from the rotating part PPN (for example, from the rotation point PPT of the rotating part PPN).

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first and second scale element parts PRTSC1 and PRTSC2 of the first and second track parts TR1 and TR2 are linear and parallel to each other, and the second track part TR2 is closer to the rotating part PPN than the first track part TR1 (for example, the radius RD2 of the second central reference point REF2 of the second track part TR2 is smaller than the radius RD1 of the first central reference point REF1 of the first track part TR1).

[0054] As shown in FIG. 3, the first signal modulation scale element SME1 is arranged along the first scale element portion PRTSC1 according to the first signal modulation element linear space step WSME1, and the second signal modulation scale element SME2 is arranged along the second scale element portion PRTSC2 according to the second signal modulation element linear space step WSME2 that is different from the first signal modulation element linear space step WSME1. As will be described in more detail below, the first and second linear space steps WSME1 and WSME2 may be related to the linear ranges RG1 and RG2 (for example, as shown in FIG. 4) of the first and second scale element portions PRTSC1 and PRTSC2.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 4, the first scale element portion PRTSC1 has the first linear range RG1, and the second scale element portion PRTSC2 has the second linear range RG2. By arranging the first scale element portion PRTSC1 having the first linear range RG1 and the second scale element portion PRTSC2 having the second linear range RG2, an operation for realizing the absolute angle measurement range θ ABS becomes possible.

[0056] The scale direction SCD (which can correspond to the x-axis direction when all elements are in the central position, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example) is shown (for example, as shown in FIG. 4, with all elements in the central position, the signal modulation elements SME of the first and second scale element portions PRTSC1 and PRTSC2 may be arranged along it according to their respective linear space steps WSME1 and WSME2).

[0057] As described above, in various implementation forms, the first scale element section PRTSC1 has a first center reference point REF1 located at a first radius RD1 from the rotating section PPN, the second scale element section PRTSC2 has a second center reference point REF2 located at a second radius RD2 from the rotating section PPN, and the first radius RD1 is larger than the second radius RD2. In various implementation forms, in various implementation forms, (for example, as will be described in more detail below with respect to Equations 1 to 4), the ratio of the signal modulation element linear space steps WSME2 / WSME1 may be equal to an equation having a coefficient of RD2 / RD1.

[0058] In various implementation forms, the ratio of the signal modulation element linear space steps WSME2 / WSME1 can be expressed according to at least one of the following Equations 1 to 4 where n and m are positive integers in each equation. In some implementation forms, m is a positive integer that is at least 2 (for example, in some implementation forms, m may be 2, 3, 4, or 5, etc.). Note that for a configuration where m is 2 or more, such a relationship is noted to correspond to a case where the difference between the signal modulation element linear space steps WSME1 and WSME2 is relatively large. In the implementation form where m = 1, note that these equations can be more simplified (for example, the nm coefficient is simplified to n). Regarding these equations, the absolute angle measurement range θ ABS As one method for encoding an encoder that utilizes circular motion, it should be noted that a method of using two scale element sections having signal modulation element linear space steps that satisfy a certain relationship can be mentioned. For example, the following equations show a certain relationship that the signal modulation element linear space steps WSME1 and WSME2 of the track sections TR1 and TR2 and the scale element sections PRTSC1 and PRTSC2 may satisfy. WSME2 / WSME1 = (nm / (n - 1))(RD2 / RD1) (Equation 1) WSME2 / WSME1 = (nm / (n + 1))(RD2 / RD1) (Equation 2) WSME2 / WSME1 = ((nm + 1) / n)(RD2 / RD1) (Equation 3) WSME2 / WSME1 = ((nm - 1) / n)(RD2 / RD1) (Equation 4)

[0059] As shown in FIG. 4, in various implementation forms, the first track portion TR1 has a first track range RG1, and the second track portion TR2 has a second track range RG2. In various implementation forms, either the first track range RG1 = nWSME1 or the second track range RG2 = nWSME2. For example, in some implementation forms, the configuration corresponding to Equation 1 or Equation 2 can satisfy the additional condition that the first track range RG1 = nWSME1, and the configuration corresponding to Equation 3 or Equation 4 can satisfy the additional condition that the second track range RG2 = nWSME2. In various implementation forms, the configuration corresponding to Equation 1 can satisfy the additional condition that the second track range RG2 = ((n - 1) / m)WSME2, the configuration corresponding to Equation 2 can satisfy the additional condition that the second track range RG2 = ((n + 1) / m)WSME2, the configuration corresponding to Equation 3 can satisfy the additional condition that the first track range RG1 = (nm + 1)WSME1, and the configuration corresponding to Equation 4 can satisfy the additional condition that the first track range RG1 = (nm - 1)WSME1.

[0060] Based on such a relationship, as a method for selecting two signal modulation element linear space steps, the absolute angle measurement range θ ABSIt will be understood that a method can be contemplated of setting to include a linear space step of an integer n (for example, either WSME2 or WSME1) and determining other signal modulation element linear space steps (for example, either WSME2 or WSME1) according to the relationship as described above. In various implementation forms, the ratio of range RG2 / RG1 may be expressed in accordance with RG2 / RG1 = RD2 / RD1 or less. In various implementation forms, the second signal modulation element linear space step WSME2 is larger than the first signal modulation element linear space step WSME1 (for example, in a configuration where m is 2 or more and RD1 / RD2 is less than m, WSME2 may be relatively significantly larger than WSME1). In some implementation forms, it may be desirable that RD1 / RD2 is approximately equal to m, and in that case, the linear space steps WSME1 and WSME2 may be approximately equal.

[0061] As described above, the first signal modulation element pattern PATSME1 of the first scale element part PRTSC1 in the first track part TR1 includes a first half pattern part FHPP1 and a second half pattern part SHPP1, and each half pattern part includes a column of the first signal modulation element SME1. In each scale column, the first signal modulation element SME1 is arranged according to the first signal modulation element linear space step WSME1 (for example, arranged at intervals / spatially). For two adjacent scale columns of the half pattern part, the spatial phase of the scale column of the second half pattern part is shifted by 1 / 2 of the first signal modulation element linear space step WSME1 from the spatial phase of the adjacent scale column of the first half pattern part. Therefore, in this example, the signal modulation element spatial phase offset is 1 / 2 of the first signal modulation element linear space step straight line WSME1 (for example, this may correspond to a 180-degree spatial phase shift / difference between adjacent scale rows).

[0062] As described above, the second signal modulation element pattern PATSME2 of the second scale element section PRTSC2 in the second track section TR2 includes a first half pattern section FHPP2 and a second half pattern section SHPP2, and each half pattern section includes a column of second signal modulation elements SME2. In each scale column, the second signal modulation elements SME2 are arranged according to a second signal modulation element linear space step WSME2 (e.g., spaced apart / spatially arranged). For two adjacent scale columns of the half pattern section, the spatial phase of the scale column of the second half pattern section is shifted from the spatial phase of the adjacent scale column of the first half pattern section by 1 / 2 of the second signal modulation element linear space step WSME2. Therefore, in this example, the signal modulation element spatial phase offset is 1 / 2 of the second signal modulation element linear space step WSME2 (e.g., this may correspond to a 180-degree spatial phase shift / difference between adjacent scale rows).

[0063] In various implementations, in the first sensing element section PRTSEN1, the first set SET1SEN1 and the second set SET2SEN1 of the first sensing elements are at different linear spatial phase positions so as to be separated by a first sensing element linear spatial phase offset. In various implementations, the first sensing element linear space step WSEN1 of the first sensing element section PRTSEN1 (e.g., each of the sets SET1SEN1 and SET2SEN1 of the first sensing elements) may correspond to (e.g., may be equal to) the first signal modulation element linear space step WSME1 of the first scale element section PRTSC1. In various implementations, the first sensing element linear spatial phase offset may be equal to approximately 1 / 4 of the first sensing element linear space step WSEN1 (e.g., according to an orthogonal configuration, as understood by those skilled in the art).

[0064] Similarly, in various implementations, in the second sensing element unit PRTSEN2, the first set SET1SEN2 and the second set SET2SEN2 of the second sensing elements are at different linear spatial phase positions so as to be separated by the second sensing element linear spatial phase offset. In various implementations, the second sensing element linear spatial step WSEN2 of the second sensing element unit PRTSEN2 (e.g., each of the sets SET1SEN2 and SET2SEN2 of the second sensing elements) may correspond to (e.g., may be equal to) the second signal modulation element linear spatial step WSME2 of the second scale element unit PRTSC2. In various implementations, the second sensing element linear spatial phase offset may be equal to approximately 1 / 4 of the second sensing element linear spatial step WSEN2 (e.g., according to an orthogonal configuration, as understood by those skilled in the art).

[0065] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a partial implementation of a transducer TDR' configured to be utilized with a linear motion LINM' between a detection unit 167' and a scale unit 170', presented as background information related to various principles described herein. FIG. 6 shows specific dimensions and features of the transducer of FIG. 5. In various implementations, the transducers TDR' of FIGS. 5 and 6 (e.g., configured to be utilized in a measuring instrument undergoing linear motion) may be similar to the transducers TDR of FIGS. 3 and 4 (e.g., configured to be utilized in a measuring instrument undergoing circular motion), and in a particular implementation, a kind of conversion may be performed to change one design to the other, as will be described in more detail below.

[0066] Accordingly, each component of transducer TDR will be understood to have a corresponding component within transducer TDR'. Generally, the corresponding components have mostly the same reference numbers or symbols, except for the points in transducer TDR' with prime designations (e.g., 167', 170', etc.). Each of the corresponding components has similar designs and / or similar functions, except for the relationship between the overall function of transducer TDR' (configured, for example, to be used in a measuring instrument with linear motion) and the overall function of transducer TDR (configured, for example, to be used in a measuring instrument with circular arc motion). Accordingly, the components of transducer TDR' will be understood by those skilled in the art based on the corresponding components of transducer TDR described above and on the descriptions in incorporated references regarding other transducers configured to be used with linear motion. Accordingly, a complete description of the components of transducer TDR' is not provided herein, but for reference, a brief description is provided below.

[0067] Briefly, transducers TDR' in FIGS. 5 and 6 include a detection unit 167' and a scale unit 170'. The scale unit 170' extends along a scale direction SCD', and the scale unit 170' includes a first scale element part PRTSC1' including a first signal modulation scale element SME1' and a second scale element part PRTSC2' including a second signal modulation scale element SME2'. The periodic scale pattern 180' includes first and second signal modulation element patterns PATSME1' and PATSME2'. The detection unit 167' is configured to be close to the scale unit 170' by the relative movement between the detection unit 167' and the scale unit 170' resulting from linear motion (e.g., that of the measuring instrument in which transducer TDR' is included).

[0068] The detection unit 167’ includes a magnetic field generation unit PRTFGE’ and a sensing unit PRTSEN’. The magnetic field generation unit PRTFGE’ is configured to generate a magnetic flux that changes in accordance with a drive signal. The magnetic field generation unit PRTFGE’ includes first and second magnetic field generation element units PRTFGE1’ and PRTFGE2’ that include extension parts ELP1A’-ELP1D’ and ELP2A’-ELP2D’ and end parts EDP1A’-EDP1D’ and EDP2A’-EDP2D’, which form respective first and second half-loops FGE1FHL’, FGE1SHL’, FGE2FHL’ and FGE2SHL’ together with respective internal regions FGE1FHIA’, FGE1SHIA’, FGE2FHIA’ and FGE2SHIA’.

[0069] The sensing unit PRTSEN’ includes a first sensing element unit PRTSEN1’ and a second sensing element unit PRTSEN2’. The first sensing element unit PRTSEN1’ includes a first set SET1SEN1’ and a second set SET2SEN1’ of first sensing elements (e.g., including respective sensing elements SEN1-A1’~SEN1-A12’ and SEN1-B1’~SEN1-B12’), and is arranged in a first track part TR1’ together with a first scale element unit PRTSC1’. The second sensing element unit PRTSEN2’ includes a first set SET1SEN2’ and a second set SET2SEN2’ of second sensing elements (e.g., including respective sensing elements SEN2-A1’~SEN2-A6’ and SEN2-B1’~SEN2-B6’), and is arranged in a second track part TR2’ together with a second scale element unit PRTSC2’. The parts PRTFGE1’, PRTSEN1’ and PRTSC1’ are included in a first transducer unit PRTTDR1’ (e.g., so as to be included in the first track part TR1’), and the parts PRTFGE2’, PRTSEN2’ and PRTSC2’ are included in a second transducer unit PRTTDR2’ (e.g., so as to be included in the second track part TR2’).

[0070] The first and second scale element portions PRTSC1’ and PRTSC2’ of the first and second track portions TR1’ and TR2’ are linear and parallel to each other. The first signal modulation scale element SME1’ is arranged along the first scale element portion PRTSC1’ according to the linear spatial step WSME1’ of the first signal modulation element, and the second signal modulation scale element SME2’ is arranged along the second scale element portion PRTSC2’ according to the linear spatial step WSME2’ of the second signal modulation element, which is different from the linear spatial step WSME1’ of the first signal modulation element.

[0071] The first detection element portion PRTSEN1’ and the second detection element portion PRTSEN2’ of the detection unit 167’ generate detection signals SIG1A’, SIG1B’, SIG2A’, and SIG2B’, respectively. The signal processing configuration may be configured to determine the position of the detection unit 167’ relative to the scale unit 170’ based on the detection signals input from the detection unit 167’.

[0072] FIG. 6 shows specific dimensions and aspects of the transducer TDR’. In FIG. 6, the first scale element portion PRTSC1’ and the second scale element portion PRTSC2’ are each represented as a line (for example, their positions may correspond to the center lines of the corresponding components or the positions of other representations). In the implementation forms of FIGS. 5 and 6, the transducer TDR’ is configured to operate with a relative linear motion LINM’ along the linear motion direction LIND’ so as to correspond to the relative movement between the detection unit 167’ and the scale unit 170’ (for example, the scale unit 170’ includes the first scale element portion PRTSC1’ and the second scale element portion PRTSC2’).

[0073] As shown in FIG. 6, the first scale element portion PRTSC1' has a first center reference point REF1' and is at the corresponding y-axis coordinate Y1'. The second scale element portion PRTSC2' has a second center reference point REF2' and is at the corresponding y-axis coordinate Y2'. Further, a reference point REF0' at the corresponding y-axis coordinate Y0' is shown. In various implementation forms, the y-axis coordinates Y1' and Y2' may be referred to in relation to the y-axis coordinate Y0' (for example, according to being at a specific y-axis distance above or below the y-axis coordinate Y0'). In the specific example of FIG. 6, the reference point REF0' and the y-axis coordinate Y0' are located at the midpoint between the central reference points REF1' and REF2', for example, at the midpoint between the first scale element portion PRTSC1' and the second scale element portion PRTSC2'. In a specific numerical example, the y-axis coordinates are Y0' = 0, Y1' = +4, and Y2' = -4. As will be described in more detail below, in some alternative implementation forms, the y-axis coordinate Y0' of the reference point REF0' may be specified / selected to be at other positions (for example, at other positions between Y1' and Y2', or above Y1' and Y2', or below Y1' and Y2').

[0074] As shown in FIG. 6, the first scale element section PRTSC1’ has a first linear range RG1’, and the second scale element section PRTSC2’ has a second linear range RG2’. In such a configuration, the track ranges RG1’ and RG2’ may generally be the same and may correspond to the absolute linear measurement range WABS’ (for example, RG1’ = RG2’ = WABS’). It will be understood that in various implementations, the ranges may be considered as mathematical constructs and may not correspond to an exact physical scale length. Arranging the first scale element section PRTSC1’ having the first linear range RG1’ and the second scale element section PRTSC2’ having the second linear range RG2’ enables an operation to achieve the absolute linear measurement range WABS’ by combination. (For example, in the implementations of FIGS. 5 and 6, it may correspond to the x-axis direction) The scale direction SCD’ is shown (for example, such that the signal modulation elements SME’ of the first and second scale element sections PRTSC1’ and PRTSC2’ can be arranged along it according to respective linear space steps WSME1’ and WSME2’ as shown in FIG. 5).

[0075] In various implementation forms, the ratio of the signal modulation element linear space steps WSME2’ / WSME1’ can be expressed according to at least one of the following formulas 5 to 8, where n and m are positive integers in each of the formulas (for example, note that formulas 5 to 8 have a certain similarity to formulas 1 to 4). In some implementation forms, m is a positive integer of at least 2 (for example, in some implementation forms, m may be 2, 3, 4, or 5, etc.). Note that in a configuration where m is 2 or more, the difference between the signal modulation element linear space steps WSME1’ and WSME2’ is relatively large. In the implementation form where m = 1, note that these formulas can be further simplified (for example, the nm coefficient is simplified to n). In relation to these formulas, as one method for encoding the absolute linear measurement range WABS’ in an encoder that uses linear motion, note that a method of using two scale element parts having signal modulation element linear space steps that satisfy a certain relationship can be mentioned. For example, the following formulas show a certain relationship that the signal modulation element linear space steps WSME1’ and WSME2’ of the scale element parts PRTSC1’ and PRTSC2’ of the track parts TR1’ and TR2’ can satisfy. WSME2’ / WSME1’=(nm / (n - 1)) (Formula 5) WSME2’ / WSME1’=(nm / (n + 1)) (Formula 6) WSME2’ / WSME1’=((nm + 1) / n) (Formula 7) WSME2’ / WSME1’=((nm - 1) / n) (Formula 8)

[0076] As shown in FIG. 6, in various implementation forms, the first track portion TR1' has a first track range RG1', and the second track portion TR2' has a second track range RG2'. As described above, in such a configuration, the track ranges RG1' and RG2' may generally be substantially equivalent (e.g., substantially the same), and may also correspond to the absolute straight-line measurement range WABS' (e.g., RG1' = RG2' = WABS'). In various implementation forms, the absolute straight-line measurement range WABS' is either the absolute straight-line measurement range WABS' = nWSME1' or the absolute straight-line measurement range WABS' = nWSME2'. For example, in some implementation forms, the configuration corresponding to Equation 5 or Equation 6 can satisfy the additional condition that the absolute straight-line measurement range WABS' = nWSME1', and the configuration corresponding to Equation 7 or Equation 8 can satisfy the additional condition that the absolute straight-line measurement range WABS' = nWSME2'.

[0077] In various implementation forms, the configuration corresponding to Equation 5 can satisfy the additional condition that the absolute straight-line measurement range WABS' = ((n - 1) / m)WSME2', the configuration corresponding to Equation 6 can satisfy the additional condition that the absolute straight-line measurement range WABS' = ((n + 1) / m)WSME2', the configuration corresponding to Equation 7 can satisfy the additional condition that the absolute straight-line measurement range WABS' = (nm + 1)WSME1', and the configuration corresponding to Equation 8 can satisfy the additional condition that the absolute straight-line measurement range WABS' = (nm - 1)WSME1'.

[0078] In accordance with such a relationship, a method of selecting the linear space steps of two signal modulation elements is to set the linear space steps of an integer n to be included in the absolute linear measurement range WABS’ (for example, for either WSME1’ or WSME2’), while the linear space steps of the other signal modulation element (for example, either WSME2’ or WSME1’) may be determined according to the relationship shown above. It will be understood that in various implementations, the linear space step WSME2’ of the second signal modulation element is larger than the linear space step WSME1’ of the first signal modulation element (for example, in a configuration where m is 2 or more, the linear space step WSME2’ of the second signal modulation element may be close to an integer multiple of the linear space step WSME1’ of the first signal modulation element).

[0079] As described above, the transducers TDR’ in FIGS. 5 and 6 (configured to be used, for example, in a measuring instrument performing linear motion) may be similar to the transducers TDR in FIGS. 3 and 4 (configured to be used, for example, in a measuring instrument performing circular motion), and in a specific implementation, a kind of conversion may be performed to change one design to the other. To explain the principle of such a conversion, and also in relation to the following Eqs. 9 and 10, one specific numerical example related to the transducer TDR’ is shown below.

[0080] In one implementation, the y-axis coordinate Y0’ of the reference point REF0’ may be specified as having a value of 0 mm (for example, along the y-axis). The y-axis coordinate Y1’ of the reference point REF1’ may be specified as having a value of +4 mm (for example, along the y-axis), and the y-axis coordinate Y2’ of the reference point REF2’ may be specified as having a value of -4 mm (for example, along the y-axis). As described above, these values may also be represented in a relative relationship. The linear space step WSME1’ can be specified as having a value of 1.2 mm, and the linear space step WSME2’ can be specified as having a value of 2.5 mm.

[0081] Regarding Equation 5, when n = 25 and m = 2, WSME2’ / WSME1’=(nm / (n - 1)) = 50 / 24 = 2.5mm / 1.2mm. Also, if WABS’ = nWSME1’ = 25(1.2mm) = 30mm and WABS’ = ((n - 1) / m)WSME2’ = (24 / 2)2.5mm = 30mm, this corresponds to RG1’ = RG2’ = WABS’ = 30mm. Within the absolute linear measurement range WABS’, there are 25 WSME1’ (corresponding to 25 SME1’) and 12 WSME2’ (corresponding to 12 SME2’). It should be noted that the relationship of this configuration can alternatively be described by Equation 7. When n = 12 and m = 2, WSME2’ / WSME1’ = ((nm + 1) / n) = (24 + 1) / 12 = 2.5mm / 1.2mm. Also, if WABS’ = nWSME2’ = 12(2.5mm) = 30mm and WABS’ = (nm + 1)WSME1’ = (24 + 1)1.2mm = 30mm, this corresponds to RG2’ = RG1’ = WABS’ = 30mm. Within the absolute linear measurement range WABS’, there are 25 WSME1’ (corresponding to 25 SME1’) and 12 WSME2’ (corresponding to 12 SME2’).

[0082] As another example, note that in an alternative configuration where the absolute linear measurement range WABS’ (continuing to be 30 mm) includes 25 WSMEs (corresponding to 25 SME1’s), the WSME1’ remains 1.2 mm, and further includes 13 WSME2’s (corresponding to 13 SME2’s), such that WSME2’ = 30 mm / 13 = 2.31 mm, these relationships can be expressed by Equation 6 or Equation 8. More specifically, according to Equation 6, when n = 25 and m = 2, WSME2’ / WSME1’ = (nm / (n + 1)) = 50 / 26 = 2.31 mm / 1.20 mm. When WABS’ = nWSME1’ = ((n + 1) / m)WSME2’, within the absolute linear measurement range, there are 25 WSME1’s (corresponding to 25 SME1’s) and 13 WSME2’s (corresponding to 13 SME2’s). Alternatively, according to Equation 8, when n = 13 and m = 2, WSME2’’ / WSME1’’ = ((nm - 1) / n) = 25 / 13 = 2.31 mm / 1.20 mm. When WABS’ = nWSME2’ = (nm - 1)WSME1’, within the absolute linear measurement range, there are 13 WSME2’s (corresponding to 13 SME2’s) and 25 WSME1’s (corresponding to 25 SME1’s).

[0083] The following relationship shows one way to perform the conversion from transducer TDR’ to transducer TDR (it is understood that such a conversion can also be performed as a conversion from transducer TDR to transducer TDR’ by reversing the relationship). As a first step in such a conversion, the desired radius of the y-axis coordinate Y0’ of the reference point REF0’ (in FIG. 6) can be selected / determined. In one particular example, the radius of the y-axis coordinate Y0’ of the reference point REF0’ may be the radius RD0 (as shown, for example, in FIG. 4).

[0084] When the radius RD0 of the y-axis coordinate Y0' of the reference point REF0' is selected / determined, the following equations (9) and (10) show how to convert the linear space steps WSME1' and WSME2' of the signal modulation elements of the transducer TDR' (in FIGS. 5 and 6) into the linear space steps WSME1 and WSME2 of the signal modulation elements of the transducer TDR (in FIGS. 3 and 4). WSME1 = WSME1'((RD0 + Y1' - Y0') / RD0) = WSME1'(RD1 / RD0) (Equation 9) WSME2 = WSME2'((RD0 + Y2' - Y0') / RD0) = WSME2'(RD2 / RD0) (Equation 10)

[0085] In these equations, the variables RD0, RD1, RD2, Y0', Y1', Y2' correspond to those shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 and will be further understood based on the following specific numerical examples (including, for example, the exemplary values described above for the transducer TDR').

[0086] In one implementation, when the radius RD0 = 40 mm, according to Equation 9, WSME1 = WSME1'((RD0 + Y1' - Y0') / RD0) = 1.2 mm ((40 mm + 4 mm - 0 mm) / 40 mm) = WSME1'(RD1 / RD0) = 1.2 mm (44 m / 40 mm) = 1.32 mm. According to Equation 10, WSME2 = WSME2'((RD0 + Y2' - Y0') / RD0) = 2.5 mm ((40 mm - 4 mm - 0 mm) / 40 mm) = WSME2'(RD2 / RD0) = 2.5 mm (36 mm / 40 mm) = 2.25 mm. As described above, in various implementations, WSEN1 = WSME1 and WSEN2 = WSME2, and the dimensions of the sensing elements SEN1 and SEN2 in the transducer TDR compared to the transducer TDR' are also shown to be correspondingly adjusted. In various implementations, the lengths of the extensions ELP of the magnetic field generating element parts PRTFGE1 and PRTFGE2 in the transducer TDR compared to the transducer TDR' may also be correspondingly adjusted (e.g., by a proportional amount similar to the adjustment of each WSME).

[0087] Regarding the above values, according to Equation 1, WSME2 / WSME1 = (nm / (n - 1))(RD2 / RD1) = (50 / 24)(36 mm / 44 mm) = 2.25 mm / 1.32 mm. Further, if RG1 = nWSME1 = 25(1.32 mm) = 33 mm and RG2 = ((n - 1) / m)WSME2 = (24 / 2)2.25 mm = 27 mm, then RG2 / RG1 = RD2 / RD1 = 27 mm / 33 mm = 36 mm / 44 mm. According to these relationships, within the linear range RG1, there are 25 WSME1s (corresponding to 25 SME1s), and within the linear range RG2, there are 12 WSME2s (corresponding to 12 SME2s). The relational expression of this configuration can also be described based on Equation 3 instead. When n = 12 and m = 2, WSME2 / WSME1 = ((nm + 1) / n)(RD2 / RD1) = ((25) / 12)(36 mm / 44 mm) = 2.25 mm / 1.32 mm. Also, if WABS = nWSME2 = 12(2.25 mm) = 27 mm and WABS = (nm + 1)WSME1 = (24 + 1)1.32 mm = 33 mm, then RG2 / RG1 = RD2 / RD1 = 27 mm / 33 mm = 36 mm / 44 mm.

[0088] As another example, note that in an alternative configuration where a linear range RG1 (continuing to be 33 mm) includes 25 WSME1s (corresponding to 25 SME1s), the WSME1 remains 1.32 mm, and further a linear range RG2 (continuing to be 27 mm) includes 13 WSME2s (corresponding to 13 SME2s) such that WSME = 27 mm / 13 = 2.08 mm, these relationships can be expressed by Equation 2 or Equation 4. More specifically, according to Equation 2, when n = 25 and m = 2, WSME2 / WSME1 = (nm / (n + 1))(RD2 / RD1) = (50 / 26) / (36 / 44) = 2.08 mm / 1.32 mm. When RG1 = nWSME1, within the linear range RG1, there are 25 WSME1s (corresponding to 25 SME1s), and when RG2 = ((n + 1) / m)WSME2, within the linear range RG2, there are (26 / 2)WSME2 = 13 WSME2s (corresponding to 13 SME2s). Alternatively, according to Equation 4, when n = 13 and m = 2, WSME2 / WSME1 = ((nm - 1) / n)(RD2 / RD1) = (25 / 13) / (36 / 44) = 2.08 mm / 1.32 mm. When RG2 = nWSME2, within the linear range RG2, there are 13 WSME2s (corresponding to 13 SME2s), and when RG1 = (nm - 1)WSME1, within the linear range RG1, there are (26 - 1)WSME1 = 25 WSME1s (corresponding to 25 SME1s).

[0089] In various implementations, the configuration of the transducer TDR (e.g., according to the exemplary values described above) corresponds to an absolute angle measurement range θ of approximately 43 degrees ABS in circular motion. The absolute angle measurement range θ ABSThe rotation angle corresponding thereto is approximated as follows. The angle of the arc is specified by its two endpoints, and the measured value of the angle of the arc is obtained by dividing the arc length by the circumference of the circle and multiplying it by 360 degrees. For the first track TR1, when RD1 = 44 mm and RG1 = 33 mm, the circumference is 2πRD1 = 276.32 mm, and (RG1 / 276.32 mm)×(360 degrees) = 43 degrees. For the second track portion, when RD2 = 36 mm and RG2 = 27 mm, the circumference is 2πRD2 = 226.08 mm, and (RG2 / 226.08 mm)×(360 degrees) = 43 degrees. This corresponds to an approximation of the absolute angle measurement range θ ABS = 43 degrees.

[0090] In connection with the diagrams of FIGS. 4 and 6, the following discussion relates to considerations for selecting the values of Y1' and Y2' with respect to Y0'. When Y1' and Y2' (in FIG. 6) are selected to be greater than Y0' (e.g., above), the radii RD1 and RD2 (in FIG. 4) become larger than the radius RD0, and the scale element portions PRTSC1 and PRTSC2 (and the corresponding scale track portions TR1 and TR2) become relatively large (e.g., generally and / or with respect to the design of the transducer TDR'). In some embodiments, it may be desirable to fit the transducer TDR within a specific size limit, and for this purpose, it may be desirable to limit the maximum values of Y1' and Y2'. Another consideration may be that it may be necessary to take into account some printed circuit board (PCB) design rules (e.g., there may be limitations on how small a particular element and / or hole / element spacing can be made). For example, the transducer TDR' may be designed as small as possible in accordance with the PCB design rules with a first scale element portion PRTSC1' and a relatively small corresponding signal modulation element SME1' and a linear space step WSME1'. In such a case, selecting the value of Y1' to be greater than Y0' may help ensure that the size design in the transducer TDR continues to comply with the PCB design rules.

[0091] In contrast, when Y1' and Y2' (in FIG. 6) are selected to be smaller than Y0' (e.g., lower), the radii RD1 and RD2 (in FIG. 4) become smaller than the radius RD0, and the scale element portions PRTSC1 and PRTSC2 (and the corresponding scale track portions TR1 and TR2) become relatively small (e.g., generally and / or with respect to the design of the transducer TDR'). As described above, in some configurations, the smaller size may fall into problems regarding some PCB design rules (e.g., there may be limitations on how small some elements and / or the spacing between holes / elements can be). Regarding the second scale element portions PRTSC2' and PRTSC2, according to Equations 1 to 8, in an implementation where the positive integer m is 2 or more, it will be understood that the elements and spacing of the second scale element portions PRTSC2' and PRTSC2 are relatively large (e.g., with respect to the elements and spacing of the first scale element portions PRTSC1' and PRTSC1). In this regard, the elements and spacing of the second scale element portions PRTSC2' and PRTSC2 may be able to better tolerate a certain degree of size reduction / smaller size (e.g., making Y2' smaller than Y0') while still being within the size / spacing requirements of the PCB design rules.

[0092] In some implementations (e.g., as shown in the examples of FIGS. 5 and 6), Y1’ may be selected to be larger than Y0’, and Y2’ may be selected to be smaller than Y0’. More specifically, when (in FIG. 6) Y1’ is selected to be larger than Y0’ (e.g., above), the radius RD1 (in FIG. 4) becomes larger than the radius RD0, and the scale element portion PRTSC1 (and the corresponding scale track portion TR1) becomes relatively larger (e.g., generally and / or with respect to the design of the transducer TDR’). As described above, in some implementations, such a selection may help ensure that the first scale element portion PRTSC1 and the corresponding relatively small signal modulation element SME1 continue to comply with the PCB design rules. Further, when (in FIG. 6) Y2’ is selected to be smaller than Y0’ (e.g., below), the radius RD2 (in FIG. 4) becomes smaller than the radius RD0, and the scale element portion PRTSC2 (and the corresponding scale track portion TR2) becomes relatively smaller (e.g., generally and / or with respect to the design of the transducer TDR’). As described above, in some implementations, the elements and spacing of the second scale element portion PRTSC2, which may be relatively larger than the elements and spacing of the first scale element portion PRTSC1, may be acceptable in that they allow for a somewhat smaller / reduced / minimized size while still being within the size / spacing requirements of the PCB design rules (e.g., particularly in implementations where m = 2 or more). Such a selection may be allowed in terms of this point.

[0093] In various implementations, several considerations may also apply to determine / select the radius RD0. One consideration is the product size / dimension requirements (i.e., for the measuring instrument 100) and / or the maximum angular movement range θ (e.g., with respect to the movement stroke of the movable encoder portion MEP). MAXThat is. Generally, the larger the value of the radius RD0, the more likely the angular resolution of the encoder 101 / transducer TDR is to improve, but there is also a possibility that the moving stroke of the movable encoder unit MEP increases to measure a specific angular range. The smaller the value of the radius RD0, the more likely the increase / decrease effect is emphasized when selecting the values of Y1' and Y2' with respect to the above-described Y0'.

[0094] FIG. 7 shows some signals resulting from the operation of the transducer TDR' of FIG. 5 when linear motion occurs between the detection unit 167' and the scale unit 170'. As shown in FIG. 7, the graph 710A shows the SEN1' signal as a function of the linear position (e.g., along the x-axis direction that can also be characterized as the scale direction and / or the measurement axis direction). In various implementations, the signal of the graph 710A may correspond to the detection signals SIG1A' and SIG1B' of the transducer unit PRTTDR1' of the first track unit TR1'. Similarly, the graph 720A shows the SEN2' signal as a function of the linear position. In various implementations, the signal of the graph 720A may correspond to the detection signals SIG2A' and SIG2B' of the transducer unit PRTTDR2' of the second track unit TR2'. The graphs 710B and 720B show the phase signals with respect to the SEN1' and SEN2' signals of the graphs 710A and 720A, respectively (i.e., from the calculation of arctan(SIGxB / SIGxA)).

[0095] The graph 730 illustrates the absolute ABS' phase signal (generated as a result of combining other signals, including those of the graphs 710B and 720B). In various implementations, the absolute ABS' phase signal is Φ ABS’ = Φ SIG1’ - mΦ SIG2’It may be represented according to. As shown in graph 730, the absolute linear measurement range WABS extends over a range of -15 mm to +15 mm so as to correspond to an absolute range of 30 mm. As described above, within the range of 30 mm, there may be 25 WSME1’ (i.e., having WSME1’ = 1.2 mm) and 12 WSME2’ (i.e., having WSME2’ = 2.5 mm). Correspondingly, in graphs 710A and 710B, 25 cycles are shown within the range of -15 mm to +15 mm, and in graphs 720A and 720B, 12 cycles are shown within the range of -15 mm to +15 mm.

[0096] Figure 8 is a diagram showing some less desirable signals resulting from the operation of the transducer TDR’ of FIG. 5 that undergoes circular motion between the detection unit 167’ and the scale unit 170’, and may be compared with the more desirable signals of FIG. 7. Examples of implementation forms with circular motion include the case of using the transducer TDR’ in the measuring instrument 100 of FIG. 2, and / or the case of replacing the transducer TDR with the transducer TDR’ and using it in the circular motion implementation form shown in FIG. 4. As described above, the transducer TDR’ is configured and designed to be used with linear motion, and therefore, when used in circular motion, undesirable effects as described in detail below occur.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 8, graph 810A shows the SEN1’ signal as a function of the angular position (e.g., along the arc-shaped scale direction). In various implementation forms, the signal of graph 810A may correspond to the detection signals SIG1A’ and SIG1B’ of the transducer unit PRTTDR1’ of the first track unit TR1’. Similarly, graph 820A shows the SEN2’ signal as a function of the angular position. In various implementation forms, the signal of graph 820A may correspond to the detection signals SIG2A’ and SIG2B’ of the transducer unit PRTTDR2’ of the second track unit TR2’. Graphs 810B and 820B show the phase signals of the SEN1’ and SEN2’ signals of graphs 810A and 820A, respectively.

[0098] Graph 830 illustrates an absolute ABS′ phase signal (e.g., generated as a result of combining other signals, including those of graphs 810B and 820B). In various implementations, the absolute ABS′ phase signal can be expressed as Φ ABS’ =Φ SIG1’ -mΦ SIG2’ 7, graph 830 shows that the ABS′ phase signal has a period of about 7 degrees (e.g., an absolute angle measurement range θ of about 43 degrees for the transducer TDR of FIGS. 3 and 4 described above). ABS As an example, if the transducer TDR' of Figure 6 (e.g. having scale element portions PRTSC1' and PRTSC2' of approximately equal length track portions TR1' and TR2') were substituted into the arrangement of Figure 4, it would be expected that each degree of arcuate motion would correspond to a relatively long amount of the first scale element portion PRTSC1' and a relatively short amount of the second scale element portion PRTSC2'.

[0099] This effect can also be seen in graphs 810A, 810B, 820A, and 820B compared to graphs 710A, 710B, 720A, and 720B (and also when compared to graphs 910A, 910B, 920A, and 920B of FIG. 9, as described in more detail below). More specifically, in FIG. 8, it can be seen that over a 43 degree relative angular movement range, such as spanning from -21.5 degrees to +21.5 degrees (e.g., as described in more detail below with respect to FIG. 9), relatively more periods occur for the SEN1' signal (i.e., for the first track portion TR1' track portion) and relatively fewer periods occur for the SEN2' signal (i.e., for the second track portion TR2' track portion). More specifically, in Figures 7 and 9, the absolute measurement range (e.g., 30 mm and 43 degrees, respectively) has approximately 25 SEN1' signal periods and 12 SEN2' signal periods, while in Figure 8, the graph shows a larger number of SEN1' signal periods (e.g., more than 26) and a smaller number of SEN2' signal periods (e.g., approximately 11). The ABS' phase signal in graph 830 shows the result of this effect, with a desired absolute angle measurement range θ of approximately 43 degrees.ABS Rather than achieving this, the ABS' phase signal has several periods within the corresponding absolute angle measurement range θ of approximately 7 degrees. ABS These issues indicate some of the drawbacks / problems of including a multi-track transducer configured / designed for linear motion in applications involving circular motion.

[0100] FIG. 9 shows some of the signals generated by the operation of the transducer TDR of FIG. 3 when circular motion occurs between the detection unit 167 and the scale unit 170, indicating that they are similar to the desired signals of FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 9, graph 910A shows the SEN1 signal as a function of the angular position. In various implementations, the signal of graph 910A may correspond to the detection signals SIG1A and SIG1B of the transducer unit PRTTDR1 of the first track unit TR1. Similarly, graph 920A illustrates the SEN2 signal as a function of the angular position. In various implementations, the signal of graph 920A may correspond to the detection signals SIG2A and SIG2B of the transducer unit PRTTDR2 of the second track unit TR2. Graphs 910B and 920B show the phase signals of the SEN1 and SEN2 signals of graphs 910A and 920A, respectively.

[0101] Graph 930 illustrates the absolute ABS phase signal (generated as a result of combining other signals, including those of graphs 910B and 920B, for example). In various implementations, the absolute ABS phase signal may be represented as Φ ABS = Φ SIG1 - mΦ SIG2 as the case may be. As shown in graph 930, the absolute angle measurement range θ ABSextends over a range of -21.5 degrees to +21.5 degrees so as to correspond to an absolute angle range of 43 degrees. Correspondingly, in graphs 910A and 910B, there are 25 cycles shown within an angular range of -21.5 degrees to +21.5 degrees (corresponding to, for example, the 25 SME1s within the first scale element part PRTSC1' of the first track part TR1), and in graphs 920A and 920B, 12 cycles (corresponding to, for example, the 12 SME2's in the second scale element part PRTSC2 of the second track part TR2) are shown within the angular range of -21.5 degrees to +21.5 degrees.

[0102] It will be understood that the signals shown by the graphs of FIGS. 7 and 9 are basically equivalent (i.e., obtained from the linear motion implementation form of FIG. 7 and the circular arc motion implementation form of FIG. 9). These show the effectiveness of the types of conversions that may be performed to change one design to the other. In contrast, as described above, FIG. 8 shows some of the problems / issues that may occur when a transducer designed for use in linear motion is not converted in such a manner, but instead is used as is in an implementation form that performs circular arc motion.

[0103] According to the principles described herein, the absolute angle measurement range θ ABS can be adjusted / configured according to a specific maximum angular movement range θ MAX for a particular application. It will be understood that the above specific numerical example shows an arrangement in which the absolute angle measurement range θ ABS is configured to 43 degrees, but according to the principles described above, other arrangements configured with a larger or smaller absolute angle measurement range are also possible. In some implementations, a smaller absolute angle measurement range may be utilized for a particular application (e.g., a range less than 15 degrees, or 10 degrees, or 5 degrees).

[0104] The absolute angle measurement range θ for a particular application ABSIt will be appreciated that being able to adjust has certain advantages. For example, in the case of a multi-track transducer, a design with a longer absolute angle measurement range generally requires a certain resolution and accuracy (e.g., obtaining an appropriate and distinct signal level over the entire range, and especially with respect to the relationship between multiple track portions (e.g., TR1 and TR2), involving the high information accuracy required for each increment to be distinguishable over the entire range). In contrast, in the case of a multi-track transducer having a relatively short absolute angle measurement range (e.g., such as those formed according to the principles described herein), a higher resolution can be achieved within a smaller range (e.g., using smaller or different increments / spatial steps between multiple tracks, which may be too fine and / or cause other problems over a longer range), and / or it is also possible to achieve sufficient accuracy within a smaller range by implementing with lower complexity, cost, power requirements, etc.

[0105] In some implementations, the comparison may be made with respect to an absolute rotary encoder having an integer number of angular spatial steps for each track portion over a complete 360-degree absolute range (e.g., to effectively function for continuously measuring the angular position in an implementation where a complete 360-degree rotation and rotations beyond can be performed). According to such a principle, when a part of such a rotary encoder is utilized in an application of circular arc motion (e.g., when 1 / 4 or 1 / 8 of such a rotary encoder is utilized for a 90-degree or 45-degree measurement range), the angular spatial steps in each track portion are still correspondingly evenly divided into 360 degrees. For example, when a part of such a rotary encoder is utilized, for each track portion in the transducer, when 360 degrees is divided by the angular spatial steps of that track portion in the transducer, an integer value is obtained.

[0106] It should be noted that such an implementation form that utilizes a part of a rotary encoder has specific drawbacks (as described above, in the design of a relatively long measurement range such as a 360-degree angle measurement range, generally, in order to achieve the entire 360-degree range, especially in the relationship between track parts, a certain level of resolution and accuracy is required to distinguish each increment). In contrast, as described above, when the absolute angle measurement range is relatively small (i.e., less than 360 degrees, and in some implementation forms, it may be even smaller, such as less than 45 degrees, less than 15 degrees, or less than 5 degrees), an arc motion encoder having certain advantages as described above can be formed according to the principles described in this specification.

[0107] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing a method 1000 for operating a measuring device with an arc motion between a detection unit and a scale unit. This method generally includes three blocks (steps). Block 1010 includes providing a drive signal that generates a changing magnetic flux to a magnetic field generation unit PRTFGE. Block 1020 includes receiving a detection signal from the detection unit 167, and the detection signal includes i) a detection signal from a first set SET1SEN1 of first detection elements that operates in conjunction with a first signal modulation scale element SME1, and ii) a detection signal from a first set SET1SEN2 of second sensing elements that operates in conjunction with a second signal modulation scale element SME2. The first and second scale element parts PRTSC1 and PRTSC2 of the first and second track parts TR1 and TR2 are linear, and the second track part TR2 is parallel to the first track part TR1 with the rotating part PPN closer to the second track part TR2 than to the first track part TR1. The first signal modulation scale element SME1 is arranged along the first scale element part PRTSC1 according to a first signal modulation element linear space step WSME1, and the second signal modulation scale element SME2 is arranged along the second scale element part PRTSC2 according to a second signal modulation element linear space step WSME2 that is different from the first signal modulation element linear space step WSME1. Block 1030 includes determining the relative position between the detection unit 167 and the scale unit 170 based at least in part on the detection signal input from the detection unit 167.

[0108] In connection with the operation in block 1030 that determines the relative position between the detection unit 167 and the scale unit 170 based at least in part on the detection signal from the detection unit 167, various processing and / or signal synthesis techniques may be utilized (e.g., as will be understood by those skilled in the art and at least in part in accordance with the teachings of the incorporated references). Briefly described, in various implementations, two driving operations may be utilized for the generation and processing of the signal from the detection unit. In various implementations, the two driving operations may be performed simultaneously or at different timings.

[0109] Specifically, as part of the first driving operation, the first magnetic field generating element unit PRTFGE1 can be driven (e.g., with a corresponding driving signal from the signal processing configuration 166). When the first magnetic field generating element unit PRTFGE1 is driven, the corresponding signals (e.g., signals SIG1A, SIG1B) from the first sensing element SEN1 of the first sensing element unit PRTSEN1 of the detection unit are read out (e.g., received, processed, etc.). As part of the second driving operation, the second magnetic field generating element unit PRTFGE2 can be driven (e.g., with a corresponding driving signal from the signal processing configuration 166). When the second magnetic field generating element unit PRTFGE2 is driven, the corresponding signals (e.g., signals SIG2A and SIG2B) from the second sensing element SEN2 of the second sensing element unit PRTSEN2 of the detection unit can be read out (e.g., received, processed, etc.). The detection signals generated during the first and second driving operations (i.e., from the detection unit) may be utilized to determine the relative position (e.g., the absolute position between the detection unit and the scale unit). In various implementations, the detection signals may include four signals (e.g., SIG1A, SIG1B, SIG2A, SIG2B) such as the signals SIG1A and SIG1B of the first driving operation and the signals SIG2A and SIG2B of the second driving operation, which may be utilized to determine the relative position.

[0110] As used herein, the term "nominal" encompasses variations in one or more parameters that fall within an acceptable tolerance. By way of example, in one implementation, terms such as "nominal" may correspond to a minimum variance from a specified value (e.g., a variance of less than 5%, or less than 2%, or less than 1% according to an acceptable tolerance, etc.).

[0111] It will be understood that the principles disclosed and claimed herein can be readily and desirably combined with various features disclosed in incorporated references. The various implementations described above can be combined to provide further implementations. All U.S. patents and U.S. patent applications mentioned herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Aspects of the implementations can be modified, as needed, to adopt concepts from various patents and applications to provide further implementations. These and other changes can be made in light of the above detailed description. Generally, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed as limiting the claims to the specific implementations disclosed herein and in the claims, but rather the claims should be construed to include all possible implementations along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Claims

1. a movable part configured to rotate in an arc about a pivot part, the movable part including a movable encoder part having a maximum range of movement of the arc of the movable encoder part being less than 360 degrees; an electronic position encoder configured to measure an absolute relative position between a detector portion and a scale portion, the movable encoder portion of the movable portion having one of the detector portion or the scale portion; Equipped with The electronic position encoder comprises: A scale portion, a first scale element portion including a first signal modulating scale element; and a second scale element portion including a second signal modulating scale element; a scale portion having a scale direction and extending along the scale direction; A detection unit, A magnetic field generating unit configured to generate a magnetic flux that changes in response to a drive signal; A sensing unit, a first sensing element portion including a first set of first sensing elements and disposed in a first track portion with the first scale element portion; and a second sensing element portion including a first set of second sensing elements and disposed in a second track portion with the second scale element portion; A sensing unit having a detection unit configured to approach the scale unit by a relative movement between the detection unit and the scale unit caused by the arcuate motion of the movable encoder unit; Equipped with the first and second scale element portions of the first and second track portions are linear and parallel to each other, the second track portion being closer to the pivot portion than the first track portion; the first signal modulating scale elements are arranged along the first scale element portion according to a first signal modulating element linear spatial step WSME1, and the second signal modulating scale elements are arranged along the second scale element portion according to a second signal modulating element linear spatial step WSME2 that is different from the first signal modulating element linear spatial step WSME1. Measuring instrument.

2. a signal processing arrangement operatively connected to the detection portion for providing the drive signal, the signal processing arrangement being configured to determine an absolute relative position between the detection portion and the scale portion based at least in part on detection signals input from the detection portion, the detection signals including detection signals from the first set of the first sensing elements and detection signals from the first set of the second sensing elements; The measuring device of claim 1 .

3. a first magnetic field generating element portion disposed on the first track portion and configured to operate in conjunction with a first signal modulating scale element of the first scale element portion and the first sensing element of the first sensing element portion; a second magnetic field generating element portion disposed on the second track portion and configured to operate in conjunction with second signal modulating scale elements of the second scale element portion and the second sensing elements of the second sensing element portion; The measuring device of claim 1 , comprising:

4. the first sensing element portion has a first central reference point located on a center line of the first sensing element portion at a first radius RD1 from the pivot portion, the second sensing element portion has a second central reference point located on a center line of the second sensing element portion at a second radius RD2 from the pivot portion, and the first radius RD1 is greater than the second radius RD2; The measuring device of claim 1 .

5. The ratio of the signal modulating element linear spatial steps WSME2 / WSME1 is equal to the equation with coefficients RD2 / RD1, 5. The measuring device according to claim 4.

6. The ratio of the signal modulating element linear spatial step W / W may be expressed according to being equal to at least one of the following equations: (nm / (n-1))(RD2 / RD1), (nm / (n+1))(RD2 / RD1), ((nm+1) / n)(RD2 / RD1), ((nm-1) / n)(RD2 / RD1), 5. The measurement device of claim 4, wherein n and m are positive integers.

7. 7. The measurement device of claim 6, wherein m is a positive integer that is at least two.

8. the first track portion has a first track range RG1 and the second track portion has a second track range RG2, either the first track range RG1=nWSME1 or the second track range RG2=nWSME2, ​​n being a positive integer; The measuring device of claim 1 .

9. The meter of claim 1 , wherein WSME2 is greater than WSME1.

10. operation of the first track portion comprises a first set of the first sensing elements providing detection signals responsive to a local effect on a changing magnetic flux provided by a first signal modulating scale element of the first scale element portion; Operation of the second track portion comprises a first set of the second sensing elements providing detection signals responsive to a local effect on a changing magnetic flux provided by a second signal modulating scale element of the second scale element portion. The measuring device of claim 1 .

11. the first sensing element portion further comprising one or more additional sets of first sensing elements, each additional set of first sensing elements having a spatial phase offset relative to the first set of first sensing elements; the second sensing element portion further comprising one or more additional sets of second sensing elements, each additional set of second sensing elements having a spatial phase offset relative to the first set of second sensing elements. The measuring device of claim 1 .

12. the first and second signal modulating scale elements comprise conductive plates and the first and second sensing elements comprise conductive loops. The measuring device of claim 1 .

13. The magnetic field generating unit is a first magnetic field generating element portion disposed on the first track portion and configured to operate in conjunction with the first sensing element portion and a first signal modulating scale element of the first scale element portion, a first magnetic field generating element first half loop having an interior region configured to align with a first half pattern portion of the first scale element portion; a first magnetic field generating element second half loop having an interior region configured to align with a second half pattern portion of the first scale element portion; having the first half loop of the first magnetic field generating element and the second half loop of the first magnetic field generating element are configured to have currents flowing in opposite directions around each loop; A first magnetic field generating element; a second magnetic field generating element portion disposed on the second track portion and configured to operate with the second sensing element portion and second signal modulating scale elements of the second scale element portion, a second magnetic field generating element first half loop having an interior region configured to align with a first half pattern portion of the second scale element portion; a second magnetic field generating element second half loop having an interior region configured to align with a second half pattern portion of the second scale element portion; having the first half loop of the second magnetic field generating element and the second half loop of the second magnetic field generating element are configured to have currents flowing in opposite directions around the respective loops; A second magnetic field generating element unit; The measuring device of claim 1 , comprising:

14. 1. A method of operating a meter, comprising: The measuring instrument is a movable part including a movable encoder part that rotates in an arc motion around a rotation part, the movable encoder part having a maximum movement range of less than 360 degrees in the arc motion; an electronic position encoder configured to measure an absolute relative position between a detector portion and a scale portion, the movable encoder portion of the movable portion having one of the detector portion or the scale portion; Equipped with The electronic position encoder comprises: A scale portion, a first scale element portion including a first signal modulating scale element; and a second scale element portion including a second signal modulating scale element; a scale portion having a scale direction and extending along the scale direction; A detection unit, A magnetic field generating unit configured to generate a magnetic flux that changes in response to a drive signal; A sensing unit, a first sensing element portion including a first set of first sensing elements and disposed in a first track portion with the first scale element portion; and a second sensing element portion including a first set of second sensing elements and disposed in a second track portion with the second scale element portion; A sensing unit having having a detection unit configured to approach the scale unit by a relative movement between the detection unit and the scale unit caused by the arcuate motion of the movable encoder unit; Equipped with The method comprises: Supplying a drive signal to the magnetic field generating unit to generate a varying magnetic flux; receiving a detection signal from the detection unit, the detection signal comprising: a detection signal from the first set of first sensing elements operatively associated with the first signal modulating scale element; a detection signal from the first set of second sensing elements operatively associated with the second signal modulating scale elements; Equipped with receiving a detection signal from the detection unit; the first and second scale element portions of the first and second track portions are linear and parallel to each other, the second track portion being closer to the pivot portion than the first track portion; the first signal modulating scale elements are arranged along the first scale element portion according to a first signal modulating element linear spatial step WSME1, and the second signal modulating scale elements are arranged along the second scale element portion according to a second signal modulating element linear spatial step WSME2 that is different from the first signal modulating element linear spatial step WSME1. How to operate the instrument.

15. determining a relative position between the detection unit and the scale unit based at least in part on the detection signal input from the detection unit. The method of claim 14.

16. Operating the first set of first sensing elements in conjunction with the first signal-modulating scale elements includes the first set of first sensing elements providing detection signals responsive to a local effect on a changing magnetic flux provided by a first signal-modulating scale element of the first scale element portion, Operating the first set of second sensing elements in conjunction with the second signal-modulating scale elements includes the first set of second sensing elements providing detection signals responsive to a local effect on a changing magnetic flux provided by the second signal-modulating scale elements of the second scale element portion. The method of claim 14.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein WSME2 is greater than WSME1.

18. The magnetic field generating unit is a first magnetic field generating element portion disposed on the first track portion and configured to operate in conjunction with a first signal modulating scale element of the first scale element portion and the first sensing element of the first sensing element portion; a second magnetic field generating element portion disposed on the second track portion and configured to operate in conjunction with second signal modulating scale elements of the second scale element portion and the second sensing elements of the second sensing element portion; The method of claim 14 comprising:

19. the first sensing element portion further comprising one or more additional sets of first sensing elements, each additional set of first sensing elements having a spatial phase offset relative to the first set of first sensing elements; the second sensing element portion further comprising one or more additional sets of second sensing elements, each additional set of second sensing elements having a spatial phase offset relative to the first set of second sensing elements. The method of claim 14.

20. 1. An electronic position encoder configured to measure an absolute relative position between a detection portion and a scale portion, for use in a measuring instrument having a movable portion configured to rotate in an arc motion, the electronic position encoder comprising: A scale portion, a first scale element portion including a first signal modulating scale element; and a second scale element portion including a second signal modulating scale element; a scale portion having a scale direction and extending along the scale direction; A detection unit, A magnetic field generating unit configured to generate a magnetic flux that changes in response to a drive signal; A sensing unit, a first sensing element portion including a first set of first sensing elements and disposed in a first track portion with the first scale element portion; and a second sensing element portion including a first set of second sensing elements and disposed in a second track portion with the second scale element portion; A sensing unit having having a detection unit configured such that a maximum movement range of the arcuate motion is less than 360 degrees and the detection unit approaches the scale unit due to relative movement between the detection unit and the scale unit caused by the arcuate motion of the movable part; Equipped with the first and second scale element portions of the first and second track portions are linear and parallel to each other, the second track portion being closer to the pivot portion than the first track portion; the first signal modulating scale elements are arranged along the first scale element portion according to a first signal modulating element linear spatial step WSME1, and the second signal modulating scale elements are arranged along the second scale element portion according to a second signal modulating element linear spatial step WSME2 that is different from the first signal modulating element linear spatial step WSME1. Electronic position encoder.

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