Inductive encoder

Abstract

To provide an inductive encoder which can be miniaturized.SOLUTION: The fixed substrate 5 includes an exciting coil pattern 8 commonly used for the shaft angle multiplier 1X and the shaft angle multiplier nX, a COS coil pattern 1X and a SIN coil pattern 7C1 of the shaft angle multiplier 7S1, a COS coil pattern 7Cn and a SIN coil pattern 7Sn of the shaft angle multiplier nX, four coil patterns 6, and a signal processor 9. The rotary substrate 2 has a detection pattern 3 for detecting a rotation angle, and the detection pattern 3 is formed by using one or a plurality of basic patterns 4 which are conductive fan-shaped patterns.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an inductive encoder, and more particularly to an inductive encoder that can be miniaturized. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent applications have also been filed for inductive encoders. For example, Patent Document 1, cited below, discloses an electromagnetic induction type rotation sensor and a shaft encoder with small external dimensions that achieve high-quality signals even with a minimal structure, in which an excitation land pattern and a receiving land pattern are formed on a printed circuit board, the receiving land pattern has a first portion extending in a first plane and a second portion extending in a second plane, the electromagnetic induction type rotation sensor has a scale element and a scale track that rotate relative to the printed circuit board, the scale track is made up of conductive and non-conductive scale areas arranged alternately, the receiving land pattern supplies an odd number of signal periods within one rotation of the scale element, and the first portion of the receiving land pattern has a longer length than the second portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-333478 A: "Electromagnetic induction type rotation sensor and shaft encoder equipped with this electromagnetic induction type rotation sensor" Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned encoder also has a problem: when detecting the rotation angle of a shaft multiplier of 1X and a shaft multiplier of nX, the fan-shaped conductive pattern on the rotating-side printed circuit board is separate for the shaft multiplier of 1X and the shaft multiplier of nX, making it difficult to reduce the outer diameter of the rotating-side printed circuit board (see Figures 1 and 2 in the above document).

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems of the prior art, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an inductive encoder that can be made smaller. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] As a result of studying the above-mentioned problems, the inventors of the present application have come up with the following configurations. The encoder must consist of a fixed-side printed circuit board and a rotating-side printed circuit board. The encoder must be capable of detecting the rotation angle of shaft multipliers 1X and nX. The fixed side printed circuit board must have an excitation coil pattern common to both 1X and nX shaft multipliers, a COS output coil pattern and a SIN output coil pattern for 1X shaft multiplier, a COS output coil pattern and a SIN output coil pattern for nX shaft multiplier, and a signal processing circuit for processing the output signals. The COS and SIN output coil patterns for the 1X shaft multiplier and the COS and SIN output coil patterns for the nX shaft multiplier are arranged on separate layers of the printed circuit board.

[0007] The number of layers on the fixed side of the printed circuit board must be at least four. The printed circuit board on the rotating side has a sectorial conductive pattern, and since the sectorial conductive pattern is common to both the axial multiplier angle 1X and the axial multiplier angle nX, the central angle of the sector and the arrangement interval shall be 360 / (2n), and the number of sectorial conductive patterns shall be n / 2. The number of layers on the rotating side of the printed circuit board must be at least one. Based on these configurations and through further investigation, the present invention has been completed. That is, the invention claimed in this application, or at least the invention disclosed therein, as a means for solving the above problems is as follows.

[0008] [1] An inductive encoder consisting of a fixed-side substrate and a rotating-side substrate, The fixed substrate has n, where n is an integer of 2 or more, Excitation coil pattern for both 1X and nX shaft multiplication angles, 1X axial angle COS output coil pattern and SIN output coil pattern, COS output coil pattern and SIN output coil pattern of axial multiplication angle nX, Four output coil patterns, a signal processing circuit for processing an output signal; The rotating substrate is A detection pattern for detecting a rotation angle is provided. The detection pattern is The conductive film is configured by using one or more basic patterns, which are sector-shaped patterns having conductivity. An inductive encoder characterized by a pattern that can detect both rotation angles with a shaft angle multiplier of 1X and rotation angles with a shaft angle multiplier of nX. [2] The inductive encoder according to [1], wherein the number of the basic patterns used that constitute the detection pattern is 1 or more and n-1 or less. [3] The inductive encoder according to [1], wherein the central angle and arrangement interval of the sectors of the detection patterns are approximately 360 / (2n) [°]. [4] The inductive encoder according to any one of [1], [2], and [3], characterized in that the fixed-side substrate has at least two layers on which the output coil pattern is provided.

[0009] [5] The inductive encoder according to any one of [1], [2], and [3], characterized in that on the fixed side substrate, the output coil pattern with a shaft multiplier of 1X and the output coil pattern with a shaft multiplier of nX are arranged on different layers. [6] An inductive encoder according to any one of [1], [2], and [3], characterized in that, on the fixed side substrate, one of the output coil patterns is arranged on one or more layers. [7] An inductive encoder according to any one of [1], [2], and [3], characterized in that one or more of the output coil patterns are arranged on one layer of the fixed-side substrate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] Because the inductive encoder of the present invention is configured as described above, the outer diameter of the rotating substrate can be sized to match the outer diameter of the fixed substrate, or can be the same size as the outer diameter of the fixed substrate. In other words, the planar shape of the encoder can be reduced in the radial direction, thereby making the encoder more compact. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the basic configuration of an inductive encoder according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a first example of a layer configuration of a fixed-side substrate in an inductive encoder according to the present invention; [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a second example of the layer configuration of the fixed-side substrate in the inductive encoder of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a third example of the layer configuration of the fixed-side substrate in the inductive encoder of the present invention. [Figure 4-2] 10 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a fourth example of the layer configuration of the fixed-side substrate in the inductive encoder of the present invention. The following drawings are explanatory diagrams of the embodiments. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an output coil pattern (1X) of the fixed-side substrate. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a SIN output coil pattern (1X) on the fixed side substrate. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a COS output coil pattern (1X) on the fixed side substrate. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an excitation coil pattern on a fixed-side substrate. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a rotation-side substrate according to the prior art. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an example of arrangement (1X) when used as an inductive encoder. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an example of arrangement (1X, prior art) when used as an inductive encoder. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an output coil pattern (4X) of the fixed-side substrate. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a SIN output coil pattern (4X) on the fixed side substrate. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a COS output coil pattern (4X) on the fixed side substrate. [Figure 16] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an excitation coil pattern on a fixed-side substrate. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a rotation-side substrate according to the prior art. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an example of arrangement (4X) when used as an inductive encoder. [Figure 19] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an example of arrangement (4X, prior art) when used as an inductive encoder. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a planar configuration of an inductive encoder. [Figure 21] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-sectional side configuration of an inductive encoder. [Figure 22] 1 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) schematically showing an example of a detection pattern on a rotation-side substrate of an inductive encoder according to the present invention; [Figure 23] 10 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) schematically illustrating an example of a detection pattern on a rotation-side substrate of the inductive encoder of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the basic configuration of an inductive encoder according to the present invention. As shown, this inductive encoder 10 comprises a fixed-side substrate 5 and a rotating-side substrate 2. The fixed-side substrate 5 has four output coil patterns 6: an excitation coil pattern 8 common to both 1X and nX shaft multipliers (where n is an integer greater than or equal to 2); a COS output coil pattern 7C1 and a SIN output coil pattern 7S1 for 1X shaft multiplier; and a COS output coil pattern 7Cn and a SIN output coil pattern 7Sn for nX shaft multiplier (where n is an integer greater than or equal to 2). The rotating-side substrate 2 also has a detection pattern 3 for detecting the rotation angle. The detection pattern 3 is formed using one or more basic patterns 4, which are conductive fan-shaped patterns. This is the basic configuration of the inductive encoder 10. Printed circuit boards can be suitably used for the rotating-side substrate 2 and the fixed-side substrate 5.

[0013] In this inductive encoder 10 having such a configuration, the excitation coil pattern 8 on the fixed side substrate 5 excites the output coil patterns 6 of both the axial angle multiplier 1X and the axial angle multiplier nX, i.e., the COS output coil pattern 7C1 and SIN output coil pattern 7S1 of the axial angle multiplier 1X, and the COS output coil pattern 7Cn and SIN output coil pattern 7Sn of the axial angle multiplier nX.

[0014] Furthermore, the rotation angle is detected by the detection pattern 3 formed on the rotating substrate 2 using one or more basic patterns 4. That is, as the detection pattern 3 rotates, an output reflecting this is produced by each output coil pattern 6, and the output signal is processed by the signal processing circuit 9 and detected as the rotation angle. The inductive encoder 10 of the present invention can detect both a rotation angle with a shaft multiplier of 1X and a rotation angle with a shaft multiplier of nX. The embodiment described below is an example of a shaft multiplier of 4X, but shaft multipliers of 2X, 3X, and even shaft multipliers greater than 4X, such as 8X and 16X, are also possible.

[0015] In the inductive encoder 10 of the present invention that detects rotation angles with shaft angle multiplication factors 1X and nX, the number of basic patterns 4 used in the detection pattern 3 can be set to 1 or more and n-1 or less (n is an integer of 2 or more). This will also be described in the explanation using Figure 23. The number of basic patterns 4 is n / 2 or more.

[0016] Furthermore, in the inductive encoder 10, the central angle and spacing of the sector-shaped basic pattern 4 associated with the detection pattern 3 are approximately 360 / (2n)°. This is not strictly limited to 360 / (2n)°, and it is within the scope of the present invention to set the central angle and spacing to approximately ±5°. The central angle of the basic pattern 4 is 90° or less.

[0017] The number of layers in the rotation-side substrate 2 of this inductive encoder 10 is one or more. That is, at least one layer is required, but two or more layers are also acceptable. For example, if one layer of material such as copper foil that forms the detection pattern 3 is not thick enough, the detection pattern 3 may be configured with multiple layers, such as two or four layers.

[0018] 2 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a first example of the layer configuration of the fixed-side substrate of the inductive encoder of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the fixed-side substrate 25 of this inductive encoder 210 can be configured so that the layer on which the output coil pattern 26 is provided is formed of at least two layers.

[0019] 3 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a second example of the layer configuration of the fixed-side substrate of the inductive encoder of the present invention. As shown in the figure, this inductive encoder 310 can be configured such that the output coil patterns for shaft angle multiplier 1X, i.e., COS output coil pattern 37C1 and SIN output coil pattern 37S1, and the output coil patterns for shaft angle multiplier nX, i.e., COS output coil pattern 37Cn and SIN output coil pattern 37Sn, are arranged on different layers on its fixed-side substrate 35.

[0020] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating a third example of the layer configuration of the fixed-side substrate of the inductive encoder of the present invention. As shown in (i) of the figure, this inductive encoder 410a can be configured such that one output coil pattern 47a, i.e., at least one COS output pattern or one SIN output pattern, is arranged on one layer on its fixed-side substrate 45a. Also, as shown by 47b, 47c, 47d, and 47e in inductive encoder 410b of (ii) of the figure, one output coil pattern, i.e., at least one COS output pattern or one SIN output pattern, can be arranged across two or more layers. Note that in this figure, output coil patterns other than those indicated as "47a," "47b," etc., as "one output coil pattern" are omitted.

[0021] 4-2 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating a fourth example of the layer configuration of the fixed-side substrate of the inductive encoder of the present invention. As shown in (i) of the figure, this inductive encoder 410f can be configured such that one output coil pattern (COS output pattern) 47a and one output coil pattern (SIN output pattern) 47a' are each arranged on one layer on its fixed-side substrate 45f. Also, as shown in (ii) of the figure, inductive encoder 410g can be configured such that one output coil pattern (COS output pattern) is arranged on two or more layers, as shown by 47g, 47h, 47j, and 47k, or one output coil pattern (SIN output pattern) is arranged on two or more layers, as shown by 47g', 47h', 47j', and 47k'. Although not shown, this inductive encoder can also be configured such that one or more output coil patterns are arranged on one layer of the fixed substrate. [Example]

[0022] Below, examples of the present invention will be described, but the present invention is not limited to these. Note that the present invention is an inductive encoder that can detect both rotation angles with a shaft multiplier of 1X and rotation angles with a shaft multiplier of nX, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 2. Therefore, while the shaft multiplier of nX can be set to 8X, 16X, or any other appropriate rotation angle as well as the shaft multiplier of 1X, an example of a shaft multiplier of n=4, i.e., a shaft multiplier of 4X, will be described in the examples.

[0023] Example - Inductive encoder for detecting rotation angle with reduced outer diameter and shaft angle multiplication factor of 1X and 4X This inductive encoder 510 is an inductive encoder for detecting angles, which combines a fixed-side substrate 55 combining a 1X shaft angle multiplier output coil pattern 501 shown in Fig. 5 and a 4X shaft angle multiplier output coil pattern 504 shown in Fig. 13 with a rotating-side substrate 52 shown in Fig. 9. Printed circuit boards are used for the rotating-side substrate 52 and the fixed-side substrate 55. Note that the dotted lines in each diagram showing the coil patterns indicate parts that are formed on a different layer of the substrate to avoid interference with other coil patterns.

[0024] The 1X shaft angle multiplier output coil pattern 501 shown in FIG. 5 is formed by combining multiple coil patterns. These are the SIN output coil pattern 57S1 shown in FIG. 6, the COS output coil pattern 57C1 shown in FIG. 7, and the excitation coil pattern 581 shown in FIG. 8. These are combined to form the 1X shaft angle multiplier output coil pattern 501. Each of the coil patterns 57C1, 57S1, and 581 extending from the fixed-side substrate 55 is connected to a corresponding location in the signal processing circuit 59. Note that the excitation coil pattern 581 and the excitation coil pattern 584 (FIG. 16) of the 4X shaft angle multiplier output coil pattern 504 (FIG. 13), which will be described later, can be formed into a similar pattern.

[0025] Fig. 9 shows the configuration of rotation-side substrate 52 of inductive encoder 510 of the present invention. Fig. 10 shows the configuration of rotation-side substrate 921 of the prior art. As shown in the figure, the central angle of the sector of detection pattern 931 of shaft angle multiplier 1X in the prior art is 180°, i.e., it is a semicircular arc. On the other hand, detection pattern 53 of inductive encoder 510 of the present invention is formed by two sector-shaped basic patterns 54 with a central angle of approximately 45°, arranged at an interval of approximately 45°.

[0026] In the present invention, not only a shaft multiplier of 1X but also a shaft multiplier of 4X (described later) can be detected using a single detection pattern 53. On the other hand, in the prior art, a separate pattern for detecting a shaft multiplier of 4X is required (see FIG. 17 below).

[0027] 11 is a diagram in which the 1X shaft angle multiplier output coil pattern 501 of the inductive encoder 510 is superimposed on the rotating-side substrate 52. The rotating-side substrate 52 rotates over the 1X shaft angle multiplier output coil pattern 501 provided on the fixed-side substrate 55. Note that FIG. 12 is a diagram in which the 1X shaft angle multiplier output coil pattern 501 shown in FIG. 5 is superimposed on the rotating-side substrate 921 of the prior art shown in FIG. 10.

[0028] The 4X shaft angle multiplier output coil pattern 504 shown in Fig. 13 is formed by combining multiple coil patterns. These are the SIN output coil pattern 57S4 shown in Fig. 14, the COS output coil pattern 57C4 shown in Fig. 15, and the excitation coil pattern 584 shown in Fig. 16. These are combined to form the 4X shaft angle multiplier output coil pattern 504. Each of the coil patterns 57C4, 57S4, and 584 extending from the substrate 55 is connected to a corresponding location in the signal processing circuit 59. Note that the excitation coil pattern 584 and the excitation coil pattern 581 (Fig. 8) of the 1X shaft angle multiplier output coil pattern 501 (Fig. 5) described above can be formed into a similar pattern.

[0029] The configuration of the rotation-side substrate 52 of the present inductive encoder 510 is as shown in FIG. 9 above. FIG. 17 shows the configuration of the rotation-side substrate 924 of the prior art. As shown in the figure, the fan-shaped detection pattern 934 for a 4X shaft angle multiplier in the prior art has a central angle of 45°, and four of these are arranged at equal intervals of 45°. This results in a point-symmetrical pattern as a whole. On the other hand, the detection pattern 53 of the inductive encoder 510 of the present invention is formed by two fan-shaped basic patterns 54 with a central angle of approximately 45° arranged at intervals of approximately 45°, as described above, and is not formed in a point-symmetrical pattern as a whole.

[0030] In the present invention, not only the 1X shaft multiplier mentioned above but also the 4X shaft multiplier can be detected using a single detection pattern 53. On the other hand, in the prior art, a separate pattern for detecting the 1X shaft multiplier is required (see FIG. 10 above).

[0031] Fig. 18 is a diagram in which the 4X shaft angle multiplier output coil pattern 504 of the inductive encoder 510 is superimposed on the rotating-side substrate 52. The rotating-side substrate 52 rotates over the 4X shaft angle multiplier output coil pattern 504 provided on the fixed-side substrate 55. Fig. 19 is a diagram in which the 4X shaft angle multiplier output coil pattern 504 shown in Fig. 13 is superimposed on the rotating-side substrate 924 of the prior art shown in Fig. 17.

[0032] FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing the planar configuration of inductive encoder 510. However, the illustration of the rotation-side substrate is omitted. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing the side cross-sectional configuration of inductive encoder 510. As shown in the figure, a single rotation-side substrate 52 is used as the rotation-side substrate, and it is provided with 1X shaft angle multiplier output coil pattern 501 and 4X shaft angle multiplier output coil pattern 504, both of which are provided on fixed-side substrate 55, and with detection patterns 53 corresponding to both of them. Unlike conventional technologies such as the technology disclosed in Document 1, in which the inner diameter side of the substrate is configured as a 1X pattern and the outer diameter side is configured as a 16X pattern, rotation-side substrate 52 and fixed-side substrate 55 are arranged three-dimensionally rather than in a planar direction, so that the outer diameter of rotation-side substrate 52 can be reduced to match the outer diameter of fixed-side substrate 55.

[0033] In other words, in the technology disclosed in the above document, when printing the fan-shaped conductive pattern and the coil pattern, the outer diameter of the substrate must be large because they are arranged on the same substrate. However, in the present inductive encoder 510, the outer diameter of the rotating-side substrate 52 can be sized to match the outer diameter of the fixed-side substrate 55, and can even be made the same size as the outer diameter of the fixed-side substrate 55. This allows the planar shape of the encoder to be reduced in the radial direction, making the encoder more compact.

[0034] The fixed-side substrate 55 of the inductive encoder of the present invention can be configured to have four or more layers, with each output coil pattern being provided on a different layer. As shown in Fig. 21, in the inductive encoder 510 of this embodiment, a 1X shaft angle multiplier output coil pattern 501 is formed on the first and second layers of the four-layer fixed-side substrate 55, and a 4X shaft angle multiplier output coil pattern 504 is formed on the third and fourth layers.

[0035] The excitation coil pattern of the inductive encoder 510 can be formed on only one layer of the four-layer fixed substrate 55, or on any number of layers from the first to fourth layers, or on all layers (not shown). In this way, in the case of a fixed substrate having multiple layers, the number of layers on which the excitation coil pattern is provided is not limited. A configuration in which excitation coil patterns are provided on multiple layers is significant in responding to requests for optimization according to the number of elements corresponding to the number of coil turns in each output coil pattern 57C1, for example.

[0036] 21 is configured with four layers, such as coil pattern 57C1 made of copper foil, provided at the boundaries between three insulators 550. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, the number of layers, the number of insulators used to form the layers, and the number of layers forming the coil patterns for each axial angle multiplier (1X, nX) can be designed as appropriate.

[0037] For example, a configuration with only one insulator and two layers of coil patterns is possible, or a configuration in which the output coil patterns of nX, including the 4X shaft angle multiplier, are divided into four layers. This degree of freedom in design makes it possible to respond to requests for optimization depending on the number of elements corresponding to the number of coil turns in each output coil pattern 57C1, etc. However, a configuration with more than eight layers is not necessary.

[0038] 22 and 23 are explanatory diagrams that schematically show examples of detection patterns on the rotating substrate of the inductive encoder of the present invention. In the figure, the rotation-side substrate 622 is an example of a configuration in which this substrate alone can detect shaft angle multiplication factors of 1X and 2X. This rotation-side substrate 622 has a detection pattern 632 formed by one basic pattern 642. The central angle of the sector is approximately 90°.

[0039] Rotation-side substrate 623 is an example of a configuration that can detect shaft angle multiplication factors of 1X and 3X using a single substrate. This rotation-side substrate 623 has a detection pattern 633 formed by two basic patterns 643. The central angle of the sector and the distance between adjacent basic patterns 643-643 are approximately 60°.

[0040] The rotation-side substrate 624a is an example of a configuration in which the substrate alone can detect shaft angle multiplication factors of 1X and 4X. The rotation-side substrate 624a has a detection pattern 634a formed by two basic patterns 644. The central angle of the sector and the spacing between adjacent basic patterns 644-644 are approximately 45°.

[0041] The rotation-side substrate 624b is an example of a configuration in which the substrate alone can detect shaft angle multiplication factors of 1X and 4X. The rotation-side substrate 624b has a detection pattern 634b formed by three basic patterns 644. The central angle of the sector and the spacing between adjacent basic patterns 644-644 are approximately 45°.

[0042] Rotation-side substrate 625a is an example of a configuration in which this substrate alone can detect shaft angle multiplication factors of 1X and 5X. This rotation-side substrate 625a has detection pattern 635a formed by two basic patterns 645. The central angle of the sector and the distance between adjacent basic patterns 645-645 are approximately 36°.

[0043] Rotation-side substrate 625b is an example of a configuration in which this substrate alone can detect shaft angle multiplication factors of 1X and 5X. This rotation-side substrate 625b has a detection pattern 635b formed by three basic patterns 645. The central angle of the sector and the spacing between adjacent basic patterns 645-645 are approximately 36°.

[0044] The rotation-side substrate 625c is an example of a configuration in which the substrate alone can detect shaft angle multiplication factors of 1X and 5X. The rotation-side substrate 625c has a detection pattern 635c formed by four basic patterns 645. The central angle of the sector and the spacing between adjacent basic patterns 645-645 are approximately 36°.

[0045] The rotation-side substrate 626a is an example of a configuration in which the substrate alone can detect shaft angle multiplication factors of 1X and 6X. The rotation-side substrate 626a has a detection pattern 636a formed by two basic patterns 646. The central angle of the sector and the spacing between adjacent basic patterns 646-646 are approximately 30°.

[0046] The rotation-side substrate 626b is an example of a configuration in which the substrate alone can detect shaft angle multiplication factors of 1X and 6X. The rotation-side substrate 626b has a detection pattern 636b formed by three basic patterns 646. The central angle of the sector and the spacing between adjacent basic patterns 646-646 are approximately 30°.

[0047] The rotation-side substrate 626c is an example of a configuration in which the substrate alone can detect shaft angle multiplication factors of 1X and 6X. The rotation-side substrate 626c has a detection pattern 636c formed by four basic patterns 646. The central angle of the sector and the spacing between adjacent basic patterns 646-646 are approximately 30°.

[0048] The rotation-side substrate 626d is an example of a configuration in which this substrate alone can detect shaft angle multiplication factors of 1X and 6X. This rotation-side substrate 626d has a detection pattern 6326d formed from five basic patterns 646. The central angle of the sector and the spacing between adjacent basic patterns 646-646 are approximately 30°. [Industrial Applicability]

[0049] The inductive encoder of the present invention allows the encoder to be miniaturized, and is therefore an invention with high industrial applicability in the fields of encoder manufacturing, use, and all related fields. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 2, 22, 32, 42a, 42b, 42f, 42g, 52, 622, 623, 624a, 624b, 625a, 625b, 625c, 626a, 626b, 626c, 626d...Rotation side board 3, 53, 632, 633, 634a, 634b, 635a, 635b, 635c, 636a, 636b, 636c, 636d...Detection patterns 4, 54, 642, 643, 644, 645, 646...Basic pattern 5, 25, 35, 45a, 45b, 45f, 45g, 55...Fixed side board 6, 26, 27, 47a, 47b, 47c, 47d, 47e, 47f, 47f′, 47g, 47g′, 47h, 47h′, 47j, 47j′, 47k, 47k′...Output coil pattern 7C1, 37C1, 57C1...1X shaft angle COS output coil pattern 7S1, 37S1, 57S1...1X shaft angle SIN output coil pattern 7Cn, 37Cn... COS output coil pattern for axial angle multiplication nX 7Sn, 37Sn...SIN output coil pattern with shaft angle multiplication nX 8, 581, 584...Excitation coil pattern 9, 59...Signal processing circuit 10, 210, 310, 410a, 410b, 410f, 410g, 510... Inductive Encoder 57C4...4X shaft angle COS output coil pattern 57S4...4X shaft angle SIN output coil pattern 501...1x shaft angle output coil pattern 504...4x shaft angle output coil pattern 550...insulator 921, 924...Prior art rotating substrate 931...Pattern for detecting axial angle multiplication of 1X in conventional technology 934...4X axial multiplication angle detection pattern in conventional technology

Claims

1. An inductive encoder consisting of a fixed-side substrate and a rotating-side substrate, The fixed substrate is, where n is an integer of 2 or more, Excitation coil pattern for both 1X and nX shaft multiplication angles, COS output coil pattern and SIN output coil pattern with 1X shaft angle multiplication, COS output coil pattern and SIN output coil pattern of axial angle multiplication nX, Four output coil patterns: a signal processing circuit for processing an output signal; The rotating substrate is A detection pattern for detecting a rotation angle is provided. The detection pattern is The conductive film is configured by using one or more basic patterns, which are sector-shaped patterns having conductivity. An inductive encoder characterized by a pattern capable of detecting both a rotation angle with a shaft angle multiplier of 1X and a rotation angle with a shaft angle multiplier of nX.

2. 2. The inductive encoder according to claim 1, wherein the number of basic patterns used to form the detection pattern is 1 or more and n-1 or less.

3. 2. The inductive encoder according to claim 1, wherein the central angle and spacing of the sectors of the detection patterns are approximately 360 / (2n) degrees.

4. 4. The inductive encoder according to claim 1, wherein the fixed substrate has at least two layers on which the output coil pattern is provided.

5. 4. The inductive encoder according to claim 1, wherein the output coil pattern with a shaft multiplier of 1X and the output coil pattern with a shaft multiplier of nX are arranged on different layers on the fixed-side substrate.

6. 4. The inductive encoder according to claim 1, wherein one of the output coil patterns is arranged on one or more layers on the fixed substrate.

7. 4. The inductive encoder according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the output coil patterns are arranged on one layer of the fixed substrate.

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