Rotary encoder device

Abstract

The objective is to provide a rotary encoder device that is thinner and has fewer parts than conventional types that use a rotating disk. [Solution] A rotary encoder device 100 for optically detecting rotation, comprising: a rotating shaft 130 for transmitting rotation; a bearing 120 for rotatably supporting the rotating shaft 130 with respect to a housing 110; a reflection pattern 160 that rotates together with the rotating shaft 130 and is provided on a part related to the bearing 120; and a detection unit 170 provided on the housing 110 for reading the reflection pattern 160.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a rotary encoder device, and more particularly to a reflective rotary encoder device.

Background Art

[0002] There exists a reflective rotary encoder device that optically detects the rotation of a rotating disk provided with a plurality of reflection patterns at predetermined intervals. This type of encoder has been proposed in Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a reflective rotary encoder device, since a rotating disk having a reflection pattern is provided, a certain amount of space is required. Also, since the reflective detection unit is thinner than the transmissive detection unit, thinning of the entire rotary encoder device has been desired. And reduction of the number of parts used in the rotary encoder device has also been desired. Therefore, it has been desired to realize a rotary encoder device that is thinner than conventional ones using a rotating disk, without using the space for the rotating disk, and capable of reducing the number of parts.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a rotary encoder device that does not require space for a rotating disk, is thinner than conventional types using a rotating disk, and can reduce the number of parts.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The rotary encoder device according to this invention is a rotary encoder device for optically detecting rotation, comprising a bearing that rotatably supports a rotating shaft, a reflection pattern that rotates together with the rotating shaft and is provided on a part related to the bearing, and a detection unit that reads the reflection pattern.

[0007] In the rotary encoder device according to this invention, the bearing comprises an inner ring, an outer ring, rolling elements provided between the inner ring and the outer ring, and a seal portion that rotates together with the rotating shaft, and a reflective pattern is provided on the seal portion as a part related to the bearing.

[0008] In the rotary encoder device according to this invention, a bearing-related part is further provided, which holds the bearing in place on the rotating shaft, and a reflective pattern is provided on the bearing-holding part.

[0009] The rotary encoder device according to this invention is a rotary encoder device for optically detecting rotation, comprising: a power generation unit that generates electricity using a rotor magnet unit and a stator coil unit provided on a rotating shaft; a reflection pattern provided on the rotor magnet unit; and a detection unit that reads the reflection pattern using the electricity generated by the power generation unit.

[0010] In the rotary encoder device according to this invention, the detection unit includes a light-emitting unit that irradiates a reflection pattern with light, and a light-receiving unit that receives the light reflected by the reflection pattern. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to this invention, a rotary encoder device can be provided that does not require space for a rotating disk, is thinner than conventional types using a rotating disk, and has fewer parts, by either having a reflective pattern for rotation detection provided so as to rotate together with the rotating shaft in a part related to the bearing, or by having it provided in a rotor magnet part for power generation provided on the rotating shaft. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of the rotary encoder device in Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is an enlarged explanatory diagram showing a magnified view of the main part of Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of a rotary encoder device that serves as a comparative example of the rotary encoder device in Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of a first modified example of the rotary encoder device in Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] This is an enlarged explanatory diagram showing a magnified view of the main part of Figure 4. [Figure 6] This is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of a second modified example of the rotary encoder device in Embodiment 1. [Figure 7] This is an enlarged explanatory diagram showing a magnified view of the main part of Figure 6. [Figure 8] This is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of the rotary encoder device in Embodiment 2. [Figure 9] This is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of a first modified example of the rotary encoder device in Embodiment 2. [Figure 10] This is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of another modified example of the rotary encoder device in Embodiment 2. [Figure 11] This is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of another modified example of the rotary encoder device in Embodiment 2. [Figure 12] This is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of a rotary encoder device that serves as a comparative example to the rotary encoder device in Embodiment 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the rotary encoder device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0014] Embodiment 1. First, regarding the basic overall configuration of the rotary encoder device 100 in Embodiment 1, it will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of the rotary encoder device 100 in Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is an enlarged explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. 1.

[0015] [Configuration of the Rotary Encoder Device 100 in Embodiment 1] The rotary encoder device 100 in Embodiment 1 optically detects rotation and mainly includes a housing 110, a bearing 120, a rotating shaft 130, a bearing retainer 140, a reflection pattern 160, and a detection unit 170.

[0016] The housing 110 is composed of a first bottom 111, a second bottom 112, and a cylindrical portion 113. The bearing 120 rotatably supports the rotating shaft 130 with respect to the housing 110. The bearing 120 mainly includes an inner ring 121, an outer ring 122, rolling elements 123, and a seal portion 124. The inner ring 121 is fitted onto the rotating shaft 130 and rotates together with the rotating shaft 130. The outer ring 122 is fitted into and fixed to a hole provided at the center of the second bottom 112 of the housing 110. The rolling elements 123 are provided between the inner ring 121 and the outer ring 122 to enable the bearing 120 to rotate. The seal portion 124 protects the rolling elements 123 and rotates together with the inner ring 121. The seal portion 124 functions as a part related to the bearing 120, and a reflection pattern 160 is provided on this seal portion 124. In the bearing 120, when the inner ring 121 is fixed to the housing 110 and the outer ring 122 rotates together with the rotating shaft 130, the seal portion 124 may rotate in accordance with the rotating shaft 130 together with the outer ring 122. That is, the seal portion 124 rotates in accordance with the rotating shaft 130 together with either the inner ring 121 or the outer ring 122.

[0017] The rotating shaft 130 is composed of a cylindrical portion 131 and a central hole 132 inside the cylindrical portion 131. Here, the direction along the axis of the rotating shaft 130 is defined as the axial direction. The surface of the cylindrical portion 131 is referred to as the surface of the rotating shaft 130. The central hole 132 is configured to accept the rotating shaft of an external rotating body (not shown). The bearing retainer portion 140 is configured in an annular shape. The bearing retainer portion 140 holds the bearing 120 around the rotating shaft 130 and fixes the axial position of the bearing 120. If the bearing retainer portion 140 has an internal thread on its inner circumference and the rotating shaft 130 has an external thread, the bearing retainer portion 140 pre-pressures the bearing 120 by being screwed onto the rotating shaft 130.

[0018] The reflective pattern 160 is provided on the seal portion 124. The reflective pattern 160 is provided on the surface of the seal portion 124 facing the first bottom portion 111. The reflective pattern 160 consists of a plurality of reflective elements at predetermined intervals and is configured as an annular shape overall. In Figures 1 and 2, the reflective pattern 160 is shown in an exaggerated state with a certain thickness, but in reality it is thinner than the thickness of the seal portion 124 and is formed to be integrated with the seal portion 124. The reflective pattern 160 is formed by attaching a reflective element portion or by surface processing such as etching to separate the reflective element portion from the rest of the material, taking into consideration the reflectivity of the material of the sealing portion 124 and its reflectivity in its raw state. The detection unit 170 is provided at the first bottom 111 of the housing 110, facing the reflection pattern 160, and reads the reflection pattern 160. The detection unit 170 is composed of a light-emitting unit that irradiates light toward the reflection pattern 160 and a light-receiving unit that receives the light reflected by the reflection pattern 160, and the light-receiving unit reads the light reflected by the reflection pattern 160.

[0019] [Configuration of the comparative example of Embodiment 1] Here, a known rotary encoder device 100A using an optical disk, which is a comparative example of the rotary encoder device 100 of Embodiment 1, will be described with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the rotary encoder device 100A, which is a comparative example of the rotary encoder device 100 in Embodiment 1. In Figure 3, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as in Figure 1, and redundant explanations are omitted, with the focus being on the differences.

[0020] The rotary encoder device 100A mainly comprises a housing 110, a bearing 120, a rotating shaft 130, a bearing retainer and disk positioning unit 140A, a rotating disk 150, a reflection pattern 160, and a detection unit 170. The bearing retainer and disc positioning part 140A is screwed onto the rotating shaft 130 to pre-pressure the bearing 120 and align the rotating disk 150. A reflective pattern 160 is provided on the surface of the rotating disk 150. The rotating disk 150 is mounted on the rotating shaft 130 in a position aligned by the bearing retainer and disc positioning part 140A.

[0021] [Comparison of Embodiment 1 with Comparative Example] The differences between the rotary encoder device 100 of Embodiment 1 and the rotary encoder device 100A of the comparative example will be explained below, with a comparison between them. In the comparative example rotary encoder device 100A shown in Figure 3, a bearing 120, a bearing retainer / disk positioning part 140A, and a rotating disk 150 are provided in that order on the rotating shaft 130.

[0022] On the other hand, in the rotary encoder device 100 of Embodiment 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2, a reflection pattern 160 is provided on the surface facing the detection unit 170 in the seal portion 124, which is a part related to the bearing 120. For this reason, the rotary shaft 130 of the rotary encoder device 100 is not provided with a rotating disk 150. That is, the rotating shaft 130 is only provided with the bearing 120 and the bearing retaining portion 140. As a result, the rotary encoder device 100 of Embodiment 1 can reduce the axial space required for mounting the rotating disk 150 compared to the rotary encoder device 100A of the comparative example. In other words, in the rotary encoder device 100 of Embodiment 1, the reflective pattern 160 for rotation detection is configured to rotate together with the rotating shaft 130 on the surface of the seal portion 124, which is a part related to the bearing 120, facing the detection portion 170. As a result, a rotating disk 150 and its installation space are not required, and it is possible to make it thinner and reduce the number of parts compared to the rotary encoder device 100A which uses a rotating disk 150. Furthermore, by reducing the number of parts used in the rotary encoder device 100, it becomes possible to reduce the overall error due to the accumulation of machining errors and to improve the reliability of the rotary encoder device 100.

[0023] [Configuration of the first modified example of Embodiment 1] The basic overall configuration of the first modified example of the rotary encoder device 100 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of the first modified example of the rotary encoder device 100 in Embodiment 1. Figure 5 is an enlarged explanatory diagram showing the main parts of Figure 4 in an enlarged view. In Figures 4 and 5, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as those in Figures 1 and 2, and redundant explanations are omitted, with the focus being on the different parts.

[0024] The rotary encoder device 100 mainly comprises a housing 110, a bearing 120, a rotating shaft 130, a bearing retaining part 140, a reflection pattern 160, and a detection part 170.

[0025] The bearing retainer portion 140 holds the bearing 120 around the rotating shaft 130, fixing the axial position of the bearing 120 while rotating together with the rotating shaft 130. Furthermore, the bearing retainer portion 140 functions as a part related to the bearing 120 and has a reflective pattern 160 on the surface facing the first bottom portion 111 of the housing 110.

[0026] The reflective pattern 160 is provided on the bearing retaining portion 140. The reflective pattern 160 is provided on the surface of the bearing retaining portion 140 facing the first bottom portion 111. The reflective pattern 160 consists of a plurality of reflective elements at predetermined intervals and is configured as an annular shape overall. In Figures 4 and 5, the reflective pattern 160 is shown in an exaggerated state with a certain thickness, but in reality it is thinner than the thickness of the bearing retaining portion 140 and is formed to be integrated with the bearing retaining portion 140. The reflective pattern 160 is formed by attaching a reflective element portion or by surface processing such as etching to create a reflective element portion and other portions, taking into consideration the reflectivity of the material of the bearing retaining portion 140 and its reflectivity in its raw state. The detection unit 170 is provided in the housing 110 facing the reflective pattern 160 and reads the reflective pattern 160.

[0027] [Comparison of the first modified example of Embodiment 1 with the comparative example] The differences between the first modified rotary encoder device 100 of Embodiment 1 and the comparative example rotary encoder device 100A will be explained below, with a comparison. In the comparative example rotary encoder device 100A shown in Figure 3, a bearing 120, a bearing retainer / disk positioning part 140A, and a rotating disk 150 are provided in that order on the rotating shaft 130.

[0028] On the other hand, in the first modified example of the rotary encoder device 100 of Embodiment 1 shown in Figures 4 and 5, a reflection pattern 160 is provided on the surface of the bearing retaining portion 140, which is a part related to the bearing 120, that faces the detection portion 170. Therefore, the rotary encoder device 100 does not have a rotating disk 150 on its rotating shaft 130. In other words, the rotating shaft 130 is only provided with a bearing 120 and a bearing retaining portion 140. As a result, the first modified example of the rotary encoder device 100 of Embodiment 1 can reduce the axial space required for mounting the rotating disk 150 compared to the rotary encoder device 100A of the comparative example. In other words, in the first modified example of the rotary encoder device 100 of Embodiment 1, the reflective pattern 160 for rotation detection is configured to rotate together with the rotating shaft 130 on the surface of the bearing retaining portion 140, which is a part related to the bearing 120, facing the detection portion 170. As a result, a rotating disk 150 and its installation space are not required, and it is possible to make it thinner and reduce the number of parts compared to the rotary encoder device 100A that uses a rotating disk 150.

[0029] [Configuration of the second modified example of Embodiment 1] The basic overall configuration of a second modified example of the rotary encoder device 100 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of the second modified example of the rotary encoder device 100 in Embodiment 1. Figure 7 is an enlarged explanatory diagram showing the main parts of Figure 6 in an enlarged view. In Figures 6 and 7, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as those in Figures 4 and 5, and redundant explanations will be omitted while the explanation will focus on the differences.

[0030] The rotary encoder device 100 mainly comprises a housing 110, a bearing 120, a rotating shaft 130, a bearing retaining part 140, a reflection pattern 160, and a detection part 170.

[0031] The bearing retainer portion 140 consists of a bearing retainer body portion 141 and a bearing retainer flange portion 142. In the bearing retainer portion 140, the bearing retainer body portion 141 and the bearing retainer flange portion 142 hold the bearing 120 around the rotating shaft 130, fixing the axial position of the bearing 120 while rotating together with the rotating shaft 130. The bearing retainer flange portion 142 is configured to extend outward from the outer circumference of the bearing retainer body portion 141, i.e., radially outward. Furthermore, the bearing retaining flange portion 142 of the bearing retaining portion 140 functions as a part related to the bearing 120 and has a reflective pattern 160 on the surface facing the first bottom portion 111 of the housing 110.

[0032] The reflective pattern 160 is provided on the bearing retaining portion 140. The reflective pattern 160 is provided on the surface of the bearing retaining flange portion 142 facing the first bottom portion 111. The reflective pattern 160 consists of a plurality of reflective elements at predetermined intervals and is configured as an annular shape overall. In Figures 6 and 7, the reflective pattern 160 is shown in an exaggerated state with a certain thickness, but in reality it is thinner than the thickness of the bearing retaining portion 140 and is formed to be integrated with the bearing retaining portion 140. The reflective pattern 160 is formed by attaching a reflective element portion or by surface processing such as etching to form the reflective element portion and other portions, taking into consideration the reflectivity of the material of the bearing retaining flange portion 142 and its reflectivity in its raw state. The detection unit 170 is provided in the housing 110 facing the reflective pattern 160 and reads the reflective pattern 160.

[0033] [Comparison of a second modified example of Embodiment 1 with a comparative example] The following describes the differences between the second modified rotary encoder device 100 of Embodiment 1 and the comparative example rotary encoder device 100A, while comparing them. In the comparative example rotary encoder device 100A shown in Figure 3, a bearing 120, a bearing retainer / disk positioning part 140A, and a rotating disk 150 are provided in that order on the rotating shaft 130.

[0034] On the other hand, in the second modified example of the rotary encoder device 100 of Embodiment 1 shown in Figures 6 and 7, a reflection pattern 160 is provided on the surface facing the detection unit 170 of the bearing retaining flange portion 142, which is a part related to the bearing 120. For this reason, the rotary disk 150 is not provided on the rotating shaft 130 of the rotary encoder device 100. That is, the rotating shaft 130 is only provided with the bearing 120 and the bearing retaining portion 140. As a result, the second modification of the rotary encoder device 100 of Embodiment 1 can reduce the axial space required for mounting the rotating disk 150 compared to the rotary encoder device 100A of the comparative example. In other words, in the second modified example of the rotary encoder device 100 of Embodiment 1, the reflective pattern 160 for rotation detection is configured to rotate together with the rotating shaft 130 on the surface of the bearing retaining flange portion 142, which is a part related to the bearing 120, facing the detection unit 170. As a result, a rotating disk 150 and its installation space are not required, and it is possible to make it thinner and reduce the number of parts compared to the rotary encoder device 100A that uses a rotating disk 150. In addition, as the area of ​​the reflective pattern 160 expands in proportion to the expansion of the bearing retaining flange portion 142, the readability at the detection unit 170 is improved.

[0035] [Effects of Embodiment 1] The rotary encoder device 100 of Embodiment 1 can achieve the following effects. The rotary encoder device 100 of Embodiment 1 includes a rotating shaft 130 that transmits rotation, a bearing 120 that rotatably supports the rotating shaft 130 with respect to the housing 110, a reflective pattern 160 that rotates together with the rotating shaft 130 and is provided on a part related to the bearing 120, and a detection unit 170 provided on the housing 110 that reads the reflective pattern 160. This configuration allows the rotary encoder device 100 of Embodiment 1 to reduce the axial space required for mounting the rotating disk 150, eliminating the need for the rotating disk 150 and its installation space. As a result, it is thinner and has fewer parts than conventional rotary encoder devices that use the rotating disk 150.

[0036] In the rotary encoder device 100 of Embodiment 1, the bearing 120 includes an inner ring 121 that rotates together with the rotating shaft 130, an outer ring 122 fixed to the housing 110, rolling elements 123 provided between the inner ring 121 and the outer ring 122, and a seal portion 124 that rotates together with the inner ring 121. Here, a reflection pattern 160 is provided on the seal portion 124 as a part related to the bearing 120. With this configuration, in the rotary encoder device 100 of Embodiment 1, a reflection pattern 160 is provided on the seal portion 124, which is a part related to the bearing 120. This reduces the axial space required for mounting the rotating disk 150, eliminating the need for the rotating disk 150 and its installation space. As a result, it is thinner and has fewer parts than conventional rotary encoder devices that use a rotating disk 150.

[0037] In the rotary encoder device 100 of Embodiment 1, a bearing retaining portion 140 is further provided on the rotating shaft 130 to hold the bearing 120, and a reflection pattern 160 is provided on the bearing retaining portion 140. With this configuration, in the rotary encoder device 100 of Embodiment 1, a reflection pattern 160 is provided on the bearing retaining portion 140, which is a part related to the bearing 120. As a result, the axial space required for mounting the rotating disk 150 can be reduced, eliminating the need for the rotating disk 150 and its installation space. This makes it thinner and reduces the number of parts compared to conventional rotary encoder devices that use a rotating disk 150.

[0038] In the rotary encoder device 100 of Embodiment 1, the detection unit 170 includes a light-emitting unit that irradiates light onto the reflection pattern 160 and a light-receiving unit that receives the light reflected by the reflection pattern 160. With this configuration, in the rotary encoder device 100 of Embodiment 1, by using a reflective detection unit 170 equipped with a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit, the axial space required for the detection unit 170 can be reduced compared to a transmissive detection unit, making it possible to further thin the rotary encoder device 100.

[0039] Embodiment 2. First, the basic overall configuration of the rotary encoder device 100 in Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8 is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of the rotary encoder device 100 in Embodiment 2. In Figure 8, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as in Figure 1, and redundant explanations will be omitted while focusing on the differences.

[0040] [Configuration of the rotary encoder device 100 in Embodiment 2] The rotary encoder device 100 of the second embodiment is a type of device that incorporates a power generation function and optically detects rotation, and mainly comprises a housing 110, a bearing 120, a rotating shaft 130, a bearing retaining part 140, a reflection pattern 160, a detection part 170, and a power generation part 190. The power generation unit 190 has a rotor magnet section 191 and a stator coil section 192. The rotor magnet section 191 is mounted on the rotating shaft 130 and rotates together with the rotating shaft 130. The stator coil section 192 is mounted in the housing 110 at a position where the magnetic flux from the rotor magnet section 191 links with it. The stator coil section 192 is mounted on the surface of the first bottom section 111 that faces the rotor magnet section 191. The power generation unit 190 generates electricity by using the rotor magnet section 191, which rotates together with the rotating shaft 130, and the stator coil section 192, which links with the magnetic flux from the rotor magnet section 191.

[0041] The reflection pattern 160 is provided on the surface of the rotor magnet section 191 facing the first bottom section 111. The reflection pattern 160 consists of multiple reflection elements at predetermined intervals and is configured as an annular shape overall. In Figure 8, the reflection pattern 160 is shown in an exaggerated state with a certain thickness, but in reality, it is formed in a state integrated with the rotor magnet section 191. The reflection pattern 160 is formed by attaching a reflective element portion or by surface processing such as etching to form the reflective element portion and other portions, taking into consideration the reflectivity of the material of the rotor magnet portion 191 and its reflectivity in its raw state. The detection unit 170 is provided at the first bottom 111 of the housing 110, facing the reflection pattern 160. The detection unit 170 includes a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit. Using the power generated by the power-generating unit 190, the light-emitting unit illuminates the reflection pattern 160 with light, and the light-receiving unit receives the light reflected by the reflection pattern 160.

[0042] [Configuration of the first modified example of Embodiment 2] The basic overall configuration of the first modified example of the rotary encoder device 100 in Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Figure 9. Figure 9 is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of the first modified example of the rotary encoder device 100 in Embodiment 2. In Figure 9, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as in Figure 8, and redundant explanations will be omitted while the explanation will focus on the differences.

[0043] The reflective pattern 160 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the rotor magnet section 191. The reflective pattern 160 is provided on the surface of the rotor magnet section 191 that faces the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical section 113. The reflective pattern 160 consists of multiple reflective elements at predetermined intervals and is configured as a ring overall. In Figure 9, the reflective pattern 160 is shown in an exaggerated state with a certain thickness, but in reality, it is formed in a state integrated with the outer circumferential surface of the rotor magnet section 191. The reflection pattern 160 is formed by attaching a reflective element portion or by surface processing such as etching to form the reflective element portion and other portions, taking into consideration the reflectivity of the material of the rotor magnet portion 191 and its reflectivity in its raw state. The detection unit 170 is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 113 of the housing 110, facing the reflection pattern 160. The detection unit 170 comprises a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit, and operates using power generated by the power generation unit 190. The light-emitting unit irradiates light onto the reflection pattern 160, and the light-receiving unit receives the light reflected by the reflection pattern 160.

[0044] In the rotary encoder device 100 of Embodiment 2 shown in Figure 8 and the rotary encoder device 100 of the first modified embodiment of Embodiment 2 shown in Figure 9, a reflection pattern 160 is provided on the flat surface (the surface facing the first bottom 111) or the outer circumferential surface of the rotor magnet portion 191. For this reason, the rotary shaft 130 of the rotary encoder device 100 does not have a rotating disk 150. That is, the rotating shaft 130 is only provided with a bearing 120, a bearing retainer portion 140, and a rotor magnet portion 191. As a result, even in the rotary encoder device 100 of the embodiment that incorporates a power generation function, the axial space required for mounting the rotating disk 150 can be reduced. In other words, in the rotary encoder device 100 of the second embodiment, the reflection pattern 160 for rotation detection is configured to rotate together with the rotation axis 130 on the surface facing the detection unit 170 in the rotor magnet unit 191 for power generation. Therefore, a rotating disk 150 and its installation space are not required, and compared to a configuration using a rotating disk 150, it is possible to make it thinner and reduce the number of parts. Furthermore, by reducing the number of parts used in the rotary encoder device 100, it becomes possible to reduce the overall error due to the accumulation of machining errors and to improve the reliability of the rotary encoder device 100.

[0045] [Configuration of another modified example of Embodiment 2] The basic overall configuration of another modified version of the rotary encoder device 100 of Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. Figures 10 and 11 are configuration diagrams showing the overall configuration of another modified version of the rotary encoder device 100 in Embodiment 2. In Figures 10 and 11, the same reference numerals are used for objects identical to those in Figures 8 and 9, and redundant explanations are omitted, with the focus on the differences.

[0046] In the rotary encoder device 100 shown in Figures 10 and 11, the second bottom portion 112 of the housing 110, the bearing 120, the rotating shaft 130, and the bearing retaining portion 140 are omitted, and instead a motor shaft connecting and magnet positioning portion 130A is provided, assuming that the rotary encoder device 100 will be incorporated into a motor or the like. The motor shaft coupling and magnet positioning section 130A is composed of a cylindrical section 131, a central hole 132 inside the cylindrical section 131, and a flange section 133. The central hole 132 is configured to receive the rotation shaft of an external rotating body (not shown). The flange section 133 holds the rotor magnet section 191 while positioning it. In Figure 10, the reflection pattern 160 is provided on the surface of the rotor magnet section 191 facing the first bottom portion 111, similar to that shown in Figure 8. The reflection pattern 160 consists of multiple reflection elements at predetermined intervals and is configured as a ring overall. The detection unit 170 is provided at the first bottom 111 of the housing 110, facing the reflection pattern 160. The detection unit 170 comprises a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit, and operates using power generated by the power-generating unit 190. The light-emitting unit irradiates the reflection pattern 160 with light, and the light-receiving unit receives the light reflected by the reflection pattern 160.

[0047] In Figure 11, the reflection pattern 160 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the rotor magnet section 191, similar to that shown in Figure 9. The reflection pattern 160 is provided on the surface of the rotor magnet section 191 facing the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical section 113. The reflection pattern 160 consists of a plurality of reflective elements at predetermined intervals and is configured as a ring overall. The detection unit 170 is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical section 113 of the housing 110, facing the reflection pattern 160. The detection unit 170 comprises a light-emitting section and a light-receiving section, operates using power generated by the power generation section 190, irradiates the reflection pattern 160 with light from the light-emitting section, and receives the light reflected by the reflection pattern 160 with the light-receiving section.

[0048] [Configuration of a comparative example to another modified example of Embodiment 2] Here, a rotary encoder device 100B incorporating a known power generation function using an optical disc, which is a comparative example of the rotary encoder device 100 of Embodiment 3, will be described with reference to Figure 12. Figure 12 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the rotary encoder device 100B, which is a comparative example of the rotary encoder device 100 in Embodiment 3. In Figure 12, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as those in Figures 10 and 11, and redundant explanations will be omitted while the explanation will focus on the differences.

[0049] The rotary encoder device 100B mainly comprises a housing 110, a motor shaft coupling and magnet disk positioning unit 130B, a rotating disk 150, a reflection pattern 160, a detection unit 170, and a power generation unit 190. The surface of the rotating disk 150 is provided with the reflection pattern 160. The rotating disk 150 is attached to the rotating shaft 130 via one side of the flange 133B of the motor shaft coupling and magnet disk positioning unit 130B. The rotor magnet unit 191 is attached to the other side of the flange 133B.

[0050] [Contrast] In the rotary encoder device 100 shown in Figures 10 and 11, a reflection pattern 160 for detecting rotation is provided on one of the surfaces of the rotor magnet section 191 and is configured to rotate together with the rotation axis 130. Therefore, since the rotary encoder device 100 does not require a rotating disk 150 and its installation space as shown in Figure 12, it is thinner and has fewer parts than when a rotating disk 150 is required. Furthermore, by reducing the number of parts used in the rotary encoder device 100, it is possible to reduce the overall error due to the accumulation of machining errors and improve the reliability of the rotary encoder device 100.

[0051] [Effects of Embodiment 2] The rotary encoder device 100 of the second embodiment, which incorporates a power generation function, can achieve the following effects. The rotary encoder device 100 of the second embodiment includes a rotating shaft 130 that transmits rotation, a power generation unit 190 that generates power using a rotor magnet unit 191 provided on the rotating shaft 130 and a stator coil unit 192 provided on the housing 110, a reflection pattern 160 provided on the rotor magnet unit 191, and a detection unit 170 provided on the housing 110 that reads the reflection pattern 160 using the power generated by the power generation unit 190. This configuration allows the rotary encoder device 100 of Embodiment 2 to reduce the axial space required for mounting the rotating disk 150, eliminating the need for the rotating disk 150 and its installation space. As a result, it is thinner and has fewer parts than conventional rotary encoder devices that use the rotating disk 150.

[0052] In the rotary encoder device 100 of the second embodiment, the detection unit 170 includes a light-emitting unit that irradiates light onto the reflection pattern 160 and a light-receiving unit that receives the light reflected by the reflection pattern 160. With this configuration, in the rotary encoder device 100 of the second embodiment, by using a reflective detection unit 170 equipped with a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit, the axial space required for the detection unit 170 can be reduced compared to a transmissive detection unit, making it possible to further thin the rotary encoder device 100. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0053] 100 Rotary encoder device, 110 Housing, 111 First bottom, 112 Second bottom, 113 Cylinder, 120 Bearing, 121 Inner ring, 122 Outer ring, 123 Rolling element, 124 Seal, 130 Rotating shaft, 130A Motor shaft coupling and magnet positioning section, 130B Motor shaft coupling and magnet disk positioning section, 131 Cylinder, 132 Center hole, 133, 133B Flange, 140 Bearing retainer, 140A Bearing retainer and disk positioning section, 141 Bearing retainer body, 142 Bearing retainer flange, 150 Rotating disk, 160 Reflection pattern, 170 Detection section, 190 Power generation section, 191 Rotor magnet section, 192 Stator coil section.

Claims

1. A rotary encoder device (100) for optically detecting rotation, A bearing (120) that rotatably supports the rotating shaft (130), A reflective pattern (160) is provided in a part related to the bearing (120) and rotates together with the aforementioned rotating shaft (130), A detection unit (170) reads the reflection pattern (160), A rotary encoder device having [a specific feature / feature].

2. The bearing (120) comprises an inner ring (121), an outer ring (122), rolling elements (123) provided between the inner ring (121) and the outer ring (122), and a seal portion (124) that rotates together with the rotating shaft (130). The reflection pattern (160) is provided on the seal portion (124) as a part related to the bearing (120). The rotary encoder device according to claim 1.

3. As a part related to the bearing (120), the rotating shaft (130) further comprises a bearing retaining portion (140) that holds the bearing (120) in place. The bearing retaining portion (140) is provided with the reflection pattern (160). The rotary encoder device according to claim 1.

4. A rotary encoder device (100) for optically detecting rotation, A power generation unit (190) that generates electricity using a rotor magnet section (191) and a stator coil section (192) provided on a rotating shaft (130), The rotor magnet portion (191) has a reflection pattern (160), A detection unit (170) reads the reflection pattern (160) using the power generated by the power generation unit (190), A rotary encoder device having [a specific feature / feature].

5. The rotary encoder device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the detection unit (170) comprises a light-emitting unit that irradiates the reflection pattern (160) with light and a light-receiving unit that receives the light reflected by the reflection pattern (160).

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