Apparatus, disk, and manufacturing method

Abstract

A device including an encoder scale disk and a mount, the encoder scale disk including radial and / or tangential elastic features disposed radially outward of the scale, configured to interact with the mount to position the scale disk on the mount. The encoder scale disk may include radial elastic features that deflect radially from the disk. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a device including an encoder scale disk, comprising: mounting a disk including radial elastic features to a device, the radial elastic features of the disk interacting with the device to place the disk in radial compression; and mounting the disk to the device, wherein mounting features on the device and the device for applying the scale interact in the same manner to place the disk in radial compression.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an encoder device and a manufacturing method, particularly an encoder device including a scale disk.

Background Art

[0002] Encoders are typically used to measure the relative displacement between relatively movable parts of a machine. For example, encoders are used in many industries to provide position (or its derivatives, such as speed and / or acceleration) feedback to the control system of a machine, e.g., feedback control for the position / movement of one part of a machine relative to another part of the machine. Typically, an encoder includes a scale having a series of position features provided on one part of a machine, and a reading head for reading the scale provided on another part of the machine. Types of measurement scales include magnetic scales (where the scale features are provided by features having specific magnetic properties), capacitance scales (where the features are provided by features having specific capacitance properties), inductive scales (where the features are provided by features having specific inductive properties), and optical scales (where the features are provided by features having specific optical properties). Optical scales may be transmissive or reflective. The relative displacement between the first and second parts of the machine causes relative movement of the encoder scale and the reading head, and the degree of displacement can be determined. In other words, the relative position of the scale and the reading head, and thus the relative position of the machine parts, can be detected by the reading head along the measurement dimension of the encoder.

[0003] The encoder can be a linear encoder for measuring linear displacement, or the encoder can be a rotary encoder for measuring rotational displacement. For a rotary encoder, the scale may be provided on a member that rotates with a shaft or other rotating part relative to the reading head. In particular, the member having the scale and capable of rotating during use with the shaft can be a disk or a ring. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application No. 05-296789 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 5758427 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent No. 6,255,644 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] An example of an encoder scale disk 1 is shown in Figure 1(a). The encoder scale disk 1 has a first surface 2 and a second surface 4. The peripheral surface 7 is located between the first surface 2 and the second surface 4 on the outer edge of the disk. In the case of an encoder scale disk, the scale 8 may be located on the surfaces 2, 4 of the disk. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of an encoder scale disk having a slit plate 21, where the scale extends through the disk from the first surface to the second surface, which is an example of a transmissive optical encoder disk. Patent Document 2 discloses an example of a rotary encoder showing a scanning unit 41 arranged to read the surfaces of a scale disk 40. Patent Document 3 discloses a code plate 6 including a disk DS having a mounting portion DM extending from one side of the disk DS. Mounting to the shaft member 20 is done via the mounting portion DM, which is away from the disk DS. Figure 1(b) shows an example of an encoder ring scale 10. In the case of an encoder ring scale, the scale 12 is located on a peripheral surface 14 located between two surfaces 16, 18. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided comprising an encoder scale disk and a mount. The encoder scale disk may include radially elastic features. The encoder scale disk may include tangentially elastic features. The encoder scale disk may include radially elastic and tangential elastic features. The radially elastic and / or tangential elastic features may be located radially outward of the scale. The radially elastic and / or tangential elastic features may be configured to interact with the mount so as to position the scale disk on the mount.

[0007] By positioning the radially elastic and / or tangential elastic features radially outward from the scale, the encoder scale disk can be mounted via the periphery of the disk. This increases the radially inward area of ​​the scale. The increased radially inward area allows for more components (e.g., through-hole feeders which may include electronic components or wires, cables, hoses, tubes, etc. passing through holes) to be positioned radially inward from the scale, thus enabling a reduction in the size of the encoder. Positioning the radially elastic and / or tangential elastic features radially outward from the scale allows the encoder scale disk to be mounted within a hollow shaft, which in such embodiments may be advantageous as it increases the space for through-hole feeders or electronic components to be positioned within the scale. This allows the encoder scale disk to be mounted without requiring external fastening.

[0008] The encoder may be a rotary encoder. The encoder may be a rotary disk encoder. The encoder may include a single reading head. The encoder may include two or more reading heads; for example, the encoder may include two reading heads. A rotary encoder having two reading heads can mitigate or eliminate at least some errors that may arise from a lack of concentricity of the scale with respect to the shaft.

[0009] Radial elastic features may conform to the radial direction. Radial elastic features may include bending. The encoder scale disk may include a substantially annular disk (e.g., a flat, substantially circular disk or an annular disk). Radial elastic features may be deflected radially from the disk. Features may be deflected radially outward from the disk. Radial elastic features may be deflected radially inward from the disk.

[0010] The radial deviation of the radial elastic features from the disk can assist in mounting the disk, and by providing a contact surface with mounting features that may be present on the portion to which the encoder scale disk is mounted, repeatable mounting (i.e., or the encoder scale disk can be mounted in substantially the same orientation and position relative to the component each time) can be enabled. The contact portion with mounting features allows force to be applied to the encoder scale disk to hold it in place. Additional retention, such as adhesive, may be provided.

[0011] Radial elasticity may include areas or portions of the peripheral surface of the disk with reduced radial stiffness. Radial elasticity may include areas or portions of the peripheral surface of the disk with increased radial compliance. Radial elasticity may include areas or portions of the peripheral surface of the disk with increased radial stiffness. Radial elasticity may include areas or portions of the peripheral surface of the disk with reduced radial compliance.

[0012] The difference lies in the radial stiffness or radial compliance, which allows forces to be applied to the encoder scale disk to hold it in place. This can be achieved by applying a compressive load to the encoder scale disk. This can be achieved by applying a force or multiple forces with a radially inward component to the encoder scale disk.

[0013] Encoder scale discs may include metal encoder scale discs. Encoder scale discs may include metal alloys. For example, an encoder scale disc may include steel, aluminum, or one or more other metals or metal alloys. Encoder scale discs may include plastic. Encoder scale discs may include glass. Encoder scale discs may include ceramic.

[0014] According to a second aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided comprising an encoder scale disk and a mount. When mounted, the circumferential surface features of the encoder scale disk interact with the mount, allowing the encoder scale disk to be placed in radial compression, which allows the encoder scale disk to be held on the mount.

[0015] By holding the encoder scale disk via radial compression through interaction with the mount, the encoder scale disk can be mounted via the periphery of the disk. This increases the radially inward area of ​​the scale. The increased radially inward area of ​​the scale allows for a reduction in the size of the encoder, as more components (e.g., electronic components or through-hole feeders) can be placed radially inward. Mounting the encoder scale disk via the periphery of the disk can also increase the inner diameter of the disk (e.g., if the disk is annular), allowing for a smaller encoder scale disk mass for a disk of the same diameter. This allows the encoder scale disk to be mounted without the need for external fastening.

[0016] When mounted, the features of the surrounding surface of the encoder scale disk may deform part of the mount. Additionally or alternatively, when mounted, the features of the surrounding surface of the encoder scale disk are deformed by part of the mount. The deformation may include elastic deformation. This may allow for repeated mounting of the disk, for example, on a device for forming a scale on the disk before mounting (i.e., the encoder scale disk can be mounted in the same position on a part in substantially the same orientation each time). Repeatable mounting may relate the position of the encoder scale disk when mounted on a device for forming a scale to the position of the encoder scale disk when mounted on a known mount.

[0017] A third aspect of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an apparatus including an encoder scale disk, comprising mounting a disk having radially elastic features to a device for applying a scale in any suitable order, wherein the radially elastic features of the disk interact with the device for applying a scale to position the disk in radial compression, applying a scale to the disk, removing the disk from the device for applying a scale, and mounting the disk to the apparatus, wherein the mounting features on the device for applying a scale and the apparatus interact in the same manner for positioning the disk in radial compression.

[0018] Optionally, this method includes applying a scale to the disk at a position radially inward of the radial elastic features. Optionally, when mounting the disk to a device mount or apparatus mount for applying the scale, the radial elastic features of the disk will deform the mount or a portion of each mount.

[0019] Optionally, when mounted on a device or apparatus mount for applying scaling, the radial elastic properties of the disk are deformed by the mount or a portion of each mount. Optionally, devices and apparatus for applying scaling include geometrically common features for interacting with the radial elastic properties of the disk.

[0020] Optionally, the disk is moved relative to the device mount for scaling or to the device mount between a first and second position, and the interaction between the mount and the radially elastic feature at the second position applies a radially inward force to the disk.

[0021] The radially inward force applied to the disk at the second position may be greater than the radially inward force applied to the disk by the mount of the device for applying the scale or the mount of the apparatus at the first position. At the first position, there may be a gap between the mount of the device for applying the scale or the mount of the apparatus and the radially elastic feature.

[0022] Optionally, the encoder disk is rotated relative to the device mount for applying the scale, or between the first and second positions of the device mount.

[0023] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an encoder device including an encoder scale disk and a mount is provided. When attached to the mount, the encoder scale disk is arranged in radial compression. Thereby, the encoder scale disk can be attached without requiring external fixation. Thereby, the complexity of the manufacturing process can be reduced. Thereby, the area inside the scale in the radial direction can be increased. The increased area inside the scale in the radial direction enables more components (e.g., electronic components or through-hole supply parts) to be arranged inside the scale in the radial direction, thus enabling reduction in the size of the encoder. Attaching the encoder scale disk through radial compression of the encoder scale disk can also increase the inner diameter of the disk (e.g., when the disk is annular), enabling a smaller encoder scale disk mass for a disk of the same diameter. Thereby, the encoder scale disk can be attached without requiring external fixation.

[0024] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an encoder scale disk according to any one of the first, second, and / or third aspects is provided.

[0025] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a measuring device including an encoder device according to any one of the first, second, and / or third aspects and / or an encoder scale disk according to the fourth aspect is provided.

[0026] Optionally, the measuring device includes a flexure head (e.g., as part of a scanning probe or a touch trigger probe). The flexure head can be part of a touch probe. The flexure head can be part of an imaging probe. The flexure head can be part of an inductive probe. The flexure head can be part of a capacitive probe. The flexure head may have five or more degrees of freedom. The flexure head can have up to five degrees of freedom.

[0027] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, an encoder device according to any one of the first, second, and / or third aspects, and / or a method for manufacturing an encoder scale disk according to a fourth aspect, comprising, in any suitable order, mounting a disk having radially elastic features to a device for applying a scale, wherein the radially elastic features of the disk interact with the device for applying a scale and positioning the disk radially, the disk being annular if necessary.

[0028] By using the radial elasticity features of the encoder scale disk and interacting with the device for applying the scale, it is possible to relate the position of the encoder scale disk mounted on the device for applying the scale to the position of the encoder scale disk mounted on a known encoder mount. By knowing the relative position of the encoder scale disk on both the device for applying the scale and the encoder mount, the position of the scale on the encoder can be determined. This can be achieved, for example, by having similar or substantially identical features on the device for applying the scale and the encoder mount. Since the relationship between the positions of the encoder scale disk on the encoder scale disk can be known or measured, it will be understood that the features on the device for applying the scale and the encoder mount do not need to be identical or similar, as long as they can be repeatedly mounted on each of the devices on the encoder scale disk (i.e., the encoder scale disk or the encoder scale disk can be mounted in the same position on a substantially the same oriented part each time).

[0029] Optionally, this method includes applying a scale to the disk at a radially inward position of the radial elastic features. A method for manufacturing an encoder device may include mounting the disk to a mount, the radial elastic features of the disk interacting with the mount to position the disk in radial compression. Optionally, during the manufacturing method of the encoder device, when mounted to the mount, the radial elastic features of the disk partially deform the mount. Optionally, when mounted to the mount, the radial elastic features of the disk are deformed by a portion of the mount.

[0030] Optionally, the device for applying the scale and the encoder mount include geometrically common features for interacting with the radial elasticity of the disk. Providing geometrically common features for interacting with the radial elasticity of the disk for the device for applying the scale and the encoder mount allows for a relationship between the position where the encoder scale disk is mounted on the device for applying the scale and the position where the encoder scale disk is mounted on a known encoder mount. Geometrically common features allow for the encoder scale disk to be positioned in the same location relative to the geometrically common features of the radial elasticity of the disk for the device for applying the scale and encoder mount. Optionally, the device for applying the scale and the encoder mount include geometrically identical features for interacting with the radial elasticity of the disk.

[0031] Optionally, the disk is movable relative to the encoder mount or the mount of the device for applying a scale between a first and second position, where, in the second position, the interaction between the encoder mount or the mount of the device for applying a scale and the radially elastic feature applies a radially inward force to the disk. Optionally, the radially inward force applied to the disk in the second position is greater than the radially inward force applied to the disk by the encoder or the mount of the device for applying a scale in the first position. Optionally, the encoder scale disk can be rotated between the first and second positions, thereby allowing the disk to be held in the second position. Optionally, the encoder scale disk can be freely removed from the device for applying a scale when it is in the first position.

[0032] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing an encoder device is provided according to any one of the first, second, and / or third aspects, wherein the encoder scale disk is movable relative to the mount between a first position and a second position, and a radially inward force is applied to the disk in a second positional interaction between the mount and a radially elastic feature. Optionally, the radially inward force applied to the encoder scale disk at the second position is greater than the radially inward force applied to the encoder scale disk by the mount at the first position. Optionally, there is a gap between the mount and the radially elastic feature at the first position. Optionally, the encoder disk is rotatable relative to the mount between the first and second positions.

[0033] Advantageously, the encoder scale disc can be moved between a held (or in-use) position and another position that may be an insertion position by moving the encoder scale disc between a first position and a second position. This can simplify the manufacturing process by allowing the encoder scale disc to be inserted into the first position in the mount before it is moved to the second position where the encoder scale disc is held on the mount. The mounting may be repeatable such that the encoder scale on the encoder scale disc is positioned in the same position relative to the mount (i.e., the encoder scale disc can be mounted in the same position relative to the part in substantially the same orientation each time). [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0034] Herein, embodiments are illustrated only as examples and with reference to the following drawings. [Figure 1(a)] Figure 1(a) shows an example of an encoder scale disk. [Figure 1(b)] Figure 1(b) shows an example of an encoder ring scale. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the encoder scale disk according to the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the encoder according to the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the encoder in Figure 3 along line IV-IV. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an isometric view of the encoder shown in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a further diagram of the encoder shown in Figure 4. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows the encoder scale disk in the first position relative to the mount. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows the encoder scale disk in a second position relative to the mount. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows the encoder assembly method. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows the method for manufacturing an encoder scale disk. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows a second embodiment of the encoder scale disk according to the present invention. [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows a third embodiment of the encoder scale disk according to the present invention. [Figure 13] Figure 13 shows an embodiment of a jointed, flexed head. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0035] Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the encoder scale disk 100. In this embodiment, the encoder scale disk 100 comprises three radially elastic features 110. In this embodiment, the features 110 are in the form of bends 110. Each of the bends 110 comprises an opening 112 and a projection 114. The projections 114 deflect radially outward from the generally circular shape of the encoder scale disk 100 in this embodiment. The encoder scale disk 100 has a generally planar annular shape (as seen in Figures 3 and 4).

[0036] The encoder scale disk 100 in the embodiment of Figure 2 comprises a peripheral edge 120 and three assembly features 130 arranged around an inner space 140. The assembly features 130 can be used to hold and position the encoder scale disk within a device for a device for applying an encoder or scale. The inner space 140 can allow space for shafts and / or through-hole feeders when the encoder scale disk 100 is in use. As shown in Figure 2, the encoder scale disk 100 includes a scale including a reference mark 150 also located on a first surface 160, and the scale located on the first surface 160 is also an incremental scale 145. The encoder scale disk 100 in Figure 2 is an optical incremental scale disk. Other markings may be present on the first surface 160, for example, the embodiment shown in Figure 2 shows identification markings on the first surface 160 of the encoder scale disk 100.

[0037] Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the encoder 200. The encoder 200 comprises an encoder scale disk 100 and a mount 300. The encoder further comprises a read head 250 (shown in Figure 4). The mount 300 comprises a casing 310. In this embodiment, the casing 310 includes three mount gaps 312. The encoder 200 also comprises an axis 320. As can be seen in Figure 3, the peripheral edge 120 within the area of ​​the radial elastic feature 110 of the encoder scale disk interacts with the casing 310 of the mount 300 to hold the encoder scale disk on the mount. Within the area of ​​the radial elastic feature 110, the encoder scale disk 100 is pressed against the casing 310 of the mount 300. This applies a radially inward force to the radial elastic feature 110. The radial elastic feature 110 is placed in a compressed state. The encoder scale disk 100 comprises a scale 152.

[0038] Figure 4 shows the encoder 200 of Figure 3 in a cross-section along line IV-IV of Figure 3. As can be seen in Figure 4, the encoder scale disk 100 has a first surface 160 (including the scale 152), a second surface 170, and a peripheral edge 120 extending between the first surface 160 and the second surface 170 on the outer circumference of the encoder scale disk 100. In the embodiments shown in Figures 3 and 4, it can be seen that the encoder scale disk 100 has a radial inner edge 180 extending between the first surface 160 and the second surface 170. In this embodiment, the radial inner edge 180 is spaced away from the shaft 320. The encoder scale disk 100 is mounted to the mount 300 via the peripheral edge 120. In this embodiment, the encoder scale disk 100 is not directly mounted to the shaft 320 via the radial inner edge 180.

[0039] A reading head 250 is provided for reading the scale 152. In the illustrated embodiment, during use, the encoder scale disk 100 rotates around the axis 320. This causes relative movement of the encoder scale disk 100 and the reading head 250. The reading head 250 monitors the scale 152 and the reference mark in the present embodiment, allowing monitoring of the amount of relative movement and / or the speed of relative movement.

[0040] Alternative diagrams of the embodiment shown in Figure 3 can be seen in Figures 5 and 6.

[0041] Figures 7 and 8 show how the encoder scale disk 100 is attached to the mount 300 via the enclosure 310.

[0042] Figure 7 shows the encoder scale disk 100 in a first position relative to the mount 300. In the first position, the radial elastic feature 110 is aligned with the mount gap 312 of the mount 300. In the first position, the radial elastic feature 110 does not interact with the enclosure 310 such that a radially inward force is applied to the radial elastic feature 110. In this embodiment, this is because there is a gap between the radial elastic feature 110 and the enclosure 310 provided by the gap 312 within the enclosure 310. In the first position, the encoder scale disk 100 can move freely in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the radial scale disk 100. This allows the encoder scale disk 100 to be inserted into and / or removed from the mount 300.

[0043] Figure 8 shows the encoder scale disk in a second position relative to the mount 300. In the second position, the radial elastic feature 110 of the encoder scale disk 100 interacts with the enclosure 310, causing the radial elastic feature 110 to exert a radially inward force. In the shown embodiment, the radial elastic feature 110 interacts with the enclosure 310 because it is deflected radially outward from the generally circular shape of the encoder scale disk 100. The radially inward force deforms the bend 114 in the illustrated embodiment inward. The radially inward force allows the encoder scale disk to be held in place by the mount. As a result, the encoder scale disk 100 is subjected to a compressive load.

[0044] To move the encoder scale disk 100 from a first position shown in Figure 7 to a second (held) position shown in Figure 8, the encoder scale disk 100 is rotated (in the plane of the disk). As the encoder scale disk 100 moves from the first position shown in Figure 7 to the second position shown in Figure 8, the radially elastic feature 110 begins to interact with the enclosure 310 of the mount 300. In the illustrated embodiment, the enclosure 310 and the encoder scale disk are shaped such that as the encoder scale disk 100 rotates further, the radially inward force applied to the radially elastic feature 110 by the enclosure 310 increases. In the illustrated embodiment, the second position shown in Figure 8 represents a stopping position where the resistance that needs to be overcome to rotate the encoder scale disk 100 further increases sharply, and thus it is possible to insert the encoder scale disk 100 into the mount 300 and repeatedly rotate the encoder scale disk 100 to the same position. This means that the position of the encoder scale disk 100 (and therefore the scale 152) relative to the encoder mount can be known without the need for specific measurement. In the illustrated embodiment, the encoder scale disk can be rotated using the assembly feature 130.

[0045] Figure 9 shows a flowchart detailing the assembly method 400 of the encoder 200. In the first step 402 shown in Figure 9, the encoder scale disk 100 is inserted into the mount so that it is in a first position. In the above embodiment, this corresponds to the situation shown in Figure 7 where the three radial elastic features 110 are aligned with the mount gap 312. In the first position, the encoder scale disk 100 can be inserted into the mount perpendicular to the plane of the encoder scale disk 100 without encountering substantial resistance, while the radial elastic features 110 are aligned with the mount gap. This allows the encoder scale disk 100 to be easily inserted (or removed) from the mount 300. To avoid damage to the scale 152 or contamination of the encoder scale disk 100, it may be desirable to move the encoder scale disk 100 from the first position using a tool. In step 404, the tool is engaged with the encoder scale disk 100. In step 406, the encoder scale disk 100 is rotated to a second position, which may be caused by rotating the tool. In step 408, the tool is removed.

[0046] In one embodiment, the position of the scale 152 relative to the radially elastic feature 110 can be controlled by using a scale marking device (such as a laser ablator) having a mount for the encoder scale disk 100 identical to that of the encoder mount 300. The geometric similarity between the encoder mount 300 and the scale marking device mount allows the encoder scale disk 100 to be inserted into the scale marking device mount and positioned in the same repeatable manner as described above with respect to the encoder mount 300 shown in Figures 7 and 8.

[0047] Figure 10 shows a method 500 for manufacturing an encoder scale disk 100. In the first step 502, the encoder scale disk 100 is inserted into a first position of a scale marking device (which is a laser ablator in one embodiment) without any scale present on the encoder scale disk 100. The encoder scale disk 100 can be inserted into the scale marking device perpendicular to the plane of the encoder scale disk 100 without encountering substantial resistance, while the radial elastic feature 110 aligns with the mounting gap present in the scale marking device.

[0048] This allows for easy insertion (or removal) of the encoder scale disc 100 from the scale marking device. It may be desirable to use a tool to move the encoder scale disc 100 from the first position. This may help protect the surface of the encoder scale disc 100 from contamination that could interfere with the scale marking process. In step 504, the tool engages with the encoder scale disc 100. In step 506, the encoder scale disc 100 is rotated to the second position, which may be caused by rotating the tool. It may be necessary to remove the tool during the scale marking process. In step 508, the scale marking device marks the scale on the encoder scale disc. In step 510, the encoder scale disc is rotated from the second position back to the first position. This may involve re-engaging the tool. In step 512, the encoder scale disc 100 is removed from the scale marking device.

[0049] Figure 11 shows a second embodiment of the encoder scale disk 1000. It will be understood that the encoder scale disk 1000 may have similar features to those of the first embodiment not shown in Figure 11. In particular, the encoder scale disk 100 may include a scale (similar to scale 152) and a reference mark (similar to reference mark 150). The encoder scale disk 1000 may include assembly features (similar to assembly feature 130). Optionally, the encoder scale disk 1000 may include identification markings (similar to identification markings shown in other embodiments).

[0050] The embodiment in Figure 11 shows a substantially planar disk, which in this embodiment is in the form of an annular ring including a peripheral edge 1120. In this embodiment, the encoder scale disk comprises three mounting features 1100 used to maintain the encoder scale disk 1000 within a mount 3000. The mount 3000 may be, for example, a mount for an encoder, or a mount for a device for applying a scale. As can be seen, the mount 3000 comprises three mounting spaces 3010 corresponding to the three mounting features 1100 of the encoder scale disk.

[0051] Each mounting feature 1100 comprises a first portion 1200 and a second portion 1220. In this embodiment, the first portion 1200 and the second portion 1220 have different widths. This allows the second portion 1220 to be deflected more easily in a direction tangent to the peripheral edge 1120 of the encoder scale disk 1000. Figure 11 shows a mounting feature 1100 located within the mounting space 3010 of the mount 3000. However, if not located within the mounting space 3010, the first portion 1200 and the second portion 1220 of the mounting feature 1100 do not extend in parallel from the encoder scale disk. In the current embodiment, when not mounted, the first portion 1200 extends substantially radially from the center of the encoder scale disk 1000, and the second portion 1220 extends away from the first portion 1200, with the gap 1230 between the first portion 1200 and the second portion 1220 becoming larger the greater the radial distance from the center of the annular disk. This means that the mounting features 1100 must be forced together to fit within the space 3010 of the mount 3000.

[0052] When mounted on the mount 3000, the mounting feature 1100 exerts a tangential force on the mount, tangent to the peripheral edge 1120 of the encoder scale disk (i.e., in the directions of arrows A and B). This tangential force can be used to hold the encoder scale disk 1000 in place on the mount 3000.

[0053] A third embodiment is shown in Figure 12. Figure 12 shows a portion of the encoder scale disk 2000 mounted within the mount 4000, with mounting feature 2100 positioned within the space 4010 of the mount 4000. In this embodiment, mounting feature 2100 has a first portion 2200 and a second portion 2230. When positioned within the space 4010 of the mount 4000, the first portion 2200 exerts a substantially tangential force (i.e., in the direction of arrow C) on the outer edge of the encoder scale disk 2000 on the mount 4000, and the second portion 2230 exerts a force on the mount 4000 having both tangential and radial components with respect to the outer edge of the encoder scale disk (in this embodiment, the force exerted by the second portion 2230 on the mount 4000 is in the direction of arrow D).

[0054] In a fourth embodiment not shown, the mounting features for the encoder scale disk may include first and second parts, each of which, when mounted, exerts forces on the mount having both radial and tangential components with respect to the peripheral edge of the encoder scale disk. Figure 13 shows an articulated flexion head 5000 of a measuring device comprising an encoder and / or encoder scale disk according to one of the embodiments described above. The illustrated embodiment shows an articulated flexion head that forms part of a touch probe attached to a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). In this embodiment, the articulated flexion head can be rotated around a first axis A1 and a second axis A2. The encoder or encoder scale disk of the embodiments described above can be used to measure the movement of a portion of the articulated flexion head around the first axis A1 and / or the second axis A2.

[0055] In other embodiments, the encoder scale 152 does not have to be an optical scale, but may be an inductive scale, a capacitive scale, or a magnetic scale. In some embodiments, the scale 152 is an absolute scale. In other embodiments, the scale 152 may have both incremental and absolute features (having absolute position information as a separate scale track or embedded within the incremental scale).

[0056] In some embodiments, the number of radial elastic features may differ from those in the embodiments described above. In some embodiments, there may be one, two, four, five, or more radial elastic features. In some embodiments, the radial elastic features may be deflected radially inward from the periphery of the encoder scale disk, and in such embodiments, the mount of the encoder and / or laser marking device may have features such as projections extending radially inward, which interact with the radial elastic features of the encoder scale disk to apply a radially inward force to the radial elastic features (and thus apply a compressive load to the encoder scale disk).

[0057] In some embodiments, in addition to the compressive load applied to the encoder scale disk, adhesive can be used to secure the encoder scale disk to the mount.

[0058] In the embodiments described above, the mount 310 and the scale marking device are described as having identical features, but this may not be the case in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the features of the mount and the scale marking device may be similar; for example, in some embodiments, the geometric characteristics of the mount enclosure (in particular, the enclosure and mount gap) may be similar to or identical to the geometric characteristics of the scale marking device.

Claims

1. An apparatus including an encoder scale disk and mount, The apparatus is characterized in that the encoder scale disk includes radially elastic features and tangential elastic features, the radially elastic features and tangential elastic features are configured to interact with the mount so as to position the scale disk on the mount, and are located radially outward of the scale.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the encoder scale disk includes radially elastic features.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the radial elastic feature includes bending.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the radial elastic feature of the encoder scale disk is deflected radially from the disk.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the radially elastic feature is deflected radially outward from the disk.

6. An apparatus comprising an encoder scale disc and a mount, wherein, when mounted on the mount, the peripheral surface features of the encoder scale disc interact with the mount to place the encoder scale disc in a radially compressed position and to hold the encoder scale disc on the mount.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, when mounted on the mount, the characteristics of the surrounding surface of the encoder scale disk deform a part of the mount.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when mounted on the mount, the characteristics of the surrounding surface of the encoder scale disk are deformed by a part of the mount.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the deformation includes elastic deformation.

10. An apparatus comprising an encoder scale disk and a mount, characterized in that, when mounted, the encoder scale disk is positioned in a radially compressed state.

11. The encoder scale disk according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

12. A measuring device comprising the apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and / or the encoder scale disk according to claim 11.

13. A method for manufacturing an apparatus including an encoder scale disk, A device for imparting scale is provided with a disk having radially elastic features, wherein the radially elastic features of the disk interact with the device for imparting scale to place the disk in a radially compressed state, and To add scale to the aforementioned disk, Removing the disk from the device for applying the scale, Attaching the disk to the device, This includes, in no particular order, The device and apparatus for applying the scale have mounting features that interact with each other in the same manner to arrange the disk in radial compression.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein a scale is applied to the disk at a position radially inward of the radial elastic feature.

15. A method for manufacturing the apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, wherein when the apparatus is mounted on a mount for the device for applying the scale, the radial elastic properties of the disk cause the mount or a portion of each mount to deform.

16. The method for manufacturing the apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein when mounted on a mount of the device for applying the scale or on a mount of the apparatus, the radial elastic characteristics of the disk are deformed by the mount or a part of each mount.

17. A method for manufacturing the apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the device for imparting the scale and the apparatus include geometrically common features for interacting with the radial elastic features of the disk.

18. i) The disk moves between a first position and a second position relative to the mount of the device for applying the scale, and at the second position, the interaction between the mount of the device for applying the scale and the radially elastic feature applies a radially inward force to the disk, or ii) The method for manufacturing the apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the disk is moved between a first position and a second position relative to the mount of the apparatus, and the interaction between the mount and the radially elastic feature at the second position applies a radially inward force to the disk.

19. The method for manufacturing the apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the radially inward force applied to the disk at the second position is greater than the radially inward force applied to the disk by mounting the device for applying the scale or by mounting the apparatus at the first position.

20. A method for manufacturing the apparatus according to claim 18 or 19, wherein at the first position, there is a gap between the mount of the device for applying the scale or the mount of the apparatus and the radially elastic feature.

21. The manufacturing method according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the disk is rotated relative to a mount of a device for applying the scale, or a mount of the device between a first position and a second position.

Images