Absolute Encoder Worm Gear Transmission Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing absolute encoders face challenges in reducing thickness while maintaining strength, as thinning components lead to increased vulnerability to vibration and impact.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a configuration with a main spindle, rotating bodies, worm gears, and angular sensors to determine rotation amounts by dividing the rotation angle, allowing for a balance between thickness reduction and maintaining strength through a bent transmission path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the absolute encoder is thinned by reducing component dimensions in the axial direction, then the thickness is reduced, but the strength decreases and breakage becomes more likely under vibration or impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reconfigures the transmission path from an axial stacked arrangement to a planar bent path using worm gears. The transmission mechanism is arranged in a bent configuration where the input shaft and detection gear are positioned at different locations along the bent path, allowing the encoder to achieve thinness in the axial direction while maintaining structural strength through the bent transmission geometry.
2Length of moving object
If a bent transmission path is used to reduce thickness, then the axial dimension is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs nested gearing mechanisms where worm gears are integrated into the transmission path. The worm gear on the input shaft engages with a worm wheel, which in turn drives another worm gear in sequence, creating a compact nested arrangement that achieves the bent transmission path while maintaining a streamlined structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate rotating bodies and worm gears as mediators in the transmission path. These intermediate elements facilitate the bent transmission configuration by transferring rotation between shafts at different orientations, enabling the thin profile while managing the complexity through standardized intermediate components.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides an absolute encoder suitable for reduction in thickness. An absolute encoder, for determining a rotation amount of a main spindle that rotates a plurality of revolutions, includes a first drive gear configured to rotate in accordance with rotation of the main spindle; a first driven gear that engages with the first drive gear; a second drive gear configured to rotate in accordance with rotation of the first driven gear; a second driven gear that engages with the second drive gear; and an angular sensor configured to detect a rotation angle at which a second rotating body is rotated in accordance with rotation of the second driven gear.