Angle Encoder Gray Code Boosting for Higher Angular Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional angle encoders face limitations in angular resolution, accuracy, and miniaturization due to factors like limited reading apparatus capability, difficulty in manufacturing small-size segments, and mechanical fragility, which restrict further improvements in resolution and precision.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an angle encoder with a boosted cyclic Gray code pattern, comprising n base encoder channels and m Booster channels, where each segment stores binary data, and a reader measures the capacitance, electrical signals, or optical changes to determine the current angle, using a Bayesian estimator for enhanced precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional encoder patterns with limited channels are used, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision and angular resolution are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The encoder pattern is segmented into multiple functional components: base encoder channels for standard measurement and Booster channels for enhanced precision. Each channel is further divided into segments with specific binary patterns, allowing the system to achieve higher angular resolution by combining information from multiple segmented channels rather than relying on a single complex channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds an additional dimension to the encoder pattern by introducing Booster channels that operate alongside base channels. These Booster channels provide supplementary binary information that resolves ambiguities and enhances the precision of angle detection, effectively adding a new layer of measurement capability without fundamentally redesigning the entire encoder system.
2Measurement precision
If the number of encoder channels is increased to improve precision, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The encoder pattern is segmented into multiple functional components: base encoder channels for standard measurement and Booster channels for enhanced precision. Each channel is further divided into segments with specific binary patterns, allowing the system to achieve higher angular resolution by combining information from multiple segmented channels rather than relying on a single complex channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds an additional dimension to the encoder pattern by introducing Booster channels that operate alongside base channels. These Booster channels provide supplementary binary information that resolves ambiguities and enhances the precision of angle detection, effectively adding a new layer of measurement capability without fundamentally redesigning the entire encoder system.
3Measurement precision
If smaller segments are manufactured to increase resolution, then the angular resolution improves, but the manufacturing precision requirements become more difficult to meet
Solution Approach 1:
The encoder pattern is segmented into multiple functional components: base encoder channels for standard measurement and Booster channels for enhanced precision. Each channel is further divided into segments with specific binary patterns, allowing the system to achieve higher angular resolution by combining information from multiple segmented channels rather than relying on a single complex channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the encoder pattern by introducing Booster channels with specific binary patterns (alternating 0s and 1s) that are offset from base channels. This parameter change allows the system to achieve higher effective resolution through computational combination of channel data rather than relying solely on physically smaller segments, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements.
4Reliability
If more encoder channels are added to reduce error possibilities, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The encoder pattern is segmented into multiple functional components: base encoder channels for standard measurement and Booster channels for enhanced precision. Each channel is further divided into segments with specific binary patterns, allowing the system to achieve higher angular resolution by combining information from multiple segmented channels rather than relying on a single complex channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The Booster channels provide feedback information that helps verify and correct readings from base channels. The alternating binary patterns in Booster channels create a cross-validation mechanism that reduces error possibilities by comparing multiple independent measurement paths, thereby improving reliability without requiring a complete redesign of the encoder architecture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach increases the minimum cross-codeword width, reducing error possibilities and enabling higher angular measurement resolution, thus improving the accuracy and precision of angle detection beyond conventional limits.
Implementation Method 1
the reader measures the capacitance, electrical signals, or optical changes to determine the current angle
Implementation Method 2
the reader measures the capacitance, electrical signals, or optical changes to determine the current angle
Data Source
AI summary
An angle encoder has first and second components rotatable with respect to each other, and an encoder pattern having codewords for indicating the angle between the first and second components. The encoder pattern has a set of base encoder channels coded with a conventional Gray code, and a set of Booster channels for improving the resolution of angle measurement.