Photoelectric Encoder Aperture Spatial Frequency Filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional photoelectric encoders suffer from reduced measurement accuracy due to the detection of unwanted harmonic components from optical gratings, which lowers the contrast and increases distortion in image formation, affecting the precision of position measurement.

Innovation Solution

The design of a photoelectric encoder that filters out unwanted harmonic components by using a specific aperture size and configuration in the imaging optical system, ensuring only the fundamental spatial frequency is detected, thereby stabilizing position measurement and improving accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a telecentric optical system is used to form an image of the optical grating, then the relative position change can be detected, but high frequency components are generated that lower image contrast and increase distortion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition measurement accuracyVSAvoidharmonic components from optical grating
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the harmful high frequency components (harmonics) from the optical signal by using an aperture to block these components while allowing the fundamental spatial frequency to pass through, thereby eliminating the source of measurement error

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the spatial frequency parameters by filtering out frequencies above the fundamental spatial frequency of the optical grating, transforming the signal to contain only the desired frequency component for accurate measurement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the aperture size is increased to allow more light through, then the signal intensity increases, but high frequency components are not filtered and measurement accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight signal intensityVSAvoidposition measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the aperture size parameter to a specific value that simultaneously achieves two goals: allowing sufficient light intensity to pass through for good signal strength, and blocking high frequency components to ensure measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the aperture size is decreased to filter high frequency components, then measurement accuracy improves, but the light signal intensity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition measurement accuracyVSAvoidlight signal intensity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent determines the optimal aperture size parameter that balances signal intensity and filtering effectiveness, ensuring sufficient light passes through while blocking harmful high frequency components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enhances measurement position accuracy by eliminating high-frequency components, resulting in a more stable and precise position measurement while maintaining high contrast for the fundamental spatial frequency, thus improving the overall performance of the encoder.

Implementation Method 1

light emitted from a light source is modulated by an optical grating that is disposed on a scale at constant intervals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 2

the imaging optical system has a first aperture through which part of the light modulated by the optical grating is allowed to transmit, the first aperture having a size which is required when a cutoff spatial frequency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpatial filtering: Spatial Filter

Data Source

PatentEP2314990B1Photoelectric encoder
Publication Date: 2014.05.14 MITUTOYO CORP
  • EP2314990B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2314990B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2314990B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A photoelectric encoder in which light emitted from a light source is modulated by an optical grating and the modulated light is detected by a light receiving element, includes a one-side telecentric optical system which forms an image of the light modulated by the optical grating. The imaging optical system has an aperture through which part of the light modulated by the optical grating is allowed to transmit, the aperture having a size which is required when a cutoff spatial frequency that is a spatial frequency indicating a resolution limit of the imaging optical system due to the light emitted from the light source has a value between a fundamental spatial frequency of the optical grating obtained by a Fourier transformation and a second harmonic of the fundamental spatial frequency.