Photoelectric Encoder Intermittent Drive Control for Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional absolute-type photoelectric encoders face high calculation complexity and power consumption due to continuous operation, which increases the load and energy usage.
Innovation Solution
An absolute-type photoelectric encoder with a control unit that intermittently drives the light emission and signal conversion units, utilizing a sample-and-hold circuit to stabilize signal conversion and reduce power consumption, along with a current control unit to maintain consistent light emission, thereby reducing calculation load and power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If continuous operation is used to ensure accurate position detection, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by intermittently driving the light emission unit and signal conversion unit instead of continuous operation. The control unit activates these components only when position measurement is required, then deactivates them to reduce power consumption, while still maintaining accurate absolute position detection when needed.
2Measurement precision
If continuous calculation of absolute position is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but calculation load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action to the calculation process by performing absolute position calculations only at intermittent intervals when measurement data is acquired, rather than continuous calculation. This reduces the calculation load on the control unit while maintaining accurate position measurement capabilities.
3Measurement precision
If continuous operation of light emission unit is used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by controlling the light emission unit to operate intermittently based on measurement requirements. The control unit manages the timing of light emission and signal conversion, simplifying the operational complexity while maintaining sufficient signal detection accuracy for precise position measurement.
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
The solution effectively decreases power consumption and calculation load by intermittent operation, ensuring stable position information calculation and accurate measurement while prolonging the life of the light source.
Implementation Method 1
a light receiving unit configured to output a plurality of photocurrent signals obtained by receiving light emitted from a light emission unit, via a scale
Data Source
AI summary
A photoelectric encoder includes light receiving units configured to output a plurality of photocurrent signals obtained by receiving light emitted from a light emission unit, via a scale, a signal conversion unit configured to output a conversion signal by converting the plurality of photocurrent signals, a position calculation unit configured to calculate an absolute position based on the conversion signal, and a microcomputer configured to perform drive control of the light emission unit, the signal conversion unit, and the position calculation unit. The microcomputer intermittently drives at least either one of the light emission unit and the signal conversion unit, and causes the position calculation unit to execute calculation according to a timing of intermit driving.