Reference Impulse Generation for Position Measuring Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Incremental position measuring devices face challenges in generating a reference pulse with a defined position and width, leading to errors due to mechanical and thermal fluctuations, especially at high resolutions, where existing methods are complex and ineffective.
Innovation Solution
An arrangement and method that store the analog reference pulse and generate a reference pulse based on set and reset conditions derived from position signals, using a reference pulse storage unit and generation unit to ensure a consistent and accurate reference pulse, independent of mechanical adjustments and thermal effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mechanical adjustment of the scanning unit is used to set the reference pulse position and width, then the reference pulse can be initially positioned, but thermal expansion and contamination effects cause critical position and width variations even with exact mechanical adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical adjustment methods with a digital signal processing approach. Instead of mechanically positioning the scanning unit to set reference pulse parameters, the invention uses electronic storage of the analog reference pulse and digital generation of the final reference pulse based on stored position signals, eliminating sensitivity to thermal expansion and mechanical drift.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from fixed mechanical parameters to dynamically adjustable digital parameters. The reference pulse position and width are no longer fixed by mechanical adjustment but are determined by digital processing of position signals, allowing adaptation to thermal and environmental variations without physical repositioning.
2Measurement precision
If mechanical and electrical adjustment methods are used to set reference pulse parameters, then initial positioning is achieved, but the adjustment effort increases significantly with higher resolution requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms by implementing a fully electronic solution. The scanning unit position is no longer adjusted mechanically to achieve high resolution; instead, the reference pulse is generated digitally based on stored position signals, reducing adjustment complexity while maintaining or improving resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the reference pulse characteristics by storing the analog reference pulse and its associated position signals. This stored information is then used to regenerate the reference pulse with precise position and width control, eliminating the need for repeated mechanical adjustments when changing resolution requirements.
3Measurement precision
If the reference pulse width is set too narrow, then the position precision is maintained, but the reference pulse may not be recognized by subsequent electronics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by storing the analog reference pulse and its position signals, then using this stored information to control the generation of the final reference pulse. The system monitors position signals and adjusts the reference pulse width dynamically to ensure it is wide enough for reliable detection while maintaining position accuracy, preventing the binary choice between narrow and wide pulses.
4Reliability
If the reference pulse width is set too wide, then the reference pulse is easily recognized, but it may be detected in two places leading to position errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback from stored position signals to dynamically control the reference pulse width. The system adjusts the pulse width based on the actual position signal characteristics, ensuring it is wide enough for reliable detection but narrow enough to be detected at only one position, thereby preventing duplicate detection errors while maintaining recognition reliability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an arrangement and to a method for generating a reference impulse (RI) for a position measuring device comprising a material measure (10) having at least one incremental track (20) and at least one reference mark (32), and to a scanning device (40) for generating position signals (PO, P90) by scanning the at least one incremental track (20) and for generating an analog reference impulse (RI_A) by scanning the at least one reference mark (32). The arrangement according to the invention comprises a reference impulse storage unit (200), in which the analog reference impulse (RI_A) can be stored as a stored reference impulse (RI_M). The stored reference impulse (RI_M) and the at least one position signal (PO, P90) are fed to a reference impulse generating unit (220) which switches on reference impulse (RI) according to the stored reference impulse (RI_M) and to the occurrence of a set condition and which switches off the reference impulse when a reset condition occurs, wherein the set and reset conditions can be derived from the at least one position signal (PO, P90). The invention further relates to a position measuring device having an arrangement according to the invention.