Absolute position encoder utilizing single track configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing absolute position encoders require multiple tracks, which increases their footprint and limits their ability to provide compact size, high resolution, accuracy, and robustness to contamination.
Innovation Solution
An absolute position encoder is designed with a single track configuration, where the scale and detector portions are stacked or interleaved, utilizing a field generating portion and sensing elements to measure absolute position without the need for multiple tracks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple tracks are used for absolute position encoding, then positioning robustness is improved, but device footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a planar multi-track layout to a three-dimensional stacked configuration. Multiple encoder tracks are arranged vertically along the z-axis rather than horizontally, allowing absolute position encoding with multiple tracks while maintaining a compact footprint. The detector portion includes multiple detector elements stacked at different heights, each corresponding to a different track, enabling absolute positioning without increasing the lateral footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where multiple encoder tracks are integrated within a single vertical column space. The first track and second track are positioned at different heights within the same lateral footprint, with detector elements for each track nested vertically. This nesting approach allows multiple tracks to coexist in a compact volume, resolving the contradiction between positioning robustness and footprint size.
2Measurement precision
If multiple tracks are used for absolute position encoding, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the encoder into distinct vertical layers, with each layer containing a complete track-s detector element set. The first track with its detector elements is separated from the second track with its detector elements along the vertical axis. This segmentation allows each track to function independently for high-precision measurement while the modular vertical structure reduces overall system complexity compared to integrated multi-track designs.
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 single track configuration enables miniaturization while maintaining high resolution and robustness to contamination, improving the encoder's performance in compact applications.
Implementation Method 1
a field generating portion configured to generate changing magnetic flux in response to drive signals
Implementation Method 2
a sensing portion including a first set of first sensing elements configured to operate in conjunction with first signal modulating scale elements
Data Source
AI summary
An inductive type absolute electronic position encoder utilizing a single track configuration is provided. The encoder includes a scale portion and a detector portion configured to move relative to each other along a measuring axis direction. The scale portion includes a first scale element portion and a second scale element portion. The detector portion includes a field generating portion configured to generate changing magnetic flux, and a sensing portion including a first sensing element portion configured to operate with the first scale element portion and a second sensing element portion configured to operate with the second scale element portion. The detector portion and the scale portion are arranged in a single track configuration in which the first and second scale element portions are stacked relative to one another and the first and second sensing element portions are at least one of stacked or interleaved relative to one another.