Transparent Conductive Coating Shielding for Optical Position Detector

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical position-measuring devices face challenges in effectively shielding against electrical interference fields, leading to erroneous position detection due to difficulties in producing and maintaining electrical contact with ground potential.

Innovation Solution

A compact and reliably shielded scanning unit is achieved by using a transparent, electrically insulating carrier with a scanning grating and a conductive cover plate that is easily connected to ground potential, featuring a transparent carrier with a detector arrangement and a conductive base body that shields electromagnetic fields on all sides, with a transparent, electrically conductive coating or lattice structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a transparent, electrically conductive shielding body is used to shield the detector arrangement from electromagnetic interference, then shielding effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity and difficulty of establishing electrical contact with ground potential increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshielding effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding structure is divided into multiple segments: a base body with conductive material, a transparent carrier holding the detector arrangement, and a cover plate with conductive coating. These segmented components are easier to manufacture individually and assemble than a single complex shielding body, while maintaining effective electromagnetic shielding through the combined structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Conductive adhesive serves as an intermediary substance to establish electrical contact between the conductive elements (base body, cover plate) and ground potential. This intermediary simplifies the manufacturing process compared to direct mechanical or soldered connections, as the adhesive simultaneously provides mechanical bonding and electrical conductivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If a transparent carrier with detector arrangement is used, then optical transparency is improved, but electrical insulation and shielding capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical transparencyVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference susceptibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different parts of the system have different electrical properties: the transparent carrier remains electrically insulating to maintain optical transparency, while the base body and cover plate are made conductive through embedded materials or coatings. This local differentiation allows the insulating carrier to transmit light while conductive elements provide electromagnetic shielding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding structure uses composite construction: a transparent insulating carrier (glass or plastic) combined with conductive elements (metal layers, conductive adhesives, conductive coatings). This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of optical transparency from the carrier and electromagnetic shielding from the conductive components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If electrical contact with ground potential is established through complex structures, then shielding reliability is improved, but production difficulty and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshielding reliabilityVSAvoidproduction time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Conductive adhesive is applied in advance to predetermined locations on the base body and cover plate during assembly. This preliminary application of conductive material ensures that electrical contact paths are established before final assembly, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing production time compared to post-assembly electrical connection methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive adhesive performs dual functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical bonding between components and establishes electrical contact with ground potential. This self-service capability eliminates the need for separate electrical connection steps, reducing production time while ensuring reliable shielding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 configuration provides effective shielding against electromagnetic interference, ensuring accurate position detection while simplifying production and electrical contacting, thereby enhancing the reliability and compactness of the scanning unit.

Implementation Method 1

The cover plate (15) is provided with a shield (16) to shield the side that is still open... The shield 16 is arranged on the surface facing the first surface 10 of the transparent support 5

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Implementation Method 2

the scanning unit 2 comprises a light source 4, the light of which strikes the scale 1, is modulated there by the measuring graduation 3 as a function of the position, and is reflected onto a detector arrangement 6

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection and modulation: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

The transparent carrier 5 has a scanning grating 7 which, in a known manner, consists of opaque areas and transparent areas arranged alternately next to one another. The scanning grating 7 serves to form a plurality of partial beams of rays which interact with the measuring graduation 3 of the scale 1

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentEP2063231B1Scanning unit of an optical position measuring device and position measuring device with this scanning unit
Publication Date: 2014.10.15 DR JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBH
  • EP2063231B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

In an optical position measuring device, the detector assembly (6) is shielded against electromagnetic interference. A transparent, electrically conductive coating (16) on a cover plate (15) serves as the shielding. The cover plate (15) covers a recess (21) in a base body (20) in which a transparent carrier (5) with the detector assembly (6) is housed. The detector assembly (6) is located on the underside of the carrier (5), and the carrier (5) is in turn attached to the cover plate (15) at its upper side.