JP2018128413A - Optical scanning light guide encoder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical scanning light guide encoder.SOLUTION: The optical scanning light guide encoder according to the invention comprises a light guide barrier wheel, a light-emitting module and a photosensor module. The photosensor module includes a plurality of sensor elements close to the light guide barrier wheel. A plurality of exposure sensor areas of the plurality of sensor elements are positioned in a shifted manner from each other in a crosswise direction, and provided extending along a plurality of different horizontal lines parallel to each other in the crosswise direction. The optical scanning light guide encoder according to the invention makes beams to be projected to the photosensor module coincide with the plurality of exposure sensor areas of the plurality of sensor elements each other, thereby to improve the resolution power of the encoder under the condition that the size of the light guide barrier wheel and the number of blades are not increased.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an encoder, and more particularly to an optical scanning light guide encoder.

  On the monitor of the current computer, the position of data to be processed is moved to a specific data position on the monitor by using a mouse. In general, the main structure of a mouse includes two sets of an X-axis encoder and a Y-axis encoder that can output a sequence logic signal (for example, 11, 10, 00, 01). The data position to be processed on the monitor is relatively moved by pressing the bottom surface of the mouse against a table or other plane and moving it in a specific direction. The principle of moving the data position on the monitor with the mouse is basically to generate the movement of the point on the plane by simultaneously operating the X-axis encoder and the Y-axis encoder. In other words, when the X-axis encoder or the Y-axis encoder is operated alone, only points on the straight line can be moved. The encoder is generally composed of a light emitting module (for example, a light emitting diode), a blade type barrier wheel, and an optical sensor module. The blade type barrier wheel has a structure similar to a mechanical gear. During operation, the blade type barrier wheel is rotated so that the light emitted from the light emitting module is blocked or not blocked by the blade type barrier wheel. Since the shielded light is not projected onto the optical sensor module, an OFF (0) signal is generated by the optical sensor module. On the other hand, since the light that has not been shielded is received by the optical sensor module, an ON (1) signal is generated by the sensor. After the above-described OFF (0) and ON (1) signals are sequentially generated, one sequence signal is formed. For example, when the blade-type barrier wheel rotates clockwise, the sequence signal generated by the sensor becomes a continuous overlapping signal of 11, 10, 00, 01, 11, 10, 00, 01. When it rotates around, it becomes a continuous overlapping signal of 01, 00, 10, 11, 01, 00, 10, 11, 10. These sequence signals are used for encoding by a circuit.

  In general, the greater the number of blades included in a blade-type barrier wheel and the shorter the distance between the two sensors, the higher the resolution (CPR, Count per Round). However, when the depression angle between two adjacent blades of the blade-type barrier wheel decreases, that is, when the number of blades increases, the outer diameter of the barrier wheel increases. If it is not desired to increase the outer diameter of the barrier wheel, it is necessary to reduce the width of the blade. However, there is a limit to reducing the blade width due to the light diffraction phenomenon. Specifically, if there is an excessive number of blades, light will be diffracted as it passes through the blades of the barrier wheel, the light will not be shielded by the blades of the barrier wheel, and the barrier wheel will be either clockwise or counterclockwise. Regardless of whether it rotates in the direction of, the signals generated by the two sensors all become continuously ON (1) signals, and different sequence signals are generated depending on the direction in which the mouse slides. There was a problem that could not be.

  This will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B. FIG. 1A is a view showing the arrangement of a prior art light guide encoder, and FIG. 1B is a view showing a blade of a light guide barrier wheel 1 of the prior art light guide encoder and a local part of an optical sensor module 3. is there. In order to solve the problem of light diffraction, the technical means used in the prior art uses a light guide type barrier wheel 1 having a plurality of continuously arranged spherical surfaces as light exit surfaces, so that the emitted light is spherical. To focus through. As shown in FIG. 1B, the optical sensor module 3 includes an optical sensor chip S1 and an optical sensor chip S2 provided on the same vertical axis. The light emitted from the light guide type barrier wheel 1 is focused on the first exposure sensor region 31 and / or the second exposure sensor region 32 of the optical sensor module 3. Specifically, the light guide type barrier wheel 1 of the light guide type encoder in the prior art has a first position (1), a second position (2), a third position (3), and a fourth position ( When rotated to 4), signals [1, 1], [0, 1], [1, 0] and [0, 0] can be generated, respectively. However, as can be seen from FIG. 1B, the light guiding barrier wheel 1 of the prior art cannot complete a set of encoding sequences including the four signals described above without using two blades.

  As described above, in the above-described technical means of the prior art, after the light inside the light guide type barrier wheel 1 passes through the spherical surface, the width thereof decreases with the traveling distance by focusing. Therefore, unless the distance between the optical sensor module 3 and the light guide type barrier wheel 1 is accurately controlled, the optical sensor module 3 may receive light from the light guide type barrier wheel 1 and generate a signal. It can't be secured. Furthermore, in the prior art, the optical sensor chip S1 and the optical sensor chip S2 of the optical sensor module 3 are provided along the same vertical axis. Therefore, if the light guide type barrier wheel 1 is not provided with two blades, one encoding procedure or a sequence of [1, 1], [1, 0], [0, 1] and [0, 0] is performed. Since it cannot be completed, there is a problem that the resolution of the light guide encoder cannot be significantly improved.

  Therefore, how to improve the resolution of the light guide encoder under the condition that the size of the barrier wheel and the number of blades are not increased or increased is a problem that is expected to be solved in this technical field.

  In order to solve the above technical problem, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical scanning light guide encoder. In one embodiment, an optical scanning light guide encoder according to the present invention includes a light guide barrier wheel, a light emitting module, and an optical sensor module. The optical sensor module includes a plurality of sensor elements proximate to the light guide type barrier wheel. Each sensor element has an exposure sensor region. The plurality of exposure sensor regions of the plurality of sensor elements are provided so as to be laterally shifted from each other and extend in the lateral direction along a plurality of different horizontal lines parallel to each other.

  In another embodiment, an optical scanning light guide encoder according to the present invention includes a light guide barrier wheel, a light emitting module, and an optical sensor module. The light guide type barrier wheel includes a light guide main body and a gear-like structure having a plurality of aspherical protrusions. The light emitting module is close to the light guide type barrier wheel. Incident light generated by the light emitting module enters the light-guiding barrier wheel from the annular light incident surface so as to form parallel light projected on the photosensor module or quasi-parallel light close to parallel light. The width of the parallel or quasi-parallel light is equal to the width of the light exit surface and is adjusted by the curvature of the apex curved surface of the aspherical protrusion.

  In still another embodiment, an optical scanning light guide encoder according to the present invention includes a light guide type barrier wheel, a light emitting module, and a light sensor module. The light guide type barrier wheel includes a light guide main body and a gear-like structure having a plurality of protrusions. The light emitting module is close to the light guide type barrier wheel. The photosensor module is close to the light guiding barrier wheel. The width of each protrusion of the gear-like structure is equal to the width of the optical sensor module.

  The optical scanning light guide encoder according to the present invention is described as follows: “Each sensor element has an exposure sensor region, and a plurality of exposure sensor regions of the plurality of sensor elements are positioned laterally shifted from each other and are parallel to each other. Are provided so as to extend in the horizontal direction along different horizontal lines, so that the parallel light or quasi-parallel light projected on the optical sensor module and the exposure sensor regions of the plurality of sensor elements are made to coincide with each other. It is possible to improve the disassembling ability of the encoder under the condition that the size of the light guiding barrier wheel and the number of blades are not increased or increased. Furthermore, with the above-described configuration, the light guide encoder according to the present invention can avoid the occurrence of light diffraction.

It is the figure which showed arrangement | positioning of the light guide type encoder of a prior art. It is the figure which showed the production | generation of the encoding sequence in the light guide type encoder of a prior art. It is the figure which showed arrangement | positioning of the optical scanning-type light guide encoder which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is the figure which showed arrangement | positioning of the optical scanning-type light guide encoder which concerns on the other Example of this invention. 1 is a perspective view of a light guide barrier wheel of an optical scanning light guide encoder according to one embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of the light guide type barrier wheel of the optical scanning type light guide encoder which concerns on one Example of this invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5 of the light guide barrier wheel of the optical scanning light guide encoder according to one embodiment of the present invention. It is an enlarged view of A part in FIG. It is the figure which showed the local part of the tooth-like structure of the conventional light guide encoder. It is the figure which showed the local part of the tooth-like structure of the optical scanning-type light guide encoder which concerns on one Example of this invention. FIG. 8 is a local sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is another local cross-sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. 7. Correlation between parallel light or quasi-parallel light and optical sensor module when light guide barrier wheel of optical scanning light guide encoder according to first embodiment of the present invention is rotated to the first position FIG. Correlation between parallel light or quasi-parallel light and optical sensor module when light guide type barrier wheel of optical scanning type light guide encoder according to first embodiment of the present invention is rotated to the second position FIG. Correlation between parallel light or quasi-parallel light and optical sensor module when light guide barrier wheel of optical scanning light guide encoder according to first embodiment of the present invention is rotated to the third position FIG. Correlation between parallel light or quasi-parallel light and optical sensor module when light guide barrier wheel of optical scanning light guide encoder according to first embodiment of the present invention is rotated to the fourth position FIG. Correlation between parallel light or quasi-parallel light and optical sensor module when light guide barrier wheel of optical scanning light guide encoder according to second embodiment of the present invention rotates to first position FIG. Correlation between parallel light or quasi-parallel light and optical sensor module when light guide barrier wheel of optical scanning light guide encoder according to second embodiment of the present invention is rotated to the second position FIG. Correlation between parallel light or quasi-parallel light and optical sensor module when light guide barrier wheel of optical scanning light guide encoder according to second embodiment of the present invention is rotated to the third position FIG. Correlation between parallel light or quasi-parallel light and optical sensor module when light guide barrier wheel of optical scanning light guide encoder according to second embodiment of the present invention is rotated to the fourth position FIG. It is a figure which shows producing | generating a signal, after the diffraction grating and optical sensor module of the optical scanning light guide encoder which concern on 2nd Example of this invention receive light. Correlation between parallel light or quasi-parallel light and optical sensor module when light guide barrier wheel of optical scanning light guide encoder according to third embodiment of the present invention is rotated to the first position FIG. It is a figure which shows producing | generating a signal, after the optical sensor module used in FIG. 21 receives light. Correlation between parallel light or quasi-parallel light and optical sensor module when light guide type barrier wheel of optical scanning type light guide encoder according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is rotated to the first position FIG. It is a figure which shows producing | generating a signal after the optical sensor module used in FIG. 23 receives light.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an optical scanning light guide encoder according to the invention will be described based on specific examples. Those skilled in the art can understand the advantages and effects of the present invention according to the contents disclosed in the present specification. The present invention can be implemented or applied based on other different embodiments. Various modifications and changes can be made to the details in this specification without departing from the spirit of the present invention based on different viewpoints and applications. Further, the drawings of the present invention are merely simplified for ease of explanation, and are not drawn based on actual dimensions. In the following embodiments, the technical contents related to the present invention will be described in more detail, but the contents do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

  First, it demonstrates using FIG.2 and FIG.3. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the optical scanning light guide encoder E according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an arrangement of an optical scanning light guide encoder E according to another embodiment of the present invention. The optical scanning light guide encoder E includes a light guide barrier wheel 1, a light emitting module 2, and an optical sensor module 3. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the light guide type barrier wheel 1, the light emitting module 2, and the optical sensor module 3 may be arranged to form an angle of 90 °. In other words, the light emitting module 2 and the optical sensor module 3 may be disposed at an angle of 90 ° with respect to the light guide type barrier wheel 1. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the light emitting module 2 and the optical sensor module 3 may be disposed on the same side of the light guide type barrier wheel 1. For example, the light emitting module 2 and the optical sensor module 3 may be provided on the same mounted object. As shown in FIG. 3, the optical scanning light guide encoder E according to the embodiment of the present invention further includes a reflecting mirror 5. The reflecting mirror 5 is provided on one side of the light guiding barrier wheel 1 so as to reflect the parallel light or quasi-parallel light P from the light guiding barrier wheel 1 to the optical sensor module 3. The optical scanning light guide encoder E according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a diffraction grating 4 provided between the light guide barrier wheel 1 and the optical sensor module 3. The diffraction grating 4 is a selective member.

  Next, description will be made with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the light guide barrier wheel 1 of the optical scanning light guide encoder E according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the light guide barrier wheel 1 of the optical scanning light guide encoder E according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5 of the light guide barrier wheel 1 of the optical scanning light guide encoder E according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The light guide type barrier wheel 1 is made of a light guide material. For example, the light guiding barrier wheel 1 is made of glass, acrylic or polycarbonate (PC), or any combination of these materials. However, the material of the light guide type barrier wheel 1 of the present invention is not limited thereto. The light guide type barrier wheel 1 includes a light guide body 101 and a gear-like structure 102. The light guide body 101 has an annular light incident surface 11 and an annular reflecting surface 12 corresponding to the annular light incident surface 11. The gear-like structure 102 has an annular light exit surface 13 composed of a plurality of aspherical surfaces 130 that have a main axis without a center and are sequentially continuous. The gear-like structure 102 is configured by sequentially connecting a plurality of aspherical protrusions 1020 so as to make one round. In the present invention, the aspherical protrusion may be replaced by a spherical protrusion. Specifically, the annular light incident surface 11 is provided on the surface of the light guide type barrier wheel 1 facing the light emitting module 2 along the outer edge of the light guide type barrier wheel 1. The annular light incident surface 11 may have a convex lens structure for focusing the incident light L generated by the light emitting module 2. The annular reflecting surface 12 is used to generate reflected light R directed toward the annular light exiting surface 13 by reflecting incident light L generated by the light emitting module 2 and focused through the annular light incident surface 11. Furthermore, the annular reflecting surface 12 is a slope inclined with respect to the axis X of the light guide type barrier wheel 1. For example, the inclination angle is about 45 degrees. As shown in FIG. 5, the annular reflecting surface 12 is formed by forming a concave groove having a triangular cross section on the surface of the light guide type barrier wheel 1, and the depth of the concave groove is determined by the light guide type barrier wheel. It gradually decreases from the center of 1 toward the outside.

  Next, description will be made by using FIGS. 7 to 11 together with the contents of FIG. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion A in FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a local portion of a tooth structure of a conventional encoder. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a local portion of the tooth-like structure of the optical scanning light guide encoder according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a local cross-sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is another local cross-sectional view of the structure shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the annular light exit surface 13 is composed of a plurality of aspheric surfaces 130 that are sequentially continuous. The aspherical surface 130 is composed of two reflecting surfaces 13a and a light emitting surface 13b connected between the two reflecting surfaces 13a. The reflective surface 13a may be a reflective flat surface, and the light exit surface 13b may be an aspherical light exit surface, for example, a hyperboloid, paraboloid or elliptical light exit surface.

  Next, description will be made with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 8, in a conventional light guide encoder, a spherical structure S having a spherical center is usually used to form a light exit surface of a blade type barrier wheel in the encoder, and light is emitted from the spherical structure S. It was projected on the sensor. However, since it has a function of focusing on the spherical surface itself, the light emitted from the spherical structure S is focused, and the light at different positions has different widths.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the difference from the conventional spherical structure is that in the present invention, the aspherical structure A does not have a spherical center but has a principal axis. Light emitted from an aspherical structure A, for example, a paraboloid, becomes parallel light or quasi-parallel light close to parallel light. In the embodiment of the present invention, the light exit surface 13b is configured by using, for example, a hyperboloid or a paraboloid as the aspheric structure A. Thus, by configuring the annular light exit surface 13 using the aspheric surface 130, it is possible to ensure that the light leaving the light guide barrier wheel 1 from the annular light exit surface 13 has a stable width W. Accordingly, the parallel or quasi-parallel light having the stable width W and the light sensor element or light exposure sensor region having the specific width and arrangement method are made to coincide with each other, thereby generating an encoder signal having high resolution. An effect is obtained. Specifically, in the present invention, since the light away from the light guide type barrier wheel 1 has a stable width W, the size and arrangement method of the exposed sensor region of the photosensor element of the photosensor module 3 By controlling the size of the aspherical surface 130 of the light guide type barrier wheel 1, the resolution of the optical scanning light guide encoder E can be effectively improved. Details of the combination of the annular light exit surface 13 and the exposure sensor region of the optical sensor element in the optical sensor module 3 will be described in detail below.

As shown in FIG. 10, each aspherical surface 130 is constituted by a _first surface a ₁ , a _second surface a ₂ , a _third surface a _3, and a _fourth surface a _{4 that} are sequentially continuous. The first surface a ₁ and the fourth surface a ₄ are reflection surfaces 13a. The light emission surface 13b is constituted by the second surface a ₂ and the third surface a ₃ connected between the first surface a ₁ and the fourth surface a ₄ . In the present invention, since the incident angle of the reflected light R projected on the reflecting surface 13a is equal to the reflected angle, the reflected light R is reflected and travels toward the inside of the single-layer light guide type barrier wheel 1. Accordingly, the light exit surface 13b (the second surface a ₂ and the third surface a ₃ ) is a portion through which the reflected light R can pass through the annular light exit surface 13, and the reflected light R passes through the light exit surface 13b. It becomes parallel light or quasi-parallel light P. On the other hand, when the reflected light R is directed to the reflecting surface 13a (the first surface a ₁ or the fourth surface a ₄ ) of the annular light emitting surface 13, the reflected light R passes directly through the light guide type barrier wheel 1. Can't be injected.

The first surface a ₁ , the second surface a ₂ , the third surface a _3, and the fourth surface a ₄ may have the same vertical projection area. In other words, as shown in FIG. 10, the first surface a ₁ , the second surface a ₂ , the third surface a _3, and the fourth surface a ₄ may have the same projection width d. Good. At this time, the projection widths of the second surface a ₂ and the third surface a ₃ of the light exit surface 13b occupy a half of the total projection width. However, the arrangement of the first surface a ₁ , the second surface a ₂ , the third surface a _3, and the fourth surface a ₄ can be adjusted as necessary. By adjusting the curvature of the light exit surface 13b, the width of the parallel light or quasi-parallel light P that is separated from the light guide type barrier wheel 1 can be adjusted. In other words, the width of the parallel light or the quasi-parallel light P can be adjusted by the curvature of the apex curved surface of the aspherical protrusion 1020.

This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 shows an expected light exit path of the reflected light R toward the aspherical surface 130. Reflected light R, the reflecting surface 13a is reflected toward the (corresponding to the first surface a ₁ shown in FIG. 10), then the light exit surface 13b (second surface a ₂ and a third surface a shown in FIG. 10 (Corresponding to ₃ ) and emitted from the aspherical surface 130 as parallel light or quasi-parallel light P through the light exit surface 13b.

  With the above-described configuration, in the embodiment of the present invention, the reflected light R is reflected by the other part of the corresponding aspherical surface 130 (reflecting surface 13a) by rotating the light guide barrier wheel 1, or By a circuit having a high resolution by passing through a certain part (light-emitting surface 13b) of the corresponding aspherical surface 130 and passing through the diffraction grating 4 as parallel light or quasi-parallel light P and thereby being projected to the optical sensor module 3. An encoder signal is generated.

  Next, description will be made again with reference to FIGS. The light emitting module 2 is provided below the annular light incident surface 11 and is used to generate incident light L toward the annular light incident surface 11. For example, the light emitting module 2 may be at least one light emitting diode. However, a specific embodiment of the light emitting module 2 is not limited to this.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the optical sensor module 3 is provided in the vicinity of the annular light exit surface 13 and receives parallel light or quasi-parallel light P emitted through the light exit surface 13 b in the aspherical surface 130 of the annular light exit surface 13. Used to do. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, the optical sensor module 3 is provided on one side of the annular light incident surface 11 of the light guide type barrier wheel 1, and uses the refraction by the reflecting mirror 5 to make the non-circular light exit surface 13 non-circular. You may make it receive the parallel light or quasi-parallel light P inject | emitted from the light emission surface 13b in the spherical surface 130. FIG.

  The embodiment of the optical sensor module 3 changes based on whether or not the diffraction grating 4 is present. For example, when the optical scanning light guide encoder E does not include the diffraction grating 4, the optical sensor module 3 includes a plurality of sensor elements for receiving parallel light or quasi-parallel light P emitted from the aspherical surface 130. Specifically, the sensor elements of the optical sensor module 3 have specific dimensions, are arranged on the surface of the optical sensor module 3 based on a specific method, and are aligned with the aspherical surface 130 of the light guide type barrier wheel 1. Used to generate signals. In the embodiment without the diffraction grating 4, the plurality of sensor elements are provided so as to be laterally displaced from each other and extend in the lateral direction along a plurality of different horizontal lines parallel to each other.

  On the other hand, when the optical scanning light guide encoder E includes the diffraction grating 4, the diffraction grating 4 is provided between the light guide barrier wheel 1 and the optical sensor module 3 and includes a plurality of slit-shaped openings. At this time, the optical sensor module 3 is composed of a plurality of elongated sensor elements, and the slit-shaped opening is a specific area of the sensor element so that the optical sensor module 3 has a plurality of exposed sensor areas. Used to expose

  In order to obtain the technical effect of improving the resolution of the optical scanning light guide encoder E, the width of the aspherical protrusion 1020 of the light guide barrier wheel 1 and the width of the light exit surface 13b are combined with each other as described above. The width of the plurality of sensor elements and the exposure sensor area of the sensor elements must be controlled. Thereby, in the optical scanning light guide encoder E according to the embodiment of the present invention, the optical sensor module 3 can generate one complete encoding sequence only by using a single aspherical protrusion 1020. (For example, [0, 0], [0, 1], [1, 0] and [1, 1] signals are generated by one aspheric protrusion at a time). Detailed means and parameters of the control described above will be described in detail in the following specific embodiments.

In the present invention, the number of sensor elements and exposure sensor regions included in the optical sensor module 3 can be adjusted as necessary. For example, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, the optical sensor module 3 includes a first sensor element 31 ′ and a second sensor element for receiving parallel light or quasi-parallel light P emitted from the aspherical surface 130. 32 'is included. The first sensor element 31 ′ and the second sensor element 32 ′ were provided in parallel to each other. Based on the state of receiving parallel light or quasi-parallel light P, the optical sensor module 3 generates signals [0, 0], [0, 1], [1, 1], and [1, 0]. Can do. In other words, it is possible to generate two ^two signals using two sensor elements. Further, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 23, the optical sensor module 3 may include three or four sensor elements. Each of the sensor elements described above has one or a plurality of exposed sensor regions exposed from the openings of the diffraction grating 4.

  More specifically, when the incident light L generated by the light emitting module 2 enters the light guide type barrier wheel 1 from the annular light incident surface 11, the reflected light R is reflected by the annular reflecting surface 12 so that the reflected light R is reflected. It is formed. The reflected light R becomes parallel light or quasi-parallel light P by passing through a part of the corresponding aspherical surface 130 (that is, the light exit surface 13b) by rotating the light guide type barrier wheel 1 or correspondingly. Reflected by the other part of the aspherical surface 130 (that is, the reflecting surface 13a). Therefore, the parallel light or quasi-parallel light P emitted from the light guide type barrier wheel 1 can be received by the optical sensor module 3, and thereby a sequence signal used for encoding by a circuit is generated.

  Hereinafter, an operation method for generating a sequence signal using the optical scanning light guide encoder E according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

<First embodiment>
This will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 15 show that the light guide type barrier wheel 1 of the optical scanning type light guide encoder E according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a first position, a second position, a third position, and a fourth position. FIG. 6 is a local view showing the interrelationship between the parallel light or quasi-parallel light P and the optical sensor module 3 when rotated to the position of FIG.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the optical sensor module 3 includes a long first sensor element 31 'and a second sensor element 32'. The two sensor elements have the same width D1, and both ends thereof are aligned with each other so that the optical sensor module 3 similarly has the width D1. A diffraction grating 4 having a width larger than D1 is further provided between the optical sensor module 3 and the light guide type barrier wheel 1. The diffraction grating 4 shields a specific area in the first sensor element 31 ′ and the second sensor element 32 ′ and other unshielded areas in the first sensor element 31 ′ and the second sensor element 32 ′. Expose the area. The first opening 41 and the second opening 42 included in the diffraction grating 4 are respectively a first exposure sensor region 31 of the first sensor element 31 ′ and a second exposure sensor region of the second sensor element 32 ′. 32 is exposed. In the present embodiment, the first opening 41 and the second opening 42 have a width of 1/4 of D1. Accordingly, the first exposure sensor region 31 and the second exposure sensor region 32 exposed from these openings similarly have a width of 1/4 of D1. The first exposure sensor region 31 and the second exposure sensor region 32 are offset from each other in the lateral direction, and are provided to extend in the lateral direction along different horizontal lines H1 and H2 that are parallel to each other.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the width of the aspherical protrusion 1020 is the same as the width D1 of the optical sensor module 3. Therefore, each aspherical surface 130 of the light guide type barrier wheel 1 can sequentially correspond to the optical sensor module 3 constituted by the first sensor element 31 ′ and the second sensor element 32 ′. As a result, it is possible to achieve an effect that a set of complete encoding sequences can be generated only by a single aspherical surface 130. In the first embodiment, the width W1 of the parallel light or quasi-parallel light P emitted from the light exit surface 13b is equal to or more than half of the width D1 of the optical sensor module 3, that is, W1. ½D1. 11 to 15 are drawn based on the ratio of W1 = 1 / 2D1. Thereby, when the light exit surface 13b of the aspherical surface 13 is rotated to a position corresponding to the first light exposure sensor region 31 and the second light exposure sensor region 32 as the light guide type barrier wheel 1 is rotated ( That is, the parallel light or the quasi-parallel light P can be projected onto both the first photosensor module 31 and the second photosensor module 32 at the same time. Hereinafter, a method for generating a signal when the light guide type barrier wheel 1 is rotated to a different position will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 12 to 15.

First, as shown in FIG. 12, the light guide type barrier wheel 1 is located at the first position. At this time, the first exposure sensor region 31 and the second light exposure sensor region 32 of the optical sensor module 3 are respectively the fourth surface a _{4 of} one aspherical surface 130 of the light guide type barrier wheel 1 and the next. This corresponds to the first surface a ₁ of the aspherical surface 130. Both the first surface a ₁ and the fourth surface a ₄ are reflection surfaces 13a. Since the reflected light R toward the first surface a ₁ and the fourth surface a ₄ is reflected by the reflecting surface 13a, the first exposure corresponding to the _fourth surface a ₄ and the first surface a ₁ respectively. The sensor area 31 and the second exposure sensor area 32 do not receive an optical signal, and the optical sensor module 3 generates a signal [0, 0].

Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the light guide barrier wheel 1 rotates to the second position. The first exposure sensor region 31 and the second light exposure sensor region 32 of the optical sensor module 3 are respectively a _first surface a ₁ and a _second surface a _{2 of} one aspherical surface 130 of the light guide type barrier wheel 1. Corresponding to The first surface a ₁ is the reflecting surface 13a. Therefore, the reflected light R toward the first surface a ₁ is reflected and goes to the inside of the light guide type barrier wheel 1 and cannot leave the light guide type barrier wheel 1 directly through the reflective surface 13a. On the other hand, the reflected light R toward the second surface a ₂ passes through the aspherical surface 130 to become parallel light or quasi-parallel light P, and the second exposure sensor region 32 corresponding to the second surface a _2. Head for. Thereby, the optical sensor module 3 generates a signal [0, 1]. The reflected light R also passes through the third surface a ₃ to become parallel light or quasi-parallel light P, and is emitted from the aspherical surface 130, and the third surface a ₃ is the exposure sensor of the optical sensor module 3. Since it does not correspond to a region, it is blocked by the diffraction grating 4. Accordingly, the parallel light or quasi-parallel light P in this portion does not affect the signal generated by the photosensor module.

Next, as shown in FIG. 14, the light guide barrier wheel 1 continues to rotate to the third position. The first exposure sensor region 31 and the second exposure sensor region 32 of the optical sensor module 3 are respectively the second surface a ₂ and the third surface a _{3 of} one aspherical surface 130 of the light guide type barrier wheel 1. Corresponding to The reflected light R travels toward the aspherical surface 130 and passes through the light exit surface 13b constituted by the second surface a ₂ and the third surface a ₃ to become parallel light or quasi-parallel light P, and becomes a light guide type barrier wheel. Leave 1 Parallel light or quasi-parallel light P away from the light-guiding barrier wheel 1 simultaneously travels to the first exposure sensor region 31 and the second light exposure sensor region 32 of the optical sensor module 3. Thereby, the optical sensor module 3 generates a signal [1, 1].

Finally, as shown in FIG. 15, the light guiding barrier wheel 1 continues to rotate to the fourth position. At this time, the first exposure sensor region 31 and the second light exposure sensor region 32 of the optical sensor module 3 are respectively the third surface a ₃ and the fourth surface of the one aspherical surface 130 of the light guide type barrier wheel 1. corresponding to the surface a _4. Reflected light R toward the third surface a _3, the third parallel light or quasi parallel light P next passes through the surface a ₃ of, and is received by the first exposure sensor area 31. However, the fourth surface a ₄ is the reflecting surface 13a. The fourth reflection light R toward directly on the surface a ₄ of the is reflected by the fourth surface a _4, can not leave the light guide type barrier wheel 1 from the fourth surface a _4. Accordingly, at this time, the second exposure sensor region 32 corresponding to the _fourth surface a ₄ does not receive the parallel light or the quasi-parallel light P. Thereby, when the light guide type barrier wheel 1 is located at the fourth position, the optical sensor module 3 generates a signal of [1, 0].

As described above, when the above-described light guide type barrier wheel 1 rotates to each position, in addition to the configuration related to the reflection surface 13a and the light exit surface 13b of the aspherical surface 130 of the light guide type barrier wheel 1, the light sensor type 3 in the optical sensor module 3 is used. Since the single aspherical surface 130 can be used to generate 2 ² = 4 detection signals due to the size configuration of the one exposure sensor region 31, the second exposure sensor region 32, and the aspherical surface 130, the light guide The resolution of the equation encoder E can be greatly increased.

<Second embodiment>
Next, description will be made with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 16 to 19 show different positions of the light guide barrier wheel 1 of the optical scanning light guide encoder E according to the second embodiment of the present invention, that is, from the first position (1) to the fourth position. FIG. 6 is a local view showing a mutual relationship between parallel light or quasi-parallel light P and the optical sensor module 3 in the case of (4). FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating that the optical sensor module 3 according to the present embodiment generates a signal after receiving light.

  16 to 19, the first sensor element 31 ′ and the second sensor element 32 ′ of the optical sensor module 3 are exposed from the first opening 41 and the second opening 42 of the diffraction grating 4, respectively. The sensor region 31 and the second exposure sensor region 32 are exposed. The first exposure sensor region 31 and the second exposure sensor region 32 are divided into a plurality of encoder regions, and the width W2 of the parallel light or the quasi-parallel light P is equal to or smaller than the width of the encoder region. As shown in FIG. 16, the first exposure sensor region 31 and the second exposure sensor region 32 each include two encoder regions whose width is 1/4 of D2.

  In other words, in the second embodiment, the width W2 of the parallel light or quasi-parallel light P emitted from the light exit surface 13b is the light constituted by the first sensor element 31 ′ and the second sensor element 32 ′. It is equal to or less than a quarter of the width D2 of the sensor module 3, that is, W2. 1 / 4D2. 16 to 19 are drawn based on the ratio of W2 = 1 / 4D2. Further, the widths of the first exposure sensor region 31 and the second exposure sensor region 32 in the present embodiment are twice the width W2 of the parallel light or the quasi-parallel light P. That is, the first exposure sensor region 31 and the second exposure sensor region 32 each have a width that is ½ of D2. Furthermore, the first exposure sensor region 31 and the second exposure sensor region 32 are positioned so as to be shifted from each other. That is, the first exposure sensor region 31 and the second exposure sensor region 32 are shifted from each other by a width of 1/4 of D2 in the directions of different horizontal lines H1 and H2.

First, as shown in FIG. 16, the light guide type barrier wheel 1 is located at the first position (1). At this time, both the first light exposure sensor region 31 and the second light exposure sensor region 32 have the second surface a ₂ and the third surface as the light exit surface 13b on which the parallel light or the quasi-parallel light P is emitted. It does not correspond to the surface a _3. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 20, when the optical sensor module 3 is in the first position (1), the optical sensor module 3 does not receive the optical signal and generates a signal of [0, 0].

Next, as shown in FIG. 17, when the light guide barrier wheel 1 is rotated to the second position (2), the first light exposure sensor region 31 is the reflection surface 13 a in the light guide barrier wheel. This corresponds to one surface a ₁ and the fourth surface a ₄ of the previous aspherical surface 130. Therefore, no optical signal is received. Further, the parallel light or the quasi-parallel light P emitted from the second surface a ₂ and the third surface a _{3 of the} light guide type barrier wheel 1 is directed to the optical sensor module 3 and exposed from the second slit 42. Is projected onto a part of the second light exposure sensor region 32. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 20, when the light guide type barrier wheel 1 is located at the second position (2), the optical sensor module 3 generates a signal [0, 1].

Next, as shown in FIG. 18, the light guiding barrier wheel 1 rotates to the third position (3). The parallel light or quasi-parallel light P emitted from the second surface a ₂ and the third surface a _{3 of the} light guide type barrier wheel 1 is directed to the optical sensor module 3 and exposed from the first slit 41. The light is projected onto a part of the second light exposure sensor region 32 exposed from the first light exposure sensor region 31 and the second slit 42. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 20, when the light guide type barrier wheel 1 is positioned at the third position (3), the photosensor module 3 generates a signal [1, 1].

Finally, as shown in FIG. 19, the light guiding barrier wheel 1 continues to rotate to the fourth position (4). At this time, the parallel light or the quasi-parallel light P emitted from the second surface a ₂ and the third surface a _{3 of the} light guide type barrier wheel 1 is directed to the optical sensor module 3 and from the first slit 41. The light is projected onto a part of the exposed first light exposure sensor region 31. At this time, the second light exposure sensor region 32 corresponds to the fourth surface a ₄ which is the reflecting surface 13 a in the light guide type barrier wheel and the first surface a ₁ of the next aspherical surface 130. Therefore, no optical signal is received. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 20, when the light guide type barrier wheel 1 is positioned at the fourth position (4), the photosensor module 3 generates a signal of [1, 0].

As described above, when the above-described light guide type barrier wheel 1 rotates to each position, in addition to the configuration related to the reflection surface 13a and the light exit surface 13b of the aspherical surface 130 of the light guide type barrier wheel 1, the light sensor type 3 in the optical sensor module 3 is used. With one exposure sensor region 31 and second exposure sensor region 32, 2 ² = 4 detection signals can be generated simultaneously. More specifically, the width W2 of the parallel light or quasi-parallel light P is set to the width D2 (of the aspherical protrusion 1020) of the optical sensor module 3 constituted by the first sensor element 31 ′ and the second sensor element 32 ′. The resolution of the light guide encoder E can be increased by adjusting it to 1/4 or less (which is also the width) (W2. Re1 / 4D2).

<Third embodiment>
Next, using FIG. 21 and FIG. 22, it is illustrated that an encoder signal is generated by the optical scanning light guide encoder E according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 21 shows parallel light or quasi-light when the light guide barrier wheel 1 of the optical scanning light guide encoder E according to the third embodiment of the present invention is at the first position (1). It is the local figure which showed the mutual relationship between the parallel light P and the optical sensor module 3. FIG. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating that the optical sensor module 3 used in FIG. 21 generates a signal after receiving light.

  The difference from the above-described embodiment is that, in this embodiment, the optical sensor module 3 includes a first sensor element 31 ′, a second sensor element 32 ′, a third sensor element 33 ′, and a fourth sensor. It is constituted by elements 34 'and they have the same width D3. The first exposure sensor region 31 and the second exposure sensor region that are displaced from each other through the first opening 41, the second opening 42, the third opening 43, and the fourth opening 44 of the diffraction grating 4. 32, the third exposure sensor region 33, and the fourth exposure sensor region 34 may be exposed, respectively. The first exposure sensor region 31, the second exposure sensor region 32, the third exposure sensor region 33, and the fourth exposure sensor region 34 are divided into a plurality of encoder regions, and the width of the parallel light or the quasi-parallel light P W3 is less than or equal to the width of the encoder area. As shown in FIG. 21, the above-described exposure sensor area includes four encoder areas each having a width that is 1/8 of D3.

  In other words, in this embodiment, the widths of the first exposure sensor region 31, the second exposure sensor region 32, the third exposure sensor region 33, and the fourth exposure sensor region 34 are ½ of D3. is there. In addition, the first exposure sensor region 31, the second exposure sensor region 32, the third exposure sensor region 33, and the fourth exposure sensor region 34 have a D3 of 1 in the directions of different horizontal lines H1, H2, H3, and H4. They are offset from each other by a width of / 8.

The width W3 of the parallel light or quasi-parallel light P emitted from the aspherical surface 130 is equal to or less than one-eighth of the width D3 of the optical sensor module, that is, W3. 1 / 8D3. FIG. 21 is drawn based on the ratio of W3 = 1 / 8D3. The common point with the above-described embodiment is that the width of the aspherical protrusion 1020 and the width D3 of the optical sensor module 3 are the same. For example, in the state shown in FIG. 21, parallel light or quasi-parallel light P is projected onto the optical sensor module 3, and the optical sensor module 3 generates a signal [0, 0, 0, 0]. FIG. 22 shows signals generated by the optical sensor module 3 based on the rotation position of the light guide type barrier wheel 1 in the third embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the optical scanning light guide encoder E can generate 2 ³ = 8 types of signals.

<Fourth embodiment>
Finally, description will be made with reference to FIGS. FIG. 23 shows the correlation between the reflected light and the optical sensor module when the light guide barrier wheel of the optical scanning light guide encoder E according to still another embodiment of the present invention is at the first rotation angle. FIG. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating that the optical sensor module used in FIG. 23 generates a signal after receiving light.

  As shown in FIG. 23, in this embodiment, the optical sensor module 3 of the optical scanning light guide encoder E includes a first sensor element 31 ′ and a second sensor element which are arranged in parallel and are long. 32 'and a third sensor element 33'. The width of the optical sensor module 3 constituted by the sensor elements described above is D4. A specific area of the first sensor element 31 ′ is exposed in the first openings 41 a to 41 d of the diffraction grating 4 to form first exposed sensor areas 31 a to 31 d, and the second openings 42 a and 42 b are formed in the second openings 42 a and 42 b. A specific area of the second sensor element 32 ′ is exposed to form second exposed sensor areas 32 a and 32 b, and a specific area of the third sensor element 33 ′ is exposed to the third opening 43. A third exposure sensor region 33 is formed. The dimensions (proportional) of each exposure sensor area are illustrated in the drawing.

  More specifically, the first exposure sensor regions 31a to 31d, the second exposure sensor regions 32a and 32b, and the third exposure sensor region 33 are divided into a plurality of encoder regions, and parallel light or quasi-parallel light P The width W4 is less than the width of the encoder area. As shown in FIG. 23, each of the first exposure sensor areas 31a to 31d has one encoder area whose width is 1/8 of D4. Each of the second exposure sensor regions 32a and 32b has two encoder regions each having a width that is 1/8 of D4. The third exposure sensor region 33 has four encoder regions whose width is 1/8 of D4.

In this embodiment, the width W4 of the parallel light or the quasi-parallel light P is 1/8 of the width D4 of the optical sensor module 3, that is, W4. 1 / 8D4. As in the previous embodiment, the width of the aspherical protrusion 1020 is the same as the width D4 of the optical sensor module 3. For example, in the state shown in FIG. 23, parallel light or quasi-parallel light P is projected onto the optical sensor module 3, and the optical sensor module 3 generates a signal [0, 0, 0]. FIG. 24 shows signals generated by the optical sensor module 3 based on the rotation position of the light guide type barrier wheel 1 in the fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, the optical scanning light guide encoder E can generate 2 ³ = 8 types of signals.

<Effect of Example>
Thus, as an effect of the present invention, in the optical scanning light guide encoder E according to the embodiment of the present invention, “each sensor element has an exposure sensor region, and a plurality of exposure sensor regions of a plurality of sensor elements have , Which are positioned laterally offset from each other and extend in the lateral direction along a plurality of different horizontal lines parallel to each other. The parallel light P and the exposure sensor regions of the plurality of sensor elements can be made to coincide with each other, and the light guide encoder E is used under the condition that the size of the light guide barrier wheel 1 and the number of aspherical protrusions 1020 are not increased or increased. Resolution can be improved. Further, the optical scanning light guide encoder E according to the embodiment of the present invention can adjust the light width of the parallel light or the quasi-parallel light P by adjusting the curvature of the apex curved surface of the aspherical protrusion 1020. Alternatively, the required resolution can be achieved by making the width of each aspherical protrusion 1020 of the gear-like structure 102 equal to the width of the photosensor module 3.

  The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not limit the scope of the present invention. All equivalent technical changes made based on the contents of the specification and drawings of the present invention are included in the protection scope of the present invention.

E Optical scanning light guide encoder 1 Light guide barrier wheel 101 Light guide body 102 Gear-like structure 1020 Aspherical protrusion 11 Annular incident surface 12 Annular reflecting surface 13 Annular exit surface 130 Aspheric surface 13a Reflecting surface 13b Outgoing surface 2 Light emission Module 3 Optical sensor module 31 '1st sensor element 32' 2nd sensor element 33 '3rd sensor element 34' 4th sensor element 31, 31a-31d 1st exposure sensor area | region 32, 32a, 32b 1st Second exposure sensor region 33 Third exposure sensor region 34 Fourth exposure sensor region 4 Diffraction gratings 41, 41a to 41d First openings 42, 42a, 42b Second opening 43 Third opening 44 Fourth opening 5 reflector S1, S2 photosensor chip a ₁ first surface a ₂ second surface a ₃ third surface a ₄ fourth surface d projected width a aspheric structure S spherical structure L incident light Reflected light P parallel light or quasi parallel light H1, H2, H3, H4 horizon W, W1, W2, W3, W4, D1, D2, D3, D4 width X axis

Claims (16)

A light-guided barrier wheel;
A light emitting module proximate to the light guiding barrier wheel;
Including a plurality of sensor elements proximate to the light guide type barrier wheel, each of the sensor elements having an exposure sensor region, and the plurality of exposure sensor regions of the plurality of sensor elements being positioned laterally offset from each other. An optical sensor module provided in a lateral direction along a plurality of different horizontal lines parallel to each other;
An optical scanning light guide encoder comprising:   The optical system according to claim 1, further comprising a diffraction grating provided between the light guide type barrier wheel and the optical sensor module and including a plurality of slits for exposing the plurality of exposure sensor regions. Scanning light guide encoder. The light guide type barrier wheel has an annular light incident surface, an annular reflection surface corresponding to the annular light incident surface, and an annular light exit surface,
The annular light exit surface is composed of a plurality of aspherical surfaces having a main axis and sequentially continuing.
The optical scanning light guide encoder according to claim 1. The light guide type barrier wheel includes a light guide body having an annular light incident surface and an annular reflecting surface corresponding to the annular light incident surface, and a gear having an annular light exit surface comprising a plurality of aspheric surfaces having a main axis and sequentially continuing. Including a structure
The gear-like structure is configured by sequentially connecting a plurality of aspherical protrusions so as to make one round.
The optical scanning light guide encoder according to claim 1.   Incident light generated by the light emitting module enters the light guide type barrier wheel from the annular light incident surface, and reflected light is formed by the incident light being reflected by the annular reflective surface. The optical scanning light guide encoder according to claim 4, wherein parallel light projected on the photosensor module or quasi-parallel light close to parallel light is formed by passing through the annular light exit surface.   The reflected light passes through a part of the corresponding aspherical surface or is reflected by another part of the corresponding aspherical surface through rotation of the light guide type barrier wheel. 5. An optical scanning light guide encoder according to 5.   The optical scanning light guide according to claim 6, wherein the aspherical surface of the light guide type barrier wheel is constituted by two reflection surfaces and a light output surface connected between the two reflection surfaces. Encoder.   8. The optical scanning light guide encoder according to claim 7, wherein a part of the reflected light passes through the corresponding light exit surface through rotation of the light guide barrier wheel. 9.   The optical scanning light guide encoder according to claim 7, wherein a part of the reflected light is reflected by the reflecting surface.   8. The optical scanning light guide encoder according to claim 7, wherein a width of the parallel light or the quasi-parallel light is equal to a width of the light exit surface.   The optical scanning light guide encoder according to claim 7, wherein a width of the parallel light or the quasi-parallel light is adjusted by a curvature of a vertex curved surface of the aspherical protrusion.   The exposure sensor region of each of the sensor elements is divided into a plurality of encoder regions, and the width of the parallel light or the quasi-parallel light is equal to or less than the width of the encoder region. The optical scanning light guide encoder described.   5. The optical scanning light guide encoder according to claim 4, wherein a width of each of the aspherical protrusions of the gear-like structure is equal to a width of the optical sensor module. A light guide barrier wheel including a light guide body and a gear-like structure having a plurality of aspherical protrusions;
A light emitting module proximate to the light guiding barrier wheel;
An optical sensor module proximate to the light guiding barrier wheel;
Including
The incident light generated by the light emitting module passes through the light guide type barrier wheel, so that parallel light projected on the photosensor module or quasi-parallel light close to parallel light is formed,
The light width of the parallel light or the quasi-parallel light is equal to the width of the light exit surface, and is adjusted by the vertex curvature of the aspherical protrusion.
An optical scanning light guide encoder. A light guide type barrier wheel including a light guide body and a gear-like structure having a plurality of protrusions;
A light emitting module proximate to the light guiding barrier wheel;
An optical sensor module proximate to the light guiding barrier wheel;
Including
The width of each protrusion of the gear-like structure is equal to the width of the photosensor module,
An optical scanning light guide encoder.   The optical scanning light guide encoder according to claim 15, wherein the protrusion is an aspheric protrusion or a spherical protrusion.

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