JP4420652B2 - Position detection device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a position detection device that detects the relative position of two members that move relative to each other in a machine tool, a precision measuring instrument, or the like.

  In general, a position detection device for detecting the relative position of two members that move relative to each other by linear movement, rotational movement, or the like is used in a machine tool, a precision measuring instrument, or the like (for example, Patent Document 1).

  As shown in FIG. 12, the position detection apparatus 100 described above detects an incremental track (hereinafter referred to as an INC track) 101 in which a signal that changes at a constant cycle is recorded, and an INC signal that faces the INC track 101. Section 102, origin track 103 arranged in parallel with INC track 101, and origin signal detection section 104 that moves in accordance with movement of INC signal detection section 102 and faces origin track 103.

  In the position detection apparatus 100, the INC track 101 and the INC signal detection unit 102 are mounted on each of the two members that move relative to each other, and the relative position of the INC signal detection unit 102 with respect to the INC track 101 is detected to detect the relative position between the two members. Detect relative position.

  The INC track 101 is composed of a magnetic pattern in which S poles and N poles are alternately positioned every time the length along the longitudinal direction changes z (where z> 0). In the position detection apparatus 100, the length of one signal period recorded on the INC track 101 is z.

  The INC signal detection unit 102 is provided to face the INC track 101. Further, it can be moved along the longitudinal direction of the INC track 101. The INC signal detector 102 detects and outputs a signal recorded on the INC track 101 (hereinafter also referred to as an INC signal).

  The origin track 103 includes an origin signal section 103a in which a signal indicating the origin is recorded at a position that becomes the origin when the relative position of the INC signal detection section 102 with respect to the INC track 101 is detected. Specifically, when the position detection device 100 uses magnetism, the origin signal unit 103a is magnetized and the other areas are not magnetized. The length of the origin signal portion 103 a along the longitudinal direction of the origin track 103 as indicated by the arrow C in the figure is about one signal period recorded on the INC track 101. That is, it is set to z in the position detection apparatus 100. The origin track 103 may be provided with a plurality of origin signal sections 103a.

  The origin signal detection unit 104 is provided to face the origin track 103. The origin signal detection unit 104 detects and outputs a signal when facing the origin signal unit 103a. The position detection device 100 detects that the INC signal detection unit 102 is located at the origin based on the signal output from the origin signal detection unit 104.

  Specifically, the origin signal detection unit 104 includes two detection elements 104a and 104b connected in series, and a signal output terminal 104c that outputs a signal from the middle of the detection elements 104a and 104b connected in series. It has.

  First, when the origin signal detection unit 104 passes through the origin signal unit 103a, the detection element 104b and the detection element 104a sequentially pass through the origin signal unit 103a, and the resistance values are sequentially shifted as shown in FIG. Will drop. Further, as shown in FIG. 13B, the voltage of the signal output from the signal output terminal 104c becomes a maximum value when the detection element 104b passes through the origin signal portion 103a, and then the detection element 104a receives the origin signal. When passing through the portion 103a, the minimum value is obtained.

  Next, the position detection apparatus 100 compares the signal output from the signal output terminal 104c with a predetermined level indicated by K in the drawing, for example, to form a predetermined signal as shown in FIG. A fixed point signal which is a pulse-like rectangular wave having a width is generated. Then, when the fixed point signal is high and the INC signal has a predetermined phase, an origin signal is output, and it is detected that the INC signal detection unit 102 is located at the origin.

  Therefore, the position detection apparatus 100 can detect the displacement amount of the two members that move relative to each other by detecting the distance moved by the INC signal detection unit 102 from the origin.

  By the way, when the position detection device 100 uses magnetism, the origin signal unit 103a is formed by being magnetized, and a magnetic field is formed in the vicinity of the origin signal unit 103a. Therefore, the waveform of the signal output from the signal output terminal 104c when facing the origin signal unit 103a is based on the magnetic characteristics of the origin signal unit 103a, the contact condition of the origin signal detection unit 104 with respect to the origin signal unit 103a, and the detection element. It changes due to factors such as the distance between 104a, 104b and the origin signal portion 103a. Therefore, in the position detection device 100, it is difficult to keep the fixed point signal width constant.

  In addition, when a plurality of origins are arranged in the position detection device 100, a plurality of origin signal units 103a are provided for the position detection device 100. However, depending on the position where the origin signal unit 103a is provided, It is necessary to adjust the contact condition of the signal detection unit 104, the interval between the detection elements 104a and 104b and the origin signal unit 103a, and it becomes difficult to obtain a stable fixed point signal.

  Furthermore, since a magnetic field is formed in the vicinity of the origin signal unit 103a, the region where the magnetic field is detected by the detection elements 104a and 104b is actually a region wider than the origin signal unit 103a. Therefore, if z is reduced in order to increase the accuracy of the position detection device 100, the length along the arrow C direction of the region where the magnetic field is detected by the detection elements 104a and 104b becomes 2z or more. Becomes wide, and a state where the fixed point signal is high and the INC signal is in a predetermined phase is continuously detected twice or more in the cycle z. That is, it is difficult for the position detection device 100 to accurately detect the origin. Specifically, the origin can be detected when z = 40 μm, but it is difficult to accurately detect the origin when z = 20 μm.

  Furthermore, by providing the origin track 103, the position detection device 100 needs a space for providing the origin track 103 in addition to the INC track 101. Therefore, it is difficult to reduce the size, and it is impossible to incorporate it into a thin gauge, for example.

Japanese Patent No. 2700944

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the conventional situation described above, and is a position detection device capable of accurately detecting the amount of displacement of two relatively moving members by accurately detecting the origin. The purpose is to provide.

A position detection device according to the present invention is arranged to be opposed to an incremental track in which a signal that changes at a constant cycle is recorded and a non-recording area in which the signal is not recorded is provided, and the incremental track. And a first signal detecting means for detecting a signal recorded on the incremental track and moving relative to the incremental track, and a detection element arranged opposite to the incremental track. And second signal detection means for detecting a signal recorded on the incremental track by relative movement along the incremental track with the relative movement of the first signal detection means, and the second signal detection. based on the signal detected by means detecting element is the ink of said second signal detecting means And a counter detector for detecting that it is opposed to the non-recording area provided in mental track, the non-recording area is provided outside the relative movement range of the first signal detecting means, said first The length of the non-recording area along the moving direction of the second signal detection means is less than 2λ, where λ is the length in which the signal for one period is recorded, and the second signal detection The means has two detection elements arranged in series and connected in series so that the distance in the direction along the moving direction of the second signal detection means is nλ (where n is a positive integer). And a signal whose voltage value is a value distributed by the ratio of the resistance values of the two detection elements is output .

  In the position detection apparatus according to the present invention, the width of the pulse signal output when the second signal detection means faces the non-recording area is stabilized. That is, it is possible to accurately detect the reference origin when detecting the relative position of the two members.

  Therefore, according to the position detection device of the present invention, it is possible to accurately detect the reference origin when detecting the relative positions of the two members even when the period of the signal recorded on the incremental track is shortened. Therefore, the relative position of the two members can be accurately detected.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a position detection device 1 according to the present invention includes a track unit 4 in which an incremental track (hereinafter referred to as an INC track) 2 and an origin track 3 are arranged in parallel, and a track unit 4 facing the track unit 4. The signal detection unit 5 provided and a signal processing circuit 6 that detects the relative position of the signal detection unit 5 with respect to the track unit 4 based on the signal output from the signal detection unit 5 are provided.

  For example, the position detection device 1 has a track portion 4 and a signal detection portion 5 mounted on two members constituting a machine tool, respectively, and the signal detection portion 5 extends along the longitudinal direction of the track portion 4 indicated by an arrow A in the figure. The amount of displacement between the two members is measured by detecting the relative position of the signal detection unit 5 with respect to the track unit 4 using magnetism.

  The INC track 2 records a signal that changes at a constant period. In the present embodiment, the INC track 2 is formed with a plurality of minute regions whose length in the arrow A direction is x (where x> 0), and the magnetization directions of the minute regions are alternated. Is magnetized. In other words, the INC track 2 has a magnetic pattern composed of alternating magnetism in which the S pole and the N pole appear alternately every time the length in the direction of the arrow A changes by x.

  The origin track 3 is recorded with a signal that changes in the same cycle as the INC track 2 and has the same phase. In other words, the present embodiment includes a magnetic pattern composed of alternating magnetism in which the S pole and the N pole alternately appear each time the length in the arrow A direction changes by x. The origin track 3 is provided with a non-recording area 3a where no signal is recorded. The non-recording area 3a is formed in an area where a second MR element provided in the origin detection section described later faces when the signal detection section 5 is located at the origin. The origin is a reference point when the relative position of the signal detection unit 5 with respect to the track unit 4 is detected. In the present embodiment, one minute area is a non-recording area 3a.

  The non-recording area 3a needs to be formed so that the length in the arrow A direction is less than 2λ, where λ is the length of one signal period recorded on the INC track 2 and the origin track 3. Yes, it is preferably formed so as to satisfy λ ± λ / 8, and most preferably formed so as to satisfy λ. When the length in the direction of the arrow A is 2λ or more, as will be described later, a state in which the fixed point signal is High and the interpolation signal is a predetermined value continuously occurs twice or more in the cycle x. In addition, it is difficult to accurately detect the origin. In this embodiment, the length in the arrow A direction in the non-recording area 3a is x.

  The INC track 2 and the origin track 3 are made of, for example, a coating material made of magnetic powder and a binder, a magnetic alloy material such as CuNiFe, FeCrCo, or MnAl, or a magnetic plating such as CoP or CoMnWP. The material for producing the origin track 3 is not limited to the materials described above, and any magnetic material may be used.

  The signal detection unit 5 is opposed to the track unit 4 and moves along the arrow A direction to detect a signal recorded on the INC track 2 and a signal recorded on the origin track 3. In the position detection device 1, the relative position of the signal detection unit 5 with respect to the track unit 4 is detected based on the signal output from the signal detection unit 5.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the signal detector 5 is recorded on an incremental signal detector (hereinafter referred to as an INC signal detector) 7 that detects a signal recorded on the INC track 2, and is recorded on the origin track 3. And an origin signal detector 8 for detecting a signal. The signal detection unit 5 includes a power source 9 for the INC signal detection unit 7 and the origin signal detection unit 8.

  The INC signal detection unit 7 includes a first detection element 11, a second detection element 12, a third detection element 13, and a fourth detection element 14. The first to fourth detection elements 11 to 14 are connected in parallel to the power supply 9. The first detection element 11 includes two magnetoresistive effect elements (hereinafter referred to as MR elements) 11a and 11b connected in series, and an output terminal 11c for outputting a signal between the two MR elements. Is provided.

  The output terminal 11c outputs a voltage distributed according to the ratio of the resistance values of the two MR elements 11a and 11b. Each MR element has a maximum resistance value when facing the S pole or the N pole, and has a minimum resistance value at the center between the S pole and the N pole. The configurations of the second to fourth detection elements 12 to 14 are the same as those of the first detection element 11. Therefore, the first to fourth detection elements 11 to 14 output a signal that changes for one cycle every time x moves. That is, in this embodiment, λ = x.

  By applying a bias magnetic field to each MR element, the resistance value of each MR element is maximized on one of the S and N poles and minimized on the other. In this case, the first to fourth detection elements 11 to 14 output a signal that changes by one cycle every 2x movement, and λ = 2x. However, in the present embodiment, the position detection device 1 is used without applying a bias magnetic field to each MR element. Therefore, in this embodiment, λ = x.

  In the present embodiment, since the first to fourth detection elements 11 to 14 are arranged at intervals of 5x / 4, the voltage of the signal output from the first and third detection elements 11 and 13 is determined. The change in value is a sinusoidal curve inverted from each other, and the voltage change of the signals output from the second and fourth detection elements 12 and 14 is a cosine curve inverted from each other. In the following, a signal whose voltage value changes to a sine curve is also referred to as a sine signal. A signal whose voltage value changes to a cosine curve is also called a cosine signal.

  In the present embodiment, the number of detection elements provided in the INC signal detection unit 7 is four, but the number of detection elements provided in the INC signal detection unit 7 is not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, the first to fourth detection elements 11 to 14 are arranged at intervals of 5x / 4, respectively, but the interval between the first to fourth detection elements 14 is also particularly limited. Instead, for example, it can be appropriately changed depending on whether or not a bias magnetic field is applied to each MR element.

  The origin signal detection unit 8 includes a first MR element 21 and a second MR element 22 that are connected in series with each other. In addition, an output terminal 23 is provided between the first MR element 21 and the second MR element 22 connected in series.

  The first MR element 21 faces the INC track 2 and the second MR element 22 faces the origin track 3. The first MR element 21 and the second MR element 22 are arranged side by side on a straight line perpendicular to the arrow A direction. In the present embodiment, the first MR element 21 is disposed at a position adjacent to the first detection element 11. That is, in the present embodiment, the origin signal detection unit 8 is provided on one side of the INC signal detection unit 7. The distance between the first MR element 21 and the second MR element 22 is mλ (where m is an integer).

  Further, the INC track 2 and the origin track 3 are recorded with signals having the same period and the same phase. Therefore, the signal output from the first MR element 21 and the signal output from the second MR element 22 have the same period and phase. Further, the first MR element 21 is connected to the power supply 9, and the second MR element 22 is grounded.

  Therefore, the voltage V of the signal output from the signal output terminal 23 is such that the resistance value of the first MR element 21 is R1, the resistance value of the second MR element 22 is R2, and the voltage of the power supply 9 is Vcc. Sometimes the value shown in Equation 1 below is obtained.

  V = R2 · Vcc / (R1 + R2) (1)

  The resistance change of the first MR element 21 is as shown in FIG. 3A, and becomes a sine curve that changes by one cycle every time the position of the signal detection unit 5 changes by x. Further, the resistance change of the second MR element 22 is as shown in FIG. 3B, and becomes a sinusoidal curve that changes for one cycle every time the position of the signal detection unit 5 changes x. When they face each other, the periodic change in resistance value disappears, and in this embodiment, a state where the resistance value is high is maintained. In FIGS. 3A and 3B, the horizontal axis indicates the relative movement amount of the signal detection unit 5 with respect to the track unit 4, and the vertical axis indicates the resistance value.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3C, the signal output from the signal output terminal 23 becomes Vcc / 2 when the second MR element 22 faces the area other than the non-recording area 3a. When the MR element 22 is opposed to the non-recording area 3a, the value is higher than Vcc / 2. From the signal output terminal 23, only when the second MR element 22 is facing the non-recording area 3a. A pulse signal is output. That is, the position detection device 1 can detect that the signal detection unit 5 faces the origin based on the pulse signal output from the signal output terminal 23. In FIG. 3C, the horizontal axis indicates the relative movement amount of the signal detection unit 5 with respect to the track unit 4, and the vertical axis indicates the voltage value.

  Further, the signal output from the signal output terminal 23 is expressed by R2 · Vcc / (R1 + R2) as shown in the above-described equation 1, and whether or not the second MR element 22 is opposed to the non-recording area 3a. Regardless, the value of R1 changes accurately at regular intervals. On the other hand, the value of R2 is maintained high while the second MR element 22 faces the non-recording area 3a, and the second MR element 22 faces the area other than the non-recording area 3a. Sometimes it changes exactly every certain period.

  Therefore, R2 · Vcc / (R1 + R2) is higher than Vcc / 2 while the second MR element 22 faces the non-recording area 3a, and the width of the output pulse signal is Thus, the state in which the second MR element 22 faces the non-recording area 3a is accurately reflected. That is, the width of the pulse signal output from the signal output terminal 23 is exactly one period and is stabilized.

  For the reason described above, the position detection device 1 can detect the origin with high accuracy by detecting the origin based on the pulse signal output from the signal output terminal 23.

  The origin signal detection unit 8 may be configured such that both the first MR element 21 and the second MR element 22 are opposed to the origin track 3. In this configuration, the distance between the first MR element 21 and the second MR element 22 is preferably kx (where k is a positive integer).

  In the present embodiment, MR elements are used for the INC signal detection unit 7 and the origin signal detection unit 8, but it is also possible to use other than MR elements, for example, an artificial lattice structure, a spin valve type GMR Any element that can detect magnetism, such as an element, a TMR element, or an MI element having a thin film structure, can be used.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the signal processing circuit 6 includes an incremental signal generation unit (hereinafter referred to as an INC signal generation unit) 31 to which signals output from the first to fourth detection elements 11 to 14 are supplied, and an INC signal. An interpolation unit 32 to which a signal generated by the generation unit 31 is supplied, a fixed point signal generation unit 33 to which a signal output from the signal output terminal 23 is supplied, a signal generated by the fixed point signal generation unit 33, and an internal signal An origin signal generation unit 34 to which a signal generated by the insertion unit 32 is supplied; a relative position detection unit 35 to which a signal generated by the origin signal generation unit 34 and a signal generated by the interpolation unit 32 are supplied; Is provided.

  The INC signal generation unit 31 performs an operation on the signals output from the first to fourth detection elements 11 to 14 to generate and output an amplified sine signal and an amplified cosine signal one by one. . As shown in FIG. 5, the INC signal generation unit 31 includes a sine signal processing circuit 40 and a cosine signal processing circuit 50.

  The sine signal processing circuit 40 includes an amplifier 43 having a negative terminal connected to the first detection element 11 via a resistor 41 and a positive terminal connected to the third detection element 13 via a resistor 42. 43, an output terminal 44 for outputting the signal output from the interpolator 32, and one end connected between the resistor 41 and the amplifier 43, and one end connected between the amplifier 43 and the output terminal 44. A resistor 45 connected in between, and a resistor 46 having one end connected between the resistor 42 and the amplifier 43 and the other end grounded.

  The cosine signal processing circuit 50 includes an amplifier 53 having a negative terminal connected to the second detection element 12 via a resistor 51 and a positive terminal connected to the fourth detection element 14 via a resistor 52. The output terminal 54 that outputs the signal output from the amplifier 53 to the interpolating section 32, one end is connected between the resistor 51 and the amplifier 53, and the other end is connected to the amplifier 53 and the output terminal 54. And a resistor 56 having one end connected between the resistor 52 and the amplifier 53 and the other end grounded.

  The sine signal processing circuit 40 generates an amplified and reduced noise sine signal by subtracting the output signal from the first detection element 11 from the output signal from the third detection element 13, and the interpolation unit 32. Output to.

  Further, the cosine signal processing circuit 50 generates an amplified and reduced cosine signal by subtracting the output signal from the second detection element 12 from the output signal from the fourth detection element 14, and performs interpolation. To the unit 32.

  By performing the signal processing described above, the INC signal generation unit 31 outputs sine signals and cosine signals that have been reduced in noise and amplified, and supplies them to the interpolation unit 32.

  The interpolating unit 32 detects the position of the INC signal detecting unit 7 in the minute region of the INC track 2 from the sine signal and cosine signal supplied from the INC signal generating unit 31. The detection of the position of the INC signal detection unit 7 in the minute region of the INC track 2 is performed, for example, by dividing one period of the signal output from the INC signal generation unit 31 into V equal parts, and the INC signal detection unit 7 in the minute region. Is indicated by a numerical value of 1 to V or a pulse signal (for example, an A / B phase signal, an up / down signal, etc.) proportional to the amount of relative movement (hereinafter referred to as an interpolation signal).

  The interpolation unit 32 includes a memory in which the values of the sine signal and the cosine signal supplied from the INC signal generation unit 31 are associated with the interpolation signal. The interpolation unit 32 digitizes the sine signal and cosine signal supplied from the INC signal generation unit 31 with an A / D converter, for example, so that the value of the sine signal and cosine signal supplied from the INC signal generation unit 31 are obtained. Is detected, and the corresponding interpolation signal is changed with reference to the memory. Then, the obtained interpolation signal is output to the origin signal generation unit 34 and the relative position detection unit 35.

  The fixed point signal generation unit 33 compares the pulse signal output from the signal output terminal 23 shown in FIG. 3C with a predetermined level M, for example, to form a predetermined signal as shown in FIG. A fixed-point signal that is a pulse-like rectangular wave having a width of 1 is generated.

  Since the width of the pulse signal output from the signal output terminal 23 is one cycle, the fixed point signal generated by the fixed point signal generation unit 33 is also one cycle. That is, the fixed point signal generator 33 outputs a signal that becomes High only while the second MR element 22 faces the non-recording area 3a.

  The origin signal generator 34 is supplied with a fixed point signal from the fixed point signal generator 33 and supplied with an interpolation signal from the interpolation unit 32. The origin signal generator 34 detects the timing when the fixed point signal is High and the interpolation signal is a predetermined value, generates an origin signal, and outputs the origin signal to the relative position detector 35. Reset the detected relative position.

  The origin signal generator 34 outputs an origin signal that accurately indicates that the signal detector 5 is at the origin because the width of the fixed point signal generated by the fixed point signal generator 33 is approximately one cycle. be able to. More specifically, when the width of the fixed point signal to be supplied is wide and equal to or longer than two periods, the origin signal generator 34 generates an origin signal that is continuous twice or more in the cycle of x. In such a case, it is difficult to accurately detect the origin, and the relative position of the signal detection unit 5 with respect to the track unit 4 cannot be detected accurately.

  The relative position detection unit 35 detects the relative position of the signal detection unit 5 with respect to the track unit 4 by counting the interpolation signal generated by the interpolation unit 32. In addition, when the origin signal is supplied from the origin signal generation unit 34, the relative position detection unit 35 resets the detected relative position and newly detects the relative position. For example, when the relative position is detected by counting the interpolation signal, it is detected that the origin signal is supplied, the count is returned to 0, and the count is started again.

  When the position detection device 1 described above detects the relative position of the signal detection unit 5 with respect to the track unit 4, first, the signal detection unit 5 is moved relative to the track unit 4. When the signal detection unit 5 relatively moves, the first to fourth detection elements 11 to 14 included in the INC signal detection unit 7 and the first MR element 21 included in the origin signal detection unit 8 are A signal recorded on the INC track 2 is detected. The second MR element 22 provided in the origin signal detector 8 detects a signal recorded on the origin track 3.

  The signal output from the INC signal detection unit 7 is supplied to the INC signal generation unit 31 and then supplied to the interpolation unit 32. Then, the interpolation unit 32 generates an interpolation signal and supplies it to the relative position detection unit 35. The relative position detecting unit 35 detects the relative position of the signal detecting unit 5 with respect to the track unit 4 based on the interpolation signal.

  Further, when the signal detection unit 5 moves and the origin signal detection unit 8 faces the non-recording area 3 a, the origin signal detection unit 8 outputs a pulse signal and supplies it to the fixed point signal generation unit 33. The fixed point signal generator 33 generates a fixed point signal and supplies it to the origin signal generator 34. The origin signal generator 34 generates an origin signal and outputs the origin signal to the relative position detector 35 when the fixed point signal is High and the interpolation signal is a predetermined value. When the origin signal is supplied, the relative position detection unit 35 resets the detected relative position and starts detecting the relative position again.

  Therefore, the position detection device 1 can detect the relative position of the signal detection unit 5 with respect to the track unit 4 with reference to the origin.

  In the position detection device 1 described above, the signal output from the signal output terminal 23 is represented by R2 · Vcc / (R1 + R2) as shown in the above-described equation 1, and the second MR element 22 is not in the non-recording area. Regardless of whether or not it is opposed to 3a, the value of R1 changes accurately every certain period. On the other hand, the value of R2 is maintained high while the second MR element 22 faces the non-recording area 3a, and the second MR element 22 faces the area other than the non-recording area 3a. Sometimes it changes exactly every certain period.

  Therefore, R2 · Vcc / (R1 + R2) is higher than Vcc / 2 while the second MR element 22 faces the non-recording area 3a, and the width of the output pulse signal is Thus, the state in which the second MR element 22 faces the non-recording area 3a is accurately reflected. That is, the width of the pulse signal output from the signal output terminal 23 is exactly one period and is stabilized.

  In addition, since the fixed point signal generation unit 33 shapes the pulse signal output from the signal output terminal 23 and outputs a fixed point signal that is a rectangular wave, the width of the fixed point signal is approximately one cycle. Then, the origin signal generation unit 34 detects that the fixed point signal supplied from the fixed point signal generation unit 33 is High and the interpolation signal supplied from the interpolation unit 32 is a predetermined value. Generate a signal. Since the width of the fixed point signal is almost one cycle, the origin signal generator 34 accurately detects that the signal detector 5 is located at the origin without continuously outputting the origin signal with the period x. Thus, the origin signal can be generated.

  Therefore, according to the position detection apparatus 1 to which the present invention is applied, even when the period of the signal recorded on the INC track 2 is shortened, the origin that becomes the reference when detecting the relative position of the two members is accurately determined. Since it becomes possible to detect well, it becomes possible to detect the relative position of two members correctly.

  Since the position detection unit 5 only needs to move relative to the track unit 4, the position detection device 1 may be configured such that the position detection unit 5 is fixed and the track unit 4 is movable. .

  In the present embodiment, the origin signal detection unit 8 is provided on one side of the INC signal detection unit 7, but may be provided at the center of the INC signal detection unit 7 as shown in FIG. . That is, the origin signal detection unit 8 may be provided at a position where the first MR element 21 is between the second detection element 12 and the third detection element 13. With this arrangement, even when the signal detection unit 5 moves along a minute undulation or distortion of the track unit 4, the origin signal detection unit 8 does not influence the minute undulation or distortion of the track unit 4. It becomes difficult to receive, and the position of the non-recording area 3a can be detected with higher accuracy.

  The present invention can also be applied to a rotary rotary encoder or the like in addition to the linear position detection device. Further, the interpolation unit 32, the origin signal generation unit 34, and the relative position detection unit 35 are often provided in a device different from the position detection device such as a display device or a numerical control device.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the phase of the signal recorded on the INC track 2 and the phase of the signal recorded on the origin track 3 have been described as being the same phase, but the signal output from the INC signal detection unit 7 And the signal output from the origin signal detection unit 8 may be in the same phase. Even when the phase of the signal recorded on the INC track 2 and the phase of the signal recorded on the origin track 3 are different, the positions of the INC signal detector 7 and the origin signal detector 8 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. By adjusting, the phase of the signal output from the INC signal detector 7 and the signal output from the origin signal detector 8 can be the same.

  Note that the present invention can also be applied to a position detection device that optically detects a relative position by using a light emitting element, a photodiode, or the like.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. In the following description, the same components, parts, and functions as those of the position detection device 1 described in the first embodiment will not be described and will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the position detection device 60 to which the present invention is applied includes an INC track 61, a signal detection unit 62 provided facing the INC track 61, and a signal detected from the signal detection unit 62. And a signal processing circuit 6 for performing the above.

  The position detection device 60 is attached to a gauge 70 as shown in FIG. 9, for example. The gauge 70 includes a housing 71, and an opening 71 a is formed at one end of the housing 71. A spindle 72 is inserted through the opening 71a and is slidable in the axial direction. One end 72 a of the spindle 72 is located inside the casing 71, and the other end 72 b is located outside the casing 71.

  One end 72 a of the spindle 72 is connected to one end 61 a of the INC track 61. That is, the INC track 61 moves in the longitudinal direction as the spindle 72 moves in the axial direction. Further, a signal detection unit 62 is provided at a position facing the INC track 61 inside the housing 71. The signal detector 62 is fixed at a position facing the one end 61a of the INC track 61 when the spindle 72 is most inserted and facing the other end 61b of the INC track 61 when the spindle 72 is most pulled out. . The signal detector 62 moves relative to the INC track 61 as the INC track 61 moves.

  In the gauge 70, the INC track 61 moves along the long axis direction as the spindle 72 moves in the axial direction. That is, the signal detector 62 relatively moves in the long axis direction of the INC track 61 as the spindle 72 moves in the axial direction. Accordingly, by detecting the relative position of the signal detection unit 62 with respect to the INC track 61, it is possible to detect the amount of movement of the spindle 72.

  Returning to FIG. 8, the INC track 61 records a signal that changes at a constant period. In the present embodiment, the INC track 61 is divided into a plurality of minute regions whose length in the arrow B direction in FIG. 8 is y, and each minute region is magnetized so that the magnetization directions are alternated. ing. That is, the INC track 61 includes a magnetic pattern composed of alternating magnetism in which the S pole and the N pole alternately appear each time the length in the arrow B direction changes by y. The INC track 61 is formed such that the length in the direction of the arrow B is longer than the relative movement range W of the INC signal detector described later.

  The INC track 61 is provided with a non-recording area 61c where no signal is recorded. The non-recording area 61c is provided outside L (however, L> 0) outside the relative movement range of the INC signal detection unit described later.

  In the present embodiment, the non-recording area 61c is provided only on one end side of the INC track 61, but one non-recording area 61c may be provided in the vicinity of both end parts.

  The signal detector 62 detects a signal recorded on the INC track 61. The signal detection unit 62 includes an INC signal detection unit 81, an origin signal detection unit 82, and a power source 83 for the INC signal detection unit 81 and the origin signal detection unit 82.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the INC signal detection unit 81 includes a first detection element 91, a second detection element 92, a third detection element 93, and a fourth detection element 94. The first to fourth detection elements 91 to 94 are connected to the power supply 83 in parallel. The first detection element 91 includes two MR elements 91a and 91b connected in series and an output terminal 91c for outputting a signal between the two MR elements 91a and 91b. The configurations of the second to fourth detection elements 92 to 94 are the same as those of the first detection element 91.

  The MR elements 91a and 91b and the output terminal 91c are the same as the MR elements 11a and 11b and the output terminal 11c described in the first embodiment. The configurations of the second to fourth detection elements 12 to 14 are the same as those of the first detection element 91. Therefore, when the bias magnetic field is not applied, the signals output from the first to fourth detection elements 91 to 94 are signals that change one cycle every time the first to fourth detection elements 91 to 94 move y. Become. Further, when a bias magnetic field is applied, the signals output from the first to fourth detection elements 91 to 94 are signals that change one cycle every time the first to fourth detection elements 91 to 94 move 2y. Become. In this embodiment, a bias magnetic field is not applied.

  In the present embodiment, the first to fourth detection elements 91 to 94 are arranged at intervals of 5y / 4. Accordingly, the first and third detection elements 91 and 93 each output a sine signal inverted from each other, and the second and fourth detection elements 92 and 94 each output a cosine signal inverted from each other.

  In the present embodiment, the number of detection elements provided in the INC signal detection unit 81 is four, but the number of detection elements provided in the INC signal detection unit 81 is not particularly limited. Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the 1st-4th detection elements 91-94 are each arrange | positioned at the space | interval of 5y / 4, it does not specifically limit also about the space | interval of the 1st-4th detection elements 91-94. .

  The origin signal detector 82 is a signal output provided between the first MR element 95 and the second MR element 96 connected in series with each other and between the first MR element 95 and the second MR element 96. And a terminal 97. The signal output from the signal output terminal 97 is supplied to the fixed point signal generation unit 33 of the signal processing circuit 6.

  Both the first MR element 95 and the second MR element 96 are opposed to the INC track 61. The distance between the first MR element 95 and the second MR element 96 is ny (where n is a positive integer). Therefore, the phase of the signal output from the first MR element 95 and the phase of the signal output from the second MR element 96 are the same.

  Further, the first MR element 95 and the second MR element 96 are arranged on both sides of the INC signal detection unit 81. By disposing the first MR element 95 and the second MR element 96 on both sides of the INC signal detection unit 81, when the signal detection unit 62 moves along a minute undulation or distortion of the INC track 61, etc. However, the origin signal detector 82 is not easily affected by minute undulations or distortion of the INC track 61, and can detect the position of the non-recording area 61c with higher accuracy. In the present embodiment, the second MR element 96 is provided on the non-recording area 61c side.

  By arranging the first MR element 95 and the second MR element 96 in the positional relationship described above, the resistance change of the first MR element 95 is the first MR element described in the first embodiment. Like FIG. 21, it becomes as shown in FIG. 3A, and becomes a sine signal that changes by one cycle every time the position of the signal detector 62 changes by y. Further, the resistance change of the second MR element 96 is as shown in FIG. 3B, similarly to the first MR element 22 described in the first embodiment, and the position of the signal detection unit 62 changes by y. Although the sine signal changes for one cycle every time, when the second MR element 96 faces the non-recording area 61c, the periodic change of the resistance value disappears, and in this embodiment, the resistance value is high. Is maintained.

  The voltage V of the signal output from the signal output terminal 97 is such that the resistance value of the first MR element 96 is R1, the resistance value of the second MR element 96 is R2, and the voltage of the power supply 83 is Vcc. Sometimes, the value shown in Equation 1 described in the first embodiment is obtained.

  Accordingly, the signal output from the signal output terminal 97 is as shown in FIG. 3C, similarly to the signal output terminal 23 described in the first embodiment, and the second MR element 96 other than the non-recording area 61c. When the second MR element 96 is opposed to the non-recording area 61c, the second MR element 96 has a value higher than Vcc / 2. A pulse signal is generated only when facing the region 61c. The pulse signal is supplied to the fixed point generation circuit 33.

  Therefore, in the position detection device 60, the position of the signal detection unit 62 when the second MR element 96 faces the non-recording area 61c is the origin, and the relative position of the signal detection unit 62 with respect to the INC track 61 is measured. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, the first MR element 95 is provided, for example, at a position away from the first detection element 91 by L + α (where α> 0), and the second MR element 96 is the second detection element 92. Is provided at a position away from L + α. Accordingly, when the second MR element 96 is opposed to the non-recording area 61c, the INC signal detection unit 81 is located at a distance L + α from the non-recording area 61c. The non-recording area 61 c is provided outside the relative movement range of the INC signal detection unit 81. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the influence of the non-recording area 61c when the INC signal detection unit 81 reads a signal recorded on the INC track 61.

  Further, the signal output from the signal output terminal 83 is expressed by R2 · Vcc / (R1 + R2) as shown in the above-described equation 1, and whether or not the second MR element 96 is opposed to the non-recording area 61c. Regardless, the value of R1 changes accurately at regular intervals. On the other hand, R2 is maintained at a high value while the second MR element 96 is opposed to the non-recording area 3a, and is constant when the second MR element 96 is opposed to an area other than the non-recording area 61c. It changes accurately every period.

  Therefore, R2 · Vcc / (R1 + R2) is higher than Vcc / 2 while the second MR element 96 faces the non-recording area 61c, and the width of the output pulse signal is Thus, the state in which the second MR element 96 is opposed to the non-recording area 61c is accurately reflected. That is, the width of the pulse signal output from the signal output terminal 97 is exactly one period and is stabilized.

  Therefore, the position detection device 60 described above can detect the origin with high accuracy by detecting the origin based on the pulse signal output from the signal output terminal 97.

  Further, the position detection device 60 can accurately detect the origin without providing tracks other than the INC track 61. Accordingly, the position detection device 60 can be easily reduced in size, and can be easily mounted on a device such as the gauge 70 that cannot take a sufficient space for mounting the position detection device.

  In the present embodiment, the first MR element 95 and the second MR element 96 are arranged on both sides of the INC signal detecting unit 81, but they may be arranged on one side as shown in FIG. When both the first MR element 95 and the second MR element 96 are arranged on one side of the INC signal detection unit 81, the interval between the first MR element 95 and the second MR element 96 is L + α. By setting the interval between the first MR element 95 and the second MR element 96 to L + α, when the INC signal detection unit 81 reads a signal recorded on the INC track 61, the influence of the non-recording area 61c is reduced. You can avoid receiving it.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the position detection apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the signal detection part with which the position detection apparatus was equipped. (A) is a figure which shows the resistance value change of the 1st MR element with which the origin signal detection part of the position detection apparatus to which this invention is applied, (B) is the 1st with which the origin signal detection part was equipped. 2 is a diagram showing a change in resistance value of the MR element of FIG. 2, and (C) is a diagram showing a voltage value of a signal output from a signal output terminal provided in the origin signal detection unit. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the signal processing circuit with which the position detection apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention was equipped. It is a circuit diagram which shows the circuit in the INC signal generation part with which the same position detection apparatus was equipped. It is a figure which shows the rectangular wave which shape | molded the signal output from the signal output terminal with which the origin signal detection part of the position detection apparatus was equipped. It is a schematic diagram of the other signal detection part with which the same position detection apparatus is equipped. It is a schematic diagram which shows the position detection apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the gauge in which the same position detection apparatus is mounted. It is a schematic diagram of the signal detection part with which the same position detection apparatus is equipped. It is a schematic diagram of the other signal detection part with which the same position detection apparatus is equipped. It is a schematic diagram which shows the conventional position detection apparatus. (A) is a figure which shows the resistance value change of the 1st MR element with which the origin signal detection part of the conventional position detection apparatus was equipped, and the 2nd MR element, (B) is equipped with the origin signal detection part. It is a figure which shows the voltage value of the signal output from the obtained signal output terminal, (C) is a figure which shows the rectangular wave which shape | molded the signal output from the signal output terminal with which the origin signal detection part was equipped. .

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Position detection apparatus, 2 INC track, 3 Origin track, 4 Track part, 5 Signal detection part, 6 Signal processing circuit, 7 INC signal detection part, 8 Origin signal detection part, 9 Power supply, 11 1st detection element, 12 2nd detection element, 13 3rd detection element, 14 4th detection element, 21 1st MR element, 22 2nd MR element

Claims (2)

An incremental track in which a signal that changes at a constant period is recorded and a non-recording area in which the signal is not recorded is provided;
A first signal detecting means having a detection element disposed opposite to the incremental track, relatively moving along the incremental track, and detecting a signal recorded on the incremental track;
A detecting element disposed opposite to the incremental track, and relative to the incremental track as the first signal detector moves relative to the incremental track, to detect a signal recorded on the incremental track; Second signal detecting means;
Opposite detection means for detecting that the detection element of the second signal detection means faces the non-recording area provided in the incremental track based on the signal detected by the second signal detection means. It equipped with a door,
The non-recording area is provided outside the relative movement range of the first signal detection means, and the length of the non-recording area along the movement direction of the second signal detection means is a signal for one cycle. When the recorded length is λ, it is less than 2λ,
The second signal detecting means is arranged so that an interval in the direction along the moving direction of the second signal detecting means is nλ (where n is a positive integer) and connected in series. A position detection device that has a detection element and outputs a signal whose voltage value is a value distributed by the ratio of the resistance values of the two detection elements . The two detector elements provided in the second signal detecting means, the position detecting apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it is arranged on both sides of the detection element provided in the first signal detecting means.

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