WO2015149981A1

WO2015149981A1 - Angle encoder

Info

Publication number: WO2015149981A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/053086
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eduard Maiterth; Joerg Siedentopf
Original assignee: Robert Bosch Gmbh
Priority date: 2014-04-03
Filing date: 2015-02-13
Publication date: 2015-10-08
Also published as: DE102014206363A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an angle encoder (1) comprising a sensor unit (20) and a transmitter unit (10), which, by way of an activating device (30), undergoes a movement of a lever to be sensed, wherein the sensor unit (20) senses the movement of the transmitter unit (10) and outputs an output signal representing the movement, wherein at least one customer interface (2) is provided, coupling the activating device (30) to the lever to be sensed and/or outputting the output signal of the sensor unit (20) and/or positioning and/or fastening the angle encoder (1). According to the invention, the geometry of the at least one customer interface (2) is formed variably by means of separate structural parts, wherein at least two geometrically variable structural parts can be combined according to choice with a geometrically unchanging structural part to form the at least one customer interface (2).

Description

description

title

angle encoder

The invention relates to an angle transmitter according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

Usually, in the manufacture of an angle encoder, separate modules, in particular a sensor unit and a transmitter unit, are combined and prefabricated to form a common unit. The fully assembled angle encoder is then attached to a bearing block of a lever to be sensed. The angle sensor, which is connected for example via a driver with the lever, measures a path or a rotation angle of the

Sensing lever, which may be designed, for example, as a pedal crank in particular as a pedal or as a pawl, etc. Angle encoders, which can be used to detect the angle of a rotating pedal shaft, are typically designed so that the customer interfaces of the angle encoder are designed for a specific application and / or installation environment. The customer interfaces of the angle encoder relate, for example, to attachment geometry, positioning geometry, geometry of the electrical contact, control geometry, etc. If the angle encoder is to be used for a different application or a different installation environment, either the application and / or installation environment must be adapted to the customer interfaces of the angle encoder , or the customer interfaces of the angle encoder must be adapted to the application and / or installation environment. Both are associated with considerable additional effort.

In DE 10 2007 000 649 AI, for example, a mounting structure for a rotation angle detection device is described with a sensor unit and a transmitter unit. The encoder unit learns about a driver movement of a a lever, so that the sensor unit detects this movement, wherein the transmitter unit and the sensor unit have separate housing, which are interconnected. Here, the two housings of the transmitter unit and the sensor unit are welded together by laser welding and fastened by mounting screws on mounting struts on a pedal unit.

In DE 10 2011 006 035 AI, for example, a pedal unit with a pedal lever, a bearing block and a displacement sensor is disclosed, which detects a path of the pedal lever. The displacement sensor adapted to a specific pedal lever comprises a sensor unit and a transmitter unit, which experiences a movement of the pedal lever via a driver, so that the sensor unit detects this movement. The transmitter unit and the sensor unit have separate housings which are connected to each other. The connection between the housings of the transmitter unit and the sensor unit is realized by at least one hollow rivet connection, in the cavity of which at least one fastening element is guided. In addition, the displacement sensor is connected to the bearing block by the at least one fastening element guided through the hollow space of the hollow rivet connection. The customer interfaces of the displacement sensor, which couple the control device with the lever to be sensed and / or output the output signal of the sensor unit and / or position and / or fix the displacement sensor, are specially adapted to the given installation environment and the predetermined pedal lever to be sensed.

Disclosure of the invention

The angle encoder according to the invention with the features of independent claim 1 has the advantage that a great deal of flexibility for the customer interfaces of the angle encoder can be achieved and thus the different applications and / or installation conditions can be operated by low cost and effort. Due to the separate structural parts geometrically variable structural parts of the customer interfaces, which include, for example, fastening, positioning, connector receiving and Ansteuerkonstruktionselementen easily exchanged and made cheap, especially if the variable construction parts are designed as free-falling parts. The geometrically variable construction parts result in combination with the geometrically identical structural parts advantageously a flexible kit, which can serve the customer's wishes regarding mechanical interfaces well. In addition, embodiments of the angle encoder according to the invention enable simple assembly processes.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an angle transmitter which comprises a sensor unit and a transmitter unit, which receives a movement of a lever to be sensed via a drive device. The sensor unit detects the movement of the encoder unit and outputs an output signal representing the movement. Furthermore, at least one customer interface is provided, which couples the control device with the lever to be sensed and / or outputs the output signal of the sensor unit and / or positions and / or fixes the angle transmitter. According to the invention, the geometry of the at least one customer interface is designed to be variable by means of separate structural parts, wherein at least two geometrically variable construction parts can optionally be combined with a geometrically identical structural part to form the at least one customer interface.

In the present case, a transmitter unit is understood to be a module which includes a signal generator for generating a physical quantity. The generated physical variable changes indirectly or directly by the movement of the lever to be sensed via the driver so that a distance covered or a rotation angle of the lever to be sensed can be determined. A possible signal generator is for example a permanent magnet. The associated variable physical quantity is a magnetic field, wherein magnetic field lines of the

Magnetic field change their direction in an advantageous manner by the movement of the lever to be sensed. As other possible signal generator sources of electromagnetic waves and / or sound waves can be used. As the physical quantity, it is then possible to use an amplitude and / or wavelength and / or wave frequency, which are changed by the movement of the lever. To protect the signal transmitter against external influences, it may be surrounded by a seal.

In the present case, a sensor unit is understood to be a structural unit which comprises at least one sensor fixed in relation to the signal generator, which detects the movement of the lever to be sensed based on the change in the physical quantity generated by the signal generator. In particular, the angle dependence or path dependence of the physical quantity can be detected and evaluated. Depending on the physical property of the signal generator, the sensor unit comprises, for example, a Hall sensor and / or a magnetoresistive sensor and / or an inductive sensor and / or an optical sensor and / or an ultrasonic sensor and / or a high-frequency sensor and / or a radar sensor or another suitable one Sensor. Furthermore, the sensor unit comprises an evaluation unit, which converts the change of the physical quantity into an output signal, preferably an electrical signal. An interface, which is designed for example as a plug-in connection, outputs the generated actuating signal for further processing to a control unit.

The measures and refinements recited in the dependent claims advantageous improvements of the independent claim 1 angle encoder are possible.

It is particularly advantageous that the geometrically variable structural parts can be designed as freely falling parts. This allows a particularly cost-effective production of the variable construction parts.

In an advantageous embodiment of the angle encoder according to the invention, the geometrically identical construction part of a first customer interface for coupling the control device with the lever to be sensed can be designed as a rotary lever which is rotatably coupled at one end to the transmitter unit, and the geometrically variable construction parts of the first customer interface can each as Carrier are running, which are connectable to the free end of the rotary lever. The driver can preferably be connected by plugging with the rotary lever. This allows a simple and quick installation of the driver and thus a simple and quick adaptation of the first customer interface for coupling the control device with the lever to be sensed. Depending on the customer's request, the driver can be designed in a different form. The driver can be performed for example as an angle lever or fork lever. In a further advantageous embodiment of the angle encoder according to the invention, the rotary lever can be reset by a return spring to its original position. In this case, the spring element is advantageously attached to the housing of the transmitter unit and to the rotary lever by hooking, latching, gluing, etc. The restoring force of the spring element brings the rotary lever with the driver back to its original position. In this way, one obtains a constant basic setting for an unactuated state, in which the lever to be sensed is also in its starting position. Furthermore, due to the restoring force of the spring element, a tolerance offset occurs, which compensates for elastic actuation deformations of the lever to be sensed and does not transmit such undesired deformations to the encoder unit. Advantageously, a spring chamber in the transmitter unit for receiving the return spring can be shaped so that the return spring can be installed in different positions, wherein the rotary lever with the driver in

Dependent on the used installation position may have different starting positions and can be easily and quickly adapted to different applications and / or installation conditions. In a further advantageous embodiment of the angle encoder according to the invention, the geometrically identical construction part of a second customer interface for electrical contacting of the sensor unit can be designed as a printed circuit board, and the geometrically variable construction parts of the second customer interface can each be designed as a connector receptacle, which are electrically and mechanically connected to the circuit board. Depending on customer requirements, different types of plug receptacles can be realized. The plug receptacles differ, for example, by their external geometry and / or internal geometry. For easy installation, the

Plug receptacles by means of a tongue and groove connection and / or over

Positioning pins are partially fixed to the transmitter unit and / or sensor unit.

Alternatively, the plug receptacles can be made in one piece with a cover unit or a housing of the encoder unit. As a result, an easier sealing of the angle sensor can be achieved by only one seal, which can be arranged between the cover unit and the housing of the encoder unit in an advantageous manner. In a further advantageous embodiment of the angle encoder according to the invention, the geometrically identical structural part of a third customer interface for positioning and / or attachment of the angle encoder can be designed as a housing of the encoder unit, and the geometrically variable structural parts of the third customer interface can be executed in each case as a cover unit and / or as a base plate, which are mechanically connectable to the housing of the encoder unit. The cover unit and / or the base plate can take over the functions of fastening and positioning of the angle encoder as needed. The housing of the encoder unit, the cover unit, the base plate and the plug receptacle can be held together in a force-locking and form-fitting manner, for example by means of rivets. Alternatively, can be dispensed with the rivets, if the base plate or the cover unit with the housing of the encoder unit via latching lugs and locking latch are kept safe to transport. At the customer, these three components are then connected to one another in a force-locking manner by screwing on. The cover unit may also have suitable geometric elements for fastening and / or positioning of the angle sensor, so that it is possible to dispense with the base plate.

Embodiments of the angle encoder according to the invention can be used for example in a pedal unit with a pedal lever and a bearing block for determining the pedal travel of the pedal lever. Here, the angle sensor is attached to the bearing block of the pedal lever and coupled via the driver with the pedal lever. Since the angle encoder is already fully assembled, it can be quickly connected to any pedal unit.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate components that perform the same or analog functions.

Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1 shows a front perspective view of a first embodiment of an angle sensor according to the invention.

2 shows a perspective side view of the first exemplary embodiment of an angle transmitter according to the invention from FIG. 1.

3 shows a sectional representation of the first exemplary embodiment of an angle transmitter according to the invention from FIGS. 1 and 2.

4 shows a perspective view of a transmitter unit with mounted drive device for the angle transmitter according to the invention from FIGS. 1 to 3.

5 shows a perspective view of a printed circuit board with mounted plug receptacle for the angle transmitter according to the invention from FIGS. 1 to 3.

6 shows a perspective view of the transmitter unit with mounted control device from FIG. 4 and with inserted printed circuit board with mounted connector receptacle from FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows a detailed representation of the transmitter unit from FIG. 4.

Fig. 8 shows a detailed view of the printed circuit board with mounted

Connector receptacle of FIG. 5.

9 shows a detailed representation of the transmitter unit with inserted printed circuit board from FIG. 6.

10 shows an exploded perspective view of individual components of the first exemplary embodiment of an angle transmitter according to the invention from FIGS. 1 to 9.

11 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a cover unit of an angle transmitter according to the invention. 12 shows a perspective top view of a second exemplary embodiment of an angle transmitter according to the invention.

13 shows a perspective top view of a third exemplary embodiment of an angle transmitter according to the invention.

14 shows a perspective top view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of an angle transmitter according to the invention. 15 shows a perspective top view of a fifth exemplary embodiment of an angle transmitter according to the invention.

Fig. 16 shows a view of the fifth embodiment of an angle sensor according to the invention from Fig. 15 without drive means from below.

Fig. 17 shows a view of the fifth embodiment of an angle sensor according to the invention from Fig. 15 from below.

FIG. 18 shows a bottom view of a sixth exemplary embodiment of an angle transmitter according to the invention.

Embodiments of the invention

As can be seen from FIGS. 1 to 18, the illustrated exemplary embodiments of an angle transmitter 1, 1A, 1B, IC, 1D, IE, 1F according to the invention each include a sensor unit 20, 20A, 20B and a transmitter unit 10, which are actuated via a drive device 30 30A, 30B, 30C undergoes a movement of a lever, not shown, to be sensed. The sensor unit 20, 20A, 20B detects the movement of the encoder unit 10 and outputs an output signal representing the movement. At least one customer interface 2, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D is provided, which couples the drive device 30, 30A, 30B, 30C to the lever to be sensed and / or outputs the output signal of the sensor unit 20, 20A, 20B and / or the angle transmitter 1, 1A, 1B, IC, 1D, IE, 1F are positioned and / or fastened. According to the invention, the geometry of the at least one customer interface 2, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D by means of separate structural parts are formed variably, wherein at least two geometrically variable construction parts can optionally be combined with a geometrically identical construction part to form the at least one customer interface 2, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D. The geometrically variable structural parts are preferably designed as freely falling parts.

As can also be seen from FIGS. 1 to 18, the geometrically identical construction part of a first customer interface 2A for coupling the activation device 30, 30A, 30B with the lever to be sensed is designed as a rotary lever 32.1, which is non-rotatably connected to the one end Encoder unit 10 is coupled. In the illustrated embodiments, the drive means 30, 30A, 30B comprises the rotary lever 32.1, a turntable 32 and a driver 34 which is coupled to the lever to be sensed, wherein the rotary lever 32.1 is designed as an extension of the turntable 32, which rotatably with a bearing - Wave 16 of the encoder unit 10 is connected. The geometrically variable structural parts of the first customer interface 2A are each designed as a driver 34, which are connectable to the free end of the rotary lever 32.1. The driver 34 is executed in the illustrated embodiments as an angle lever 34A or fork lever 34B. Of course, other not shown geometric embodiments of the variable construction parts of the first customer interface 2A are conceivable to couple the drive means 30, 30A, 30B with the lever to be sensed. The various embodiments of the driver 34 each have a receiving pocket 34.1, in which the free end of the rotary lever 32.1 is inserted and preferably latched to make the connection between the rotary lever 32.1 and the driver 34.

As can also be seen from FIGS. 1 to 18, the geometrically identical construction part of a second customer interface 2B for electrically contacting the sensor unit 20, 20A, 20B is designed as a printed circuit board 26, and the geometrically variable structural parts of the second customer interface 2B are each in the form of plug receptacles 27, 27A, 27B, 27C, 27D, which are electrically and mechanically connectable to the printed circuit board 26. On the circuit board 26 at least one example designed as a Hall element sensor 24 is net angeord- net. In addition, the sensor 24 can be used, for example, as an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit chip) with sensitive measuring element. The plug receptacles 27, 27A, 27B, 27C, 27D each have a bottom plate 27.1 with the same external dimensions, through which contact pins 29.1 contacted with the printed circuit board 26 are guided. As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 3 to 6, the contact pins 29. 1 are preferably designed as insertion pins, which are inserted into corresponding contact openings of the printed circuit board 26. As an additional fastening means 27.1 angled mounting pins 27.2 are arranged on the bottom plate, which are inserted and fixed in corresponding mounting holes 26.2 of the circuit board 26. Thus, the circuit board 26 with the sensor 24 is a common part and the plug receptacles

27, 27A, 27B, 27C, 27D with the bottom plate 27.1 are made custom. The consisting of the circuit board 26 and one of the plug receptacles 27, 27 A, 27 B, 27 C, 27 D mounting assembly is by means of a tongue and groove joint, which through the bottom plate 27.1 of the respective

Plug receptacle 27, 27 A, 27 B, 27 C, 27 D is formed as a spring and a housing 12 in the transmitter unit 10 formed receiving groove 13, and via positioning holes 26.1, which at the plug receptacle 27, 27 A, 27 B, 27 C, 27 D opposite end in the circuit board 26.1 are introduced, partially fixed on the housing 12 of the encoder unit 10, as can be seen in particular from FIGS. 3 to 9. The positioning openings 26.1 of the printed circuit board 26 are plugged and fixed in the illustrated embodiments on the housing 12 of the encoder unit 20 arranged positioning pin 12.2. For lateral guidance of the printed circuit board, further positioning means in the form of positioning webs 12.3 are arranged on the housing 12 of the transmitter unit.

The different plug receptacles 27, 27A, 27B, 27C, 27D differ, for example, by their outer geometries 28 and / or inner geometries 29. The outer geometries 28 of the various plug receptacles 27, 27A, 27B, 27C, 27D are, for example, of different sizes and / or shapes and have various guide webs 28.1 and / or locking lugs 28.2 on. The internal geometries 29 of the various plug receptacles 27, 27A, 27B, 27C, 27D are, for example, of different sizes and / or shapes and have different contact pins 29.1, guide webs 29.2 and / or partitions 29.3. The outer geometries 28 and / or inner geometries 29 of the various Plug receptacles 27, 27A, 27B, 27C, 27D are adapted to the respective custom plug, not shown, which is plugged into the plug receptacle 27, 27A, 27B, 27C, 27D. As can also be seen from FIGS. 1 to 18, the geometrically identical structural part of a third customer interface 2C for positioning and / or fastening the angle transmitter 1, 1A, 1B, IC, 1D, IE, 1F is designed as housing 12 of the transmitter unit 10, and the geometrically variable structural parts of the third customer interface 2C are each designed as a cover unit 22, 22A, 22B, which closes the sensor unit 20, 20A, 20B upwards, and / or as a base plate 40, which can be mechanically connected to the housing 12 of the transmitter unit 10 are.

As is further apparent from FIGS. 1 to 18, in the exemplary embodiments illustrated, the cover unit 22, 22A, 22B is connected to the housing 12 of the transmitter unit 10 via latching connections. For the production of the snap-in connections, a plurality of latching clips 22.1 are arranged on the cover unit 22, 22A, 22B in the exemplary embodiment shown, which are each latched with corresponding latching lugs 12.1 arranged on the housing 12 of the encoder unit 10. In the illustrated embodiments, in the lid unit 22,

22 A, 22 B, a receiving groove 23 is introduced, which also forms a tongue and groove joint with the bottom plate 27.1 of the respective connector receptacle 27, 27A, 27B, 27C, 27D. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the plug receptacles 27, 27 A, 27 B, 27 C, 27 D in one piece with the respective cover unit 22, 22 A, 22 B or the respective housing 12 of

Encoder unit 10 are executed.

Analogous to the cover unit 22, 22 A, 22 B and the base plate 40 is connected via snap-in connections with the housing 12 of the encoder unit 10. For the production of the snap-in connections, a plurality of latching clips 44 are arranged in the illustrated exemplary embodiment on the base plate 40, which are respectively latched with corresponding latching lugs 12.1 arranged on the housing 12 of the encoder unit 10. In addition, the base plate 40 has a plurality of positioning pins 42, which position the base plate 40 in the correct position on the housing 12 of the encoder unit 10. For the correct positioning of the angle sensor 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, IE, 1F in the installation environment, the cover unit 22, 22A, 22B and / or the base plate 40 have respective positioning means configured as positioning pins 7, 9, which correspond to associated custom positioning holes (not shown) in the installation environment.

As is further apparent from FIGS. 1 to 18, the cover unit 22, 22A, 22B and the housing 12 of the transmitter unit 10 are designed as plastic parts in the illustrated exemplary embodiments and additionally connected to one another by two rivet connections. The riveted joints each comprise one

Hollow rivet 3 and corresponding at the edge of the cover unit 22, 22A, 22B and at the edge of the housing 12 of the encoder unit 10 arranged insertion openings 5, which receive the hollow rivets 3. The hollow rivets 3 are guided through the provided insertion openings 5 in the cover unit 22, 22A, 22B and in the housing 12 of the encoder unit 10 and expanded and riveted after insertion by appropriate tools. As a result, the respective cover unit 22, 22A, 22B and the housing 12 of the transmitter unit 10 are held together with the respective plug receptacle 27, 27A, 27B, 27C, 27D in a positive and positive fit and the hollow rivets 3 are captively connected to the resulting modular unit. In the illustrated in Fig. 1 to 10 first embodiment of the angle encoder 1A, which also includes a base plate 40 for positioning and mounting the angle encoder 1A, the hollow rivets 3 are also guided through a corresponding insertion opening 5 in the base plate 40, so that the cover unit 22nd A, the housing 12 of the encoder unit 10 with the respective connector receptacle 27, 27 A, 27 B, 27 C, 27 D and the base plate 40 are held together positively and positively. For fixing the angle sensor 1, 1A, 1B, IC, 1D, IE, 1F in the installation space can each be guided in the cavities of the hollow rivets 3, not shown fastener. Alternatively, additional mounting openings 22.2 can be provided on the base plate 40 or on the cover unit 22B, through which corresponding

Fasteners can be performed.

As is further apparent from FIGS. 1 to 10, the illustrated first exemplary embodiment of the angle transmitter 1A according to the invention comprises an angle lever 34A as a driver 34 for coupling the drive device 30A to the non-illustrated placed to be sensed lever. For electrical contacting, the angle transmitter 1A according to the invention has a first connector receptacle 27A whose external geometry 28 and internal geometry 29 are adapted to a customer-specific first connector (not shown). For fixing and positioning, the angle encoder 1A has a first cover unit 22A and the base plate 40.

As can be seen from FIG. 11, the illustrated second exemplary embodiment of the cover unit 22B, which has two additional fastening openings 22.2 and two positioning pins 9, can be used as a positioning and fastening element, so that in the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 18 the angular encoder 1B, IC, 1D, IE, 1F according to the invention can be dispensed with the base plate 40. As is further apparent from FIGS. 12 to 18, in the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the angle transmitter 1B, IC, 1D, IE, 1F 1A according to the invention, the driver 34 for coupling the activation device 30B, 30C to the lever, not shown, is each a fork lever 34B executed. For fastening and positioning, the illustrated angle encoders 1B, IC, 1D, IE, 1F each have the second cover unit 22 B and no base plate 40. As is further apparent from FIGS. 12 to 15, the illustrated ones differ

Embodiments of the angle sensor according to the invention 1B, IC, 1D, IE respectively by the different design of the respective connector receptacle 27A, 27B, 27C, 27D for electrical contacting of the angle encoder according to the invention 1B, IC, 1D, IE. The outer geometry 28 and inner geometry 29 of the respective Plug receptacle 27A, 27B, 27C, 27D is adapted to the respective customer-specific connector, not shown.

As can be further seen in particular from FIGS. 3 and 4, the housing 12 of the encoder unit 10 accommodates a bearing bushing 4 fixed in the housing 12. The driver 34 is connected via the rotary lever 32.1 and the rotary disk 32 to the bearing shaft 16, which is rotatably mounted in the bearing bush 14 of the encoder unit 10 and driven by the driver 34. Here, the bearing shaft 16 performs by the movement of the driver 34 from a rotational movement. A signal generator 18 is designed in the illustrated embodiment as a permanent magnet and firmly connected to the bearing shaft 16, so that the signal generator 18 moves with the bearing shaft 16. As a result of the rotational movement of the bearing shaft 16, the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 18 detected by the sensor unit 20, 20A, 20B, for example via at least one sensor 24 designed as a Hall element, changes. The sensor 24 fixed in relation to the signal generator 18 registers the change in the magnetic field of the signal generator 18. In the illustrated

Embodiment, the designed as a Hall element sensor 24 is disposed on the circuit board 26 and separated by an air gap from the signal generator 18 of the encoder unit 10. The sensor 24 designed as a Hall element translates a position of the lever to be sensed and / or of the rotary lever 32.1 into an electrical output signal.

As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 3 and 16, the housing 12 of the encoder unit 10 has a spring space 17 for a return spring 19, which returns the rotary lever 32.1 to its starting position. The spring chamber 17 is shaped so that the return spring 19 can be installed in different positions, wherein the rotary lever 32.1, and thus the driver 34, depending on the used installation position has different starting positions.

16, the spring chamber 17 in the illustrated embodiment has four positioning grooves 17.1, 17.2, 17.3, 17.4, in which a first retaining hook 19.1 of the return spring 19 can be inserted in order to install the return spring 19 in different positions can , In the embodiment of the angle encoder IE according to the invention shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the first retaining hook 19.1 of the return spring 19 is inserted into a first positioning groove 17.1 and the second retaining hook is hooked into a receiving opening on the rotary lever 32.1. This results in the illustrated in Fig. 17, starting position of the rotary lever 32.1 with driver 34, which is designed here as a fork lever 34B. In order to install the rotary lever 32.1 with driver 34 in a different position, without changing the restoring moment of the return spring 19 significantly and to preserve the life of the return spring 19, the first retaining hook 19.1 of the return spring 19 in another Positionierungsnut 17.2, 17.3 or 17.4 introduced. FIG. 18 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the angle transmitter 1F according to the invention, in which the starting position of the rotary lever 32.1 with driver 34 is rotated by approximately 180 ° in comparison to the angle transmitter IE shown in FIG. To make these initial To reach position, the first retaining hook 19.1 of the return spring 19 is inserted into a third positioning groove 17.3. In order to achieve a rotation of the starting position of the rotary lever 32.1 with driver 34 by approximately 90 ° in comparison to the illustrated in Fig. 17 inventive angle encoder IE, the first retaining hook 19.1 of the return spring 19 is in a second positioning groove

17.2 introduced. Analogously, the first retaining hook 19.1 of the return spring 19 is inserted into a fourth positioning groove 17.4, in order to achieve a rotation of the starting position of the rotary lever 32.1 with driver 34 by approximately 270 ° compared to the inventive angle encoder IE shown in FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a sensor unit 20 with a plug receptacle 26, via which an electrical connection to a control unit can be produced, which receives and evaluates the generated actuating signal.

Embodiments of the angle encoder according to the invention can be used for example in a pedal unit, not shown, with a pedal lever and a pedal bracket for detecting the pedal travel of the pedal lever. By means of the separate structural parts, geometrically variable construction parts of the customer interfaces, which comprise, for example, fastening, positioning, plug receiving and control construction elements, can easily be exchanged and manufactured in a favorable manner, in particular if the variable structural parts are designed as freely falling parts. In combination with the geometrically identical construction parts, the geometrically variable structural parts advantageously provide a flexible modular system which can easily serve the customer's wishes with regard to mechanical interfaces. The flexible mounting, positioning, plug receiving and Ansteuerkonstruktionselemente can be recreated depending on the customer. For the encoder unit and the control device only identical parts are used except the driver for all embodiments of the angle encoder according to the invention. In the sensor unit, identical parts are used for the printed circuit board and the sensor for all embodiments of the angle sensor according to the invention, wherein the plug receptacle can be customized. The lid unit and the base plate are selected depending on the particular installation environment. The cover unit and the base plate can each take over the functions of fastening and positioning as required. Thus, in an advantageous manner, depending on the customer's request, the driver can be designed in a different form. In addition, depending on customer requirements, different types of plug receptacles can be realized. Depending on the customer's wishes, the widening can be carried out using the cover unit and / or the base plate as a positioning and fastening element in order to adapt the angle sender according to the invention to the installation environment.

Claims

claims

1. Angle transmitter with a sensor unit (20) and a transmitter unit (10), which undergoes a movement of a lever to be sensed via a drive device (30), wherein the sensor unit (20) detects the movement of the transmitter unit (10) and a movement representing Output signal, wherein at least one customer interface (2) is provided, which couples the drive device (30) with the lever to be sensed and / or outputs the output signal of the sensor unit (20) and / or positions and / or fixes the angle transmitter (1), characterized in that the geometry of the at least one customer interface (2) is designed to be variable by means of separate structural parts, wherein at least two geometrically variable construction parts can optionally be combined with a geometrically identical construction part to form the at least one customer interface (2).

2. Angle transmitter according to claim 1, characterized in that the geometrically variable structural parts are designed as freely falling parts.

3. angle sensor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the geometrically identical construction part of a first customer interface (2A) for coupling the drive means (30) with the lever to be sensed as a rotary lever (32.1) is executed, which at one end rotatably with the Encoder unit (10) is coupled, and the geometrically variable structural parts of the first customer interface (2A) are each designed as a driver (34) which are connectable to the free end of the rotary lever (32.1). An angle sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that the driver (34) as an angle lever (34A) or fork lever (34B) is executed.

An angle sensor according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the rotary lever (32.1) via a return spring (19) is reset to its original position.

An angle sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that a spring chamber (17) in the encoder unit (10) is shaped so that the return spring (19) can be installed in different positions, wherein the rotary lever (32.1) in dependence on the used installation position different starting positions having.

An angle transmitter according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the geometrically identical structural part of a second customer interface (2B) for electrically contacting the sensor unit (20) is designed as a printed circuit board (26), and the geometrically variable structural parts of the second customer interface (2B) are each designed as a plug receptacle (27), which are electrically and mechanically connected to the circuit board (26).

An angle sensor according to claim 7, characterized in that the plug receptacles (27) differ by their external geometry (28) and / or internal geometry (29).

An angle sensor according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the plug receptacles (27) are partially fixed by means of a tongue and groove connection and / or positioning pins on the transmitter unit (10) and / or sensor unit (20).

An angle sensor according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the plug receptacles (27) are constructed in one piece with a cover unit (22) or a housing (12) of the transmitter unit (10). An angle transmitter according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the geometrically identical construction part of a third customer interface (2B) for positioning and / or attachment of the angle sensor (1) as a housing (12) of the encoder unit (10) is executed, and the geometric variable construction parts of the second customer interface (2B) are each designed as a cover unit (22) and / or as a base plate (40) which are mechanically connectable to the housing (12) of the transmitter unit (10).