US4385234A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical systems for optical encoders
Assignee: BEI Electronics Inc
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Filing: 1980-11-25
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Granted: 1983-05-24
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Expires: 2000-11-25
Abstract
Abstract An optical system for an optical encoder of the type having an optical code disc with a plurality of code tracks, and a multichannel photodetector for receiving modulated light from the code tracks, the optical system comprising a light source for producing a line of light, an optional collimating lens for receiving divergent rays of light from said light source and for directing the light in generally parallel rays toward the code disc, an objective lens disposed between the collimating lens and the code disc for focussing the light in a sharp line on the code disc, a housing for supporting the collimating lens and having a seat for receiving the objective lens, an aperture plate having an aperture slit therein aligned with the objective lens, and means for holding the aperture plate on the housing with the objective lens retained between the seat and the plate. Flanges may be provided on the housing to retain the aperture plate, preferably in a flexed position in engagement with the objective lens, which may be cylindrical, semicylindrical, or in the form of a doublet or a triplet. A grating may be substituted for the plate and the objective lens. In an alternative construction, the aperture plate may be molded into a cylindrical objective lens.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul A. Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 09:01
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03M; H03M1/00; H03M1/12; H03M1/22; H03M1/24; H03M1/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
An optical system for an optical encoder, comprising a multitrack optical code member, a multichannel photodetector for receiving modulated light from said code member, a light source to provide light for illuminating said code member, an objective lens for focussing a line of light on said code member, a housing having a seat for receiving said objective lens, an aperture plate having an aperture therein aligned with said objective lens, and holding means for holding said aperture plate on said housing with said lens retained between said plate and said seat.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
An optical system for an optical encoder, comprising a multitrack optical code member, a multichannel photodetector for receiving modulated light from said code member, a light source to provide light for illuminating said code member, an objective lens for focussing a line of light on said code member, a housing having a seat for receiving said objective lens, an aperture plate having an aperture therein aligned with said objective lens, and holding means for holding said aperture plate on said housing with said lens retained between said plate and said seat.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An optical system according to claim 1, in which said objective lens is generally cylindrical.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
An optical system according to claim 1, in which said objective lens is generally semi-cylindrical.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical system according to claim 1, in which said objective lens comprises doublet optical elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical system according to claim 1, in which said objective lens comprises triplet optical elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
An optical system according to claim 1, said holding means comprising flange means on said housing for holding said aperture plate with said lens retained between said plate and said seat.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
An optical system according to claim 1, said aperture plate being flexible and resilient, said holding means comprising flange means on said housing for holding said aperture plate in a flexed position with said plate engaging said lens and resiliently pressing said lens against said seat.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
An optical system according to claim 7, in which said objective lens is generally cylindrical.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
An optical system according to claim 7, in which said objective lens is generally in the form of a cylindrical rod, said seat being in the form of a groove in said housing for receiving and locating said cylindrical rod.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
91 words
An optical system according to claim 7, in which said objective lens is in the form of a generally cylindrical member, said seat including a groove in said housing for receiving and locating said lens, said aperture plate being flexible and resilient, said holding means including a dovetail channel in said housing for slidably receiving and retaining said aperture plate in a curved flexed position with said aperture plate engaging said lens and resiliently pressing said lens into said groove, said aperture plate having a slit therein aligned with said lens.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
An optical system according to claim 1, including a collimating lens disposed between said light source and said objective lens.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical system according to claim 11, in which said collimating lens includes at least one optical element with generally spherical curvature.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical system according to claim 11, in which said collimating lens includes doublet optical elements.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical system according to claim 11, in which said collimating lens includes triplet optical elements.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical system according to claim 11, in which said collimating lens includes a aspheric optical element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
An optical system according to claim 1, said holding means including adhesive means for holding said aperture plate on said housing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical system according to claim 1, in which said light source includes a light emitting diode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical system according to claim 1, in which said light source includes a light emitting diode for producing light in a line pattern.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
78 words
An optical system for an optical encoder, comprising a multitrack optical code member, a multichannel photodetector for receiving modulated light from said code member, a light source to provide light for illuminating said code member, an objective lens disposed between said light source and said code member for focussing a line of light on said code member, a housing for supporting said lens, and an aperture plate molded into said objective lens and having an aperture aligned therewith.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
78 words
An optical system for an optical encoder, comprising a multitrack optical code member, a multichannel photodetector for receiving modulated light from said code member, a light source to provide light for illuminating said code member, an objective lens disposed between said light source and said code member for focussing a line of light on said code member, a housing for supporting said lens, and an aperture plate molded into said objective lens and having an aperture aligned therewith.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
An optical system according to claim 19, in which said objective lens is generally cylindrical.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
An optical system according to claim 19, in which said objective lens has a mounting portion and a focussing portion, said mounting portion being mounted on said housing, said aperture plate being molded into said focussing portion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical system according to claim 21, in which said focussing portion includes at least one optical element having a generally cylindrical curvature.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
135 words
An optical system for an optical encoder, comprising a multitrack optical code member, a multichannel photodetector for receiving modulated light from said code member, a light source to provide light for illuminating said code member, an objective lens for focussing a line of light on said code member, a housing having a seat for receiving said objective lens, an aperture plate having an aperture therein aligned with said objective lens, and holding means for holding said aperture plate on said housing with said lens retained between said plate and said seat, said aperture plate being flexible and resilient, said holding means including a dovetail channel in said housing for slidably receiving and retaining said aperture plate in a flexed position with said aperture plate engaging said lens and resiliently pressing said lens against said seat.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
135 words
An optical system for an optical encoder, comprising a multitrack optical code member, a multichannel photodetector for receiving modulated light from said code member, a light source to provide light for illuminating said code member, an objective lens for focussing a line of light on said code member, a housing having a seat for receiving said objective lens, an aperture plate having an aperture therein aligned with said objective lens, and holding means for holding said aperture plate on said housing with said lens retained between said plate and said seat, said aperture plate being flexible and resilient, said holding means including a dovetail channel in said housing for slidably receiving and retaining said aperture plate in a flexed position with said aperture plate engaging said lens and resiliently pressing said lens against said seat.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
136 words
An optical system for an optical encoder, comprising a multitrack optical code member, a multichannel photodetector for receiving modulated light from said code member, a light source to provide light for illuminating said code member, an optical housing disposed between said light source and said code member, said housing having a transversely extending dovetail mounting channel therein, and an optical grating plate fitted into said dovetail channel and retained therein adjacent said code member for modifying the light supplied to said code member from said light source, said dovetail channel forming a pair of flanges on said housing, said flanges overlapping and retaining said grating plate, said grating plate having a pair of slanting side surfaces engaged and retained by said flanges whereby said grating plate is retained in an established relation to said code member.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
136 words
An optical system for an optical encoder, comprising a multitrack optical code member, a multichannel photodetector for receiving modulated light from said code member, a light source to provide light for illuminating said code member, an optical housing disposed between said light source and said code member, said housing having a transversely extending dovetail mounting channel therein, and an optical grating plate fitted into said dovetail channel and retained therein adjacent said code member for modifying the light supplied to said code member from said light source, said dovetail channel forming a pair of flanges on said housing, said flanges overlapping and retaining said grating plate, said grating plate having a pair of slanting side surfaces engaged and retained by said flanges whereby said grating plate is retained in an established relation to said code member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-05-23 | 1986-11-22 | 1987-05-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-05-23 | 1990-11-22 | 1991-05-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-05-23 | 1994-11-22 | 1995-05-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |