JP4401366B2 - Encoder - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector mounting structure that is mounted on a rotary shaft of a rotating body such as a motor and is mounted on a cover of an encoder that detects the rotational speed and / or rotational angle position of the rotating body.

  Conventionally, in this type of encoder, an encoder is connected to an external control circuit or the like via a connector for taking out an output signal and inputting / outputting a control signal. As such a connector take-out structure, for example, those shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are typical. Here, in the structure shown in FIG. 4, the connector 4 is attached to the rear part of the encoder cover 2 to which the encoder body 1 is attached. In other words, in this structure, the connector is connected from above the paper surface. The connector 4 is attached to the cover 2 by a mounting screw 41 via a gasket 42 that keeps confidentiality inside the main body. The shape of the cover 2 is usually in accordance with the shape of the encoder body, and includes a cylindrical shape with one side closed, a rectangular box shape, or the like.

  Here, the encoder main body 1 has a structural member for detecting the rotation speed and rotation angle of a rotating body such as a servo motor. Specifically, a rotating shaft 1b disposed on the convex portion 1a of the main body 1, a code plate attached to the rotating shaft 1b and having a light-transmitting area and a light-shielding area formed in a predetermined pattern, and the code plate Corresponding to the rotation angle by a light source that irradiates light to the pattern forming portion, a light sensor that is disposed opposite to the light source across the code plate, and that receives light transmitted through the code plate, and a signal from the light sensor And an electronic circuit for outputting the electrical signal. The rotating shaft 1b is attached to the rotating shaft of the rotating body, which is an object to be measured, by known means, and the rotating operation of the rotating body is transmitted to the rotating shaft 1b.

  On the other hand, the structure shown in FIG. 5 is a type in which the connector 4 is attached to the side of the encoder cover 2. That is, in this structure, the connector is connected from the side (right) direction of the drawing. Other configurations are substantially the same as those in FIG. 4, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  As an encoder that outputs an encoder output signal via a connector directly fixed on an electric member, for example, an encoder described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-243409 is known. Further, an encoder described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-151192 is known as an integrated connector and cover.

As described above, whether the connector is the rear part extraction shown in FIG. 4, the side part extraction shown in FIG. 5, or another extraction direction such as diagonally backward (not shown) depends on the device to which the encoder is attached, Determined by customer specifications. For this reason, even with one encoder, it is necessary to prepare a plurality of types of covers 2 according to the specifications of the device to be attached and the customer, which is extremely uneconomical and an obstacle to cost reduction. In addition, when responding to new demands, even if the specifications of the encoder body are met, the cover specifications are not met, and the cover must be redesigned, resulting in a significant delay in delivery time, In that case, the competitors could rob customers. Such a problem has become a bigger problem, particularly with recent rapid development of device technology and control equipment, and the speed of generation change between new and old devices.
JP 2002-151192 A JP 09-243409 A

  In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an encoder having a structure capable of taking out connectors in a plurality of directions even with one type of cover.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is characterized in that an adapter is provided between the connector and the cover. More specifically, the configuration is as follows.

(1) It has an encoder body that detects the rotation of the object to be measured, a cover that covers the rear part of the encoder body, and an adapter 3 that is coupled or fitted to the cover. It has a notch portion that is notched and an opening formed in the notch surface, and a front portion of the adapter 3 has a coupling portion 3a in which a notch portion for coupling to the coupled portion 2a is formed. The adapter 3 has a connector 4 that mediates input / output of encoder output signals and control signals between the encoder circuit and an external control circuit, and the wiring connected to the connector 4 has the opening. Encoder connected to the encoder circuit through.
(2) The encoder according to (1), wherein the adapter 3 is screwed to the cover.
(3) The cover and the adapter 3 are fixed by a structure in which a convex portion is housed in a key groove, and the key groove and the convex portion are formed at rotationally symmetric positions with respect to the center of the opening. The encoder of 1) or (2).

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an encoder having a structure that allows a connector to be attached in a plurality of directions even with a single cover.

  In particular, the mounting direction of the connector can be changed by the adapter without changing the encoder cover, so that the parts can be shared and the cost can be reduced.

  Moreover, since the notch part is provided in the encoder cover and the adapter is attached to the notch part, the mounting direction of the connector can be changed very easily.

  Moreover, since the attachment direction of a connector can be changed only by changing the attachment direction of an adapter, it can respond to various aspects with fewer parts, and is very economical.

  The encoder according to the present invention includes an encoder body that detects the rotation of the object to be measured, a cover that covers the rear part of the encoder body, and an adapter 3 that is coupled or fitted to the cover. A coupling portion 3a for coupling to a coupled portion 2a having a notched portion that is cut obliquely and an opening formed in the notched surface, and having a notched portion formed in the front portion of the adapter 3. The adapter 3 has a connector 4 that mediates input / output of encoder output signals and control signals between the encoder circuit and an external control circuit, and the wiring connected to the connector 4 It is connected to the circuit of the encoder through the opening.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing the best mode of the encoder of the present invention.

  In the figure, the encoder of the present invention has a main body 1 having a rotating shaft 1b disposed on a convex portion 1a, and a cover 2 covering a rear portion of the main body 1, that is, a portion where an encoder structural member is disposed. A connector 4 is attached to the cover 2 via an adapter 3. In this example, an encoder having a convex portion 1a suitable for attachment by an inlay structure will be described as an example. However, the convex portion 1a is not necessarily required, and may have a shape suitable for the application and specifications of the encoder. .

  The rear part of the main body 1 of the encoder has a structural member for detecting the rotation speed and rotation angle of a rotating body such as a servo motor. Specifically, a code plate having a pattern forming portion that engages with the rotating shaft 1b and has a light-transmitting region and a light-shielding region formed in a predetermined pattern, and irradiates the pattern forming portion of the code plate with light. A light source disposed opposite to the light source with the code plate interposed therebetween, an optical sensor that receives light transmitted through the code plate, and an electronic circuit that outputs an electrical signal corresponding to a rotation angle based on a signal from the optical sensor; have. The rotating shaft 1b is attached to the rotating shaft of the rotating body, which is an object to be measured, by known means, and the rotating operation of the rotating body is transmitted to the rotating shaft 1b.

  Also, as having the same function, a magnetic pattern generating means for generating a predetermined magnetic pattern by the rotation of the rotating body, and a change in the magnetic field of the magnetic pattern generating means with the rotation of the rotating body is detected by a magnetic detection element or the like. An electrical signal corresponding to the rotation angle may be output. Or you may read the pattern change according to a rotation angle by these composite_body | complexes or another detection element, for example, static electricity, conduction | electrical_connection by mechanical contact, etc.

  The encoder cover 2 has a coupled portion 2a for coupling the adapter 3, and the adapter 3 to which the connector 4 is attached can be coupled or fitted to this portion. The coupled portion 2a is a cutout portion that is cut obliquely in the illustrated example. By forming such a notch part, the direction change by the adapter 3 becomes easy. The angle of the notch is not particularly limited, but if the mounting direction of the connector is changed in a substantially right angle direction, an angle that is 1/2 of that, that is, the rotating shaft 1b or the encoder mounting as shown in the illustrated example. An angle of about 45 ° with respect to the surface 1c is desirable. However, this example is a case where the angle is changed in the right-angle direction. For example, if the angle is changed by about 60 °, it is desirable that the angle is formed at about 30 ° which is a half of the angle. In other words, the notch 2a is desirably an angle that is ½ of the change in the mounting angle of the connector 4 that can be changed by the adapter, but may be an arbitrary angle.

  The shape of the cutout portion does not have to be a planar shape that is cut out linearly as in the illustrated example, and may be a curved surface whose section draws an arc.

  A front portion of the adapter 3 has a coupling portion 3 a for coupling to the coupled portion 2 a of the cover 2. The coupling portion 3a is also preferably a cutout portion, similar to the cover. In this case, the angle of the notch is the same as described above, and a description thereof is omitted. Note that a gasket or packing for keeping the inside airtight or preventing dust and liquid from entering may be provided in the coupled portion 2a or the coupling portion 3a.

  A connector 4 is provided at the rear part of the adapter 3 with a mounting screw 41, preferably through a gasket or packing 42 for keeping the inside airtight and preventing intrusion of dust and liquid. The connector 4 mediates input / output of encoder output signals and control signals between a circuit in the encoder body structural member and an external control circuit. That is, it has a role of connecting the circuit inside the encoder and the external circuit. The connector shape and the number of poles may be optimized according to the specifications of the encoder and the specifications of the external control circuit.

  A connector 4 is attached to the adapter 3, and an adapter 14 with this connector is attached to the cover 2. And the attachment direction of the connector 4 can be changed by changing the attachment direction of the adapter 3. FIG. In the illustrated example, an adapter 14A with a connector shows an example of a horizontal direction of removal, and an adapter 14B with a connector shows an example of a vertical direction of removal. Thus, by changing the mounting direction of the adapters 14A, 14B with the connectors, that is, the adapters 3, the direction of taking out the connectors 4 can be changed to a right angle (90 °). In addition, it is desirable that the shapes of the coupled portion 2a and the coupling portion 3a have a symmetry that can cope with such different mounting directions.

  Furthermore, a plurality of adapters 3 with different shapes, particularly with different notch angles, may be prepared so as to be compatible with various mounting directions.

  In the most preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in the above illustrated example and the following examples, it is recommended that at least one direction changing adapter can change the connector removal direction to at least the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. Is done.

  Next, more specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing an embodiment of the encoder of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the encoder of FIG. 2, and the rotary shaft 1b when the connector 4 is mounted from the side. It is a figure including the cross section containing the centerline of the connector 4 and the adapter 3, and the cross section of the convex part 33a (33b).

  2 and 3, main components are the same as those in FIG. 1, and overlapping portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. In this example, the shapes of the cover 2 and the adapter 3 attached to the encoder body 1 have more useful characteristics. The cover 2 has a peripheral portion that conforms to the outer shape of the main body 1 and a rear end portion that is closed so as to draw an arc from the peripheral portion. In addition, a notch portion having an angle of about 45 ° with respect to the encoder mounting surface is formed from the peripheral edge portion to a part of the rear end portion in order to form the coupled portion 2a to which the adapter 3 is connected. Moreover, it is considered so that it may become a linear inclined surface from the peripheral part to the notch part 2a, and may be integrated with the combined adapter in design.

  The notched surface of the coupled portion 2a has a substantially rectangular opening 24 with rounded corners (rounded at the four corners). The opening 24 has a function of passing a wire connected to a connector 4 attached to the adapter 3 from a circuit of a structural member of the encoder 1 main body, or adding a hand to a trimmer or the like in the main body at the time of adjustment. Around the opening 24, there is provided a groove for mounting a gasket or packing (O-ring) that keeps the inside of the encoder airtight and prevents dust and liquid from entering.

  Further, screw holes 21 a and 21 b for fixing the adapter 3 are provided in the vicinity of the upper and lower central portions of the opening 24. As will be described later, each of the screw holes 21a and 21b is used at one place depending on the mounting direction of the adapter. Further, a pair of key grooves 23a and 23b are formed from the upper part of the opening 24 to the rear end part. Similar key grooves 23c and 23d are also provided on the lower side of the opening 24 that is rotationally symmetric with respect to this and the center of the opening.

  The adapter 3 has a generally square cylindrical barrel portion, and the front coupling portion 3a has a notch surface of approximately 45 ° with respect to the barrel central axis, similar to the notch surface of the coupled portion 2a. Yes. Further, both ends of the body portion are chamfered so as to be deeply cut from the rear end portion to the front end portion, so that the shape and the shape of the cover 2 are unified.

  An opening 34 having the same shape as that of the cover 2 is also provided on the notch surface of the coupling portion 3a of the adapter 3, and when the adapter 3 is mounted, the cover 2 opening 24 and the opening 34 coincide with each other. It has become. A pair of index convex portions 33a and 33b are formed below the opening 34 at positions corresponding to the key grooves 23a and 23b and the convex portion 22, respectively. Further, the connector 4 is screwed to the rear portion of the adapter 3 with a screw 41 via a gasket 42.

  Here, the adapter 14 to which the connector 4 is attached to the adapter 3 is shown on the encoder side, that is, from the lateral direction, the adapter 14A to which the connector is attached, the rear of the encoder, that is, the upper side The adapter 14 </ b> B to which the connector is attached (not shown in the connector portion) shows the state of attachment from the (vertical direction). In the figure, the adapter with two connectors attached is shown in order to show the state of attachment from the lateral direction and from above, and actually only the adapter with one of the connectors attached is shown. Is installed. Moreover, the adapters 14A and 14B to which the connectors are attached have the same configuration except that the attachment directions are different.

  When the adapter 14 </ b> A to which the connector is attached is mounted from the lateral direction, the convex portion 22 of the cover 2 is positioned between the index convex portions 33 a and 33 b of the adapter 3. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the index convex portions 33 a and 33 b are accommodated so as to sink into the concave portion formed by the step portion 25 formed below the cover opening 34. At this time, the two openings 24 and 34 are coincident with each other, and the screw hole 31 of the adapter is coincident with the screw hole 21b in the upper part of the cover 2. Then, by screwing into the screw hole 21b from the recess 32 of the adapter 3 through the screw hole 31, that is, by screwing only at one place, the index protrusions 33a and 33b can sink into the stepped portion 25. The adapter 14A to which the connector is attached can be firmly fixed to the cover 2 with the same effect as the fixing with the screw 35. In FIG. 3, the section of the screw hole 21a is originally included in the sectional view, but here, the index convex portion 33a (33) and the stepped portion 25 are displayed for easy understanding.

  When the adapter 14B to which the connector is attached is mounted from above (vertical direction), the index convex portions 33a and 33b of the adapter 3 are accommodated in the key grooves 23a and 23b of the cover 2. At this time, since the two openings are vertically and horizontally symmetrical, 24 and 34 are matched, and the screw hole 31 of the adapter and the screw hole 21a at the bottom of the cover 2 are matched. Then, the assembly 14B can be firmly fixed to the cover 2 by screwing into the screw hole 21a from the recess 32 of the adapter 3 through the screw hole 31, that is, by screwing only one place.

  As described above, by providing the adapter 3, it is possible to change the mounting direction of the connector without changing the shape of the encoder cover 2. Further, preferably, the shape of the coupling portion is a notch, and more preferably an angle that is ½ of the direction change angle, so that the connector take-out direction can be changed simply by changing the mounting direction of one direction change adapter. be able to.

  Without changing the shape of various types of encoders, such as optical and magnetic, and the resolver body and cover, the encoder can be adapted to devices of various shapes and specifications, reducing design effort, The development cost can be reduced, and this technology is extremely useful especially in recent years when the price competition is intense.

  In the above example, the shaft type encoder has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a through shaft type encoder having a different shaft shape, an assembly type type having a bearing having a different structure, and a motor It can be applied to various types of encoders, such as a cover that is incorporated into other devices and attached thereto. In some cases, it can be applied to a rotating body such as a motor.

It is a front view which shows one best form of this invention encoder. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows one Example of this invention encoder. It is principal part sectional drawing of the encoder of FIG. It is the schematic front view which showed the structural example of the conventional encoder, and is the figure which showed the state which has taken out the connector from the encoder cover rear part. It is the schematic front view which showed the structural example of the conventional encoder, and the figure which showed the state which has taken out the connector from the encoder cover side part.

Explanation of symbols

1 Encoder body 2 Cover 2a Coupled part (notch)
3 Adapter 3a Connection part (notch)
35 Screw 4 Connector 41 Screw 42 Gasket

Claims (3)

An encoder body that detects rotation of the object to be measured, a cover that covers the rear of the encoder body, and an adapter (3) that is coupled or fitted to the cover;
The coupled portion (2a) of the cover has a notch and an opening formed in the notch surface,
The front part of the adapter (3) has a notch part for joining to the joined part (2a) and a joining part (3a) having an opening formed in the notch surface, and the rear part of the adapter (3) Has a connector (4) that mediates input / output of encoder output signals and control signals between the encoder circuit and an external control circuit,
The wiring connected to this connector (4) is connected to the circuit of the encoder through the opening,
The cover and the adapter (3) are fixed by a screw groove structure and a structure in which a convex portion is accommodated in the key groove, and the key groove, the convex portion and the screw structure are rotationally symmetrical with respect to the center of the opening. Encoder is formed into . The encoder according to claim 1 , wherein the structure in which the convex portion is accommodated in the key groove and the screwing structure are fixed at different rotationally symmetric positions . The encoder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the structure in which the convex portion is accommodated in the key groove is fixed at two places, and the screwing structure is fixed at one place.

Images