Electrical resistors – Mechanically variable – With resistor actuator position indicator
Reexamination Certificate
2002-04-24
2003-09-09
Easthom, Karl D. (Department: 2832)
Electrical resistors
Mechanically variable
With resistor actuator position indicator
C338S015000, C338S199000, C250S2140PR, C359S223100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06617958
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention herein relates to an optical potentiometer, specifically an optical potentiometer of an original arrangement in which the actual distance traveled by the movable reflector device of the said optical potentiometer is measured by an optically controlled method, with the results then driving a digital variable resistor to output a corresponding electrical resistance value.
Conventional variable resistors or potentiometers typically consists of a sliding or rotating member tipped with a wiper that is in contact with a resistive carbon element to output a certain value of electrical resistance. Although such conventional variable resistors or potentiometers are used in large volume by industry and, furthermore, have been utilized for quite some time, since frictional union must be maintained between the wiper of the sliding or rotating member and the resistive carbon element, this not only adversely affects the service life of the said variable resistors or potentiometers, but also renders them incapable accurate resistance values and, furthermore, generates considerable noise in electronic equipment. Therefore, as quality and precision requirements in the electronics technology industry become more stringent, solving the said problems have gradually become an important concern among electronics manufacturers.
In view of the said situation, the inventor of the invention herein conducted extensive studies regarding improvements based on many years of experience gained while engaged in the research and development of variable resistors and potentiometers which culminated in the successful innovation of the optical potentiometer of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary objective of the invention herein is to provide an optical potentiometer in which a movable reflector device capable of stable travel to the left and right redirects light waves emitted by a light wave transmitter to the area of a point detecting light wave receiver at the side, following which a comparison against predetermined settings of standard excursion range is executed to measure the actual distance traveled by the movable reflector device, with the results then driving a digital variable resistor to output the corresponding, accurate resistance value.
Another objective of the invention herein is to provide an optical potentiometer in which operation is based on optical principles to eliminate the utilization of friction between a wiper and a resistive carbon element to thereby reduce electronic device noise and increase potentiometer service life.
To enable a further understanding of the structural features of the invention herein, the brief description of the drawings below is followed by the detailed description of the present invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3859617 (1975-01-01), Oka et al.
patent: 4523090 (1985-06-01), Wagner
patent: 4796000 (1989-01-01), Mondl
patent: 5343186 (1994-08-01), Zampini et al.
patent: 5719570 (1998-02-01), Breitbarth
patent: 5907114 (1999-05-01), Culver
patent: 6025588 (2000-02-01), Hsu
Easthom Karl D.
Taiwan Alpha Electronic Co., Ltd.
Vigil Thomas R.
Welsh & Katz Ltd.
LandOfFree
Optical potentiometer does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Optical potentiometer, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Optical potentiometer will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3010786