Position sensor

Details Position sensor Position sensor

1998-09-14

2000-12-26

Gutierrez, Diego

Geometrical instruments

Distance measuring

Scale reading position sensor

33 1PT, 33549, 33558, 33561, G01B 728

Patent

active

061639745

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a position sensor with a housing, a carriage movable in a guide in the housing, and at least one measurement probe arranged on the carriage for picking up a measurement signal as a function of the position of the carriage.
The guide can be embodied, for example, so that the carriage can be moved in a sliding fashion.
The measurement probe can be a non-contacting pick-up element or a contacting pick-up element, e.g., a slider or the like.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Such position sensors are known from a wide variety of technical fields. The sensors serve as linear displacement gauges to determine position, for example. Frequently, these position sensors are linear displacement gauges that work on a potentiometric, capacitive or inductive basis.
For example German reference, DE 26 29 294 A1 discloses a linear variable resistance aggregate, in which the measurement probe and a sliding carriage are rigidly connected to each other. The sliding carriage can be moved from the outside via a handle, while the measurement probes are pick-up clamps that slide along a resistance track.
Reference DT 24 33 405 B2 discloses an adjustable slide resistor in which the measurement probe, again, is a pick-up element that slides along a resistance track and is rigidly connected to a sliding carriage arranged on the housing.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

DT 25 16 874 A1 discloses a position sensor, in which the measurement probe carrier is arranged separately from the carriage and the carriage guide.
A handle part is connected to a slider spring carrier via two operating journals. These two operating journals do not prevent the introduction of forces acting vertically relative to the movement direction.
In all known position sensors, it is problematic that between the carriage and the measurement probe either there is a rigid connection, or there is a connection that permits forces vertical relative to the movement direction.
By the introduction of transverse forces, i.e., forces that act on the measurement probe (for example, a pick-up element that slides on a resistance track) at a right angle to the movement direction, forces and torques are transmitted to the pick-up element and the resistance track that can disrupt the operation of the position sensor and, in particular, can significantly increase wear and thus shorten the useful life of the position sensor.
The invention is therefore based on the object of improving a generic position sensor in such a way that the position sensor, while being manufactured as simply as possible, ensures reliable and malfunction-free operation with a long useful life. In particular, changes in the narrowly defined distance tolerance between the pick-up elements and the resistance track as the result of tilting moments and transverse forces acting on the carriage are to be avoided. In addition, wear on the measurement probe due to such external influences is to be generally avoided.
This object is attained in a position sensor of the type described above by virtue of the fact that the measurement probe has a measurement probe carrier that moves in the housing, is separate from the carriage and the cage guide, and is connected to the carriage and the carriage guide in such a way that force can only be transmitted parallel to the movement direction.
This additional measurement probe carrier, which moves in the housing separately from the carriage and the carriage guide, allows the measurement probe to be guided on the measurement probe carrier independently of the carriage guide. The measurement probe carrier can be connected to the carriage and the carriage guide in such a way that force can only be transmitted parallel to the movement direction. The connection of the measurement probe carrier to the carriage and the carriage guide ensures, firstly, that the measurement probe carrier, and thus the measurement probe, is accurately taken along by the carriage. Secondly, this connection ensures that no transverse f

REFERENCES:
patent: 4649623 (1987-03-01), Schneider et al.
patent: 4777818 (1988-10-01), McMurtry
patent: 4780961 (1988-11-01), Shelton et al.
patent: 5048194 (1991-09-01), McMurtry
patent: 5101548 (1992-04-01), McMurtry et al.
patent: 5222034 (1993-06-01), Shelton et al.
patent: 5505005 (1996-04-01), McMurtry et al.

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