US 11,754,422 B2
Position sensor for a mechanical device and operating method for operating said position sensor
Alfredo Maglione, Trento (IT); and Nicola Battisti, Malosco (IT)
Assigned to GIULIANI S.R.L, Suzzara (IT); and OPTOELETTRONICA ITALIA S.R.L., Trento (IT)
Filed by Giuliani S.R.L, Suzzara (IT); and OPTOELETTRONICA ITALIA S.R.L., Trento (IT)
Filed on Mar. 24, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/703,014.
Claims priority of application No. 102021000007298 (IT), filed on Mar. 25, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0307870 A1, Sep. 29, 2022
Int. Cl. G01D 5/347 (2006.01); G01D 3/08 (2006.01)
CPC G01D 5/34746 (2013.01) [G01D 5/347 (2013.01); G01D 3/08 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A position sensor for a mechanical device,
said mechanical device being provided with a first mechanical member and with a second mechanical member, which is susceptible of relative motion with respect to said first mechanical member and is provided with a positioning track provided at least with first optical sections and with second optical sections having different optical contrast with respect to said first optical sections,
said position sensor comprising:
an optical emitter, which is arranged for projecting, on the positioning track of said second mechanical member, an incident radiation adapted to irradiate a projection zone on said positioning track;
an optical detector, which is arranged for detecting a reflected radiation coming from said projection zone hit by said incident radiation, and for generating a corresponding measurement signal;
an electronic processing unit, which is operatively connected to said optical detector in order to receive said corresponding measurement signal and is arranged for:
calculating, based on said corresponding measurement signal, a reflectance value indicative of a reflectivity of the projection zone on said positioning track;
comparing said reflectance value with at least one discrimination value, which identifies at least one first reflectance interval, adapted to be associated with said first optical sections, and a second reflectance interval, adapted to be associated with said second optical sections;
with said reflectance value (VR) in said at least one first reflectance interval, generating a first identification parameter associated with said first optical sections, and, with said reflectance value in said second reflectance interval, generating a second identification parameter associated with said second optical sections;
generating, as a function of said first and second identification parameters, a position signal;
a signaling module operatively associated with said electronic processing unit, which is arranged for controlling said signaling module;
wherein said electronic processing unit, with said reflectance value within said at least one first reflectance interval, is configured for:
comparing said reflectance value with at least one first deviation value, which identifies at least two first state intervals, and
controlling said signaling module to emit a corresponding warning signal as a function of a position of said reflectance value with respect to said at least two first state intervals;
wherein said electronic processing unit is arranged for modifying said discrimination value as a function of said reflectance values, wherein said discrimination value is variable between an upper threshold and a lower threshold.