DE-112024002474-T5 - Linear encoder and linear transport system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a linear encoder (60) comprising a sensor board (65), position sensing sensors (64) provided on a surface (65A) of the sensor board (65), a positioning plate (62) provided with window sections (62b) facing the position sensing sensors (64), and fastening sections (80) that secure the sensor board (65) to the positioning plate (62). A plurality of position sensing sensors (64) are arranged within the window sections (62b) in such a state that one surface (65A) of the sensor board (65) abuts the positioning plate (62).

Inventors

• Hiroyuki Yoshino

Assignees

• THK CO., LTD.

Dates

Publication Date

20260513

Application Date

20240528

Priority Date

20230609

Claims (5)

1. Linear encoder comprising: a sensor board; a plurality of position sensing sensors provided on a surface of the sensor board; a positioning plate provided with a plurality of window sections in portions facing the plurality of position sensing sensors; and mounting sections that secure the sensor board to the positioning plate, the plurality of position sensing sensors arranged within the plurality of window sections in a state in which one surface of the sensor board abuts the positioning plate.
2. Linear encoders according to Claim 1 , wherein the mounting sections are provided on both sides of each of the multiple position detection sensors.
3. Linear encoders according to Claim 1 or 2 , wherein each of the fastening sections comprises: a column element provided in the positioning plate, a collar element movable along the column element and a fastening element that fastens and fixes the sleeve element to the column element, wherein through holes penetrating the sensor board from one surface to the other surface and through which the column elements are inserted are formed in the sensor board, and the sleeve elements, in a state in which they are fastened and fixed to the column elements, bear against the other surface of the sensor board.
4. Linear encoders according to Claim 3 , wherein the column elements are attached to the positioning plate by gluing.
5. Linear conveying system comprising: a movable body with a linear scale; and a conveying unit with a rail body guiding the movable body and a linear encoder arranged along the rail body and aligned towards the linear scale, wherein a plurality of conveying units can be connected together such that a plurality of rail bodies are connected in series, and the linear encoder of the linear encoder according to Claim 1 or 2 is.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a linear encoder and a linear transport system. Priority is granted according to the Japanese patent application no. 2023-095687 claimed, which was filed on June 9, 2023 and whose contents are hereby incorporated by reference. STATE OF THE ART The following patent specification 1 discloses an electronic scale that uses an inductive position converter element. This electronic scale comprises a first element; an elongated support element with a measuring axis along which the first element can move; at least one magnetic field generator that responds to a control signal and generates a varying magnetic flux within a magnetic flux range; at least one magnetic flux modulator that can be arranged within the magnetic flux range and is capable of changing the varying magnetic flux within a modulation range in its vicinity; and at least one magnetic flux sensor that is arranged within the magnetic flux range, detects a varying magnetic flux within the magnetic flux range, and generates an output signal based on the detected magnetic flux that indicates a relative position between a detected magnetic flux and the at least one magnetic flux modulator. Each of the magnetic field generators and each of the magnetic flux sensors forms a continuous and spatially modulated inductive coupling. Citation list patent specification Patent specification 1: Japanese unexamined patent application, first publication no. H 9-325002 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Technical problem In the linear encoder described above, it is necessary to precisely manage the distance between a position detection sensor and a linear scale in order to perform a measurement with high accuracy. The present invention was developed taking into account the above circumstances and aims to provide a linear encoder and a linear conveying system that are capable of accurately managing a distance between a position detection sensor and a linear scale. Solution to the problem A first aspect of the present invention comprises a sensor board, a plurality of position sensing sensors provided on a surface of the sensor board, a positioning plate provided with a plurality of window sections facing the plurality of position sensing sensors, and fastening sections that secure the sensor board to the positioning plate. The plurality of position sensing sensors is arranged within the plurality of window sections in a state in which one surface of the sensor board abuts the positioning plate. According to a second aspect of the present invention, the linear encoder according to the first aspect provides mounting sections on both sides of each of the plurality of position detection sensors. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the linear encoder according to the first aspect or the second aspect, each of the mounting sections comprises a column element provided in the positioning plate, a collar element movable along the column element, and a fastening element that attaches and fixes the collar element to the column element. Through holes penetrating the sensor board from one surface to the other, through which the column elements are inserted, are formed in the sensor board. The collar elements abut the other surface of the sensor board while attached and fixed to the column elements. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the linear encoder according to the third aspect, the column elements are attached to the positioning plate by gluing. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a linear conveying system comprises a movable body with a linear scale and a conveying unit with a rail body guiding the movable body and a linear encoder arranged along the rail body, which may face the linear scale. A plurality of conveying units can be connected together such that a plurality of rail bodies are connected in series. The linear encoder is the linear encoder according to the first aspect or the second aspect. Advantageous effects of the invention According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to precisely control a distance between a position detection sensor and a linear scale. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [ 1 ] Overall view of a linear conveyor system according to one embodiment.[ 2 Perspective view of a moving body and a conveying unit according to the embodiment.[ 3 ] View of the moving body and the conveying unit according to the embodiment in the X-axis direction.[ 4 View of the conveying unit according to the embodiment in the Y-axis direction.[ 5 A rear view of a linear encoder according to the embodiment.[ 6 A rear view of a mounting base and a positioning plate according to the embodiment.[ 7 A cross-sectional view along the in 4 arrow direction shown VII-VII. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXECUTION FORM In the following, an embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the drawings. 1 is an overall view of a linear conveying system 1 according