Optical displacement sensor utilizing optical diffusion and reflection
July 30, 2013. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesManual belt electro-optical control Angle-position transducer Optical position transducer Non-contact switching device Variable light transmission filter and optical analog position sensor Opto-electrical joystick switch having a resilient, rigidly mounted central shaft Photoelectric encoder having a grating substrate with integral light emitting elements Patent #: 5155355 InventorApplicationNo. 100488 filed on 07/30/1993US Classes:250/214PR, Photosensitive rheostat type250/227.21, With light chopping or modulation250/229Light valve (e.g., iris diaphragm)ExaminersPrimary: Allen, Stephone B.Attorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassH01J 040/14AbstractThe invention relates to optical devices, particularly to an optical displacement transducer for detecting a light flow received by a light sensor and subsequent determination of the amount of force applied to an object within which the optical displacement transducer is mounted. The transducer utilizes a light source which is mounted within a housing having a translucent face, and a light sensor mounted in a body having a corresponding translucent face. The light flow which travels between the translucent faces is intermittently blocked by a shadow rod moving between the light source and the light sensor in response to an external force applied to the shadow rod. | |
