Patent ID: 7462789
Filing Date: 2008-12-09
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
1. A rotary type encoder having an operable angle smaller than 360°, and adaptable for detecting an operating angle at each of n positions of equal angular intervals within a range of the operable angle, the rotary type encoder comprising a plurality of signal contact shoes and a plurality of common contact shoes disposed in an electrically independent manner along two concentrical tracks, the range of the operable angle divided into m parts of large sections having an equal angle, the plurality of signal contact shoes coming into thrusting contact with signal conductive portions in different states at each of the positions within the large section, and the states of thrusting contact are repeated in each of the large sections, the plurality of common contact shoes being m pieces for the purpose of distinguishing the states of thrusting contact between the signal contact shoes and the signal conductive portions as occurring in each of the large sections, each of the common contact shoes coming into contact at least with a common conductive portion within respective one of the large sections, and the signal conductive portions and the common conductive portion being electrically continuous, wherein the position of the operating angle is determined by detecting continuity between each of the signal contact shoes and each of the common contact shoes.