Patent ID: 6434293
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A rotary light coupler assembly comprising:a first light emitter and a first light receiver mounted on a fixed body; a second light emitter and a second light receiver mounted on a rotary body; said first light emitter being arranged to transmit a light beam containing signals to said second light receiver through a rotary mechanism, said second light emitter being arranged to transmit a second light beam containing signals to said first light receiver through said rotary mechanism; said first light receiver and said second light receiver being placed opposing each other along a direction of an axis of rotation of said rotary body; said first light emitter and said second light emitter being aligned respectively at a radial edge of said first light receiver and said second light receiver; a light axis of said first light emitter being set in such a manner that said light axis of said first light emitter is directed toward a central portion of said second light receiver and that a reflected light from said second light receiver does not enter into said first light receiver; a light axis of said second light emitter being set in such a manner that said light axis of said second light emitter is directed toward a central portion of said first light receiver and that a reflected light from said first light receiver does not enter into said second light receiver; and a set of said first light receiver and said first light emitter and a set of said second light receiver and said second light emitter being disposed in such a manner that they do not mechanically interfere with each other when they rotate relatively with each other; wherein the rotary light coupler is attached to an end portion of a shaft on which a power supply is provided.