Patent ID: 7601948
Filing Date: 2009-10-13
Classification: G01D

Abstract:
1. An alignment device for an encoder having a hub arranged in an encoder base and rotatable about an axis of rotation, encoder electronics, including detectors, provided on the encoder base, an encoder disk provided on the hub, the alignment device comprising: a contact portion configured to contact an axial surface of the encoder base in a coupled arrangement between the alignment device and the encoder; a locating structure configured to maintain the alignment device in a predefined radial position in the coupled arrangement; a flange structure configured to contact an axial surface of the hub in the coupled arrangement; and a spring structure configured to urge the hub into a predefined axial position relative to the encoder base by urging the hub toward the flange structure in the coupled arrangement and to urge the hub into a predefined radial position relative to the encoder base; wherein the spring structure is configured to contact the hub so as to form a detent, the detent permitting removal of the alignment device from the hub by pulling the alignment device axially away from the hub; wherein the alignment device is adapted to align relative axial and radial positions between the encoder disk and the detectors.