AN APPARATUS FOR DETECTING AN ABSOLUTE POSTITION AND A PROCESS THEREOF

Abstract: An apparatus and a process for detecting an absolute value relating to mechanical movement of a member to be measured from a reference point (O ABS ). The apparatus in cludes a detecting means (24) with a plurality of detectors (25, 26, 27) of which periods (P1, P2, P3) are different from each other. Each detector generates electric signal with its each period corresponding to movement of the member. The signals are stored in a memory. Then, absolute value of mechanical movement between one of the detectors and the member is specified by using of two values. The one is equal to values of multiplication between the period of the signal corresponding to the detector and an integer. The other is the stored value in the memory corresponding to the detector. The value of the integer is decided by using periods and stored values corre­ sponding to other detectors.

Description: Background of the invention This invention relates to an apparatus for detecting an absolute position of an element and a process thereof and more particularly to an apparatus for determining an absolute value by use of signals from a plurality of detectors and a process thereof. In the prior art, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Kokai Tokkyo Koho No. 53-53350, a detector detecting an absolute position of an element on a machine tool, obtains an absolute value as follows. First, the number of rotations of the element in a direction of a coordinate axis, i.e. the X axis, is derived from a driving unit for the X axis direction and that number is supplied to a reduction train with two (2) stages or three (3) stages. A rotary detector is provided on a rotatable axle of each reduction stage so that a value within one revolution of the rotary detector is read out to obtain an absolute value from the combination of values detected by the rotary detectors. The combination of values above is performed as follows. Suppose that a table of a machine tool is moved in the X axis direction. The number of revolutions derived from the X axis driving unit is reduced to 1/10 between the first axis and second axis of an X axis absolute position detecting unit. Further, the reduced number of revolutions is again reduced to 1/10 between the second axis and third axis thereof. Furthermore, the reduced number of revolutions is reduced to 1/10 between the third axis and fourth axis thereof. In this instance, the fourth axis rotates less than one revolution over all the length of all measuring range in the X axis direction. For example, suppose that the first axis rotates one revolution per 2mm which is the movement of the table in the X axis direction. The movement of the table corresponding to each revolution of the fourth axis is as follows. 2 x 10 x 10 x 10 = 2000(mm) Therefore, the effective detecting range is 2 meters. One revolution of the third axis corresponds to 200mm in the movement of the table while one revolution of the second axis corresponds to 20mm in the movement of the table. Thus, in this case, an absolute value within 2000mm of the table movement can be calculated from the sum of each value of the rotating angles within one revolution of the first, second, third and fourth axes. However, the disadvantages concerning the above are : (a) The reduction train becomes larger in size and its inertia moment increased as the effective measuring range is enlarged. (b) The weighting factor of each value of the axes is different from each other. Thus, errors over one graduated scale on the fourth axis will be 1000 times greater in the first stage. Accordingly, mechanical accuracy must always be maintained at a high degree even if vibration or wear occurs in the machine tool during operation thereof. It is the object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for alleviating the disadvantages of the prior art. According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus according to claim 1, and processes according to claims 17 and 22. The foregoing and, other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Brief description of the drawings. Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention, Figure 2 is a diagram of waveforms from detectors corresponding to the period illustrated in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a diagram showing a layout of gear trains and a group of detectors which are of rotary type according to the present invention, Figure 4 is a block diagram for an absolute position detecting apparatus including three (3) gears and resolvers, Figures 5a and 5b are diagrams illustrating an adjustment of phases of secondary outputs from resolvers shown in Figure 4, Figures 6a and 6b are diagrams illustrating counting of a position collating counter and zero cross adjustment for the phases of the outputs from the resolver in Figure 4, Figure 7 is a diagram for waveforms illustrating a process of detecting an absolute position by the apparatus shown in Figure 4, Figure 8 is a flow chart illustrating data processing in the central processing unit shown in Figure 4, Figure 9 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the present invention which shows a preferred absolute position detecting apparatus compared to that of Figure 4, Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating the function of a resolver with ten (10) poles as shown in Figure 9, Figures 11a and 11b are diagrams illustrating zero cross adjustment of three (3) resolvers with ten (10) poles in Figure 9, Figure 12 is a diagram for waveforms illustrating a process of absolute position detection in Figure 9, Figure 13 is a flow chart illustrating a process of data processing in the central processing unit shown in Figure 9, Figure 14 is a diagram illustrating a process for calculating that position data is zero in Figure 9, Figure 15 is a diagram illustrating measured phase lag for the apparatus of Figure 9, and Figure 16 is a diagram for still another embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description of the invention Referring to Figure 1, reference numerals 21, 22 and 23 indicate one part of a detecting means, i.e. scales which are provided in parallel, respectively, in the X axis direction. The period of scale 21 is P1 which consists of five (5) graduated scales as one unit in the X axis direction. The period of scale 22 is P2 which consists of six (6) graduated scales as one unit in the X axis direction and the period of scale 23 is P3 which consists of seven (7) graduated scales as one unit in the X axis direction. A distance L ABS indicates an effective detecting range from the starting point O ABS . In Figure 1, all the periods of scales 21, 22 and 23 are consistent with each other at the point L ABS which is the next consistent point from the starting point O ABS . A detecting means 24 can move in the X axis direction, and supports detectors 25, 26 and 27. The detectors 25, 26 and 27 output electric signals as the waveforms 25a, 26a and 27a shown in Figure 2. These waves correspond to the wave forms from a potentiometer of rotary type as one example of an ideal detector. Suppose that the central position of the detecting means 24 is at the point L(X) and each detector 25, 26 and 27 outputs values ΔP1, ΔP2 and ΔP3, respectively, each of which values is less than one period of P1, P2 and P3. In Figure 1, the distance L(X) is obtained by the following expressions. In the expressions, the values P1, P2 and P3 are known amounts and the values ΔP1, ΔP2 and ΔP3 are also measured values, i.e. known amounts. Thus, the corresponding value L(X) will be obtained where the value of integer 1, 2, 3,...n is substituted for N1 in the expression (1), successively. After that, the values L(X) will be substituted into the expressions (2) and (3) in order to obtain the values j equal to the Values N1. For instance, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, P1 is equal to five (5). P2 is equal to six (6) and P3 is equal to seven (7). On the other hand, the value ΔP1 is equal to three (3)ΔP2 is equal to five (5) and Δ P3 is equal to two (2). The numerals 1,2,3,4....n are substituted for N1 successively in the expression (1). Suppose that N1 is equal to the numeral 1, NO integral numbers including zero (0), which are substituted for N2 and N3, can solve the expressions (5) and (6). Thus, the value N1 cannot be 1. Suppose that N1 is equal to the numeral 2, No integral numbers including zero (0), which are substituted for N2 and N3, can solve the expressions (8) and (9). Thus, the value N1 cannot be 2. Suppose that N1 is equal to the numeral 3, No integrals N2 and N3 can solve the expressions (11) and (12). . Suppose that N1 is equal to the numeral 4, The expressions (14) and (15) are solved in this case, i.e. N2 is three (3) and N3 is three (3), as will be apparent from Figure 1. Furthermore, the reason why only one group of N1, N2 and N3 exists for the combination of P1, P2 and P3 provided by the detecting means is illustrated below. Figures 1 and 2 show a detecting means of linear type which moves linearly with respect to the scales 21, 22 and 23 whereas the rotary type thereof is illustrated in Figure 3 as an preferred embodiment. In Figure 3, a motor 31 activates a driven member 34 which moves through a feed screw 35 in the X direction shown as an arrow. An axle 36 extending from the driving motor 31 is connected with a rotary axle 38 of rotary detecting means Sn. The rotary axis 38 is connected to an axle 37 of a gear Gn in order to be rotated, gear Gn having Tn teeth. As illustrated in Figure 3, the gear G1, G2, G3....Gn....GN having teeth T1, T2, T3, .... Tn,...TN, respectively, are engaged with each other to comprise a gear train. Detectors S1, S2, S3, ..... Sn,...SN output signals ϑ1, ϑ2, ϑ3, .... ϑn,.... N, respectively, which correspond to the rotating positions of rotary axles 38 of each detector. Suppose, in Figure 3, the driven member 34 stays at a point in the X axis direction after rotation of the motor 31. The absolute value Pn of the position thereof will be found as follows where the detector Sn outputs the position data ϑn. In the expression (16), the symbol Δ indicates the moving degree of the driven member 34 in the X axis direction per revolution of the motor 31, the symbol Rn indicates the number of revolutions of the detector Sn from the reference point, which number is an integer. The symbol ϑn corresponds to the rotating angle position which is less than one revolution of the rotary axle 38 of the detector Sn , that is, which corresponds to the displacement of the driven member 34 in the X axis direction. The number of revolutions of the motor 31 is transmitted to each detector Si (i≠n) as well as detector Sn through the gear train 33. Thus, the following expression is solved. where iFix [A] is the integral portion of symbol A. Furthermore, the sum of the teeth to be rotated until each gear G1, G2, .....GN reaches the same position is obtained by the following expression. LCM{K} Where the symbol K is equal to {Tj:j = 1, 2, ...N} and the symbol LCM{K} means the least common multiple of K. The maximum number of effective revolutions Kn of detector Sn is defined by the following expression. Suppose that the ρn is the solution of Rn in the expression (17), Only ρn exists in the above expression so that the value of ρn can be substituted into the following expression in order to obtain the absolute position Pn. That is, Furthermore, the effective detecting range i.e. the maximum position for detecting Pn (max) is determined by the following expression. In the expression n(max) is the maximum value detected by detector Sn. The expression (21) means that the value will vary linearly with the position Pn(max) according to the number of revolutions of gear G(n). As to the preferable selection for the number of teeth, (a) Elements (the number of teeth) of the set K should not have any common factors, and (b) Pn(max) becomes larger where the number of teeth Tn of the gear G(n) connected to the detector Sn is the minimum in the set K . In view of the above (a) and (b), the expression (18) will be converted to the following expression. As the gears G(1) and G(m) are selected to have the relationship of a prime number to each other, the following expression is not solved. Furthermore, the reason why only ρ n exists in the expression (19) is illustrated as follows. In Figure 3, the effective rotating number En of detector Sn is solved by the following expression. Where En = Kn + 1. That is, En effective rotating numbers exist which can satisfy the value ϑn in the expression 16. In view of the expressions (16) and (17), suppose that Rn is, as a solution, equal to ρn where i is equal to 1. The following expression will be established. Suppose that E 1 / n which corresponds to ρ 1 / n and Rn = ρ 1 / n + E 1 / n is substituted for the right portion of the expression (17). Thus, the right portion of the expression (17) is equal to the following expression. The right portion of expression (17) = where the element Tn / Tl · E 1 / n is integer and E 1 / n is equal to LCM { Tn, Tl } /Tn. Thus, possible Rns which can satisfy the expression (17) are in toto. Similarly, suppose, i is equal to 2, 3, ...., n-l, n+l, ....., N, respectively, From the above, for all the cases where i is equal to 1, 2, 3, ..., n-l, n+l, ...N, the capability to satisfy the expression (16) and (17) is indicated by the following expression. Thus, only one value ρ n exist, which satisfies the following expression. Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment derived from the process for detecting an absolute position shown in Figure 3. For convenience of illustration, the numbers of teeth of the gear G(3), G(4) and G(5) are three (3), four (4) and five (5), respectively. A feed screw 67 for the X axis is directly connected to an output axle 66 of motor 49. A driven member 65 moves in the X direction shown by the arrow by rotation of the motor 49. An axle 52 which rotates with an output axle 66 of motor 49 extends upwardly in order to rotate with a rotary axle 53 of a resolver 46. The gear G(3) is provided on an axle 53A which extends from the rotary axle 53. Furthermore, resolvers 47 and 48 are provided in parallel to the resolver 46. A rotary axle 54 of resolver 47 is connected to an axle 54A of gear G(4) to rotate, which is engaged with the gear G(3). Similarly, a rotary axle 55 of resolver 48 is connected to an axle 55A of gear G(5) to rotate, which is in turn engaged with the gear G(4). The primary exciting coils of resolvers 46, 47 and 48 are connected to an exciting circuit 50 through lines 56, 57 and 58 to supply exciting current thereto, respectively. A selecting circuit 51 is connected to the exciting circuit 50 by lines 59 and 60. The selecting circuit 51 selectively supplies exciting current to the resolvers 46, 47 and 48 by way of a combination of selected signals S ELO and S ELl . The secondary outputs of the resolvers 46, 47 and 48 are introduced into an isolator 45 through lines 62, 63 and 64, respectively. Output signal EN (enable signals) of the isolator 45 is introduced into a register 42 through a circuit including a filter and comparator 44. A counter 41 for 10,000 counts is connected to a central processing unit (CPU) 43 through register 42 so that the number counted by the counter 41 at the time when the signal EN is produced is fed into the CPU 43 by lines 65 and 66. The data fed into CPU 43 will be processed according to the following procedure as shown in Figure 8. In the isolator 45, a terminal AG of the primary side indicates an analog ground whereas a terminalLG of the secondary side indicates a logic ground. Figures 5 through 7 illustrate transmission of signals from the resolvers 46, 47 and 48 to the register 42. Figure 5a shows waveforms of the secondary outputsPx1, Px2 and Px3 of resolvers 46, 47 and 48, respectively, when exciting signals consisting of sine wave and cosine wave are simultaneously supplied to the resolvers above. Figure 5b shows wave forms in which three (3) wave forms are in phase with each other by adjustment of their mechanical angles. Figure 6a shows wave forms which indicate repeating of counts from zero (0) through 9999 by the counter 41 which runs as a collating position counter and can count 5 KHZ. Figure 6a shows setting up signals of the register 42 i.e. EN signals in Figure 4 which are fed from the filter and comparator 44. Figure 6a finally shows waveforms of the secondary outputs of resolvers 46, 47 and 48. It is apparent from Figure 6a that the setting up signals EN are formed at the time when the secondary output crosses the zero (0) level line in voltage. In Figure 6a, the value counted by counter 41 is not zero (0) at the time when setting signal EN rises. However, the value counted by counter 41 shows zero (0) in the waveforms of Figure 6b. That is, the value of collating position counter 41 i.e. zero (0) is set up in the register 42 at the rising point (or the falling point) of output signals (Px1, Px2, Px3) of resolver 46, 47 and 48 which have been adjusted to be in phase. This is called zero cross adjustment. The position obtained by the above procedure becomes the absolute origin. Figure 7 illustrates how to obtain the coordinates Po where the driven member 65 is stopped at the absolute coordinates Po in the predetermined X direction by rotation of motor 49 shown in Figure 4. As shown in the upper right side of Figure 7, the secondary wave forms Px1, Px2 and Px3 of resolvers 46, 47 and 48 are shifted in phase with respect to each other because of gear trains G(3), G(4) and G(5). The zero cross position of each signal is indicated by the symbols X1, X2 and X3, respectively. Each saw teeth waveform corresponding to the waveforms Px1, Px2 or Px3 in Figure 7 corresponds to the top waveforms in Figures 6a and 6b, respectively. As shown by the waveform Px3, Px2 or Px1 in Figure 7, the length of waveform Px3 is 3/5 of Px1 and the length of waveform Px2 is 4/5 of Px1. The height of each waveform indicates the count in register 42 so that one time the value of Px1, two times the value of Px2 and three times the value of Px3 are supplied to the CPU 43. Figure 8 illustrates a process for obtaining the absolute position based on the data X1, X2 and X3 supplied to the CPU 43 of Figure 4. AS illustrated in Figure 7, the absolute position Po is expressed by the following expression. where Rx indicates the number of rotating, necessarily an integer, of the rotary axle of resolver 46, which is from the absolute origin to the position Po. The driven member 65 moves 10000µm per each revolution of gear G(3). The data X2 obtained by the signal Px2 is determined by the following expression. and iFix [a] indicates an integer of a. The data X1 obtained by the signal Px1 is determined by the following expression. In the first (I) part of Figure 8, the numbers of RX which satisfy the measured values X3 and X2 simultaneously are determined with regard to the expression (27). In the second (II) part of Figure 8, the value of Rx0 which satisfies the measured value X1 is selected from the numbers of RX. In the flow chart of Figure 8, RX is set to be zero (0) in Step 1 (as abridged STP hereafter) and k is set to be one (1) in STP 2 in order to set up an initial condition where an operation starting signal is given after storing the measured data X1, X2 and X3 in the memory of CPU. In STP 3 is determined whether or not the expression (27) is solved, which is obtained by calculation of the expression (28) since the value of RX is given to be zero. STP 4 sets Rx(k) where the judgment is YES in STP 3. Where the judgment is No therein. After STP 4, k is incremented by one in STP 5 and Rx is incremented by one in STP 6. Rx is checked to determine if its has reached its maximum number i.e. 20 which is given by the expression (24) and is the value obtained by the least common multiple 60 of the numbers of teeth 3, 4 and 5 divided by the number of teeth 3. STP 3 through STP 6 is repeated until RX reaches 20 i.e. No is decided in STP 7. During this process, the value Rx(k) and k are defined through STP 4 and STP 5, respectively, where the expression (27) is solved. STP 8 sets up N=l as the initial value when YES is decided in STP 7. The value B is calculated by the expression (30) in STP 9 and, it is confirmed that the expression (29) is solved. STP 10 follows YES in STP 9. In STP 10, the value Rx(N) is set up as Rxo. An absolute position Po will now be obtained by substituting Rxo for Rx of the expression (26). Figure 8 shows only up to the choice of Rxo. STP 11 confirms that the value N is equal to the value K-l. The value k is the last i.e. the largest value which is defined in STP 5 of the first part (I) of the flow chart. STP 12 increments the value N byone following YES in STP 11. That is, the value Rx (1), Rx(2), ... Rx(k), i.e. from small value to large value, all of which satisfy the value x3 and x2 of the expression (27) simultaneously, are designated in STP 9. STP 13 follows YES in STP 11 to indicate existence of an error in the measuring system. This means that the expression (29) is still not solved even where the largest value Rx(k) is entered thereinto after checking the value Rx from N=l in order in STP 9, i.e. it is not in normal measuring condition. In the meanwhile, the above process for date processing is effective to work out an accurate absolute position where the expressions (27) and (29) are approximately solved. The reason for the above will be illustrated as follows. The embodiment in Figure 4 shows the resolvers 46, 47 and 48 of which one revolution results in one cycle, respectively. Thus, the effective detecting range from the absolute origin will be determined by the following expression where K is set to be equal to 3, 4 and 5 and Tn is set to be equal to 3 in the expression (24). This means that the motor 49 in Figure 4 rotates less than 20 revolutions. As illustrated above, one revolution of motor 49 corresponds to 10000 µm so that twenty (20) revolutions thereof correspond to two hundred mm, since A preferred embodiment is illustrated in Figure 9 in which the effective detecting range is two thousand (2000)mm . The configuration shown in Figure 9 is similar to that of Figure 4. However, the following differences exist between Figures 4 and 9. That is, the resolvers 103, 104 and 105 are of the type which include ten (10) poles are adopted and the counter 108 is for 2000 counts. Further, the gears G(31), G(32) and G(33) include the number of teeth 31, 31 and 33, respectively. Furthermore, outputs of filter and comparator 112 are colcked into a flip flop circuit 113 clock signal CK from a clock pulse generator 122 to become EN signals (enable signals) for a register 109 through a NAND gate 114. Suppose that a driven member 102 moves 10000µm in the X axis direction while a motor 101 rotates one revolution as in Figure 4. As a result, the resolver 103 which includes ten (10) poles makes five (5) cycles of phase shift during its one revolution. Each period thereof correspond to two thousand (2000) µm as illustrated in Figure 10. Two thousand counts of counter 108 corresponds to one period of the resolver 103. Figure 11 (a) shows the waveforms before adjustment of absolute origin whereas Figure 11 (b) shows them after adjustment. Figure 11 (a) shows the difference between the zero point of counter 108 and the zero cross point of the secondary output waveforms of the resolvers 103, 104 and 105, respectively, whereas Figure 11 (b) shows coincidence between the content of counter 108 and the zero cross point of the secondary output waveforms. In this case, a pulse signal EN is adopted as an instructing signal in order to feed the content of counter 108 to register 109. Figure 12 illustrates a measuring process for an absolute position detecting device as in Figure 9. In Figure 12, suppose that the driven member 102 is intially located at the absolute origin under the condition that the resolvers 103, 104 and 105 and counter 108 are adjusted and then driven member 102 moved to the point Po. Under this condition, the resolvers 103, 104 and 105 output signals no, mo and lo, respectively. Thus, the absolute position P0 will be determined as follows, with reference to Figure 12. where Rn indicates the revolution number (an integer) of the resolver 103. Regarding resolver 104, the following expression is solved. G(31) : G(32) = 31 : 32 Thus, the output mo of resolver 104 is as follows. Regarding resolver 105, the following expression is solved. G(31) : G(33) = 31 : 33 Thus, the output lo of resolver 105 is as follows. Accordingly, the value ρ will be obtained by putting the figures 0, 1, 2, ...., (1056-1) successively into the expressions (33) and (34). After that, the only value ρ will be obtained as the value ρ o , which satisfies the expressions (35) and (36). Then, the value ρo is substituted into the expression (31) in order to obtain the absolute position Po. The flow chart shown in Figure 13 is devided into two parts. The first part of Figure 13 shows a process to select the values ρ , of which more than one will exist and satisfy the expressions (33) and (34) simultaneously while the second part of Figure 13 shows a process to select the value ρo out of the values ρ which are obtained in the first part. The flow chart in Figure 13 shows a process which is basically similar to that of Figure 8. The differences between the two flow charts are as follows. That is, Rz→ρ, X3→no, N→J, X2→mo, X1→lo, A→C, B→D, Rxo→ρo, Rx(N)→ρ(J). Thus, a detailed explanation of each step of the flow chart will be omitted. The following is an illustration for the effective detecting range. The expression below defines the range detected by the detecting device shown in Figure 9. Suppose that any absolute position P is set up, where l, m and n indicate measured position data at any position P. Suppose that the values of data 1, m and n are to be zero including the absolute origin, from the expressions (38) and (39), Accordingly, Functions F and G are introduced into the expressions (41) which will be changed as indicated below. F(ρ) and G(ρ) are shown in Figure 14. Thus, with regard to Figure 14, the solutions of F(ρ) = 0, G(ρ) = 0 are obtained as follows. where, α and β are zero (0) or a positive integer. Now, suppose that ρF is equal to ρG, 32 α is equal to 33β . where γ is zero (0) or a positive integer. Accordingly, ρF = ρG = 32 · 33γ = 1056 γ where the values α and β are substituted into the expressions (44) and (45). That is, regarding ρ, the cases that position data become zero are as follows. Accordingly, the effective detecting range Pmax (=2000 ρmax + nmax) is given by the expression below. ρmax = ρF - 1 = 1055 nmax = 1999 Thus, Pmax = 2000 x 1055 + 1999 = 2111999(µm) ≅ 2000(mm) where γ is equal to zero. The following is an illustration for determining errors in measurement. The illustration above regarding Figure 9 relates to a process in which errors for data lo, mo and no measured are excluded. However, in practice, these measured data lo, mo and no include errors due to quantization which are involved in electrical resolving power and mechanical errors from the gear train. Thus, the measured values are different from the theoretical values. The following illustrates the range of errors. Positioning data 1, m and n which are measured corresponding to the absolute position P from each of resolvers 103, 104 and 105 of Figure 9, are indicated as follows, where lT, mT and nT indicate accurate values, while Δl, Δm and Δn indicate errors, respectively. Thus, the expressions (33) and (34) are modified as follows. where mT is determined as follows. Accordingly, the error Δm obtained by substituting the value mT of the expression (51) for the value mT of the expression (49) is calculated by the expression below. Thus, the value e is equal to 0 or 2000. Similarly, Suppose that error due to quantization is ε, which value is 1 (µm/pulse), mechanical error is δ , which value is 2 (µm/pulse) and Δn includes the value ε and δ , all of which are substituted in the expressions (54) and (55), then where suppose that [ n] is + / - l, then where [ΔQ] is defined as the actual error pulse number and [ΔQ]* is defined as the actual error quantity. Corresponding to the value ρo which is determined by successive steps of the flow chart shown in Figure 13, [Δn]= + / - l, and the following conditions are necessary. Regarding the value mo, Regarding the value lo, Each of the expressions (58) through (60) will be selected corresponding to the measured value mo which is in the range from zero (0) to 1999. For example, the expression (58) will be selected where the value mo is close to and less than the value 1999. The expression (59) will be chosen where the value mo is close to zero (0). Furthermore, the expression (60) will be selected where the value mo is in the middle of the values zero (0) and 1999. Similarly, one of the expressions (61), (62) and (63) is chosen corresponding to the value lo. Briefly speaking, the expressions (58) through (60) and the expressions (61) through (63) will not be solved where each of the measured data mo and lo include a value being more than the errors ( ε + δ ) in the detecting device shown in Figure 9, which is given in the form of a numeral. Further, for instance, the value mT is necessary in order to solve the expression (58) which is an inequality. The value mT will be calculated by the expression (51) under the condition that nT is determined to be nearly equal to no (nT no) in the expression (51) and ρo, which is determined in the flow chart of Figure 13, is substituted for ρ . Furthermore, the following inequalities (58A) through (63A) can be adopted since all of the values lo, mo and no are integers. That is, the expression (58) corresponds to the following. The expression (59) corresponds to the following. The expression (60) corresponds to the following. The expression (61) corresponds to the following. The expression (62) corresponds to the following. The expression (63) corresponds to the following. The capability of miscalculation for an accurate absolute position is illustrated below, which is based on the existence of errors as indicated above. As shown in Figure 15, the ratio of teeth numbers of each gear is 31 : 32 : 33 Further, each resolver 103, 104 and 105 includes ten (10) poles, respectively. Thus, where the gear G(32) rotates at 1/5 revolution after the gear G(31) continues to rotate in the same direction more than 1/5 revolution from the position at absolute origin, the number of pulses dm produced by rotation of the gear G(31) is calculated by the expression below. Similarly, the number of pulses dl of the gear G(33) to the gear G(31) is calculated by the following expression. Thus, This means that ρo will become accurate where the expression (64) is satisfied even if there are errors Δm( = 1.866) and Δl( = 1.809) in the measured data lo and mo, and the data lo and mo including the errors are utilized when ρo is determined in the flow chart of Figure 13. That is, ρo is not subject to the influence of errors. Further, the absolute position is determined by the following expression when ρo is decided. Po = 2000ρo + no i.e. ρo is not affected by errors in the gear train since the value mo and lo are not used. In other words, in the expression of STP 3 in Figure 13, the value of right portion thereof will be changed by 62.5 as ρ is increased by one (1) so that errors will not be made when ρ satisfying the value mo is clocked since the errors of mo are not comparable to the value 62.5. The same applies to (J) and lo of STP 9. Thus, from another point of view, there are no problems even if the values mo and lo include errors therein when ρ of STP 3 and ρ(J) of STP 9 are determined correctly i.e. gears which are roughly worked will be able to be used and the furthermore, lives of gears will be increased even if they become gradually deteriorated in accuracy. Resolvers of rotary type are illustrated in Figures 4 and 9 as detectors. However, in the present invention, any type of detectors can be utilized provided that the detectors have a regular period and the absolute quantities thereof such as lo, mo and no are able to be measured within one period. That is, detectors of linear type like inductsyn (trademark) and magnetic scale can be utilized. Resolvers are not even limited to the rotary type. Furthermore, systems for processing the measured data are illustrated in Figures 8 and 13. However, the systems are not limited in the present invention. For instance, the expressions (1), (2) and (3) can be solved as simultaneous equations. In the present invention, three (3) resolvers for measuring are activated by one motor which is used to move a member to be measured as illustrated in Figures 4 and 9. However, one of the resolvers can be removed by using signals from a detector for position feed back already provided in feeding controllers, such as a resolver, rotary encoder or the like fixed in a machining tool. As illustrated in Figure 16, resolvers 207, 208 and 209 for the detector are connected to the axles of pulse motors PM1, PM2 and PM3 in order to be rotated. In this case, the gear train is not necessarily provided. Instead, the number of pulse P(ΔX) corresponding to movement ΔX instructed by a NC unit for the machining tool will be supplied to the pulse motor 203. Further, the number of pulses P(31/32 · Δ X) will be supplied to the pulse motor 204 and still furthermore, the number of pulses P(31/33 · ΔX) will be supplied to pulse motor 205. Accordingly, the movement X will be supplied to a pulse proportioner. In Figure 16, a gear train can be used instead of part 206 of pulse motors 204 and 205. In the embodiment of Figure 16, movement of the driven member is electrically transmitted to resolvers etc. instead of being mechanically transmitted so that the limited space in a machine tool will be more effectively used for fixing of resolvers therein. Further, in Figure 16, the pulse motors 203, 204 and 205 are used. However, a synchro is provided on the axle of motor 101. The process of the present invention, which can determine the absolute position from a combination of measured data from detectors having a plurality of periods, is almost free from measuring errors since there is no weighting factor among measured data from the detectors. Thus, the moment of inertia in the gear train can be decreased and it is not necessary to correct errors due to attrition of gears. Further, as apparent from the embodiments in Figures 9 and 13, the absolute position is determined by two steps, one of which sets ρo and the other of which determines Po by using ρo such as Po = 2000ρo + no. That is, the absolute position is obtained at high accuracy since mechanical errors of the gear train are not included in no. Furthermore, the detecting device itself can be smaller in size with longer life. The numbers of teeth of gears have no common divisors as illustrated in Figures 4 and 9, so that the effective detecting range of the device can increased remarkably.

Claims: An apparatus for detecting an absolute position of a moveable member as measured from a reference position, comprising: means for detecting the position of said member in relation to said reference position with a plurality of detectors each producing a periodic electrical signal in response to said mechanical movement of said member, said electrical signals having known periods different from each other; and having no common divisors; means for digitally storing values derived from said electrical signals obtained from said detecting means when said member is at said absolute position; and means for determining a relative position between one of said detectors and said member by summing a first value, representing the multiplication of an integer N by a first period corresponding to said one of said detectors, and a second value corresponding to the periodic electrical signal obtained from said one of said detectors and being less than said first period, said second value being stored in said storing means, wherein the integer N is iteratively calculated by using at least a second period and a third value corresponding to the periodic electrical signal obtained from another detector of said detecting means, said third value being less than said second period and being stored in said storing means. An apparatus for detecting an absolute position according to claim 1, wherein said determining means includes means for calculating said absolute position by adding said first value to said second value. An apparatus for detecting an absolute position according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means includes a position detector of the linear type. An apparatus for detecting an absolute position according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means includes a position detector of the rotary type. An apparatus for detecting an absolute position according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means comprises a combination of position detectors of the linear type and the rotary type. An apparatus for detecting an absolute position according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means generates phase modulation signals. An apparatus for detecting an absolute position according to claim 6, wherein said detecting means includes a change-over means for selecting the application of exciting signals to each of said detectors. An apparatus for detecting an absolute position according to claim 1, further including a transmitting mechanism of the rotary type with an axle and gear train for transmitting said movement to said detectors An apparatus for detecting an absolute position according to claim 8, wherein said transmitting mechanism of a rotary type includes a plurality of gears in which the number of teeth have no common divisor. An apparatus for detecting an absolute position according to claim 1, further including an activating means of the type which rotates electrically for transmitting said movement to said detectors. An apparatus for detecting an absolute position according to claim 10, wherein said activating means comprises a pulse motor. An apparatus for detecting an absolute position according to claim 10, wherein said activating means comprise a synchro. An apparatus for detecting an absolute position according to claim 1, further includes a mechanism of the rotary type with an axle and gear train and an activating means of the type which rotates electrically for transmitting said movement to said detectors. An apparatus for detecting an absolute position according to claim 1, wherein said storing means includes a counter counting a predetermined number in a predetermined time interval, and a register storing data from said counter which corresponds to said electrical signal. An apparatus for detecting an absolute position according to claim 1, wherein determining means includes a computer in which incremental processing is performed to determine said integer number N. An apparatus for detecting an absolute position according to claim 1, wherein the smallest period of the signal of one of said detectors compared with another period of the signal of another detector is selected to calculate an absolute position. A process for detecting an absolute position of a moveable members as measured from a reference position using a plurality of detectors generating signals with different known periods, comprising the steps of: preparing a detecting means having a plurality of detectors which generate periodic electric signals corresponding to the position of said member in relation to said reference position, the periods of the electrical signals obtained from each of said detectors being different from each other and having no common divisors; generating said mechanical movement between said detecting means and said member; digitally storing in memory means said electrical signals corresponding to the respective periods of each detector; specifying a relative position representing said mechanical movement between one of the detectors and said member by summing a first value, representing the multiplication of an integer N by a first period corresponding to the electrical signals obtained from said one of said detectors, and a second value corresponding to the electrical signals obtained from said one of said detectors and which is less than said first period and is stored in said memory means; and iteratively calculating said integer N by using a second period corresponding to the electrical signals obtained from another detector of said detecting means and a third value corresponding to the electrical signals from said another detector, which third value is less than said second period and is stored in said memory means. A process for detecting an absolute position according to claim 17, wherein said value N is determined by a ratio of said second period to said first period and said third value. A process for detecting an absolute position according to claim 17, wherein to obtain the integer N, the smallest period of the signal of said one detector compared with another period of the signal of another detector is selected to calculate an absolute position. A process for detecting an absolute position according to claim 17, wherein the absolute value P is obtained by substituting the decided value N into the following expression p=N.l₁ + Δl₁, where P is set to indicate a relative positional relationship between said member and one of said detectors, l₁ is set to indicate a period corresponding to the signals of another detector different from said one detector, Δl₁ is set to indicate a measured value being stored corresponding to said corresponding period and N is set to indicate an integral value. A process for detecting an absolute position according to claim 17, further comprising the step of: confirming that measured data being stored in said memory means is within a predetermined range of errors. A process for detecting an absolute position of a moveable member, as measured from a reference position comprising the steps of: preparing a transmitting means of a rotary type which includes a plurality of rotary detectors generating electrical signals having known periods different from each other, and having no common divisors in response to rotary angle ranges of one revolution or equally divided portions thereof, and axles rotating said detectors at a predetermined ratio; connecting said rotary transmitting means to said moveable member; supplying mechanical movement between said rotary detector and said moving member under a predetermined condition; storing in memory means said electrical signals corresponding to a respective rotational period of each said detector; specifying a relative positional relationship between said moveable member and one of said detectors by summing a first value representing an integer N multiplied by a first period corresponding to the electrical signals obtained from said one of said detectors and a second value corresponding to the electrical signals obtained from said one of said detectors which is less than one period thereof; and iteratively calculating said integer N by using a second period corresponding to the electrical signals obtained from another detector and a stored third value derived from the electrical signals obtained from said another detector. A process for detecting an absolute position according to claim 22, wherein said integer N is determined by using a ratio of said second period to said first period and said stored third value. A process for detecting an absolute position according to claim 22, wherein the absolute value P is obtained by substituting the determined value N into the following expression P=N.l₁ + Δl₁ where P is set to indicate a relative positional relationship between said member and said one detector, l₁ is set to indicate a period corresponding to the signal of said another detector, Δl₁ is set to indicate a measured value being stored corresponding to said corresponding period, and N is set to indicate an integral value. A process for detecting an absolute position according to claim 22, wherein one detector axle which rotates at the highest rotation ratio is connected to said moving member. A process for detecting an absolute position according to claim 22, further comprising the step of: confirming that measured data being stored in said memory means is within a predetermined range of errors. A process for detecting an absolute position according to claim 22, further comprising the step of: selecting the smallest period of the signals of said one detector to obtain said integer N rather than a period of the signals of another detector for computing an absolute position.

Inventors: SHIMIZU, WATARU, SUZUKI, KIMIO, TODA, JITSUO
Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA S.G., TOSHIBA KIKAI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1983
Main classification: G01B7
IPC codes: G01B7, G01D5, G01B21