Encoder device and gapping and centering device for an encoder device

1. An encoder device, comprising:

a housing;

a hub rotatably arranged in the housing and arranged to carry an encoder disk;

a cover that is axially movable between a first position and a second position; and

a gapping and centering device arranged to urge the hub into a predetermined axial and radial position relative to a portion of the housing when the cover is in the first position, the gapping and centering device arranged to permit axial and radial movement of the hub when the cover is in the second position;

wherein the cover is locked into its axial position when the cover is in the second position.

2. The encoder device according to claim 1 , wherein an axial distance between the hub and the cover is greater when the cover is in the first position than when the cover is in the second position.

3. The encoder device according to claim 1 , wherein the cover is held in one of the first position and the second position by a detent.

4. The encoder device according to claim 1 , wherein the gapping and centering device includes a plurality of clamping elements arranged to urge the hub into a predetermined axial and radial position relative to a portion of the housing when the cover is in the first position, the actuation of the gapping and centering device causing the clamping elements to move radially outwardly to remove the clamping force applied to the hub.

5. The encoder device according to claim 4 , wherein each of the clamping elements is mounted on at least one spring arm configured to exert a radially directed force onto the respective clamping element.

6. The encoder device according to claim 4 , wherein each clamping element includes at least one projection that extends radially inwardly into a circumferential groove of the hub when the cover is in the first position.

7. The encoder device according to claim 6 , wherein an interface between the at least one projection and the hub is V-shaped.

8. The encoder device according to claim 1 , wherein the cover is integrally formed as a single piece, and the gapping and centering device is integrally formed as a single piece.

9. An encoder device, comprising:

a housing;

a hub rotatably arranged in the housing and arranged to carry an encoder disk:

a cover that is axially movable between a first position and a second position; and

a gapping and centering device arranged to urge the hub into a predetermined axial and radial position relative to a portion of the housing when the cover is in the first position, the gapping and centering device arranged to permit axial and radial movement of the hub when the cover is in the second position;

wherein the gapping and centering device includes a plurality of clamping elements arranged to urge the hub into a predetermined axial and radial position relative to a portion of the housing when the cover is in a first position, the actuation of the gapping and centering device causing the clamping elements to move radially outwardly to remove the clamping force applied to the hub;

wherein each of the clamping elements is mounted on at least one spring arm configured to exert a radially directed force onto the respective clamping element; and

wherein the spring arm is arranged to apply a radially outwardly directed force on the respective clamping element when the cover is in the first position.

10. The encoder device according to claim 9 , wherein the spring arm is arranged to apply a radially inwardly directed force on the respective clamping element when the cover is in the second position.

11. An encoder device, comprising:

a housing;

a hub rotatably arranged in the housing and arranged to carry an encoder disk:

a cover that is axially movable between a first position and a second position; and

a gapping and centering device arranged to urge the hub into a predetermined axial and radial position relative to a portion of the housing when the cover is in the first position, the gapping and centering device arranged to permit axial and radial movement of the hub when the cover is in the second position;

wherein the gapping and centering device includes a plurality of clamping elements arranged to urge the hub into a predetermined axial and radial position relative to a portion of the housing when the cover is in the first position, the actuation of the gapping and centering device causing the clamping elements to move radially outwardly to remove the clamping force applied to the hub; and

wherein each of the clamping elements has an actuation member arranged to slidably communicate with the cover to translate axial movement of the cover into radial movement of the clamping elements.

12. An encoder device, comprising:

a housing;

a hub rotatably arranged in the housing and arranged to carry an encoder disk:

a cover that is axially movable between a first position and a second position; and

a gapping and centering device arranged to urge the hub into a predetermined axial and radial position relative to a portion of the housing when the cover is in the first position, the gapping and centering device arranged to permit axial and radial movement of the hub when the cover is in the second position;

wherein the gapping and centering device includes a plurality of clamping elements arranged to urge the hub into a predetermined axial and radial position relative to a portion of the housing when the cover is in the first position, the actuation of the gapping and centering device causing the clamping elements to move radially outwardly to remove the clamping force applied to the hub;

wherein each clamping element includes least one prosection that extends radially inwardly into a circumferential groove of the hub when the cover is in the first position;

wherein an interface between the at least one projection and the hub is V- shaped; and

wherein the cover has at least one wedge-shaped axial extension, the wedge- shaped axial extension arranged to slidably communicate with the an actuation member when the cover is moved from the first position to the second position so as to pull the respective clamping element radially away from the hub.

13. The encoder device according to claim 12 , wherein the cover includes a pushing member arranged to contact the actuation member when the cover is in the first position to press the clamping element against the hub.

14. The encoder device according to claim 13 , wherein the actuation member has at least one lateral projection extending in a tangential direction with relation to the hub, at least one of (a) the axial extension and (b) the pushing member arranged to transmit force to the lateral projection when the cover is moved from the first position to the second position.

15. An encoder device, comprising:

a housing;

a hub rotatably arranged in the housing and arranged to carry an encoder disk:

a cover that is axially movable between a first position and a second position; and

a gapping and centering device arranged to urge the hub into a predetermined axial and radial position relative to a portion of the housing when the cover is in the first position, the gapping and centering device arranged to permit axial and radial movement of the hub when the cover is in the second position;

wherein the cover is integrally formed as a single piece;

wherein the gapping and centering device is integrally formed as a single piece; and

wherein the gapping and centering device is integrally formed with the housing as a single piece.