Optical encoder apparatus for removable connection with printed circuit board and methods of assembling optical encoder
View Patent ↗There is disclosed optical encoder apparatus for removable connection with a printed circuit board. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a light emitting component, a light detecting component, a mounting component for attaching the light emitting component thereon, and another mounting component for attaching the light detecting component thereon, wherein each of the mounting components have a removable connection with the printed circuit board. A method of assembling optical encoder apparatus is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes attaching a light emitting component and a terminal of a first mounting component to one another; attaching a light detecting component and a terminal of a second mounting component to one another; attaching a terminal of the first mounting component to a printed circuit board; and attaching a terminal of the second mounting component to the printed circuit board. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
1. Optical encoder apparatus for removable connection with a printed circuit board, the apparatus comprising:
a light detecting component having an outer surface with a conductive terminal;
a mounting component having a surface for attaching the outer surface of the light detecting component thereon, a first conductive terminal for electrical connection with the conductive terminal of the light detecting component, and a second conductive terminal for removable connection with the printed circuit board; and
a light emitting device in connection with the printed circuit board at a given location, wherein the removable connection of the mounting component is removably attached to the printed circuit board adjacent to the given location of the light emitting device.
2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the second conductive terminal of the mounting component comprises a jack, the printed circuit board forms a through hole, and the jack and the through hole are sized for removable connection with one another.
3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the light emitting device and the through hole are located a given distance from one another so as to position the light detecting component in contact with the light emitting device when the mounting component is attached to the printed circuit board.
4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 , wherein the light emitting device and the through hole are located a given distance from one another so as to position the light detecting component and the light emitting device with a gap therebetween when the mounting component is attached to the printed circuit board.