Imaging scanning principle

Put simply, the imaging scanning principle functions by means of projected-light signal generation: two graduations with equal grating periods are moved relative to each other—the scale and the scanning reticle. The carrier material of the scanning reticle is transparent, whereas the graduation on the measuring standard may be applied to a transparent or reflective surface. When parallel light passes through a grating, light and dark surfaces are projected at a certain distance. An index grating with the same grating period is located here. When the two gratings move relative to each other, the incident light is modulated. If the gaps in the gratings are aligned, light passes through. If the lines of one grating coincide with the gaps of the other, no light passes through. Photovoltaic cells convert these variations in light intensity into electrical signals. The specially structured grating of the scanning reticle filters the light current to generate nearly sinusoidal output signals. The smaller the period of the grating structure is, the closer and more tightly toleranced the gap must be between the scanning reticle and circular scale. Practical mounting tolerances for encoders with the imaging scanning principle are achieved with grating periods of 10 µm and larger.

The ECN, EQN, ERN, ROC, ROQ, ROD and ERO rotary encoders as well as the RCN, RON, ROD and ERA angle encoders and the LC, LS, LB and LIDA linear encoders are examples of encoders that operate on the imaging principles.