Micro-Optical Orientation Sensor and Related Methods

摘要

The sensor (1) for determining an orientation of the sensor in a gravity field comprises a ball (2) and a rolling surface (R) describing a generally concave shape on which the ball can roll inside the sensor. A further surface (F) is arranged opposite said rolling surface, and a light emitter (E), a light detector (D) and another light emitter or detector is provided. A region (R) within which the ball (2) can move is limited by at least the rolling surface (R) and the further surface (F). And the light emitters (E) and detectors (D) are arranged outside the region (R) for emitting light through the rolling surface (R) into said region and detecting light exiting the region (3) through the rolling surface (R) or for emitting light through the further surface (F) into said region (R) and detecting light exiting said region (R) through the further surface (F). Corresponding measuring methods and manufacturing methods are described, too.

主权项

1. A sensor for determining an orientation of the sensor in a gravity field, the sensor comprising:
a ball; a rolling surface describing a generally concave shape on which said ball can roll inside the sensor; a further surface arranged opposite said rolling surface; a first active optical component which is a light emitter; a second active optical components which is a light detector for detecting light emitted by said light emitter; a third active optical component which is a light emitter or is a light detector;wherein a region within which said ball can move inside the sensor is limited by at least said rolling surface and said further surface, and wherein, in a first configuration,
said active optical components are arranged outside said region for emitting light through said rolling surface into said region and detecting light exiting said region through said rolling surface, respectively;or, in a second configuration,
said active optical components are arranged outside said region for emitting light through said further surface into said region and detecting light exiting said region through said further surface, respectively.