Laser transmitter having gimbal support and method of preventing the gimbal support from contacting the transmitter housing

摘要

A laser transmitter has a transmitter housing and a laser source in the housing. A gimbal support arrangement supports the laser source in the housing and includes a gimbal motor arrangement for moving the gimbal support arrangement and said laser source in said housing. A gimbal motor drive circuit actuates the gimbal motor arrangement to cause the gimbal support arrangement to move in said housing. A plurality of optical proximity sensors sense the orientation of said gimbal support arrangement to the interior of said housing. By this arrangement, damage to the transmitter is prevented.