Optical-type two-dimensional position sensor, in particular for automotive applications

摘要

The optical two-dimensional position sensor (1) comprises a selective optical unit (9) which faces, and is displaceable relative to an integrated device (2). The selective optical unit (9) is formed by a polarised light source (4,5) and a filter with four quadrants (3) which permits passage of the light onto two quadrants only. The selective optical unit (9) is attached to a control lever (6) such as to translate in a plane along a first direction (X) and a second direction (Y), and to pivot around a third direction (W) which is orthogonal to the preceding directions. In a transparent package, the integrated device (2) comprises a first group of sensor elements (101-103) which are spaced along the first direction (X), a second group of sensor elements (104-107) which are spaced along the second direction (Y) and a third group of sensor elements (108-109) which detect the angular position of the selective optical sensor. Electronics which is integrated with the sensor elements generates a code which is associated with each position which is assumed by the selective optical unit (9) and a control signal (S) which corresponds to the function required.