An actuator module for locking an electrical connection comprises a lock, a drive unit, and a position detection unit. The lock is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position along a direction of movement. The lock has a trigger. The drive unit moves the lock from the unlocked position to the locked position. The position detection unit has an optical sensor detecting the trigger and determining a position of the lock.

An encoder includes a disc and a sensor. The disc has a circular surface with a central axis and is rotatable around the central axis. The disc has a slit row provided on the circular surface. The slit row includes slits arranged in a circumferential direction of the circular surface around the central axis and in a radial direction of the circular surface. The sensor is provided opposite to the slit row on circular surface. The sensor has a first light receiver and a second light receiver. The first light receiver is configured to output a first light receiving signal as the slit row rotates along the circumferential direction when the disc rotates around the central axis. The second light receiver is configured to output a second light receiving signal as the slit row moves along the radial direction when the disc rotates around the central axis.

An encoder includes a disc and a sensor. The disc has a circular surface with a central axis and is rotatable around the central axis. The disc has a slit row provided on the circular surface. The slit row includes slits arranged in a circumferential direction of the circular surface around the central axis and in a radial direction of the circular surface. The sensor is provided opposite to the slit row on circular surface. The sensor has a first light receiver and a second light receiver. The first light receiver is configured to output a first light receiving signal as the slit row rotates along the circumferential direction when the disc rotates around the central axis. The second light receiver is configured to output a second light receiving signal as the slit row moves along the radial direction when the disc rotates around the central axis.

Mechanisms are provided to control the operation of a motor. In particular, a variable frequency drive motor controller is described which resides within a motor housing. Additionally, the speed at which the motor operates is based on a signal received from a Hall Effect switch or from a communication device in communication with a remote interface. The Hall Effect switch is also described; in particular, the Hall Effect switch features a magnet rotatably connected with one side of a motor housing. A Hall Effect sensor, located on the opposite side of the motor housing, detects the position of the magnet and outputs a signal to the motor controller, located within the motor housing, indicating the detected magnet position. Additional operating features are described relating to the safe operation and control of the motor in potentially hazardous environments.

Mechanisms are provided to control the operation of a motor. In particular, a variable frequency drive motor controller is described which resides within a motor housing. Additionally, the speed at which the motor operates is based on a signal received from a Hall Effect switch or from a communication device in communication with a remote interface. The Hall Effect switch is also described; in particular, the Hall Effect switch features a magnet rotatably connected with one side of a motor housing. A Hall Effect sensor, located on the opposite side of the motor housing, detects the position of the magnet and outputs a signal to the motor controller, located within the motor housing, indicating the detected magnet position. Additional operating features are described relating to the safe operation and control of the motor in potentially hazardous environments.

An actuator capable of realizing a high output with a compact size is proposed. An actuator provided with a motor including a cylindrical rotor, and a reducer including an input shaft coaxial with a rotational shaft of the motor and nested in the rotor. The reducer has a cylindrical shape, the reducer further includes an output shaft coaxial with the rotational shaft of the motor, the motor further includes a stator, and the actuator is further provided with a casing which supports the reducer and the stator.

An electric machine is provided. The electric machine includes a rotor and a stator. The stator includes a plurality of teeth and a plurality of windings. Each of the plurality of windings is positioned around at least one of the plurality of teeth. The electric machine further includes a leakage current shielding system. The leakage current shielding system includes a plurality of leakage current shields. Each of the current shields includes a body portion thereof which is positioned between the plurality of teeth and the plurality of windings. Each of the leakage current shields also includes a connecting portion that extends from the body portion. The leakage current shielding system also includes a plurality of connectors. Each of the plurality of connectors is adapted for receiving the connection portion of the leakage current shield. The leakage current shielding system also includes a connecting ring for securing the plurality of connectors.

An information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a first phase signal and a second phase signal that are acquired by measuring a rotation of a moving object, and a calculation unit configured to calculate a rotational angle by an iterative calculation so as to satisfy a relational expression bearing an arctangent. The relational expression bearing the arctangent uses a first cosine wave and a second cosine wave at a higher harmonic of the first cosine wave for the first phase signal, and a first sine wave and a second sine wave at a higher harmonic of the first sine wave for the second phase signal. The first phase signal and the second phase signal may, for example, be analog signals having a wave shape.

This optical sensor includes an illuminating optical fiber, a first light receiving optical fiber, a second light receiving optical fiber, and a measuring unit. An intersection of a reflected light entering the first light receiving optical fiber and the reflected light entering the second light receiving optical fiber is located on a front end surface of a sensor head or is closer to the peripheral surface of a moving body (a rotating body) than the front end surface of the sensor head is. This can compensate for effects of thermal expansion and accurately measure a clearance.

This optical sensor includes an illuminating optical fiber, a first light receiving optical fiber, a second light receiving optical fiber, and a measuring unit. An intersection of a reflected light entering the first light receiving optical fiber and the reflected light entering the second light receiving optical fiber is located on a front end surface of a sensor head or is closer to the peripheral surface of a moving body (a rotating body) than the front end surface of the sensor head is. This can compensate for effects of thermal expansion and accurately measure a clearance.