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Abstract

A capacitance-type encoder comprising a stator, a movable element, an excitation device and a signal processing device to obtain position data with low power-consumption. The stator has excitation-electrode sets electrically independent and displaced to have phase differences from each other to form a predetermined number of excitation-electrode groups. The movable element has connection electrodes having the same number as the excitation-electrode groups. The excitation device simultaneously applies a first pair of positive and negative pulse voltages respectively to two of the excitation-electrode sets having a phase difference of 180 degrees, and then simultaneously applies a second set of positive and negative pulse voltages respectively to the rest of the excitation-electrode sets. The signal processing device determines which one of four divided regions the movable element is positioned in based on a combination of detection signals when the first and second pairs of pulse voltages are applied respectively.

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First Claim