Pepperl+ Fuchs Safety Rotary Encoder RVK58S

Intelligent self-monitoring is often used now in place of redundancy to ensure proper operation of the various functional units. The new RVK58S sine/cosine rotary encoder from Pepperl+Fuchs Drehgeber GmbH, plays a key role in the development of safe drive solutions. This high-resolution encoder, packaged in a 58-mm housing, has 1024 increments per revolution and boasts a functional safety concept, along with an absolute position track as an extra feature. Signal conditioning is handled by a special ASIC, which also looks after internal diagnostics.

In combination with a suitably certified controller, the safety rotary encoder from Pepperl+Fuchs enables single-encoder solutions. However, a prerequisite for this is that both sensor channels are always connected to the controller. With this system configuration, classification at a higher ISO 13849 performance level (PL e) or IEC 62061 safety integrity level (SIL 3) is straightforward. All motor activities are carried out and monitored reliably, enabling the implementation of typical speed-based safety functions such as safe limited speed, safe speed monitoring, safe standstill monitoring, safe rotation direction, safe acceleration/deceleration, and so on.

In combination with a suitable safety control unit installed either locally or in the drive controller, the RVK58S monitors compliance with the specified braking ramp (safety limited deceleration) as well as the speed of travel (safe limited speed) of the storage and retrieval machine. If any of the configured limits is exceeded, the system is either braked with the aid of the drive or (in case of total drive failure) a mechanical brake in the vehicle is applied.