JP2002296361A - Apparatus for setting of multiple optical-axis photoelectric sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a multiple optical-axis photoelectric sensor from being set erroneously due to a man-caused mistake, when definition of sensing operation is set at the photoelectric sensor. SOLUTION: A console 3 is connected to the multiple optical-axis photoelectric sensor S, which is composed of a light-projecting part 1 and light-receiving part 2, and setting data which indicates the definition of various sensing operations is instructed to the sensor S from the console 3. A control circuit 36 in the console 3 holds a setting item table for each kind of a sensor for safety and a sensor for non-safety, it fetches the type of sensor through communication with the sensor S, and the setting item table according to the type is selected, to be shifted to an operating mode which can be set.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor which detects a light-shielded state for each of a plurality of optical axes and outputs the detection result. Related to equipment for setting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A general multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor includes a light projecting section in which a plurality of light projecting elements are arranged in a row, and a light receiving section in which the same number of light projecting elements are arranged in a row. The light emitting and receiving elements are arranged so as to face each other in a one-to-one relationship. The light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are connected via a communication line,
By causing each light emitting element to emit light sequentially on the light emitting part side, and by taking out the amount of light received at a timing synchronized with the light emitting operation of the light emitting element from the light receiving element corresponding to each light emitting element on the light receiving part side, The light blocking state for each optical axis is detected in order. Further, the light receiving unit determines whether or not there is an object in the detection area using the detection result for each optical axis, and outputs a signal indicating the determination result (hereinafter, referred to as “object detection signal”).

Usually, this type of sensor is set to turn on an object detection signal when a light-shielded state is detected in any one optical axis. However, depending on the installation location of the sensor and the purpose of use of the sensor, the details of the detection operation, such as invalidating the detection result on a specific optical axis, turning on the object detection signal only when more than a predetermined number of optical axes are blocked, etc. May need to set various conditions.

FIG. 14 shows a specific example in which a specific optical axis needs to be invalidated. In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes a light projecting unit, 102 denotes a light receiving unit, and 103 denotes a machine. In this example,
Emitter / receiver units 101 and 10 according to the danger area of machine 103
14, a part of the optical axis (indicated as P1, P2, P3 in the figure) is a machine 103 as shown in FIG.
In this case, it is impossible to perform a normal detection operation under normal settings. In such a case, as shown by a dotted line in FIG. 14 (2), each of the blocked optical axes P1, P2, and P3 is invalidated in advance, and the detection is performed only with the valid optical axis. The process of invalidating a part of the optical axis is called "fixed blanking".

FIG. 15 shows a second example in which the number of light shielding optical axes needs to be set. The multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor in this example is a type of press machine that inserts a workpiece and performs a bending process. When a worker's hand approaches a dangerous area, an object detection signal is turned on to stop the press operation. Is set to However, according to the normal detection operation, even when the optical axis is shielded by a work thinner than the worker's hand, the press operation is stopped. It is necessary to set so that an object detection signal is output when the shaft is in the light-shielded state. (The process of setting the reference number of the light-shielded optical axis in accordance with the detection target is called "floating blanking.")

Conventionally, in order to perform fixed blanking, a sensor is set to a teaching mode, and then a light emitting / receiving operation is performed to store the light-shielded optical axes and the number of the optical axes. On the other hand, for floating blanking, the sensor is connected to a dedicated controller or a setting device such as a personal computer, and the user inputs the number of light-shielded optical axes determined by the user according to the size of the object to be detected. Is received and this input value is transmitted to the sensor.

[0007]

The multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor of this type is designed to prevent accidents such as stopping the machine by detecting that the worker's body has approached a danger zone caused by the operation of the machine. (Hereinafter referred to as "safety sensors") and sensors not intended to prevent safety, such as detecting workpieces conveyed on a conveyor (hereinafter referred to as "safety sensors"). , "Non-safety sensors").

[0008] In the case of incorrect setting of the safety sensor, there is a risk of causing a personal injury. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully perform a teaching operation. For example, when the fixed blanking is set, an optical axis that should not be in a light-shielded state due to noise such as dust is in a light-shielded state, and an invalid optical axis invalidation setting is performed. Even if a human body enters the optical axis, it cannot be detected, and there is a possibility that the machine cannot be stopped before the human body enters the dangerous area.

Further, when a human body is detected, it is necessary to install a sensor at a position sufficiently distant from the dangerous area so that the machine can be stopped before the human body enters the dangerous area. The distance required for ensuring this safety (hereinafter referred to as “safety distance”) is set to be sufficiently larger than the distance that the human body moves from when the sensor outputs an object detection signal to when the machine stops. Must. In particular, when the floating blanking is set, the longer the detectable object is, the longer the time required for object detection is. Therefore, it is necessary to set a longer safe distance. Therefore, if floating blanking is set in a state where the safety distance cannot be secured, even if a human body is detected, the machine cannot be stopped before the human body enters the dangerous area.

[0010] As described above, the detection of the light blocking state for each optical axis is performed by comparing the amount of light received by the light receiving element with a threshold value.
If this threshold can be set freely, the sensitivity of the sensor may be reduced to a level that is insufficient for ensuring safety.

From the above, it is desirable that the setting for the safety sensor be performed by a skilled person who is familiar with the purpose and content of the setting. However, even if an expert performs the setting, it may overlook noise contamination when setting the fixed blanking, incorrectly calculate the safety distance when setting the floating blanking, or use the non-safety sensor There is a possibility that a mistake such as setting may be mistakenly made.

On the other hand, it is desirable that the setting of the non-safety sensor can be flexibly changed according to the use or the working environment. On the site side, there is a demand that the settings for a plurality of sensors be performed by a single device. In response to this request, the settings of each sensor should be performed using a portable setting device such as a console. It is desirable to be able to. However, if this type of setting device can be shared by both the safety sensor and the non-safety sensor, ordinary workers can change the setting of the safety sensor without permission to make work easier. ,
As a result, incorrect settings may be made.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and prevents an erroneous setting due to a human error or the like when setting a definition of a detection operation in a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor. It is another object of the present invention to ensure that correct settings are made according to the purpose of use of the sensor.

[0014]

A multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor to which the present invention is applied is provided with a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit having a longitudinal body, which are arranged with light projecting and receiving surfaces facing each other. A plurality of light-emitting elements,
A plurality of light receiving elements are provided along the longitudinal direction of the body, and a control circuit, a communication circuit, and the like for controlling light emitting and receiving operations are incorporated. Each communication circuit is connected via a communication line, and by exchanging signals via this communication line, each optical axis is sequentially enabled to detect a light-shielded state, and output the detection result.

A setting device according to the first configuration of the present invention is connected to the above-described multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor and is for teaching the definition of a detecting operation. The “definition of the detection operation” here includes the fixed blanking and the floating blanking, a threshold value for determining the light blocking state of each optical axis, a type of a signal output as a detection signal, and an external input. This means the definition of various conditions related to the detection operation of the sensor, such as whether or not to accept a signal (such as a signal from a relay interposed between the sensor and the drive system on the machine side).

The setting device is a device that can be connected to a plurality of sensors having different models, applications, functions, and the like, and is preferably a portable device such as a console. However, it is not always necessary to configure as a setting device dedicated to the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor, and a notebook computer or a general-purpose portable electronic device may be incorporated as a setting device by incorporating a teaching program.

[0017] The setting device according to the present invention comprises, for a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor classified into a plurality of groups, a memory for storing the contents of the setting permitted for each group, and a connected sensor. A means for fetching data indicating a group to which the sensor belongs, and selecting a setting content corresponding to the data; and a means for performing a setting process for the sensor using the selected setting content. .

The contents of the above-mentioned setting are set for each group when a plurality of multi-optical axis photoelectric sensors are classified according to the difference in the configuration such as the number of optical axes and resolution, the use, and the like. It can be shown as a table showing the setting items permitted for each group. In the present invention, at least two types of tables, a table for a safety sensor and a table for a non-safety sensor, can be set,
In addition, a plurality of tables can be provided for each of the safety sensor and the non-safety sensor. It is also possible to provide a separate table for each sensor type, considering one sensor per group.

Instead of setting a table for each group, it is also possible to indicate, for each setting group, whether or not setting for the item is permitted for each group by data such as a flag. In addition, the setting contents are not limited to the permitted setting items, such as a numerical range that can be set as the number of light-shielded optical axes in floating blanking, the number of areas due to a series of disabled optical axes in fixed blanking, and the like. Can be shown for each group.

The "data indicating the group to which the sensor belongs" is, for example, the type of the sensor,
It is possible to configure so that data transmission is performed spontaneously at the time of start-up, and the connected device side can receive data transmission from the sensor, and fetch data indicating the group to which the sensor belongs. However, if the connected device sends a command requesting data transmission to the sensor and accepts a response from the sensor to this command, it is possible to change the setting as appropriate even when the sensor is operating. Become.

According to the above configuration, the setting content corresponding to the group to which the sensor belongs is selected based on the transmission data from the sensor side, and the setting process for the sensor is performed. There is no danger of setting the sensor, and setting errors can be prevented.

According to a preferred embodiment, the memory includes:
The settings of the safety sensor and the non-safety sensor are stored, and the setting of the predetermined setting item permitted for the non-safety sensor is prohibited for the safety sensor. As such a setting item, for example, there is a change of a threshold value for determining a light blocking state of the optical axis. In this case, in order to maintain safety by maintaining the detection level, it is desirable to prohibit the setting of the safety sensor that may lower the detection level. On the other hand, for the non-safety sensor, the threshold value can be changed to some extent according to the purpose of use and the like, so that usability can be improved.

In the connection device having the above configuration, it is determined whether or not the sensor is a safety sensor based on data from the connected sensor. It is desirable to provide a means for setting the object to the object detection state. According to such a setting, during the setting processing, processing such as stopping the operation of the machine is performed in the same manner as in the original object detection state, so that an accident during the setting processing can be prevented, and the setting work can be performed in a safe environment. You can proceed.

Next, the setting device of the second configuration according to the present invention is a means for receiving input of teaching data on a predetermined setting item, and a parameter indicating characteristics of a sensor related to the setting item from a connected sensor. And means for determining whether the teaching data is appropriate using the parameters, and means for determining the teaching data and transmitting it to the sensor when the teaching data is determined to be appropriate. For example, when setting the number of light-shielded optical axes (that is, floating blanking) corresponding to the minimum object size to be detected by the sensor as a setting item, a safe distance from the sensor to the dangerous area is calculated from the sensor. (Such as the response time of the sensor, the number of optical axes, and the interval between optical axes) must be captured. It should be noted that this kind of parameter can be sent to the sensor and taken in every time it is set, but it is desirable to take in all at once when connected to the sensor.

According to the setting device having the above configuration, when setting the floating blanking, a parameter for calculating a safety distance corresponding to the number of light-shielded optical axes input by the user is calculated to calculate the safety distance. Based on the result, it is determined whether or not an appropriate safety distance is secured. In the case where the data input by the user is set as the teaching data in the sensor as described above, the teaching data is determined after judging the suitability of the teaching data based on the parameters fetched from the sensor side. Can be prevented.

Prior to setting the teaching data to the connected sensor, the setting device of each of the first and second configurations compares the teaching data with a predetermined limit value to determine whether the teaching data is appropriate. And a means for prohibiting the setting of the teaching data to the sensor when the teaching data is determined to be inappropriate. “Teaching data setting” in this case refers to a process of transmitting the teaching data created in the setting device to the sensor based on the detection result of the light-shielded state of the sensor and the input data of the user, and setting the sensor.
The "limit value" means that the detection sensitivity of the sensor is maintained within a predetermined value, such as the number of invalid optical axes in fixed blanking, the number of areas where optical axes are invalidated, and the number of light-shielded optical axes in floating blanking. This corresponds to the maximum value that can be tolerated above, and can be set by a default value preset in the device or a value that has been sufficiently considered and input by the user.

According to the above configuration, for example, when setting the fixed blanking, it is necessary to set a limit value such as trying to teach without noticing that the optical axis that should not be invalidated due to the noise is invalidated. In the case where the teaching is performed beyond this, transmission of the teaching data to the sensor is prohibited, so that erroneous setting due to noise can be prevented. Also, for items taught based on the user's input data, if the input data is incorrect, the teaching is prohibited, so that erroneous setting by user's erroneous input can be prevented. .

Further, the connected devices having the above-described configurations include a method of teaching the definition of the detection operation, a control circuit having data necessary for the teaching in an electronic data format, and a device having the revised electronic data. It is desirable to have a means for receiving the transmission of the electronic data and a means for rewriting the data of the control circuit with the received electronic data.

The above-mentioned electronic data includes not only a program indicating a processing procedure for teaching the definition of the detection operation but also fixed data such as the setting table, but not all programs and fixed data are necessarily changed. Not only when the data is changed, but also when some programs or data are changed, the data can be considered to be revised.
To receive data transmission from a device (such as a personal computer) having the revised data, connect the device to a setting device via a communication line, or transfer data between devices by wireless communication. It needs to be configured to be able to communicate. According to such a configuration,
Even if a new sensor of a different type is sold or the content of the setting for the sensor is changed, there is no need to replace the connection device, and the change can be easily and promptly dealt with.

[0030]

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. The multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor S includes a light projecting unit 1 in which a plurality of light projecting elements 11 are provided.
And a light receiving unit 2 provided with the same number of light receiving elements 21 as the light emitting elements 11 are provided with their light emitting / receiving surfaces facing each other. The light projecting unit 1 includes, in addition to the light projecting elements 11, a driving circuit 12 for individually driving each of the light projecting elements 11, an optical axis sequential selecting circuit 13, a control circuit 16, a communication circuit 17, and a power supply circuit 18.
And so on. In addition to the light receiving elements 21, an amplifier 22 and an analog switch 23 for each light receiving element 21, an optical axis sequential selection circuit 25, a control circuit 2
6, amplifier 24 for input to control circuit 26, communication circuit 2
7, a power supply circuit 28 and the like are incorporated.

Each of the control circuits 16 and 26 of the light emitting and receiving sections 1 and 2
Is constituted by a microcomputer having a CPU and a memory. Each of the communication circuits 17 and 27 is an RS4
85, and two communication lines 6A and 6B of a type also corresponding to RS485.
, The exchange of signals between the light emitting and receiving units 1 and 2 is controlled.

Each of the power supply circuits 18 and 28 receives power from a common external power supply 5 (DC power supply) and supplies power to each unit in the same device (in the light projecting unit 1 or the light receiving unit 2). The power supply from the external power supply 5 to each of the power supply circuits 18 and 28 is performed by branching the two power supply lines 7A and 7B, and providing one to the power supply circuit 18 on the light emitting unit 1 side and the other to the light receiving unit 2 This is done by connecting to the power supply circuit 28 on the side. Therefore, the light emitting unit 1 and the light receiving unit 2 are connected to the communication line 6.
A, 6B and power supply lines 7A, 7B.

The control circuit 16 of the light projecting section 1 generates a timing signal at predetermined time intervals and supplies the timing signal to the optical axis sequential selection circuit 13. The optical axis sequential selection circuit 13 is a gate circuit for sequentially connecting the drive circuits 12 of the respective light projecting elements 11 to the control circuit 16, and the switching signal in this circuit causes the timing signal from the control circuit 16 to be The light is sequentially supplied to the drive circuit 12 so that the light emitting elements 11 sequentially emit light. Further, the timing signal is also supplied to the control circuit 26 on the light receiving unit 2 side via the communication circuits 17 and 27.

In the light receiving section 2, an output from each light receiving element 21 (hereinafter, referred to as a light receiving output) is sent to an input line 29 to a control circuit 26 via an amplifier 22 and an analog switch 23. The control circuit 26 sends the timing signal from the light projecting unit 1 to the optical axis sequential selection circuit 25 to turn on the analog switches 23 of the respective optical axes in order, and from the light receiving element 21 corresponding to the light emitting element 11 that has emitted light. The received light output is taken in, and each received light output is compared with a predetermined threshold value to determine whether or not each optical axis is in a light-shielded state. When the reception of the light receiving outputs for all the optical axes is completed, the control circuit 26 performs a final determination process by combining the determination results for each optical axis, generates an object detection signal indicating the determination results, and Output to the outside via an output circuit (not shown).

Further, in this embodiment, the light emitting and receiving units 1 and 2
Between the communication lines 6A, 6B by the branch connector 4.
While relaying the power supply lines 7A and 7B, these lines are branched to the outside and the setting console 3 is connected.

The console 3 is for setting the sensor S before operation to a teaching mode and setting various detection operations such as the fixed blanking and floating blanking described above. FIG. 2 shows the appearance of the console 3. On the front of the body, there are provided display devices 31A and 31B for displaying numerical values and messages, and a plurality of notification lamps 32 and push button keys 33 for notifying the control mode set on the console 3. Can be A connection terminal (not shown) for connecting a connection cable 57 from the branch connector 4 is provided on the upper surface of the body.

The push button keys 33 are used to set the sensor S to the teaching mode and to input setting data and commands. The display units 31A and 31B
Display data corresponding to the operation content of the push button key 33,
It is used to display the amount of light received for each optical axis or the detection result of the light-shielded state as necessary when setting fixed blanking, and to recall and display teaching-completed setting data.

Returning to FIG. 1, inside the body of the console 3, a communication circuit 37, a power supply circuit 38, a display circuit 34, an input unit 35 and the like are incorporated in addition to a control circuit 36 by a microcomputer. The communication circuit 37 is an interface of the RS485 standard similarly to the communication circuit of the light emitting and receiving unit 2 and is connected to the communication lines 6A and 6B branched by the branch connector 4. The power supply circuit 38 is connected to the power supply lines 7A and 7B branched by the branch connector 4, and plays a role of taking in the power from the external power supply 5 and supplying it to each part in the console 3.

The display circuit 34 includes a display 3 on the front of the body.
This is a display interface for performing control for displaying information on 1A and 31B and for turning on the notification lamp 32. The input unit 35 is an input interface for receiving an input from the push button key 33 and transmitting the input content to the control circuit 36.

The control circuit 36 includes a CPU and a flash ROM in which a program and a setting item table described later are written. The control circuit 36 receives an input from the push button key 33 through an input unit 35 and Processing such as setting definitions of various detection operations in the sensor S by communication with the light projecting unit 1 and the light receiving unit 2 and taking in current setting contents from the sensor S and displaying them on the displays 31A and 31B are performed.

According to the above configuration, the light projecting unit 1, the light receiving unit 2,
And the communication circuit 17, 27, 37 of the console 3
By incorporating an interface of the S485 standard, it is set so that bidirectional communication is performed individually between each device.
Individual setting processing can be performed on any of the light receiving units 2. Most of the definitions related to object detection are
Is set in the control circuit 26 on the side, but in a process such as fixed blanking in which an actual detection process result needs to be registered, a command is transmitted to the light emitting unit 1 to perform a light emitting operation. The detection result obtained on the light receiving unit 2 side is taken in, an optical axis invalidation process or the like is performed, and the result is set in the light receiving unit 2.

FIG. 3 shows the appearance of the light emitting and receiving sections 1 and 2 together with an example of mounting the branch connector 4. Note that FIG.
In the above, P, P,
Although Q is attached, in the following description, when referring to both the configurations of the light emitting and receiving units 1 and 2, only the numeral part common to each configuration will be shown.

The main body of the light projecting unit 1 and the light receiving unit 2 of this embodiment is constituted by a long case body 51 having both ends opened. Lids 54 are hermetically sealed at both end openings of the case body 51, and on the upper surface of each lid 54,
Connectors 52 and 53 for connection are provided, respectively. These upper and lower connectors 52 and 53 are for relaying a plurality of input / output signal lines in addition to the communication lines 6A and 6B and the power supply lines 7A and 7B. Are formed to have the same diameter as female connectors.

Each of the connectors 52P, 52Q, 53P,
Although the terminal arrangement of 53Q is the same, the signals handled by each terminal are slightly different depending on the light projecting unit 1 and the light receiving unit 2. However, as for the communication lines 6A and 6B and the power supply lines 7A and 7B, the terminals at the same positions are used in all the connectors.

The light projecting section 1 and the light receiving section 2 have lower male connectors 53P and 53Q, respectively, attached to a wiring board (not shown) via a cable 54. The branch connector 4 is a T-shaped connector and includes connectors 53P, 5P.
The signal is relayed between one of the 3Qs (in the illustrated example, the connector 53Q on the light receiving unit 2 side) and the cable 58Q, and the branch path is connected to the cable 57 for connection to the console 3. Note that the branching connector 4 branches the communication lines 6A and 6B and the power line 7
A and 7B only, and for other signal lines, only a signal path for relay from the connector 53 for connection to the cable 58 is formed. In the figure, 55a, 55b, 55c
Are knurls for fixing the connection of each member, 5
6, 59 are relay connectors.

As described above, the male connectors 53P and 53Q of the light emitting and receiving units 1 and 2 have the same diameter, and have the communication lines 6A and 6A.
6B and the terminals for the power supply lines 7A and 7B are arranged at the same position, and therefore, as shown in FIG.
P, 53Q can also be connected.

Each of the relay connection ports of the branch connector 4 is formed so that one of them corresponds to the male connector 53 and the other corresponds to the female connector 52. Therefore, the branch connector 4 can also be connected to the upper female connectors 52P and 52Q. Therefore, the optimum connector for connection can be selected according to the conditions such as the installation location of the sensor, and the branch connector 4 can be attached. The connection and detachment of the console 3 can be performed very easily. Also, since the branch connector 4 itself can be easily removed,
It is possible to easily cope with a case where the installation location of the sensor is changed.

Further, since the console 3 can be connected to the branch connector 4 as required, even in an environment where a plurality of sensors are provided, if a similar branch connector is attached to each sensor, a common branch connector is provided. The console 3 can be used, and the cost for the setting device can be reduced. For this reason, in this embodiment, a program for making settings corresponding to both types of the sensor for safety and the sensor for non-safety is incorporated in the console 3 and the settings for various sensors are made with one console 3. Like that.

Further, the console 3 can rewrite the program and the fixed data of the control circuit 36 as appropriate so that the console 3 can be used continuously even when the setting program is changed or a new type of sensor is released. It is configured to be able to.

In this rewriting process, as shown in FIG.
Connect the console 3 to the RS485 / RS232C converter 80
Is connected to a personal computer 81 having electronic data for version upgrade via the PC, and the operation mode of the console 3 is switched to a rewrite mode described later. In addition, console 3 at the time of version upgrade
Is connected to the converter 80 by a communication line 61 formed as a dedicated cable. The power supply circuit 38 is also connected to the external power supply 5 ′ by an independent power supply line 71.

Next, the contents of the processing by the console 3 of this embodiment will be specifically described. Note that communication and setting by the console 3 are performed for both the light emitting unit 1 or the light receiving unit 2 or both the light emitting and receiving units 1 and 2. , 2 will be described as a single sensor S.

The console 3 of this embodiment incorporates a setting item table for each sensor in the control circuit 36 so as to be applicable to both safety and non-safety sensors. Each setting item table indicates an item for which setting is permitted for the safety sensor and the non-safety sensor. Some items are common to the table corresponding to the safety sensor and the table corresponding to the non-safety sensor. For example, some items are provided only in one of the tables.

For example, the setting of the fixed blanking and the floating blanking is included in the setting item tables of both the safety and non-safety sensors. On the other hand, the change of the threshold value for determining the light blocking state for each optical axis is included in the table corresponding to the non-safety sensor as a setting item. Is removed from the setting items so that the sensor S does not decrease, and the threshold value preset for the sensor S is held. A plurality of types of sensors can be associated with each setting item table of the safety sensor and the non-safety sensor, and a new type of sensor can be added using the rewrite mode. it can.

The console 3 of this embodiment fetches the type of the sensor S from the connected sensor S so that the user does not accidentally call the setting item table that does not correspond to the target sensor and perform teaching. The setting item table corresponding to this model is automatically called. In addition, for various setting items, a limit value that is the upper limit of the set value is registered in advance, and if a general user performs a setting exceeding this limit value, the setting value is prohibited from being transmitted to the sensor. I have to. In particular, when setting the floating blanking, the number of optical axes of the connected sensors S, the interval between the optical axes, and the detection area are set so that the setting in a state where the safety distance is not secured is not performed. A parameter for calculating a safe distance (hereinafter, collectively referred to as a “sensor parameter”), such as a response time required for detecting an entering object and performing a detection output, is taken in and corresponds to the set number of light-shielded optical axes. The safety distance is calculated, and it is checked whether the calculation result does not exceed the limit value.

The limit value for judging whether the set value is appropriate or not is set by using a function of a normal mode F described later.
The value input by a specific user such as a site manager is adopted. However, the limit value is not limited to this, and a default value can be set in the control circuit 36 in advance. The default limit value may be incorporated in the setting item table.

In the sensor S of this embodiment, a plurality of operation modes are set, and by switching the control mode in accordance with a command from the console 3, the operation mode can be appropriately changed.
The normal detection operation is terminated and the setting change is accepted. However, if the mode is switched in the middle of a series of light emission / reception processing, the mode is switched without outputting this detection even though the light is blocked, and a danger state may occur. The mode is switched when the light emitting / receiving process is completed.

FIG. 6 schematically shows the operation modes set for the sensor S and the relationship between the modes. The sensor S of this embodiment has three operation modes: a normal mode, a setting mode, and a read / write mode. The normal mode is a mode for performing a normal object detection process, and the read / write mode is a mode for receiving a command for teaching from the console 3 and executing the command. The setting mode is a mode located between the normal mode and the read / write mode, and performs the light emitting and receiving operation as in the normal mode. However, the detection output is the same as when an object is detected in the normal mode. It is set to be in a state. (For example, if the level of the output signal at the time of object detection is L level, a signal of L level is output similarly.)

In the sensor S of this embodiment, the normal mode is set immediately after the power is turned on.
When a command to enter the setting mode is received from the device, the mode is switched to the setting mode. Further, in the setting mode, the mode is switched to the read / write mode by a command to enter the read / write mode from the console 3. In the read / write mode, when a read / write mode end command from the console 3 is received, the read / write mode is ended and the mode returns to the setting mode. In the setting mode, when a setting mode end command is received from the console 3, the system is reset to return to the normal mode immediately after the power is turned on.

FIG. 7 shows an operation mode set on the console 3 side and a relationship between each mode. The console 3 has two types of modes, a normal mode for operating as a setting device for the sensor S and a rewrite mode for updating the program and setting data described above. By turning off, the normal mode is set.

The normal mode is subdivided into six operation modes A to F in the figure. The normal mode A is a mode in which data transmission of the type and the sensor parameters described above is received from the sensor S and the type of the sensor S is determined. The normal mode B is a mode in which the sensor S side during teaching according to the determined type. Is a mode for performing a process of changing the operation mode of the operation.

The normal mode C is a mode in which the system waits for a user's input operation by the push button key 33. When a user's input is made in this mode, the following modes D, E, and F are set according to the input contents. Either is executed, and the setting is made to return to the normal mode C again.

In the normal mode D, when a setting command (including a command for changing already set data) for setting a predetermined setting item is input in the normal mode C, this command is executed. In this mode, for the setting items specified by the user, a process of registering the setting values input to the sensor side is performed. The normal mode E is a mode in which, in the normal mode C, when a command for monitoring a set value currently set in the sensor S is input, the command is executed, and the setting specified by the user from the sensor S is performed. Processing such as taking in set values for items and displaying them on the displays 31A and 31B is performed.

In the normal mode F, when a user inputs a limit value of a set value for teaching, this is accepted and registered in a memory, or the user sets the sensor S to a write locked state after the end of teaching. When a command for inputting a command is input, the command is received and the sensor S is set to a state where the set value cannot be changed.
This is for performing a process for providing a restriction on the change of the set value. In this normal mode F, a password is first registered so that only a specific user such as a site manager can be input, and then only a command accompanied by the input of the registered password is received. Is desirable.

When setting the sensor S, first, the model is taken from the sensor S connected in the normal mode A and the type of the sensor S is determined. An operation mode corresponding to the type of the sensor S is set. Hereinafter, each time a command is input in the normal mode C, any one of the normal modes D, E, and F is executed in accordance with the content of the command to set various items in the sensor S.

The normal modes A to F on the console 3 side
In order to fetch data from the sensor S or transmit setting data and commands to the sensor S, a setting mode entry command or a read / write mode entry command is sent to the sensor S in advance, and the operation mode on the sensor S side is read / written. It is necessary to switch to. However, if the mode is switched while the sensor S is performing the normal detection operation, there is a possibility that a danger state in which an object is in the detection area of the sensor S but cannot be detected may occur. In this embodiment, the mode is switched by giving the authority to the sensor S side. Specifically, when the light emission / reception processing for one cycle is completed, the sensor S side transmits the
It is checked whether or not the mode is to be switched, and if there is a switching instruction from the console 3, the mode is shifted to the next mode.

In this embodiment, at the time of teaching, setting data and commands are transmitted to the sensor S after the contents of the setting data are determined on the console 3. It will be in a standby state until it is received. In this embodiment, when the sensor S to be set is a safety sensor, the sensor in the standby state is set to the setting mode, whereby the sensor S
The detection output from is set to the same state as when an object is detected, and safety measures such as stopping the operation of the machine are taken. On the other hand, when the sensor S to be set is a non-safety sensor, the sensor S is set to the normal mode so that an object can be detected even during the idle time in the standby state.

FIG. 8 shows a processing procedure of the sensor S in three modes. (In the figure, each step is shown as "st.") The procedure shown here is common to both the safety sensor and the non-safety sensor. First, when the power is turned on, the normal mode is started, and the light emitting / receiving process for one cycle is executed (st1). Although not shown here, when an object is detected by this one cycle of light emission / reception processing, a detection signal set to a level indicating the object detection state is output.

In the next st2, the console 3 is
A signal for confirming whether to enter the setting mode is transmitted. The console 3
Receives a rush command described later from the
S ", the normal mode ends and the setting mode starts.

In the setting mode, first, in st4, the detection output from the light receiving section 2 is set to a level indicating the object detection state, and then in st5, one cycle of light emission / reception processing is executed. In the next st6, a signal for confirming whether or not to enter the read / write mode is transmitted to the console 3. When a rush command is returned from the console 3 in response to this signal, st7 becomes "Y
ES ", the setting mode ends, and the process proceeds to the read / write mode.

On the other hand, when the console 3 returns a command to end the setting mode in response to the signal for confirming the entry into the read / write mode, st8 becomes "YES", the process proceeds to st9, and the software reset command is executed. This ends the setting mode and returns to the normal mode.

In the read / write mode, only the processing according to the command from the console 3 is performed without performing the light emission / reception processing.
The process proceeds from st10 to st12 via st11, and executes processing according to the command. However, if the transmitted command is a read / write mode end command, st11
Becomes "YES" and returns from the read / write mode to the setting mode.

FIG. 9 shows a procedure from the start of the console 3 to the start of the teaching process (until the stage of the normal mode C in FIG. 7). (Each step is shown as “ST” in the figure.) First, at the time of startup, a dip switch is checked in ST1. If the dip switch is ON, ST1 becomes "YES" and a program rewriting process procedure (not shown) is executed. On the other hand, if the dip switch is off, the process waits for a confirmation signal from the sensor S.

If the connected sensor S is in the normal mode, as shown in st1 to st3 of FIG. 8, the sensor S switches to the setting mode every time light emission / reception processing for one cycle is performed. Is transmitted. When this signal is received, ST2 becomes "YES" and proceeds to ST3.
A command to enter the setting mode is transmitted in response to the confirmation signal from the sensor S.

After completing the transmission, return to ST2 again,
It waits for another signal transmission from the sensor S. The sensor S switched to the setting mode by the previous rush command is shown in FIG.
In st5 and st6, a signal for confirming entry into the read / write mode is transmitted each time light emission / reception processing for one cycle is performed.
And sends a command to enter the read / write mode in response to the confirmation signal from the sensor S.

The sensor S which has received the rush command is switched to the read / write mode as described above and
Will wait for a command from. On the console 3 side, in ST6, a command requesting the transmission of the model and the sensor parameters is sent to the sensor S that has entered the read / write mode to capture these data, and in the next ST7, the sensor data is read out from the captured data. Determine the type.

Next, in ST8, a read / write mode end command is transmitted to the sensor S, and the sensor S is returned from the read / write mode to the setting mode. If the type of the sensor S determined in ST7 is a safety sensor, the next S
T9 becomes "YES" and the process proceeds to ST10, where the setting item table corresponding to the safety sensor is selected from the two types of setting item tables.

On the other hand, if the sensor S is a non-safety sensor, the process proceeds from ST9 to ST11 to wait for the sensor S to transmit a signal for confirming entry into the read / write mode. If the signal is transmitted here, ST11 to ST12
To send the setting mode end command,
The sensor S is caused to perform a process of resetting the main body and returning to the normal mode.

When the sensor S is returned to the normal mode in this way, in the next ST13, the setting item table corresponding to the non-safety sensor is selected from the two types of setting item tables.

As described above, the setting item table is selected based on the model taken from the sensor S, and the operation mode of the sensor S is set to either the setting mode or the normal mode according to the type of the sensor S. When this setting is completed, the process proceeds to ST14, where the indicators 31A and 31B are displayed.
Display the setting item of the selected setting item table and wait for the user to select the item.

The safety sensor is described in ST10.
It is necessary to maintain the setting mode at the time of teaching by the processing of and secure the safety.When sending the command for setting and monitoring at the time of teaching, if the command is switched from the setting mode to the read / write mode and the command is sent, It is desirable to return to the setting mode promptly. (Of course, even in the read / write mode, the detection output of the sensor needs to be set to the same state as when the object is detected.)

On the other hand, for the non-safety sensor,
Since the detection operation is performed during the standby time at the time of teaching by returning to the normal mode by the processing of T12, when transmitting a command for setting or monitoring, first, the light emission / reception processing in the normal mode ends. Then, it is necessary to switch to the setting mode, switch from the setting mode to the read / write mode, transmit the command, and then return to the normal mode.

Next, as a specific example of the setting processing by the console 3, a procedure for setting fixed blanking and floating blanking, which are typical teaching, will be described in order. FIG. 10 shows the procedure at the time of setting the fixed blanking by reference numerals ST21 to ST32, and FIG. 11 shows the procedure at the time of setting the floating blanking by reference numerals ST41 to ST52.

First, in setting the fixed blanking, a message for confirming the start of the teaching process is displayed on the indicators 31A and 31B in response to the user selecting the setting item. When the user performs a confirming operation on this display, the process proceeds from ST22 to ST23, in which the detection result of the light-shielded state of each optical axis is fetched from the sensor S, and whether each optical axis is in the light-shielded or non-light-shielded state is determined. Is determined.

In the next step ST24, the optical axis determined to be in the light-shielded state is set as an invalid optical axis. Note that the process of invalidating the optical axis can be performed by a process of turning on a flag set for each optical axis.

Next, in ST25, a message for confirming whether to transmit the set data is displayed on the display. Here, when the user performs the confirmation operation, ST26
Is "YES", and the following determination processing is sequentially performed.

In ST27, it is checked whether or not the sensor S is set in the write locked state. Next S
At T28, the number of invalid areas (areas in which one or more continuous optical axes are invalidated) set in the detection area is compared with a limit value N1 by the invalidation processing. Further, in the next ST29, the total number of the revoked optical axes is compared with a limit value N2.

In the above-described determination processing, if the sensor S is not in the write locked state and both the number of invalid areas and the number of invalid optical axes are within the limits N1 and N2, respectively, S
Proceeding to T30, the flag data indicating the validity / invalidity for each optical axis is transmitted to the sensor S, and these data are registered in the memory.

On the other hand, the sensor S is set in the write locked state, or the number of invalid areas or the number of invalid optical axes is equal to the limit value N.
If it exceeds 1, N2, the process proceeds to ST31, where a message indicating "transmission impossible" is displayed on the indicators 31A, 31B, and the process returns to ST22 to wait for re-input. Here, when the user again performs the determination operation for starting the teaching, the detection result for each optical axis is fetched again and the setting data is created again by the processing of ST23 and thereafter. Therefore, at the time of the first setting, even if the number of invalid areas or the number of invalid optical axes exceeds the limit value and teaching to the sensor S is prohibited due to the contamination of noise, appropriate setting data is created by taking in the detection result again. If
Proceeding to ST30, the setting data is transmitted to the sensor S.

When the user performs the cancel operation without performing the confirmation operation in response to the confirmation message in ST21 or ST25, or when the transmission is impossible in ST31.
If a cancel operation has been performed for the message No. ST32 or ST33, "YES" is determined, and the setting process is stopped.

Next, in setting the floating blanking, a screen for inputting the number of light-shielded optical axes is presented on the displays 31A and 31B in response to the user selecting a setting item (ST41). Here, if the user inputs the number of light-shielded optical axes, the process proceeds from ST42 to ST43, where the input number is determined as the number of light-shielded optical axes, and then the next ST
At 44, a message is displayed on the indicators 31A and 31B to confirm whether to transmit the setting data.

When the user performs a confirmation operation in response to this message, the process proceeds from ST45 to ST46, where the sensor S
Is write-locked. Further, if the write lock is not established, the next ST47
, The number of light-shielded optical axes is compared with a limit value N3.

If the number of light shielding optical axes is within the limit value N3, S
The process proceeds from T47 to ST48 to calculate a safety distance corresponding to the number of light-shielded optical axes using the sensor parameters taken together with the model from the sensor S. This safe distance is S
Then, S is calculated by the following equation (1). S = K × T + C (1)

In the above equation (1), K is the moving speed of the detected object (for example, a hand).
The standard value set in is used. T is the sensor S
Response time from when the object is detected until the machine stops
That is, it is equivalent to a value obtained by adding the response time of the sensor S taken from the sensor S and the response time (or the default response time) of the machine input in advance. C is an offset value that is set in accordance with the time required from when the object enters the detection area of the sensor to when it is detected by the sensor. , The size of the smallest object that can be detected by the sensor is determined, and the larger the object, the larger the value of C is set.

For example, when a hand entering a press machine is to be detected as shown in FIG. 15, when the number of optical axes corresponding to the thickness of the user's finger is set as the number of light shielding optical axes of floating blanking, , Since the hand of the user entering the detection area can be detected immediately,
Can be reduced. On the other hand, if the number of light-shielding optical axes is set to a number corresponding to the thickness of the user's arm, it takes a considerable amount of time before the user's hand is detected, and at that point, the user's fingertips , Since it has advanced considerably beyond the detection area of the sensor S, it is necessary to increase the value of C.

In this embodiment, the response time of the sensor S and the distance between the optical axes for specifying the smallest detected object are determined by the sensor S.
Therefore, the response time T and the offset value C can be accurately obtained.

Therefore, the safety distance calculated in ST48 accurately reflects the distance required to ensure safety for the objects corresponding to the number of light-shielded optical axes.
In the next ST49, the safety distance is compared with a limit value D0. If the safe distance is within the limit value D0, ST
From 49, the process proceeds to ST50, where the number of light-shielded optical axes is transmitted to the sensor S, and registered as setting data in the memory.
Note that the limit value D0 is a value obtained by adding a predetermined offset value to the actual distance from the detection area of the sensor S to the dangerous area using the function of the normal mode F, and is registered in the control circuit 36. It is desirable to keep.

On the other hand, when the sensor S is write-locked, or when either the number of light-shielded optical axes or the safety distance exceeds the limit values N3 and D0, the process proceeds to ST51, where the indicators 31A and 31B are displayed. After displaying a message indicating "transmission is impossible", the process returns to ST42 to accept the re-input of the number of light-shielded optical axes. Therefore, even if the wrong number of light-shielded optical axes was input last time, if a correct value is input at the time of re-input, the processing up to ST50 is advanced for the input value,
The re-input number of light-shielded optical axes can be transmitted to the sensor S and set.

The input screen of ST41, ST44
If the cancel operation is performed on the display screen of the confirmation message of "1" or the message display screen of "transmission not possible" in ST51, the setting process is stopped.

As described above, in this embodiment, in fixed blanking and floating blanking,
Before the setting data is transmitted to the sensor S, the setting data is checked against the limit value to prevent erroneous setting data due to noise or erroneous input from being transmitted to the sensor S. With respect to the sensor, it is possible to prevent a malfunction in the sensor in the normal mode due to an incorrect setting, and to prevent a danger state from occurring.

In particular, in setting the fixed blanking, the validity of the setting data is checked by using two parameters of the invalid area and the number of invalid optical axes. It is possible to prevent a state where detection cannot be performed correctly. In the setting of the floating blanking, a safe distance that may lead to a personal injury is accurately obtained by using the sensor parameters, and it is determined whether or not the set value input by the user is appropriate. Setting can be reliably prevented.

By the way, according to the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, even when a plurality of sensors are connected via the connectors 52 at both ends, multi-drop communication can be similarly performed. So even in this system,
If the console 3 is connected using the branch connector 4, it is possible to individually set the definition of the detection operation for each sensor.

FIG. 12 shows a plurality of multi-optical axis sensors (S _A,
It shows only two of the S _B. 3) shows an example of a configuration in the case of connecting. In FIG. 12, among the configurations of the light projecting units 1A and 1B and the light receiving units 2A and 2B, as for the configuration relating to the light emitting and receiving operation (not shown), all the sensors have the same configuration as that of FIG. The illustration is omitted, and only the components (control circuits 16 and 26, communication circuits 17 and 27) involved in communication and the power supply circuits 18 and 28 are shown.

In this embodiment, the connection connectors at both ends are connected.
Sensors S via the sensors 52 and 53 _A,S_BIs for each light emitting part,
Each light receiving unit is connected. Top sensor S_AFloodlight 1
A and the light receiving section 2A are connected to the communication line 6 in the same manner as in the embodiment of FIG.
A, 6B and power supply lines 7A, 7B.
And between the sensors, the connector
The communication lines 6A and 6B and the power line
7A and 7B are serially relayed. In addition, each emitter / receiver
Communication circuits 17 and 27 are connected to communication lines 6A and 6B by a power supply circuit.
18 and 28 are connected to power supply lines 7A and 7B, respectively.
Then, each light emitting and receiving unit is connected in series.

Further, in this embodiment, the uppermost sensor S
The communication lines 6A and 6B and the power supply lines 7A and 7B between the light emitting and receiving sections 1A and 1B of _A are relayed by the branch connector 4 as in the case of FIG. I have to.

According to the configuration shown in FIG.
Since the console 3 and the console 3 are respectively assigned individual addresses, bidirectional communication can be individually performed between the sensors, between the light emitting and receiving units 1 and 2 of the same sensor, and between each sensor and the console 3. it can. For example, if it is set to perform detection operation in order from the upper sensor, the light projecting portion of the upper sensor S _A side 1A or the light receiving portion 2
By transmitting a command from A to the light projecting unit 2A or the light receiving unit 2B of the sensor to be operated next, the detection process is taken over between the sensors. Further, in each sensor, by transmitting a timing signal for each optical axis from the light emitting units 1A and 1B to the corresponding light receiving units 2A and 2B, the light emitting and receiving operations are synchronized in the same manner as in a single sensor. Then, a series of object detection processing is executed. The lower sensor S projecting portion 1B or the light receiving portion 2B of _B, compared projecting portion 1A or the light receiving portion 2A of the sensor S _A, each time the series of detection operation is completed, the final detection in the own device Output the result.

If the console 3 is further connected,
The console 3 and each of the sensors S _{A and} S _B individually communicate with each other, fetch the model and sensor parameters of each sensor, set an operation mode according to the model (type) of the sensor, and perform various operations. Teaching will be performed.

As described above, since the connecting connectors 52 and 53 of the light emitting and receiving sections 1 and 2 of each sensor are formed to have the same diameter, the branch connector 4 in the above configuration is
As shown in FIG. 13, it can be attached to the connection connectors 52 and 53 at any positions. Thus the user, the sensors S _A, depending on the positional relationship between the S installation environment and the sensor S _A for _B, S _B, selecting the best place to connect the console 3 from each connector And the convenience can be greatly improved.

[0108]

According to the present invention, in a setting device for teaching a definition of a detection operation to a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor, data indicating a group to which the sensor belongs is taken in from a connected sensor, and the group is assigned to the group. Because the permitted settings are made, even if the settings for multiple types of sensors, such as safety sensors and non-safety sensors, are made by one device, the settings for other types of sensors may be mistakenly made. Setting can be prevented, and correct setting can be performed according to the purpose and function of the sensor.

Further, according to the present invention, a parameter indicating a characteristic of the sensor relating to a predetermined setting item is fetched from the connected sensor, and the appropriateness of the input teaching data is determined using the parameter, and the input data is determined to be appropriate. Since the teaching data is transmitted to the sensor when the error occurs, it is possible to prevent erroneous teaching data from being set to the sensor.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a connection state between a console 3 and a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the appearance of the console 3.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the appearance of the light emitting and receiving unit and an example of mounting a branch connector.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing an example of mounting a branch connector.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration when rewriting a program and setting data of a console 3.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation mode on the sensor side and a relationship between the modes.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation mode on the console 3 side and a relationship between the modes.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in each operation mode of the sensor.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure from the start of the console 3 until the teaching becomes possible.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a console 3 in setting of fixed blanking.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the console 3 in setting of floating blanking.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a setting system when a plurality of sensors are connected.

FIG. 13 is a front view showing an example of mounting a branch connector.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the concept of fixed blanking.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the concept of floating blanking.

[Explanation of symbols]

 S Multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor 1 Light emitting unit 2 Light receiving unit 3 Console 3 6A, 6B Communication line 16, 26, 36 Control circuit 17, 27, 37 Communication circuit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2G065 AA04 BC33 BC35 DA15 DA20 5G055 AA03 AA10 AB01 AC02 AD01 AD04 AD08 AE49 AG18 AG21

Claims (7)

[Claims] An apparatus connected to a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor that detects a light-shielded state for each of a plurality of optical axes and outputs a detection result, and teaches a definition of a detecting operation to the sensor. For a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor classified into a plurality of groups, a memory for storing the contents of the settings permitted to the group for each group, and data indicating the group to which the sensor belongs from the connected sensors are fetched. A device for setting a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor, comprising: means for selecting the content of the setting corresponding to the data; and means for performing a setting process for the sensor using the content of the selected setting. 2. The memory stores settings of a safety sensor and a non-safety sensor,
2. The device for setting a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor according to claim 1, wherein the setting of predetermined setting items permitted for the non-safety sensor is prohibited for the safety sensor. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not the sensor is a safety sensor based on data taken from the connected sensor, and the sensor is determined to be a safety sensor. A device for setting a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor, comprising means for setting the sensor to an object detection state. 4. A device connected to a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor for detecting a light-shielded state for each of a plurality of optical axes and outputting the detection result, and for teaching a definition of a detecting operation to the sensor. Means for receiving input of teaching data for a predetermined setting item, means for taking in parameters indicating characteristics of a sensor related to the setting item from a connected sensor, and determining whether or not the teaching data is appropriate using the parameter. Means for setting the teaching data when the teaching data is determined to be appropriate and transmitting the teaching data to the sensor. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the setting item is a number of light-shielding optical axes corresponding to a minimum size of an object to be detected by the sensor, and the means for determining whether the teaching data is appropriate is provided from the connected sensor. The apparatus for setting a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor according to claim 4, wherein a parameter for calculating a safety distance corresponding to the number of axes is taken in, a safety distance is calculated, and a determination process is performed using the calculation result. 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein prior to setting the teaching data to the connected sensor,
A means for comparing the teaching data with a predetermined limit value to determine the suitability of the teaching data; and a means for prohibiting setting of the teaching data to the sensor when the teaching data is determined to be inappropriate. Equipment for setting multi-optical axis photoelectric sensors. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a method of teaching the definition of the detection operation, a control circuit including data necessary for the teaching in an electronic data format, and a revised electronic device. A device for setting a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor, comprising: means for receiving transmission of electronic data from a device having data; and means for rewriting data of the control circuit with the received electronic data.