JP2005106523A - Photoelectric sensor system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photoelectric sensor system capable of recognizing easily light projection parts provided respectively on a plurality of photoelectric sensors, and performing easily adjustment of a mounting position of the photoelectric sensor, teaching or the like. <P>SOLUTION: This system is equipped with an emission level changing part for changing the emission level of the light projection part set beforehand on the photoelectric sensor to a prescribed emission level. The emission level changing part is equipped with an operation input part for accepting a command for changing the emission level, an emission level shift part for receiving the command for changing the emission level imparted to the operation input part and heightening the emission level of the light projection part furthermore than an emission level at the ordinary time and/or a flicker control part for changing the emission level of the light projection part at a prescribed period. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a photoelectric sensor system including a plurality of photoelectric sensors.

In general, various manufacturing apparatuses incorporate a large number of sensors and are automatically controlled using, for example, position information or object detection information obtained from the sensors. Incidentally, a continuous photoelectric sensor system is known as a photoelectric sensor system using a plurality of photoelectric sensors (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Alternatively, a mounter device that mounts various electronic components on a printed wiring board has a photoelectric sensor system provided with a plurality of photoelectric sensors in order to detect various information such as substrate positioning, component detection, and mounting status of mounted components. It is configured. This type of photoelectric sensor guides light emitted from a light emitting diode (LED) or the like provided in a light projecting unit to an area to be detected by an optical fiber, and at a position facing an end (light emitting end) of the optical fiber. It is configured such that the end (light receiving end) of another optical fiber is positioned. Then, the light received at the light receiving end is guided into the optical fiber and applied to the light receiving portion (light receiving sensor) provided at the end of the optical fiber. At this time, whether or not a detection object exists in the detection target region is detected from a change in level output from the light receiving sensor (change in the amount of received light).

Prior to operating the manufacturing apparatus, these photoelectric sensors are subjected to adjustment for adjusting the light emitting end and light receiving end of the photoelectric sensor, teaching for improving the positioning accuracy of the detection target, and the like.
JP 2000-268689 A

  As described above, in the photoelectric sensor system having a plurality of photoelectric sensors, when adjusting the mounting position of the light emitting end and the light receiving end of the photoelectric sensor, teaching, etc., it is necessary to correctly position the relationship between the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit. is there. However, in a photoelectric sensor system applied to, for example, a manufacturing apparatus or a continuous photoelectric sensor system in which a plurality of photoelectric sensors are provided side by side, a plurality of photoelectric sensors are mounted at various positions. Are provided in close proximity. Therefore, there is a concern that the relationship between the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit may be mistaken. In particular, in a photoelectric sensor system applied to a manufacturing apparatus that performs complex control, the number of photoelectric sensors used in the manufacturing apparatus increases, and a light projecting unit is included in the equipment that constitutes the manufacturing apparatus. There was also a problem that it was hidden and difficult to see.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to easily provide a light projecting portion (light emitting end) provided in each of the plurality of photoelectric sensors in the photoelectric sensor system including the plurality of photoelectric sensors. It is an object of the present invention to provide a photoelectric sensor system capable of easily recognizing the position of the photoelectric sensor and adjusting the teaching position of the photoelectric sensor, teaching, and the like.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the photoelectric sensor according to the present invention includes a first optical fiber that guides the light emitted from the light projecting unit and projects the light onto the object detection target region.
A second optical fiber that receives light projected from the first optical fiber or light reflected by a detection object of the light and guides the light to a light receiving unit;
A photoelectric sensor system comprising a plurality of photoelectric sensors each including a light projecting / receiving control unit for adjusting a light emission level of the light projecting unit to a predetermined light level signal and detecting a detection object from a change in a light receiving level of the light receiving unit. Because
Each of the light projecting and receiving control units of the plurality of photoelectric sensors includes a light emission level changing unit that changes a preset light emission level of the light projecting unit to a predetermined light emission level.

Preferably, the light emission level changing unit receives an instruction to change the light emission level,
In response to the light emission level change command given to the operation input unit, the light emission level shift unit for raising the light emission level of the light projecting unit from the normal light emission level and / or the light emission level of the light projecting unit at a predetermined cycle. And a flicker control unit for changing.

  For this reason, in a photoelectric sensor system provided with a plurality of photoelectric sensors, it is possible to easily recognize the light projecting portion of the photoelectric sensor, and it is possible to easily perform adjustment of the mounting position of the photoelectric sensor, teaching, and the like.

  The photoelectric sensor system according to the present invention configured as described above includes setting means for setting the light emission level of the light projecting unit to a predetermined light emission level signal in each light projecting / receiving control unit, and each light projecting unit. It is possible to raise the light emission level of the part from the normal light emission level, or to repeat on / off at a predetermined cycle. For this reason, it is possible to easily recognize the light projecting portion (light emitting end) in the photoelectric sensor system provided with a plurality of photoelectric sensors, and to easily check and adjust the mounting position of the photoelectric sensor, to perform teaching, etc. There is a great practical effect.

Hereinafter, a photoelectric sensor system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a photoelectric sensor system according to the present invention. In this figure, 1 is a photoelectric sensor (main body). The photoelectric sensor system according to the present invention exemplifies a continuous photoelectric sensor system configured by including a plurality of the photoelectric sensors 1.

The photoelectric sensor 1 includes a light projecting unit 2 that emits light to the object detection target region S, a light receiving unit 3 that receives light emitted from the light projecting unit 2, and a level of light emitted from the light projecting unit 2 at a predetermined light level. In addition to adjusting to a signal, the light receiving / receiving unit 3 includes a light projecting / receiving control unit 4 for detecting an object from a change in the level of light received, and a control unit 5 for controlling the entire photoelectric sensor 1.
Incidentally, the light emitted from the light projecting unit 2 is given to one end portion 6a of the optical fiber (first optical fiber) 6 and guided to the optical fiber, and the optical fiber 6 provided in the vicinity of the object detection target region S. The other end 6b is irradiated toward the detection object. The light irradiated to the detection object M from the other end (light emitting end) 6b of the first optical fiber 6 is disposed at a position optically opposed to the first optical fiber 6. (Second optical fiber) 7 reaches one end (light receiving end) 7a. The light reaching one end (light receiving end) 7a of the second optical fiber 7 is guided to the optical fiber 7 and reaches the light receiving unit 3 provided at the other end 7b. The light reaching the light receiving unit 3 is converted into an electric signal corresponding to the light receiving level by the light receiving unit, and given to the light projecting / receiving control unit 4. Incidentally, in the continuous photoelectric sensor system, a plurality of photoelectric sensors 1 configured as described above are arranged side by side.

  The photoelectric sensor described above is disposed in the object detection target region S so that the light emitting end 6b of the first optical fiber 6 and the light receiving end 7a of the second optical fiber 7 are optically opposed to each other. The detection object M to be detected is an example of a continuous photoelectric system using a transmission photoelectric sensor that detects a detection object by blocking the optical path between the light emitting end 6b and the light receiving end 7a. Of course, it may be a reflective photoelectric sensor for detecting reflected light. That is, when configured as a reflective photoelectric sensor, the detection target region is irradiated with light from the light emitting end 6 b of the first optical fiber 6. At this time, when the detection object M exists in the object detection target region S, the light irradiated from the light emitting end 6 b of the first optical fiber 6 is reflected by the detection target M. The light reflected by the detection object M reaches the light receiving end 7a of the second optical fiber 7 provided at the position where the reflected light is received, and is guided to the light receiving unit 3 by the second optical fiber 7. It is like that. Incidentally, although not shown, the light emitting end 6b of the first optical fiber 6 and the light receiving end 7a of the second optical fiber disposed in the vicinity of the detection object M protect the optical fiber and the photoelectric sensor 1 is not shown. A housing (not shown) is provided to facilitate attachment to the used photoelectric sensor system.

  The light projecting / receiving control unit 4 of the photoelectric sensor 1 includes a light emission level changing unit 10 that changes the light emission level of the light projecting unit 2 set in advance to a predetermined light emission level, as will be described in detail later. The light emission level changing unit 10 includes an operation input unit 11 that receives a command to change the light emission level of the light projecting unit 2. The operation input unit 11 includes, for example, a push button switch (not shown), and is pressed by a person in charge when adjusting or maintaining the photoelectric sensor.

  The light emission level changing unit 10 receives the light emission level change command given to the operation input unit 11 and increases the light emission level of the light projecting unit 2 from the normal light emission level and / or the light projection. And a flicker control unit 10b that changes the light emission level of the unit 2 in a predetermined cycle. The light emission level shift unit 10a has a role of shifting the light emission level so as to emit light at a level brighter than the light emission level of the light projecting unit 2 during normal use. Also, the flicker control unit 10b performs so-called flicker control that repeats on / off of light emitted from the light projecting unit 2 in a predetermined cycle in response to a light emission level change command given to the operation input unit 11.

Schematically, the photoelectric sensor system according to the present invention configured as described above is characterized in that the level of light emitted by the light projecting unit 2 is changed by a light emission level change command given to the operation input unit 11. There is in point to do.
The light emission level shift unit 10a configured as described above is, for example, displayed on the operation input unit 11 while the light projecting unit 2 is lit at the normal level as shown in the graph representing the level change of the light projecting unit 2 in FIG. Press the push button switch. Then, the light emission level of the light projecting unit 2 is increased and becomes brighter. Then, when the push button switch is restored, the light projecting unit 2 returns to the normal light emission level.

  Further, as shown in the graph showing the level change of the light projecting unit 2 in FIG. 2B, the flicker control unit 10b is pressed down, for example, by a push button switch of the operation input unit 11 while the light projecting unit 2 is lit at the normal level. Then, the light emission level of the light projecting unit 2 is repeatedly turned on / off at a predetermined cycle (for example, at intervals of 1 second). The light projecting unit 2 returns to the normal light emission level when the push button switch is restored.

  Alternatively, the light emission level changing unit 10 operates in combination with the light emission level shifting unit 10a and the flicker control unit 10b described above, and as shown in the graph showing the level change of the light projecting unit 2 in FIG. When, for example, a push button switch of the operation input unit 11 is pressed while the light unit 2 is lit at the normal level, the light emission level of the light projecting unit 2 is made brighter than the normal level and at a predetermined cycle (for example, every 1 second). It may be configured to repeat ON / OFF at the same time. Then, when the push button switch returns, the light projecting unit 2 may return to the normal light emission level.

  Thus, according to the photoelectric sensor system having a plurality of photoelectric sensors configured as described above, setting means for setting the light emission level of the light projecting unit 2 to a predetermined light emission level signal is provided in each light projecting / receiving control unit 4. In addition, it is possible to increase the light emission level of the light projecting unit 2 from the normal light emission level or to repeatedly turn it on / off at a predetermined cycle by an operation input of the operation input unit 11. For this reason, when confirming / adjusting the mounting position of the photoelectric sensor 1, teaching, etc., by operating the operation input unit 11 provided in the corresponding photoelectric sensor 1, compared with the light emitting end 6 b of the other photoelectric sensor. Since the light emitting end 6b becomes bright or blinks, the light emitting end 6b can be easily found. That is, the end portion 6b of the first optical fiber 6 that irradiates the object detection target region S can be easily recognized, and the photoelectric sensor mounting position can be easily confirmed, adjusted, and taught. It becomes.

  Note that a semi-transparent cylindrical body 8 may be provided at the end 6b of the first optical fiber 6 disposed in the vicinity of the object detection target region S as shown in FIG. By doing so, when the light emission level of the light projecting portion 2 is changed, the luminance of the side surface portion 8a of the cylindrical body 8 is changed, so that the end portion 6b can be recognized more easily. Incidentally, reference numeral 9 in FIG. 3 denotes a housing that protects the optical fiber 6 and facilitates attachment to, for example, a continuous photoelectric sensor system or a manufacturing apparatus using the photoelectric sensor 1 according to the present invention.

  Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, a transmissive reflection mirror (partial reflection mirror) 12 is provided in a housing 9 provided at an end (light emitting end) 6 b of the first optical fiber 6, and the end (light emitting end) is provided. ) A part of the light emitted from 6b may be reflected by the reflecting mirror 12 and emitted from the window 9a provided in the housing 9. For example, when the housing 9 containing the light emitting end 6b is attached to a continuous photoelectric sensor system, a manufacturing apparatus, or the like, the window portion 9a is positioned in a direction that can be easily recognized. In this way, when the light emission level of the light projecting unit 2 is changed, the end (light emitting end) 6b can be easily recognized by observing the change in brightness of the window 9a. .

  Alternatively, if the housing 9 is formed of a translucent material without the window portion 9a, the light beam reflected by the half mirror 12 is diffused inside the housing 9 so that the entire housing 9 can be seen as dimly shining.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the photoelectric sensor system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph showing the change of the light emission level of a light projection part. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the light emission edge part of the photoelectric sensor shown in FIG. It is another schematic block diagram which shows the light emission edge part of the photoelectric sensor shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photoelectric sensor 2 Light projection part 3 Light reception part 4 Light projection / reception control part 5 Control part 6,7 Optical fiber 9 Housing 10 Light emission level change part 10a Light emission level shift part 10b Flicker control part S Object detection object area | region

Claims (2)

A first optical fiber that guides the light emitted by the light projecting unit and projects the light onto the object detection target region;
A second optical fiber that receives light projected from the first optical fiber or light reflected by a detection object of the light and guides the light to a light receiving unit;
A photoelectric sensor system comprising a plurality of photoelectric sensors each including a light projecting / receiving control unit for adjusting a light emission level of the light projecting unit to a predetermined light level signal and detecting a detection object from a change in a light receiving level of the light receiving unit. Because
Each of the light projecting / receiving control units of the plurality of photoelectric sensors includes a light emission level changing unit that changes a preset light emission level of the light projecting unit to a predetermined light emission level. The light emission level changing unit receives an instruction to change the light emission level, and
In response to the light emission level change command given to the operation input unit, the light emission level shift unit for raising the light emission level of the light projecting unit from the normal light emission level and / or the light emission level of the light projecting unit at a predetermined cycle. The photoelectric sensor system according to claim 1, further comprising: a flicker control unit that changes.

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