JP3182953B2 - Photoelectric sensor - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photoelectric sensor used for detecting information and energy.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The structure of a conventional photoelectric sensor will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the internal configuration of a conventional photoelectric sensor. Here, 1 is a housing of a photoelectric sensor, 2 is a light emitting element for generating an optical signal, 3 is a light receiving element for receiving an optical signal, 4 is a printed wiring board on which the light emitting element 2 and the light receiving element 3 are mounted, and 5 is a light emitting element 2 And a fixing member for shielding the light receiving element 3 and fixing the printed wiring board 4. Reference numeral 6 denotes a caulking projection for projecting from the fixing member 5 and fixing the printed wiring board 4. Reference numeral 7 denotes a lens member having two lenses for condensing an optical signal generated by the light emitting element 2 and light entering the light receiving element 3, and 8 denotes a seal member for preventing water from entering the housing 1.

In the thus-configured photoelectric sensor with a built-in amplifier, an optical signal generated from the light emitting element 2 is radiated to the outside through the lens member 7, and the light is reflected by an external object and is again reflected in the lens member. The light is condensed through the light receiving element 3
Come back to.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of a conventional optical fiber type photoelectric sensor. Reference numeral 9 denotes a housing for holding each component. Further, the portions denoted by reference numerals 2 to 6 have the same contents as those of the above-described photoelectric sensor with a built-in amplifier, and thus detailed description is omitted. Reference numeral 10 denotes a cover engaged with the front side of the housing 9 and provided with a slit hole for locking an optical fiber, 11 denotes an optical fiber for transmitting an optical signal generated from the light emitting element 2 to the outside, and 12 denotes an optical signal from the outside. An optical fiber for transmitting the light to the light receiving element 3 is a clamp for fixing the optical fibers 11 and 12.

In such an optical fiber type photoelectric sensor,
An optical signal generated from the light emitting element 2 is guided to the outside via an optical fiber, and is returned via the optical fiber.

[0006]

In such a conventional photoelectric sensor, different types of photoelectric sensors are properly used in accordance with use conditions. That is, in the long-distance detection, a photoelectric sensor with a built-in amplifier is used, and in a high-temperature state or a small installation place, an optical fiber-type photoelectric sensor is used. However, if you want to change from using a built-in amplifier type photoelectric sensor to an optical fiber type photoelectric sensor due to a change in product, for example, you need to purchase a new one, which increases the cost and requires time for the change work. there were.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a photoelectric sensor which can be changed at a low cost at the time of changing to a different type and in which the change operation can be completed in a short time. And

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a photoelectric sensor according to the present invention comprises an optical fiber type attachment which can be engaged with a front surface of a lens of a photoelectric sensor with a built-in amplifier. The structure was as follows.

[0009]

According to the present invention, it is possible to perform the above-described configuration with a single photoelectric sensor and a built-in amplifier type photoelectric sensor.

[0010]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the inside of a photoelectric sensor according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, 14 is a photoelectric sensor housing, 15 is a light emitting element that generates an optical signal, 16 is a light receiving element that receives an optical signal, 17 is a printed wiring board on which the light emitting element 15 and the light receiving element 16 are mounted, Reference numeral 18 denotes a shield for the light emitting element 15 and the light receiving element 16 and a printed wiring board 17.
It is a shielding material that fixes the

Reference numeral 19 denotes a caulking projection for fixing the printed wiring board 17, and reference numeral 20 denotes a lens member provided with two one-sided convex lenses for condensing light emitted from the light emitting element 15 and light incident on the light receiving element 16. . Reference numeral 21 denotes a sealing material for preventing water from entering the housing 14, reference numeral 22 denotes an optical fiber for transmitting an optical signal generated from the light emitting element 15 to the outside, and reference numeral 23 denotes an optical fiber for transmitting light to the light receiving element 16 from the outside.

Reference numeral 24 denotes a fiber holding member that engages with the front side of the housing 14. The fiber holding member 24 has a slit hole for locking an optical fiber. In the lens member 20, 26 is a concave portion for inserting an optical fiber, 27
Is the bottom of the concave portion 26, and this portion is the optical fiber 22,
It is a stopper when 23 is inserted. Reference numeral 28 denotes a hook protruding from the fastening member 25, and is provided at two locations symmetrically outwardly. Reference numeral 29 denotes a stepped hole that can be engaged with the hook 28.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a fiber attachment mounted on the photoelectric sensor in the embodiment. FIG.
In the figure, reference numeral 30 denotes the fiber holding member 24 and the clamp 2.
5 is a fiber attachment obtained by combining the above-mentioned No. 5 and No. 5. Reference numeral 31 denotes a hole for receiving a hook for engaging with the housing 14. 32 protrudes from the fiber holding member 24 and has holes 3
Reference numeral 1 denotes a formed rib. 3 (a), 3 (b), 3 (c)
(D) In (e), reference numeral 33 denotes an engagement hook that engages with the hole 31 of the fiber holding member 24.

Next, the lens member 20 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. A concave portion 26 into which the optical fibers 22 and 23 can be inserted is formed in each lens portion of the lens member 20. At the tip of each lens portion of the lens member 20, a conical portion having a flat top surface is formed. Reference numeral 34 denotes a slope surface on the side of the conical portion, and 37 denotes a top surface of the conical portion. The lens member 20 also serves as a lid for preventing water or the like from entering the housing 14.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 35 denotes a light emitter inside the light emitting element 15 and 36 denotes a light receiver inside the light receiving element 16. Numeral 38 denotes a core for transmitting light of the optical fibers 22 and 23.

The operation of the above configuration will be described below. In the case of a photoelectric sensor with a built-in amplifier, the function can be performed with the fiber attachment 30 removed. Next, in the case of the optical fiber type photoelectric sensor, the engagement hook 33 of the housing 14 and the optical fiber receiving hole 31 of the fiber attachment 30 are engaged to form an optical fiber type photoelectric sensor.

In the case of an optical fiber type photoelectric sensor, the optical fibers 22, 23 are mounted as follows. First, the optical fibers 22 and 23 are inserted through insertion holes formed in the fastener 25. The optical fibers 22 and 23 are inserted until they hit the stopper 27 of the lens member 20. Optical fiber 22,
After the stopper 23 is inserted until it hits the stopper 27, the locking projection 25 is rotated, whereby the locking projection 39 bites into the optical fibers 22 and 23, and the optical fiber is locked. Thus, the optical fibers 22, 23, the fiber holding member 24, and the housing 14 are fixed to each other.

As a waterproof structure, the sealing material 21 is
4 is in contact with the entire circumference of the lens member 20 to prevent water from entering through the gap. The optical fiber type photoelectric sensor also has the waterproof structure as described above.

Next, the optical path of the optical signal will be described. FIG.
Is an optical fiber type photoelectric sensor. In this case, the optical signal generated from the light emitting body 35 is a plane in which the stopper 27 and the top surface 37 of the lens member 20 are parallel to each other and the core 38 of the optical fibers 22 and 23. Since they are both parallel, the optical signal is transmitted through the lens member 20 without causing refraction. This is common to both the light emitting side and the light receiving side.

In the case of a photoelectric sensor with a built-in amplifier, light generated from the light emitting body 35 passes through the top surface 37 and the spherical portion of the lens member 20, and the optical signal passing through the top surface 37 is parallel as described above. It is emitted to the outside as light. Further, the optical signal transmitted through the spherical portion is refracted by the shape of the spherical surface and the material of the lid, becomes parallel light, and is similarly emitted to the outside. Similarly, on the light receiving side, light incident from the outside as parallel light is condensed on the light receiving body 36 by refraction on a spherical surface and transmission through a plane portion.

[0022]

As is clear from the above embodiments, according to the present invention, the use of both the photoelectric sensor with built-in amplifier and the optical fiber type photoelectric sensor can be satisfied by one photoelectric sensor, and the cost can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to complete the work of replacing the photoelectric sensor due to a change in a line product in a short time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the inside of a photoelectric sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a fiber attachment mounted on the photoelectric sensor in the embodiment.

FIG. 3A is a side view of the photoelectric sensor according to the embodiment with the fiber attachment attached, FIG. 3B is a side view of the photoelectric sensor according to the embodiment with the fiber attachment removed, and FIG. FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional view of the photoelectric sensor according to the example taken along line a-a shown in FIG. 3B. FIG. 4D is a plan view of a fiber attachment of the photoelectric sensor according to the embodiment. Plan view with fiber attachment removed

FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation of the photoelectric sensor according to the embodiment as an optical fiber photoelectric sensor. FIG. 4B is a perspective view of an optical fiber.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a conventional photoelectric sensor.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a conventional optical fiber type photoelectric sensor.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 14 housing 15 light emitting element 16 light receiving element 20 lens member 22, 23 optical fiber 24 fiber holding member 25 fastening tool 28 hook 29 stepped hole 30 fiber attachment 37 top surface

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI H01H 35/00 H03K 17/78 R H03K 17/78 G01S 17/02 A G01V 9/04 C (58) Fields surveyed (Int. Cl. ^7, DB name) G01J 1/02 G01S 17/02 G01V 8/14 G02B 6/00 H01H 35/00 H03K 17/78

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A light receiving / emitting element mounted on a substrate; an element cover for fixing the substrate; a lens for condensing light from the light receiving / emitting element; and a light inserted into a recess formed in the lens. A lock member for fixing the fiber, having a function of a built-in amplifier type photoelectric sensor when the lock member is removed, and an optical fiber type photoelectric sensor when the lock member is attached and an optical fiber is coupled. Characteristic photoelectric sensor.