JP3932707B2 - Optical sensor - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an optical sensor having a light emitting element and a light receiving element.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Currently, a photo interrupter is used to detect the position of a mechanical moving body. Such photo interrupters are roughly classified into two types, a light reflection type and a light transmission type. Here, FIG. 1 shows an example of a reflective photointerrupter. As shown in the figure, the reflective photointerrupter has a light emitting element 1 and a light receiving element 2, and a reflecting plate 3 that moves with a detection target is in a predetermined position (in the figure, above the photointerrupter). Sometimes, light emitted from the light emitting element 1 is reflected by the reflecting plate 3 and received by the light receiving element 2. Thereby, it is detected that the detection target is at a predetermined position.
[0003]
As shown in FIG. 2, in the light transmission type photo interrupter, the light emitting element 1 and the light receiving element 2 are arranged to face each other with an appropriate interval. When the light blocking plate 4 that moves with the detection target is between the light emitting element 1 and the light receiving element 2, the light emitted from the light emitting element 1 is blocked by the light blocking plate 4 and is not received by the light receiving element 2. Thereby, it is detected that the detection target is at a predetermined position.
[0004]
By the way, in the pipe organ, a device for detecting the operation of the stop knob with a photo interrupter has been developed. In a pipe organ having such a photo interrupter, the operation of the stop knob is detected by the photo interrupter, and the wind blower is selected.
[0005]
Here, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of the stop knob. As shown in the figure, the stop knob 30 is movable in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure while being guided by the guide 31. A power transmission lever 33 is attached to the end of the stop knob 30 that moves in this way, and the power transmission lever 33 rotates as the stop knob 30 moves. The driving force is transmitted to the power transmission pipe 32 which is a driving target by the rotation of the power transmission lever 33. For this reason, the stop knob 30 moves in the direction other than the arrow direction as shown by a two-dot chain line in the drawing, and the guide 31 guides the stop knob 30 with a width D slightly larger than the stop knob 30. The stop knob 30 can be moved smoothly by this.
[0006]
When detecting the position of the stop knob 30 as described above, a photo interrupter 40 is arranged as shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the photo interrupter 40 includes a shutter plate 41 attached to the stop knob 30 and a detection unit 42 having a light emitting element and a light receiving element. The shutter plate 41 moves with the movement of the stop knob 30. When the stop knob 30 is in a predetermined position, the shutter plate 41 is disposed between the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the detection unit 42. It has come to be. Thereby, it can detect that the stop knob 30 exists in a predetermined position.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, as described above, the operating stop knob 30 moves not only in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure but also in the horizontal direction in the figure. For this reason, when the stop knob 30 and the shutter plate 41 are moved in the direction opposite to the detection unit 42 (the right side in the figure), the shutter plate 41 is not positioned between the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the detection unit 42. Position detection may not be possible. On the other hand, when the stop knob 30 moves to the detection unit 42 side (left side in the figure), the shutter plate 41 may collide with the detection unit 42, and the photo interrupter 40 may break down. In order to prevent such a collision between the detection unit 42 and the shutter plate 41, when the interval between the detection unit 42 and the shutter plate 41 is large, the stop knob 30 has moved to the right side in the drawing as described above. In some cases, there is a high possibility that the position of the stop knob 30 cannot be detected. Therefore, the shutter plate 41 is preferably disposed at a position close to the detection unit 42, but there is a problem that the detection unit 42 and the shutter plate 41 collide as described above.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an optical sensor that can reduce the occurrence of a failure and can perform position detection more accurately.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, an optical sensor according to the present invention includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element disposed to face the light emitting element, and detects a position of a detection target based on a light reception amount of the light receiving element. In the optical sensor to perform,
A fixing member attached to the detection target and having a substantially fixed shape;
A member that is movably provided between the light emitting element and the light receiving element in accordance with the movement of the detection target, blocks light, is formed of a flexible material, and is attached to the fixing member. And a blocking member whose shape is substantially maintained.
[0010]
In this configuration, normally, when the detection target moves to a predetermined detection position, the light emitted from the light emitting element is blocked by the blocking member whose shape is maintained by the fixing member, and position detection can be performed. In this case, the blocking member has flexibility, but its shape is maintained by the fixing member, that is, since the shape is stable, it functions as a blocking member that blocks light from the light emitting element. On the other hand, when the detection target moves, even when the moving direction is deviated and the blocking member collides with the light emitting element and the light receiving element, the blocking member is flexible. As compared with the case where the impact is absorbed and the fixing member collides, damage to the light emitting element and the light receiving element is reduced. Even if the blocking member collides with the light emitting element or the like in this way, since these damages are reduced, the blocking member, the light emitting element, and the light receiving element can be disposed at close positions. Therefore, it is reduced that the detection member is arranged at a position shifted from between the light emitting element and the light receiving element even though the detection target is arranged at the predetermined position, and the position cannot be detected.
[0011]
In the optical sensor having the above configuration, the blocking member may be formed in a film shape. Further, in the optical sensor having the above configuration, the fixing member may be made of metal.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a structure of a stop knob detection mechanism in a pipe organ whose position is detected by the photo interrupter 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the stop knob 51 is guided by a guide member 56 disposed oppositely, and is movable in the direction indicated by the arrow X in the figure, and the user is attached to the lower end of the figure. It is operated by pulling out or pushing down a knob portion not shown.
[0013]
A power transmission lever 52 is rotatably attached to the other end (upper end in the figure) of the stop knob 51, and the power transmission lever 52 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow Y in the figure as the stop knob 51 moves. It can be rotated. A power transmission pipe 53 that is a target to be driven by the stop knob 51 is attached to the power transmission lever 52, and the power transmission pipe 53 is rotated as the power transmission lever 52 rotates.
[0014]
Since the power transmission lever 52 is rotated by the movement of the stop knob 51 as described above, the stop knob 51 moves not only in the direction of the arrow X in the figure but also in the horizontal direction in the figure. For this reason, in order to guide the stop knob 51, the interval between the guide members 56 arranged opposite to each other is formed larger than the stop knob 51, that is, a portion called play is provided. 51 can be moved smoothly.
[0015]
A photo interrupter 50 is arranged near the center of the stop knob 51 in the drawing. Here, FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view showing the vicinity of the photo interrupter 50, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the photo interrupter 50. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the photointerrupter 50 includes a detection unit 62 having a light emitting element 60 and a light receiving element 61 that are arranged to face each other at an appropriate interval, and a shutter member 63 attached to the stop knob 51. It has a configuration with.
[0016]
The shutter member 63 has a fixing member 70 attached to the stop knob 51 and a blocking member 71 attached to the fixing member 70. The fixing member 70 is made of a metal member whose shape hardly changes, such as aluminum or stainless steel, and is formed by cutting out a rectangular metal member into an L shape as shown in FIG. A shutter member 63 is configured by sticking a rectangular blocking member 71 to the notched ends 70a and 70b of the fixing member 70. Note that the blocking member 71 may be attached to only one of the ends 70 a and 70 b of the fixing member 70 instead of being attached to both. By doing in this way, when the interruption | blocking member 71 collides with the detection part 62, possibility that the detection part 62 will be destroyed is further reduced.
[0017]
The blocking member 71 is formed of a material more flexible than the fixing member 70, that is, a flexible film-like sheet, and bends and absorbs an impact when it collides with the detection unit 62. . Further, even when the blocking member 71 is bent by colliding with the detection unit 62 or the like, the blocking member 71 has elasticity enough to restore the original shape when the collision state is released. As such a blocking member 71, for example, a chrome poly sheet E-200 (registered trademark) manufactured by Achilles Corporation having a thickness of 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm may be used. Further, the blocking member 71 is flexible. However, as described above, the blocking member 71 is attached to the end portions 70a and 70b of the fixing member 70 so that the shape is maintained flat as illustrated. It has become. Thus, when the stop knob 51 is disposed at a predetermined position, it functions as a blocking member that blocks light from the light emitting element 60.
[0018]
Under this configuration, when the stop knob 51 is pulled out by the user's operation, the blocking member 71 moves as the stop knob 51 moves as shown in FIG. 9, and the light emitting element 60 and the light receiving element of the detection unit 62 are moved. 61 is arranged between. Here, the blocking member 71 is a member that blocks light, for example, a member colored in black or the like, and when the blocking member 71 is disposed between the light emitting element 60 and the light receiving element 61, the light emitting element 60. Is blocked by the blocking member 71 and is not received by the light receiving element 61. Accordingly, it is detected that the blocking member 71 is disposed between the light emitting element 60 and the light receiving element 61, that is, that the stop knob 51 is in a predetermined position.
[0019]
By the way, the stop knob 51 is connected to a power transmission lever 52 that rotates, and a play portion is provided in the guide member 56. Therefore, the stop knob 51 is indicated by an arrow X in FIG. In addition to the direction (up and down direction in the figure), it moves in the left and right direction. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 10, when the stop knob 51 is moved largely to the left side of the drawing, the blocking member 71 of the shutter member 63 and the detection unit 62 may collide with each other. In the present embodiment, since the blocking member 71 is a flexible member, even when the blocking member 71 and the detection unit 62 collide, the blocking member 71 is bent as shown in FIG. Can be absorbed. Therefore, damage to the detection unit 62 including the light emitting element 60 and the light receiving element 61 can be reduced. In addition, after the blocking member 71 and the detection unit 62 collide as described above, the blocking member 71 returns to the original shape, and thereafter functions as a normal blocking member. Here, the fixing member 70 is formed in a shape that does not come into contact with the detection unit 62 even when the stop knob 51 moves to a position closest to the detection unit 62 within the range restricted by the guide member 56. . As a result, when the stop knob 51 is pulled straight down, the detection unit 62 and the fixing member 70 do not collide with each other, and even when the stop knob 51 is shifted to the detection unit 62 side, the fixing member 70 is not detected. No longer collide with. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the optical sensor from being damaged due to the collision between the fixing member 70 and the detection unit 62.
[0020]
Further, as described above, even when the blocking member 71 and the detection unit 62 collide with each other, damage to the detection unit 62 is reduced, so the blocking member 71 is arranged on the detection unit 62 side (right side in FIG. 9). can do. By disposing the blocking member 71 closer to the detection unit 62 in this way, even when the stop knob 51 is moved away from the detection unit 62, the light blocking element 51 is located between the light emitting element 60 and the light receiving element 61 of the detection unit 62. The fact that the blocking member 71 is not disposed can be reduced. Therefore, the position of the stop knob 51 can be detected more accurately.
[0021]
In the above-described embodiment, the shutter member 63 has a configuration in which the blocking member 71 is attached to the L-shaped fixing member 70, but the shapes of the fixing member 70 and the blocking member 71 are limited to this. It is not a thing, What is necessary is just to be able to maintain the shape of the interruption | blocking member 71 at the time of the normal time, ie, not colliding with the detection part 62.
[0022]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the photo interrupter 50 according to the present invention is used for position detection of the stop knob 51 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and position detection of other detection targets may be performed. . As in the above-described embodiment, when the detection target may move in a direction other than one direction, and the shutter member attached to the detection target and the detection unit are likely to collide, the optical sensor according to the present invention. Is preferred.
[0023]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, even when the shielding member collides with the light emitting element and the light receiving element, the impact is absorbed by the bending of the shielding member, thereby reducing damage to the light emitting element and the light receiving element. can do. Further, since the damage is reduced even if the blocking member collides with the light emitting element or the like, the blocking member, the light emitting element, and the light receiving element can be arranged at close positions, and more accurate position detection is possible. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional general light reflection type photo interrupter.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a conventional general light transmissive photo interrupter.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the structure of a stop knob of a pipe organ.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a case where a conventional photo interrupter is attached to a stop knob of the pipe organ.
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a structure of a stop knob of a pipe organ whose position is detected by a photo interrupter according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is an enlarged plan view showing the vicinity of the photo interrupter shown in FIG. 5. FIG.
7 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the photo interrupter shown in FIG. 5; FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a shutter member that is a component of the photo interrupter according to the embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a state in which the stop knob shown in FIG. 5 is pulled out.
10 is a view showing a state where the shutter member of the photo interrupter and a detection unit collide when the stop knob shown in FIG. 5 is pulled out. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
50 …… Photo interrupter, 51 …… Stop knob, 52 …… Power transmission lever, 53 …… Power transmission pipe, 56 …… Guide member, 60 …… Light emitting element, 61 …… Light receiving element, 62 …… Detector, 63 …… Shutter member, 70 …… Fixing member, 71 …… Blocking member

Claims (3)

In an optical sensor that includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element disposed to face the light emitting element, and detects the position of a detection target based on the amount of light received by the light receiving element.
A fixing member attached to the detection target and having a substantially fixed shape;
A member that is movably provided between the light emitting element and the light receiving element in accordance with the movement of the detection target, blocks light, is formed of a flexible material, and is attached to the fixing member. And a blocking member whose shape is substantially maintained by the optical sensor.   The optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein the blocking member is formed in a film shape.   The optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein the fixing member is made of metal.

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