JP4073918B2 - Photoelectric switch - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a photoelectric switch, and more particularly to a photoelectric switch provided with display means.

  The photoelectric switch is used to detect the presence or absence of a detection object at a manufacturing site or a product inspection process. The demands of manufacturing sites, such as downsizing industrial products, reducing manufacturing costs, and improving quality, are becoming stricter year by year. In such an environment, the performance required for various sensors or switches is high, and the demand for higher functionality is also increasing. In addition, the demand for space savings also affects photoelectric switches, and further miniaturization is always required.

  Some conventional photoelectric switches are equipped with a display. In this type of photoelectric switch, for example, the threshold value is displayed and the switch or button is pressed to finely adjust the set threshold value. It can be adjusted.

  Regarding the adjustment of the threshold value, it is complicated to repeatedly operate the button or the switch in order to display information related to the adjustment of the threshold value, such as the threshold value and the current received light amount. In particular, checking the maximum and minimum values of the amount of light received and knowing the width between the maximum and minimum values also helps determine whether there is a need to improve the work environment in which the photoelectric switch is installed. is important.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a photoelectric switch that can meet such a demand.

  It is a further object of the present invention to provide a photoelectric switch that can display information necessary for optimizing the operation of the photoelectric switch including improvement of the operating environment of the photoelectric switch in an easy-to-understand manner for the user.

According to the present invention, this technical problem is basically:
A photoelectric switch that projects light on the detection area, receives light from the detection area, and detects the presence or absence of an object in the detection area by comparing the amount of received light with a preset threshold value Because
Two display units arranged adjacent to each other;
A manual threshold adjustment switch capable of adjusting the threshold,
A first display mode for displaying a numerical value of “current received light amount” on one of the two display units and displaying a numerical value of “threshold value” on the other display unit;
A numerical value of the relative value of the “current received light amount” with respect to the “threshold value” is displayed as a percentage on either one of the two display portions, and the same display as the display portion on which the numerical value of the relative value is displayed A second display mode for displaying characters indicating that the relative value is displayed as a percentage on the part simultaneously with the relative value;
One of the two display units displays a character indicating "maximum received light amount" that is the maximum value of received light amount, and the other display unit indicates "minimum received light amount" that is the minimum value of received light amount After displaying the character to be displayed, the numerical value of the “maximum received light amount” is displayed on the display unit displaying the character indicating the “maximum received light amount”, and the character indicating the “minimum received light amount” is displayed. A third display mode for displaying the numerical value of the “minimum received light amount” on the part,
This is achieved by providing a photoelectric switch, further comprising a display mode switching switch for switching the first to third display modes.

  That is, according to the present invention, two display units arranged adjacent to each other are prepared in the photoelectric switch, and “current received light amount” and “threshold value” are displayed using these two display units. The display mode can be switched from the first display mode to the second display mode for displaying “maximum received light amount” and “minimum received light amount”.

  Therefore, the user can confirm whether or not the “threshold value” is appropriate while comparing the “current received light amount” and the “threshold value” displayed simultaneously in the first display mode. Instead, by switching the display to the second display mode, the “maximum light reception amount” and the “minimum light reception amount” can be confirmed at the same time, so the “maximum light reception amount” and the “minimum light reception amount” are compared. Thus, it is possible to know the width between the maximum light reception amount and the minimum light reception amount, and thus it is possible to immediately determine whether the work environment in which the photoelectric switch is installed is good or bad.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the threshold value can be adjusted by operating the threshold adjustment switch in the first display mode in which “current received light amount” / “threshold value” are simultaneously displayed. is there. According to this, since the “threshold value” can be adjusted while checking the current amount of received light, the optimum threshold value can be easily adjusted.

  In a preferred embodiment, in the second display mode, numerical display of “maximum received light amount” and “minimum received light amount” and character display meaning “maximum received light amount” and “minimum received light amount” are automatically performed. Are alternately displayed alternately. According to this, in the second display mode, the user can grasp what information is displayed on the two display units without misunderstanding.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  1 and 2 show the photoelectric switch of the first embodiment, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the photoelectric switch, and FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof. The illustrated photoelectric switch 100 is a so-called reflection type photoelectric switch in which light is applied to a detection object and the reflected light is received. The photoelectric switch 100 is an integrated photoelectric switch in which a light emitting element and a light emitting element are arranged in a main body incorporating an amplifier, a CPU, and the like.

  The photoelectric switch 100 has a relatively narrow box-shaped casing 11 having a narrow width, and a light emitting element 12 and a light receiving element 13 (see FIG. 3) are provided inside the casing 11. The optical fibers 14 and 15 facing to the outside extend from one end face of the casing 11 to the outside. Power supply and output to the photoelectric switch 100 are performed through a cable 16 (FIG. 1) extending from the other end surface of the casing 11.

  The upper surface 11a of the casing 11 is provided with first and second display portions 17 and 18 arranged adjacent to each other on the left and right or side. Both the first and second display portions 17 and 18 have four sections arranged adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction or the side-by-side direction, and each section is composed of a 7-segment LED. That is, the first and second display units 17 and 18 can display four numbers and / or alphabet characters side by side. Therefore, for example, when a numerical value is displayed on the first and second display units 17 and 18, a four-digit numerical value can be displayed. The 7-segment LED may be composed of a one-color LED or a two-color LED. Further, the first and second display units 17 and 18 may be composed of black and white or color liquid crystal (LCD).

  On the upper surface 11a of the casing 11, an output logic switch 19, an output on / off indicator 20, a swing type threshold adjustment switch or up / down key switch 21, and a threshold setting or threshold setting key The casing 11 has a switch 22 and a display mode switching key switch 23 (hereinafter referred to as M key). The upper surface 11a of the casing 11 is a single-open lid 24 (FIG. 1) attached to the other end via a pivot shaft. ) And the upper surface 11a can be covered by the lid 24.

  The output on / off-indicator 20 is turned on or off when it detects the presence or absence of a detection object from the relationship between the amount of received light and the threshold and indicates the output state. Further, the logic of the relationship between the lighting or extinction and the output state (lighting or extinguishing when turned on) can be changed by the output logic switch 19.

  The threshold setting (set) key switch 22 is used to automatically set a threshold. That is, the threshold value setting key switch 22 is pressed in a state where the detection object T (see FIG. 3) is arranged in the detection area, and then the detection object T is removed from the detection area. When is pressed again, a value between the amount of received light when the detected object T exists and the amount of received light when the detected object T is removed is automatically set as a threshold value. The set threshold value is displayed on the first display unit 17 or the second display unit 18 as will be described in detail later. As will be described in detail later, the M key 23 is used for switching the display screens of the first and second display units 17 and 18 and changing display items.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an overall outline of the photoelectric switch 100. The photoelectric switch 100 includes, for example, a drive circuit 30 for causing the light emitting element 12 made of a photodiode or the like to emit light, and a monitoring photodiode 31, and receives light connected to the light receiving element 13 made of a photodiode or the like. A circuit 32, an A / D converter 33 for A / D converting the output signal from the light receiving circuit 32, a gate array or control circuit 34 for controlling the first and second display units 17 and 18, and this control An output circuit 35 for sending a signal from the circuit 34 to the outside, and a signal from the operation unit 36 including various switches 21 to 23 such as the threshold adjustment switch and the mode switching key switch described above is a control circuit 34. Is input.

  As is known, the photoelectric switch 100 compares the amount of light received by the light receiving element 13 with a threshold value, detects the presence or absence of the detection object T based on the magnitude, and outputs the result. For example, the current received light amount acquired by the light receiving element 13 and the threshold value set for detecting the presence or absence of the detection object T are displayed on the first and second display units 17 and 18 described above. . Whether the current received light amount is displayed on the left first display unit 17 or on the right second display unit 18 is arbitrary. That is, the current amount of received light is displayed on one of the left and right display units 17 and 18, and the threshold value is displayed on the other. In this embodiment, the threshold value is displayed on the first display unit 17 on the left side, and the current received light amount is displayed on the second display unit 18 on the right side.

The information displayed on the display composed of the first and second display units 17 and 18 is roughly as follows.
(A) light reception amount and / or threshold value related;
(B) Confirmation of operation status;
(C) Various setting items and parameters, that is, operation function settings;
(D) Display related.

(A) Display items related to “Received light intensity and / or threshold value”
(1) Numerical display of current received light amount;
(2) Numerical display of threshold value;

(3) Percentage (%) display of margin;
The margin is a relative value of the current amount of received light with respect to the threshold value and can be expressed by the following equation.
Margin = received light amount / threshold

(4) Bar format display of margins;
(5) Numerical display of peak and bottom of received light amount within a predetermined time;
(6) Percentage (%) display of peak and bottom of received light amount within a predetermined time;

(B) Display items related to “checking operating status”
(1) Checking the operation mode:
The operation mode relates to a plurality of operations or capabilities that can be set by the photoelectric switch 100 of the embodiment, and one operation mode can be set from among a plurality of operation modes by an optimum detection distance or the like. . This operation mode will be described in detail later.

(2) Check timer mode:
The timer mode will be described later.

(C) Display items related to “Operating function settings”
(1) Switching operation mode:
As will be described in detail later, the photoelectric switch 100 can be used with the ability suitable for the detection environment by selecting and using one operation mode from a plurality of operation modes.

(2) Timer mode on / off switching and timer value setting:
When the timer mode is turned off, a detection signal is output immediately when the photoelectric switch 100 detects the presence of the detection object T, and the detection signal is continuously output while the presence of the detection object T is detected. On the other hand, when the timer mode is turned ON, the presence of the detected object T is detected, and after the set delay time has elapsed, an ON signal is output or the presence of the detected object T is detected. After that, the OFF signal is output after the set delay time has elapsed. This delay time (timer value) can also be set arbitrarily.

  The timer mode on / off switching includes one-shot control. One-shot control means that, for example, when a detection object T is detected, the ON signal is not affected by the period during which the detection object T is detected, and the ON signal is generated for a certain time from the rising edge of the ON signal that is generated only once in response to the detection. Output. Specifically, when the detected object T is a minute object and the actual detection time is short, the ON signal is set to a longer time, or conversely, when the actual detection time is long, it is shorter than that. Used when setting ON signal output time. The length of the ON signal output time can be arbitrarily set as a timer value.

(3) ON / OFF switching of the APC function of the photoelectric switch 100:
Here, as is known, the APC function is a function for keeping the light emission amount of the light emitting element 12 constant. When the APC function is turned on, the APC function is activated, and when it is turned off, the APC function is canceled.

(4) Switching differential mode:
When this differential mode is turned on, a differential waveform of the amount of received light is output by digital processing. This differential mode is used for detection of rising or falling of a signal when the detection object T passes, that is, edge detection.

(5) Display mode setting in “Threshold related display” mode which is the basic display screen:
In the photoelectric switch 100, a partial display mode (“Std” mode) in which only some items related to “threshold related display” are displayed, and a full display mode (“Full” mode) in which all items are displayed. And can be selected.

(D) Display items related to display
(1) Switching eco mode:
The eco mode can be set in two stages. In the first stage, this is called “Half” mode, but the numerical value or the like is simply changed to a small lamp-like display form such as red or green, and when a certain key is pressed, a normal display, that is, a numerical value or a character is displayed. Return. In the second stage, this is called an “All” mode, but the numerical value is completely turned off, and when a certain key is pressed, the normal display is restored.

(2) Display value shift switching:
In the display of the amount of received light, the numerical value is shifted. When the display value shift switching is turned off, a numerical value corresponding to the actual received light amount is displayed. When the display value shift switching is turned on, a numerical value larger or smaller than the actual numerical value is displayed by a numerical value arbitrarily set by the user. For example, when four photoelectric switches are arranged side by side and the received light amount display is different for each photoelectric switch, it is used to visually unify the displayed numerical values.

  The display items listed above are merely examples, and if the number of photoelectric switches becomes more and more multifunctional, other items will be added as information to be displayed. Of course, the display items are changed according to the additional function.

The outline of information display on the first and second display units 17 and 18 of the photoelectric switch 100 is as follows.
(1) The information group is roughly divided into a first information group and a second information group.
The first information group displayed on the basic display screen includes items (A) “Received light amount and / or threshold value related” and (B) “Operation status check”. The second information group consists of (C) items related to “various setting items and parameters” and (D) “display related” items.

  If preferred, it may be broadly divided into three groups, and the items (A) to (D) may be broadly divided into four groups as they are. The items listed in (A) to (D) may be classified from different viewpoints.

  (2) Partial display that displays only items with high frequency of use and necessity, taking into account the frequency of use and degree of necessity of the first information group constituting the basic display screen The user can alternatively select a mode (“Std” mode) and a full display mode (“Full” mode) for displaying all items.

  (3) The second display screen relates to the “operation function setting” and “display related” of the second information group. From the items included in the second information group, the basic of the photoelectric switch 100 is displayed. Select either partial display mode ("Easy" mode) that displays only items related to settings or the user's usage frequency or high degree of necessity and full display mode ("Pro" mode) that displays all items The user can select it. Of course, the first mode for displaying a part of the items related to the operation function setting by dividing the items related to the operation function setting and the items related to the display, and the second mode for displaying all the items related to the operation function setting, The display mode may be classified into three modes, i.e., a third mode for displaying items related to display, and the user may select according to the purpose. Such classification may be performed depending on whether the setting item is necessary in a normal use state or the setting item required in a special use state.

  For operations related to the display on the first and second display units 17 and 18 of the photoelectric switch 100, the mode switch key switch (M key) 23 is kept pressed for, for example, 3 seconds or longer (hereinafter referred to as "long press"). From the basic display screen that displays the items of the first group (“light reception amount and / or threshold value related display” mode) to the second display screen that displays the items of the second group (“operation function setting” mode) Jump or move. That is, on the condition that the M key 23 is held down for a long time, the screen shifts from the basic display screen that displays the first group of items to the second display screen that displays the second group of items. Of course, regarding the switching of the display group, a dedicated key or switch for that purpose may be prepared separately, or a function of switching the display group may be added to another switch included in the photoelectric switch 100. It may be. Alternatively, the user may shift from the basic display screen to the second display screen by simultaneously pressing two keys or switches. As described above, when roughly divided into three or more display groups, for example, when roughly divided into three groups of the first group to the third group, a long press of the M key 23 causes the first group display screen to be displayed. It is only necessary to jump from the second group display screen and the second group display screen to the third group display screen.

  Regarding the “light reception amount and / or threshold value related display” mode which is the basic display screen, the menu for switching between the “Std” mode and the “Full” mode is provided in the basic display screen. In the display screen, the user may be able to select the “Std” mode or the “Full” mode.

  In addition, regarding the “operation function setting” mode which is the second display screen, switching between the “Easy” mode and the “Pro” mode may be performed during the transition from the basic display screen to the second display screen. In addition, in the second display screen, after first completing a series of displays of items to be displayed in the “Easy” mode, the process proceeds to items to be displayed in the “Pro” mode. Alternatively, the user may be allowed to select whether to display the second display screen and return to the basic display screen.

  Below, some specific examples regarding the display in the photoelectric switch 100 will be described.

First embodiment (FIGS. 4 to 15)
FIG. 4 shows an outline of a first example regarding the display in the photoelectric switch 100. From the “light reception amount and / or threshold value related display” mode, which is a basic display screen that displays items of the first group, to the “operation function setting” mode, which is a second display screen that displays items of the second group Transition can be performed by “long pressing” the M key 23 that is continuously pressed for 3 seconds or more, and a selection screen for allowing the user to select either “Easy” or “Pro” is displayed in the middle. Then, on this selection screen, the user selects either “Easy” or “Pro” and sets it, whereby the display mode on the second display screen is set. The selection of “Easy” or “Pro”, that is, switching of the menu can be performed by operating the up / down key switch 21. Then, by pressing the M key 23 for a relatively short time, the mode of the selected mode is selected. When the setting is performed, the mode is shifted to the “operation function setting” mode which is the second display screen. The display on the second display screen is executed in the selected “Easy” or “Pro” mode.

Group 1 “Received light intensity and / or threshold related display” mode (basic display screen) (FIG. 5)

  The display on the basic display screen includes items of (A) “reception amount and / or threshold value related” and (B) “confirmation of operation state”.

  FIG. 5 shows a flow of a basic display screen (“light reception amount and / or threshold value related display” mode) in the “Full” mode. The first screen (“threshold value (numerical value)” & “current received light amount (numerical value)”, which is the initial screen of the “light reception amount and / or threshold value related display” mode, has the M key 23 relatively short. By pressing the time, the screen switches to the second to fifth screens related to the threshold, and when the M key 23 is pressed for a relatively short time, the screen changes to the sixth screen showing the current setting state such as the operation mode. Further, when the M key 23 is pressed for a relatively short time, the screen returns to the first screen. That is, in the “light reception amount and / or threshold value related display” mode of the basic display screen, by repeatedly pressing the M key 23, the screen is sequentially switched from the first screen to the second to sixth screens, and again. Form a full display loop or cycle back to the first screen.

  The flow of the basic display screen in the “Std” mode is indicated by a broken line in FIG. As can be understood from FIG. 5, in this “Std” mode, when the M key 23 is pressed for a relatively short time, the initial screen is switched from the first screen to the second screen, and then from the second screen to the sixth screen. Further, when the M key 23 is pressed for a relatively short time, the screen returns to the first screen. That is, in the “Std” mode, when the M key 23 is pressed, the first screen is switched to the second screen, and when the M key 23 is further pressed, the third to fifth screens are not passed through. The screen shifts to the sixth screen by bypassing the five screens, and a partial display loop or cycle is returned from the sixth screen to the first screen again.

First screen:
On the first screen, the threshold value is numerically displayed on the first display unit 17, and the current received light amount (current value) is numerically displayed on the second display unit 18.

Second screen:
On the second screen, the margin is numerically displayed on the first display unit 17, and the current received light amount is numerically displayed on the second display unit 18. Here, the margin is the relative value of the current received light amount with respect to the threshold value as described above.

  In order to clearly indicate that the numerical value (margin) of the second display unit 18 is displayed as a percentage, the first display unit 17 on the second screen indicates a percentage next to the numerical value. The letter “P” is appended.

Third screen:
On the third screen, the margin is displayed on the first display unit 17 in a bar format, and the current received light amount is numerically displayed on the second display unit 18. Regarding the bar-type margin display on the first display unit 17, as shown in FIG. 6, out of the four 7 segments 71 to 74, this is divided into two on the left and right, and two 7 segments 71 on the right side, For 72, four vertical segments 71a, 71b, 72a, 72b located at the lower part (or upper part) are used, and for the left seven segments 73, 74, four pieces located at the upper part (or lower part) are used. Bar display is performed using the vertical segments 73a, 73b, 74a, and 74b.

  When the bar display format of FIG. 6 is used, for example, starting from the right vertical segment 73a, as the margin increases, the vertical segment positioned on the left side sequentially emits light so that the magnitude of the margin can be known. . Further, the vertical segment 72b located on the left of the right 7 segment 72 and the vertical segment 73a located on the right of the left 7 segment 73 out of the two 7 segments 72 and 73 in the middle portion vertically. Since they are separated, the user recognizes that a threshold value exists between them. That is, by using the lower vertical segment of the two right seven segments 71 and 72 and the upper vertical segment of the two left seven segments 73 and 74, a bar indicating a margin extends from right to left. A step appears along the way, and the user can be informed that this step is at the threshold level.

  For example, if the level of one vertical segment is set to 5%, eight vertical segments included in four seven segments 71 to 74 (4-digit display) are arranged side by side. Therefore, if a threshold level is set between the fourth vertical segment 72b from the right and the fifth vertical segment 73a from the right, a range of plus / minus 20% across the threshold level. The margin can be shown.

  With respect to the display of the margin bar format, the margin may be displayed so as to increase from the left to the right, and is not limited to four seven segments 71 to 74. For example, five five segments (five digits) Display). Further, the bar display is performed by using the vertical segment located below the 7 segments 73 and 74 located on the left side from the threshold level and the vertical segment located above the 7 segments 71 and 72 located on the right side. Also good.

Fourth screen:
On the fourth screen, the maximum value and the minimum value of the received light amount within a certain period are displayed on the first display unit 17 and the second display unit 18, respectively. In the illustrated fourth screen, “PhLd” on the left first display unit 17 is an abbreviation of Peak Hold, that is, a maximum value, while “bhLd” on the right second display unit 18 is an abbreviation for Bottom Hold. In other words, it means the minimum value.

  On the fourth screen, first, the characters “PhLd” and “bhLd” are displayed on the first and second display units 17 and 18 for 0.25 seconds, and then the display is automatically switched to the first left-hand side. The numerical value of the maximum value is displayed on the display unit 17 and the numerical value of the minimum value is displayed on the second display unit 18 on the right side. After the numerical value display is continued for 1 second, “PhLd” and “bhLd” are automatically displayed. Returning to the character display, this is repeated thereafter.

5th screen:
On the fifth screen, numerical values obtained by converting the above maximum value and minimum value into a margin are displayed on the first display unit 17 and the second display unit 18. Here, the margin of the maximum value is expressed by the following equation.

        Maximum value margin = maximum value / threshold value

  The margin of the minimum value is expressed by the following formula.

        Minimum value margin = minimum value / threshold value

  Similar to the second screen described above, on the fifth screen, first, the characters “PhLd” and “bhLd” are displayed on the first and second display units 17 and 18 for 0.25 seconds, and then automatically. The display switches, the numerical value of the maximum margin (%) is displayed on the first display unit 17, the numerical value of the minimum margin (%) is displayed on the second display unit 18, and this numerical display is displayed. After continuing for 1 second, it automatically returns to the character display of “PhLd” and “bhLd”, and this is repeated thereafter. In order to clearly indicate that the numerical values of the margins regarding the maximum value and the minimum value of the first and second display units 17 and 18 are displayed in percentage, the numerical value display on the fifth screen includes the margin. Next to the numerical value indicating “”, a letter “P” indicating percent is added.

  In all the first to fifth screens described above, the set threshold value can be adjusted by operating the swing type threshold adjustment switch, that is, the up / down key switch 21 in the up or down direction, The threshold value when the operation of the up / down key switch 21 is stopped is set as a new threshold value. Here, when the operation of the up / down key switch 21 is started on the third to fifth screens, the screen automatically switches to the first screen instantly, and the first screen is maintained while the up / down key switch 21 is operated. When the operation of the key switch 21 is stopped, the original third to fifth screens are restored.

Sixth screen:
On the sixth screen, the currently set operation mode is displayed. In the illustrated sixth screen for confirming the operation mode of the photoelectric switch 100, “Lon” in the first display unit 17 on the left is an abbreviation for “Light-ON”. It means turning on. Further, the display character “FInE” on the second display unit 18 on the right side indicates the currently set operation mode.

  On the sixth screen, the timer value is also displayed. In the sixth screen shown in the figure, “on-d” in the left first display unit 17 is set to a delay time from when the photoelectric switch 100 detects light reception until the ON signal is transmitted to the external device. Means that. That is, it means that the delay time is set from when the photoelectric switch 100 detects light reception until the output signal is sent to the external device. This delay time is numerically displayed on the second display 18 on the right side. The setting of the timer mode will be described in detail later.

On the sixth screen, the display indicating the setting state of the previous operation mode is performed for 1.5 seconds, then the display indicating the presence / absence of the timer setting is performed for 1.5 seconds, and the display returns to the display indicating the setting state of the operation mode. Repeated.
The first to sixth screens described above are sequentially switched by pressing the M key 22 for a relatively short time, and the screen returns from the sixth screen to the first screen, and this is repeated thereafter.

  The cyclic switching of the first to sixth screens described above is when the “Full” mode is set. When the “Std” mode is set, the second screen is changed to the sixth screen. Transition. That is, in the “Std” mode, the transition to the third to fifth screens is cancelled.

  FIG. 7 shows a flow relating to switching of display items in the “light reception amount and / or threshold value related display” mode. Now, assuming that the display on the first and second display units 17 and 18 is the first screen (threshold value & current received light amount) (step S1), if the M key 23 is pressed for a relatively short time, the step The process proceeds from step S2 to step S3 to switch to the second screen (% display of margin and current received light amount). Further, when the M key 23 is pressed on the second screen, the process proceeds from step S4 to step S5, and it is determined whether or not the “Std” mode related to the received light amount and / or threshold value related display is set. If YES (setting is in “Std” mode), the process proceeds to steps S6 to S11 and the operation mode is displayed in step S12. On the other hand, if NO in step S5 (the setting is “Full” mode), the process proceeds to step S6 to display a margin bar or the like.

  When the M key 22 is pressed and held on any of the display screens of the first to sixth screens, the screen is switched to the selection screen for selecting “Easy” or “Pro” described above (FIG. 4).

  FIG. 8 shows a selection screen for allowing the user to select whether the “operation function setting” mode (FIG. 4) is executed in the “Easy” mode or the “Pro” mode. 9 and 10 show an outline of the flow related to the selection of “Easy” or “Pro”. FIG. 9 relates to the “Full” mode, and FIG. 10 relates to the “Std” mode. As can be understood from FIGS. 9 and 10, in the “light reception amount and / or threshold value related display” mode, the M key 22 is used regardless of which of the first to sixth screens is displayed. By long-pressing, the “light reception amount and / or threshold value related display” mode can be completed and the operation mode selection process (FIG. 8) of the photoelectric switch 100 can be started.

  FIG. 11 is a detailed flowchart relating to the selection of “Easy” or “Pro”. Referring to FIG. 11, when the M key 22 is pressed and held in any of the display modes of the first to sixth screens on the basic display screen (see FIG. 5), this basic display screen is displayed. The “light reception amount and / or threshold value related display” mode ends, the operation mode selection process of the photoelectric switch 100 starts, and the characters “Easy” are displayed on the first display unit 17 on the left side (step S21). FIG. 8).

  The display on the first display unit 17 is changed to the characters “Pro” by pressing the up / down key switch 21 (see FIG. 8). The user can set the “Easy” mode by pressing the M key 23 for a relatively short time while the characters “Easy” are displayed on the first display unit 17 (step S22). The “operation function setting” mode, which is a display screen, is entered (step S23). In the “Easy” mode, each item is displayed in the flow shown in FIG.

  On the contrary, when the character “Pro” is displayed on the first display portion 17, the “Pro” mode can be set by pressing the M key 23 for a relatively short time (step S22). The “function setting” mode is entered (step S24). In the “Pro” mode, each item is displayed in the flow shown in FIG.

“Operation function setting” mode (Pro) (FIG. 15)
FIG. 15 shows display items and a flow in the “Pro” mode in which all items related to the functions of the photoelectric switch 100 are displayed.

By pressing the M key 23 for a relatively short time, the display is switched in the following order.
(1) Switching operation mode;
(2) Timer mode switching and timer value setting:
(3) ON / OFF switching of APC function;
(4) Switching of differential mode;
(5) Display mode switching (“Std” or “Full”) in the display mode, that is, the “reception level and / or threshold value related display” mode;
(6) Switching economy mode;
(7) Display value shift switching and shift amount setting

Type of operation mode:
The operation mode of the photoelectric switch 100 according to the embodiment has a fine mode as a basic mode, and further has five operation modes. In other words, additional operation modes include a turbo mode, a super turbo mode, an ultra turbo mode, a high speed mode, and a super fine mode.

(1) Fine mode:
The fine mode is a basic operation mode of the photoelectric switch 100, and the photoelectric switch emits light so that the detection distance, that is, the distance from the light emitting element 12 to the detection object T, is 100 mm when the fiber sensor head is mounted, for example, and the optimum performance is exhibited. The amount is set.

  This fine mode is suitable, for example, for detecting the presence or absence of a bearing marking. A slight change in light amount due to the presence or absence of minute markings can be accurately determined.

(2) Turbo mode:
The light receiving amount is set to be substantially larger than that in the basic operation mode, and the light emitting amount is set so as to exhibit the optimum ability when the detection distance is 200 mm.
This turbo mode is suitable for detecting a sticker on a mount, for example.

(3) Super turbo mode:
The light receiving amount is set to substantially increase compared to the turbo mode, and the light emitting amount is set so that the optimum performance is exhibited when the detection distance is 300 mm.

  In the super turbo mode, for example, the presence or absence of the detection object T is detected in a state where the detection object T is separated from the light emitting element or the fiber that guides light from the light emitting element and / or the light receiving element or the fiber that guides light to the light receiving element. Suitable for

(4) Ultra turbo mode:
The light receiving amount is set to be substantially increased as compared with the super turbo mode, and the light emitting amount is set so that the optimum performance is exhibited when the detection distance is 400 mm.

  This ultra turbo mode is suitable, for example, for detecting the presence or absence of the detection object T farther than the super turbo, or for detecting the detection object T in a bad environment with a lot of dust and dirt. .

(5) High speed mode:
The high speed mode is set to increase the response speed compared to the basic operation mode described above, and is suitable for detecting the detected object T that passes relatively quickly.

(6) Super fine mode:
Unlike the basic operation mode described above, this super fine mode is a mode that does not saturate the light even if the interval between light projection and light reception of the photoelectric switch is reduced, and is suitable for detecting minute objects with a transmissive photoelectric switch. ing.

  FIG. 15 shows a menu of “operation mode switching” which is the first display item in the “Pro” mode, and when the up / down key switch 21 is operated up, the first display unit 17 is sequentially moved rightward. The change of the menu displayed in is shown. When the up / down key switch 21 is operated down, the display on the first display unit 17 is sequentially changed in the reverse direction (left direction).

  Here, “FInE” means a fine mode which is a basic operation mode. “Turb” means turbo mode. “SuPr” means super turbo mode. “ULtr” means ultra turbo mode. “HSPd” means high speed mode. “SFIn” means the super fine mode. When the desired operation mode is displayed, the user can set this by pressing the M key 22 for a relatively short time, and can move to the second “timer” mode switching display item. The operation mode set here is displayed on the sixth screen in the basic display screen (FIG. 5).

"Easy" mode (Figure 12)
FIG. 12 shows display items in the “Easy” mode. In the “Easy” mode, the display is limited to (1) switching of the operation mode and (2) switching of the timer mode and timer value setting, which are the basic settings of the photoelectric switch 100, and the M key 23 is pressed. Accordingly, the “switching operation mode” display can be changed to the “switching timer mode” display. When the M key 23 is pressed, the “light reception amount” which is the basic display screen is changed from the “switching timer mode” display. And / or return to threshold related display "mode. That is, if the M key 23 is pressed during the “timer mode switching” display, the “operation function setting” mode is exited, and the basic display screen described above is “related to received light amount and / or threshold value”. Return to Display mode.

  In the “Easy” mode, the operation modes that can be selected by the user, that is, selectable menus are (1) fine mode (“FInE”) and (2) turbo mode (“turb”). (3) The operation mode is limited to three types of super turbo mode (“SuPr”), and the user selects the desired operation mode by pressing the up / down key 21 and then pressing the M key 23. Can be set.

  In this “Easy”, as described above, the operation mode is limited to three commonly used operation modes. For example, in the previous “Pro” mode, the “Easy” mode is not included in the super fine mode (“ When the “Easy” mode is switched to after “SFIn”) is selected, [SFIn] is added to the menu display of the “switching operation mode”, and the “Easy” mode is also specially added. It is preferable to display the currently set operation mode. In this case, the specially displayed character “SFIn” is set on the top screen of the “switching operation mode” display, and at the same time the “switching operation mode” display is entered, the currently set super fine mode is set to the user. It is most preferable to make it recognize. Then, when the user selects, for example, the super turbo mode (“SuPr”) that can be originally selected in the “Easy” mode from the menu display of “switching of operation mode”, the “Easy” mode is displayed next time. When entering, the super fine mode (“SFIn”) should disappear from the menu.

  Regarding the display of the currently set operation mode, even if this is an operation mode that is inherently selectable in the “Easy” mode, such as the super turbo mode (“turb”), for example, It is preferable to display the currently set operation mode on the top screen at the same time as entering the "switching" display. As a result, the user can check the currently set operation mode by looking at the display on the top screen. The same is true for display items with a selection menu. That is, by displaying the currently set items on the top screen, that is, the initial screen, the user can check the currently set contents by looking at the initial screen.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart relating to the “switching operation mode” display in the “Easy” mode. When it is detected that the M key 23 has been pressed for a long time (FIG. 9, FIG. 10) in the “light reception amount and / or threshold value related display” mode which is the basic display screen (step S31 in FIG. 13), “Easy” Alternatively, the process enters the “Pro” selection step (FIG. 8). In this selection process, when the user operates the up / down key 21 to select “Pro” and then presses the M key 23, the process proceeds from step S32 to step S33, and the “operation function setting” which is the second display screen is displayed. The mode is executed in the “Pro” mode (FIG. 15).

  On the other hand, when the user operates the up / down key 21 to select “Easy” on the selection screen in FIG. 8 and presses the M key 23, the process proceeds from step S32 to step S34, and the currently set operation mode is selected. A determination is made.

  As described above, there are three types of operation modes that can be set in the “Easy” mode: a fine mode (“FInE”), a turbo mode (“turb”), and a super turbo mode (“SuPr”). .

  When it is determined in step S34 that the currently set operation mode is the three types of operation modes that can be set in the “Easy” mode, the process proceeds to step S35, and the “operation function setting” that is the second display screen is displayed. The mode is executed in the “Easy” mode, and the currently set operation mode is displayed on the initial screen of “Switch operation mode”.

  When it is determined in the previous step S34 that the currently set operation mode is not the three operation modes that can be set in the “Easy” mode but the operation mode that can be set only in the “Pro” mode, step S36. To the second display screen "operation function setting" mode is executed in the "Easy" mode, and characters (for example, the operation mode currently set in the "operation mode switching" initial screen) “SFIn”) is displayed.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the contents related to item display and setting in the “Easy” mode.

  When the process described in the flowchart of FIG. 13 is completed, the “operation function setting” mode is executed in the “Easy” mode in step S41 of FIG. 14 (FIG. 12). On the initial screen of the “Easy” mode, items related to “operation mode switching” are displayed. If it is necessary to switch the operation mode, when the desired operation mode is selected and the M key 23 is pressed, the process proceeds from step S42 to step S43, and the display changes to the item related to “timer mode switching and timer value setting”. Switching (FIG. 12).

  The display in “timer mode switching and timer value setting” will be described. “ToFF” in FIG. 12 means the timer mode “off”. Therefore, when this “toFF” is selected, the control related to the timer mode described above is canceled, and when the photoelectric switch 100 detects the detection object T, a detection signal is output immediately. When the M key 23 is pressed, the display is switched to the next display.

  “On-d” in the first display unit 17 on the left side indicates that the photoelectric switch 100 is related to a delay time when sending an ON signal to an external device, and the number “40” on the right side is set. The delay time (seconds) is displayed.

  In FIG. 12, the character “on-d” is surrounded by an ellipse. This ellipse means that the character “on-d” blinks, and the up / down key 21 can be operated up or down. By visually insisting that it is possible to switch to another display or change the numerical value. This is the same not only in FIG. 12 but also in other drawings. In these drawings, those in which ellipses are added to the first or second display units 17 and 18 mean that they are displayed blinking. In addition, it visually insists that the display can be switched to another display or the numerical value can be changed by operating the up / down key 21 up or down. Note that such a display format is not limited to blinking display, and this type of claim may be made by a method that can be identified by the user such as displaying in a color different from normal.

  When the up / down key 21 is operated in the state where “on-d” is blinking, the first display unit 17 changes to “offd”, and also changes to “Shot”. d ".

  “Offd” indicates that the photoelectric switch 100 is related to the delay time when the off signal is sent to the external device, and is omitted from the illustration, but the second display unit 18 shows a number corresponding to the delay time. Is displayed. “Shot” displays information related to the one-shot control described above, and although not shown, a number corresponding to the delay time is displayed on the second display unit 18.

  For example, if the output of the off signal is delayed, as can be understood from FIG. 121, the second display is performed by pressing the M key 23 while “offd” is blinking and displayed (step S44 in FIG. 14). The number in the part 18 is switched to blinking display (step S45). In this state, the displayed number can be increased or decreased by operating the up / down key 21 (step S46). When the desired number is displayed, the up / down key 21 is stopped and the M key 23 is pressed. Thus (step S47), the output of the off signal of the photoelectric switch 100 can be delayed by the number of seconds corresponding to the displayed number. The delay of the off signal and the delay of the one-shot signal can be set by the same operation.

  When the switching or setting of the timer mode is completed by pressing the M key 23 as described above (step S48), the “operation function setting” mode in the “Easy” mode is completed, and the basic display screen (FIG. 5). Return to.

  FIG. 15 shows a list of displays relating to operation function settings in the “Pro” mode.

  In the “Pro” mode, by pressing the M key 23 after switching the operation mode, timer mode switching, APC switching, differential mode switching, display in the “light reception amount and / or threshold value related display” mode which is the basic screen By switching to each item of mode switching, eco-mode switching, and display value shift switching, and further pressing the M key 23, this “operation function setting” mode is ended, and “light reception amount and / or the basic display screen” is displayed. The display returns to the “threshold related display” mode (FIG. 5).

  It is the same as the “Easy” mode that menu selection and numerical value increase / decrease in each display item such as operation mode switching and timer mode switching displayed in the “Pro” mode are performed by operating the up / down key 21. .

  The display value shift switching, which is the last display item in the “Pro” mode, will be described. The characters “ShFt” on the first display unit 17 are abbreviations of “shift (shift)”, and currently the display value shift switching is performed. Indicates that it is in mode. “OFF” in the second display unit 18 means that the display value shift switching control is turned off. When the M key 23 is pressed, the display value shift switching control is turned off, and the display value related to the received light amount is the actual received light amount. A numerical value corresponding to is displayed in the “light reception amount and / or threshold value related display” mode which is a basic display screen (see FIG. 5).

  On the other hand, when the up / down key 21 is operated, the second display 18 on the right side is switched to the characters “on”. This “on” means that the display value shift switching control is on. In this state, when the M key 23 is pressed, the received light amount after the shift is numerically displayed on the second display unit 18 on the right side (not shown). In the example, “1224”). On the other hand, the first display unit 17 displays the shift amount (“10” in the illustrated example) for 1 second, then displays the characters “ShFt” for 0.25 seconds, and this is repeated thereafter.

  While viewing the characters “ShFt” repeatedly displayed on the left first display unit 17 and the numerical value of the shift amount, the user views the numerical value of the received light amount after the shift displayed on the right display unit 18. Thus, an appropriate shift amount can be set. The numerical value of the shift amount can be increased by operating the up / down key 21 up, and the result is immediately reflected on the second display 18 on the right side. On the contrary, the numerical value of the shift amount can be decreased by operating the up / down key 21 down, and the result is immediately reflected in the second display unit 18 on the right side.

  The first embodiment has been described above. For example, a selection screen (first display portion 17 in FIG. 8), an operation mode switching screen (FIGS. 12 and 15), a display between the “Easy” mode and the “Pro” mode, Regarding the display from selecting one of several options such as the display mode switching screen (FIG. 15) to setting it, it is preferable to display the previously selected item as the first screen, that is, the initial screen. For example, in FIG. 8, when the “Pro” mode was selected last time, the character “Pro” may be displayed first when the operation mode setting mode is entered next.

  According to the above embodiment, in normal use, two items included in the “Easy” mode, that is, (1) operation mode switching and (2) timer mode switching and timer value setting are sufficient. The basic operation of the photoelectric switch 100 can be sufficiently ensured with the settings related to one item. Therefore, in a normal usage mode, the setting operation can be completed without displaying unnecessary items by selecting the “Easy” mode. This means that the “Std” mode for performing partial display and the “Full” mode for performing all display can be selected. I can say.

  That is, by selecting the “Easy” mode, the display items can be narrowed to the minimum necessary, and the number of inputs of the M key 23 associated with the setting operation can be greatly reduced. In other words, in the normal use mode, even the items that are sufficient by the initial setting are displayed, and there is no possibility of changing the setting by mistake. In addition, even if an erroneous setting is made among the display items in the “Easy” mode, the number of inputs of the M key 23 required to return to the erroneous setting item can be greatly reduced. The complexity for the can be eliminated.

  A user who wants to perform advanced settings may select the “Pro” mode and set parameters reasonable for himself. For such a user, it is important that the settings of all the functions of the photoelectric switch 100 can be changed or switched, and the user is often familiar with the handling of the photoelectric switch 100. Therefore, there is little risk of incorrect setting. Rather, by displaying the character display “Pro” and selecting it, it is possible to call attention to the subsequent operations, which is preferable as a man-machine interface.

  If the photoelectric switch 100 has previously selected the “Pro” mode, and if the photoelectric switch 100 includes a function to display the characters “Pro” first when the operation mode setting mode is entered next, this “ Since it is not necessary to operate the up / down key 21 to call up the characters “Pro”, the “Pro” mode can be entered simply by pressing the M key 23. For example, an item displayed in the “Pro” mode is erroneously displayed. When the setting is made and the "Pro" mode has to be entered again, the problem that the key or switch operation becomes complicated due to the selection process with the "Easy" mode is avoided. be able to.

2nd Example (FIGS. 16-21)
FIG. 16 shows an outline of a second example regarding the display in the photoelectric switch 100. In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment described above, the “Std” mode or “Full” relating to the display is included in the “light reception amount and / or threshold value related display” mode which is the basic display screen. A mode selection step is included.

  FIG. 17 shows a flow of received light amount and / or threshold value related display in the “Full” mode in which full display is performed. FIG. 18 shows a flow of received light amount and / or threshold value related display in the “Std” mode in which partial display is performed. The sixth screen for displaying the currently set operation mode from the first screen on this basic display screen (numerical display of threshold value: current received light amount (current value)) is the first implementation described above. This is the same as the example (FIG. 5).

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the second embodiment can be set by operating the swing type threshold adjustment switch, that is, the up / down key switch 21 on all the first to fifth screens. The threshold value at the time when the operation of the up / down key switch 21 is stopped is set as a new threshold value.

  Similarly to the first embodiment described above, even in the second embodiment, when the operation of the key switch 21 is started on the third to fifth screens, the screen automatically switches to the first screen instantly. While the key switch 21 is being operated, the first screen is maintained, and when the operation of the key switch 21 is stopped, the original third to fifth screens are restored.

  In the second embodiment, as can be understood from FIG. 19, when the M key 23 is pressed for a relatively short time from the sixth screen displaying the operation state, the screen moves to the seventh screen, and the first display section on the left side A character “diSP” is displayed at 17 and a character such as “Std” is displayed on the second display unit 18 on the right side.

  As described above, the character “diSP” is an abbreviation for “display”, and has a meaning of setting a display method in the threshold value related display mode. On this seventh screen, there are three menus that the user can select. That is, on the seventh screen, (1) “Std” mode selection menu for displaying limited items in the “reception amount and / or threshold value related display”, and (2) all items are displayed. “Full” mode selection menu, and (3) transition to the display function setting mode (FIG. 20) (display “Func”).

  In the seventh screen, the characters “diSP” are displayed on the first display unit 17 on the left side. On the other hand, the first display unit 18 on the right side changes from “Std” to “Full” and “Func” in order by operating the up / down key 21 to return to “Std” again. On the contrary, when the up / down key 21 is operated, the display content of the second display unit 17 changes from “Func” to “Full” and from “Full” to “Std”.

  The “Std” mode can be set by pressing the M key 23 for a relatively short time while the characters “Std” are displayed on the second display 18 on the right side. As a result, the display in the “light reception amount and / or threshold value related display” mode is switched to the “Std” mode (the loop on the left side in FIGS. 18 and 19).

  The “Full” mode can be set by pressing the M key 23 for a relatively short time while the characters “Full” are displayed on the second display 18 on the right side. As a result, the display in the “light reception amount and / or threshold value related display” mode becomes the “Full” mode (the whole of FIGS. 17 and 19) in which all items are displayed.

  When the character “Func” is displayed on the second display unit 18 on the right side, by pressing the M key 23, the “received light amount and / or threshold value related display” mode is left, and “ Move to “Display function setting” mode. Here, the pressing operation of the M key 23 for shifting to the “display function setting” mode may be a relatively short time or a long press.

  As can be understood from FIG. 21, this “display function setting” mode has two items of (1) eco mode switching and (2) display value shift switching. The display shifts to “display value shift switching”, and when the M key 23 is pressed in “display value shift switching”, the display returns to the “reception amount and / or threshold related display” mode.

  Since the “display” included in the “Pro” mode in the first embodiment is added to the “reception amount and / or threshold value related display” mode in the second embodiment, The “Display” item is omitted from the “Pro” mode of the embodiment. Similarly, “eco-mode switching” and “display value shift switching” included in the “Pro” mode in the first embodiment are “light reception amount and / or threshold value” in this second embodiment. Separately from the “related display” mode and the “operation function” mode, the “display function setting” mode is performed independently. Therefore, “eco mode switching” and “display” are switched from the “Pro” mode of the second embodiment. The “value shift switching” item is omitted.

  According to the second embodiment, the items related to “Display” are omitted from the “Pro” mode, and the items related to “Display” are separated from the “Pro” mode, so that the display items in the “Pro” mode are reduced. The complexity of the key or switch operation in the “Pro” mode can be reduced. In addition, even if there is no knowledge about the photoelectric switch 100 enough to select the “Pro” mode, when the user wants to change the display setting, the “Display” mode, which is another loop independent of the “Pro” mode, is used. By entering, this can be done without entering the “Pro” mode for detailed operational function settings.

3rd Example (FIGS. 22-25)
In the third embodiment, in comparison with the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the “Easy” mode or the “Pro” mode can be switched in the “operation function setting” mode which is the second display screen. Does not have a display group. In the third embodiment, in the “operation function setting” mode, display items that are frequently used are displayed first, and then the display items that are relatively infrequently used are displayed, or basic display is performed. The method includes a step for the user to select whether to return to the “light reception amount and / or threshold value related display” mode which is a screen. In the following description of the third embodiment, the “light reception amount and / or threshold value related display” mode, which is the basic display screen, is the same as the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above. A description of the “light reception amount and / or threshold value related display” mode is omitted.

  22 and 24 show an outline of the display flow in the third embodiment. For example, in the “Std” mode of FIG. 23, when any item of the “light reception amount and / or threshold value related display” mode which is the basic display screen is displayed, when the M key 23 is pressed and held, FIG. As can be understood from the above, the mode is switched to the “operation function setting” mode which is the second display screen. In this “operation function setting” mode, first, one or a plurality of frequently used items (the same items as the “Easy” mode described above) are sequentially displayed (when the M key 23 is pressed, the items are sequentially displayed). Switch). When the display of two frequently used items, for example, is completed, the display proceeds to the third display item, and the display of another item related to the “operation function setting” is selected, or the basic display screen (“ A menu for selecting whether to return to “Received light amount and / or threshold value related display” mode) is displayed.

  If the user desires to set even more detailed items, the user can display further items by selecting “Enter”. On the other hand, if there is no need to display further setting items, selecting “Do not proceed (PASS)” completes the “operation function setting” mode which is the second display screen. The display of the 1 display part 17 and the 2nd display part 18 returns to a basic display screen ("light reception amount and / or threshold value related display" mode).

  FIG. 24 shows a flow of “operation function setting” which is the second display screen. FIG. 25 shows the detailed flow. When the basic display screen ("light reception amount and / or threshold value related display" mode) is shifted to the second display screen ("operation function setting" mode) by pressing and holding the M key 23, first, a display related to operation mode switching is displayed. Performed (step S51). Regarding the operation mode switching, as described above, when the user operates the up / down key 21 to sequentially display six menus and the desired operation mode is displayed on the first display unit 17, the M is displayed. By pressing the key 21, the displayed operation mode can be set. That is, on the second display screen of the third embodiment, for example, six types of operation mode switching menus are prepared as in the “Pro” mode of the first embodiment.

  With the pressing operation of the M key 21, the display on the display units 17 and 18 is switched to the second timer mode switching display (step S52). Regarding the timer mode switching display, as described in the first embodiment, when the user changes the menu or numerical value using the up / down key 21 and the desired menu or numerical value is displayed, the M key 21 is pressed. By pressing the button, settings related to the timer can be performed with the displayed contents.

  When the setting of the timer is completed by operating the M key 21, the screen is switched to a third function mode switching screen, that is, a screen display for selecting whether or not to proceed further (step S53). In this display, as shown in FIG. 25, the characters “Func” are displayed on the first display portion 17 on the left side, and the characters “PASS” are displayed on the second display portion 18 on the right side. The characters “PASS” mean to exit from the operation function setting mode. When the up / down key 21 is operated, the character “PASS” on the second display unit 18 is switched to the character “Ent”. The characters “Ent” mean that the operation function setting mode is further continued.

  When “PASS” is displayed on the second display unit 18, pressing the M key 23 ends the second display screen (“operation function setting” mode), and the basic display screen (“received light amount and / or Threshold related display "mode). On the other hand, when the “ENT” is displayed on the first display unit 18 and the M key 23 is pressed, the “operation function setting” mode is continued, for example, the APC described as the “Pro” mode in the previous embodiment. Detailed operation function setting items such as switching are displayed.

  According to the third embodiment, regarding the “operation function setting” mode, items relating to the basic operation of the photoelectric switch 100 or frequently used items are displayed first, and before entering the special setting item display, “ Since the user is only required to set the basic operation because the “Func” display alerts the user, exiting from the “operation function setting” mode at this point can eliminate the subsequent complicated key or switch operation. it can.

4th Example (FIGS. 26-31)
In the display in the fourth embodiment, the “light reception amount and / or threshold value related display” mode which is a basic display screen, the “operation function setting” mode which is a second display screen, and a third display screen. When the M key 23 is pressed and held in the “reception level and / or threshold value related display” mode, the “reception level and / or threshold value” in the “Std” mode as an example is displayed. As can be understood from FIG. 27 and FIG. 26 showing the “threshold related display” mode, the process enters a selection process of “operation function setting” which is the second display screen and “display relation setting” which is the third display screen.

  Here, regarding the “operation function setting” mode, the “Easy” and “Pro” options described above are provided. Therefore, the user can select an arbitrary menu from “Easy”, “Pro”, and “Display related settings” by pressing and holding the M key 23 in the “light receiving amount and / or threshold value related display” mode. it can.

  FIG. 28 shows a display that first appears on the display units 17 and 18 after the M key 23 is pressed for a long time in the “light reception amount and / or threshold value related display” mode which is a basic display screen. First, the characters “Easy” appear on the first display unit 17, and the characters “Pro” appear on the first display unit 17 by operating the up / down key 21, and the up / down key 21 is further operated. Thus, the characters “diSP” appear on the first display unit 17. The character “diSP” is an abbreviation of “display”, and means “display related setting” mode. Further, the up display of the up / down key 21 returns the first display unit 17 to the “Easy” character display. On the contrary, when the up / down key 21 is down-operated, the display content changes in the direction opposite to the above-described order.

  When the “Easy” character is displayed on the first display unit 17 and the M key 23 is pressed, the “Easy” mode is selected as the display of the “operation function setting” mode which is the second display screen (see FIG. 29). The “Easy” mode in the fourth embodiment is substantially the same as that described in the first embodiment, so refer to the description of FIG.

  When the M key 23 is pressed while the characters “Pro” are displayed on the first display unit 17, the “Pro” mode is selected as the display of the “operation function setting” mode as the second display screen (FIG. 29). The “Pro” mode in the fourth embodiment is substantially the same as that described in the second embodiment, so refer to the description of FIG.

  If the M key 23 is pressed while the characters “diSP” are displayed on the first display unit 17, the display mode is changed to the “display relation setting” mode which is the third display screen shown in FIG. In this “display related setting” mode, by pressing the M key 23, (1) the “Std” or “Full” display mode in the “light reception amount and / or threshold value related display” mode, which is the basic display screen, is displayed. Three items of selection, (2) eco mode switching, and (3) display value shift switching are displayed, and further, by pressing the M key 23, the basic display screen “light reception level and / or threshold value related display” is displayed. Return to mode.

  The dual monitor photoelectric switch 100 including the first and second display units 17 and 18 has been described above as an example. In the dual monitor photoelectric switch 100, in the “light reception amount and / or threshold value related display” mode, the margin and the current light reception amount are simultaneously set in the second display menu and the fourth display menu as described above. Since these are displayed, the threshold value can be adjusted while viewing these displays. When the user fine-tunes the threshold according to the detection environment, for example, by visually recognizing that the amount of received light is extremely small, the photoelectric switch is in a state close to the performance limit to function as a detection switch. Can know immediately. Therefore, during the adjustment of the threshold value, the detection environment can be reviewed and improved immediately. Therefore, conventionally, it was possible to optimize the threshold only after trial and error many times. However, according to the photoelectric switch 10 of the embodiment, the detection environment can be improved efficiently and the threshold can be optimized. can do.

  When at least one of the first and second display units 17 and 18 is constituted by a two-color LED, the fact that the above-described photoelectric switch functions as a detection switch is in a state close to the performance limit, The user may be actively taught by displaying at least one of the second display units 17 and 18 in a color different from the normal color.

  In the “Received light intensity and / or threshold value related display” mode, the maximum and minimum received light quantities are simultaneously displayed in the fifth and sixth display menus, so that the detection environment in which the detected object moves at high speed is displayed. Even so, it can be visually confirmed whether or not the difference in the amount of received light is sufficient to detect the presence or absence of the detected object.

  In the first embodiment, when the M key 23 is pressed and held, a selection screen for “Easy” or “Pro mode” related to the setting change is displayed. If the user only needs to change or check the basic settings of the photoelectric switch, the user may select the “Easy” mode. As a result, the basic setting of the photoelectric switch, that is, the basic setting of the photoelectric switch, is displayed narrowed down to frequently used items, so even if it is a photoelectric switch with many functions, all items are displayed one after another. And appearing on the screen, it is possible to eliminate the troublesome key operation that is repeated to jump. Further, although the key operation should have been performed while jumping this unnecessary display, there is no need to bother with an unnecessary setting change when the operation is incorrect.

On the other hand, users who use many functions included in the photoelectric switch can change the settings for all functions by selecting the “Pro” mode. It can be used appropriately according to.
Similarly, with regard to the “reception level and / or threshold value related display” mode, the “Std” (standard) display mode in which only some frequently used items are circulated and displayed, and all items are circulated. The display mode can be switched to the entire display mode, so that if the user corrects by looking at only the numerical value, for example, the “Std” display mode is set, so that the number of items displayed in a cycle can be reduced. All the items appear on the screen one after another, and it is possible to eliminate the troublesome key operation that is repeated for jumping.

  According to the second embodiment, the setting items related to the display function are separated from the “operation function setting” mode and the “light reception amount and / or threshold value related display” which is the basic screen without entering the “operation function setting” mode. The “display function setting” mode (FIG. 26) can be entered directly from the “mode”. In other words, since the items related to the display function setting are removed from the “operation function setting” mode, the number of display items in the “operation function setting” mode can be reduced, and the number of operations of the M key 23 can be reduced. it can.

  In the first embodiment, for example, even a user who wants to change only the display display setting changes the display display setting only by entering the “Pro” mode with many display items and repeating a number of key operations. As a result, there is an advantage that the setting relating to the display can be changed in the “light reception amount and / or threshold value related display” mode which is the basic screen.

  In the first and second embodiments, the “Easy” mode and the “Pro” mode are prepared according to the characteristics of the user and the user selects them. However, in the third embodiment, the setting change is performed. The user is allowed to select whether to enter the function setting menu or cancel the function according to necessity. Therefore, in the normal use state, the item regarding “operation function setting” can be used without passing through most items. Of course, when a wide variety of settings are required, “Ent” (FIG. 25) may be selected in order to enter the detailed operation function setting item group.

5th Example (FIGS. 32-35)
In the first to fourth embodiments described above, the dual monitor photoelectric switch having two display units, that is, two screens has been described as an example. Many photoelectric switches have only one display portion, that is, a single screen. The present invention can also be applied to this single monitor type photoelectric switch, and an example thereof will be described as a fifth embodiment. The fifth embodiment is basically based on substantially the same concept as the first embodiment. However, the application of the present invention relating to the single monitor type photoelectric switch is not limited to the fifth embodiment, and may be based on substantially the same concept as the other embodiments described above.

  Also in the fifth embodiment, as in the first and second embodiments, the “light reception amount and / or threshold value related display” mode (FIG. 32) and the “operation function setting” mode (FIG. 33, FIG. 34) includes a step of generally selecting the “Easy” mode (FIG. 33) or the “Pro” mode (FIG. 35) (FIG. 32). FIGS. 31 to 34 show display screens of a single monitor type photoelectric switch in each mode. In order to distinguish from the first and second display units 17 and 18 of the previous dual type monitor, the single monitor type is shown. The display screen of the photoelectric switch is indicated by reference numeral 60.

  As in the first embodiment, the fifth embodiment switches between the “Std” mode and the “Full” mode in the “light reception amount and / or threshold value related display” mode (FIG. 31). This setting can be made in the “DiSP” (switching the display mode of the basic display screen) item in the “Pro” mode (FIG. 35).

  As can be understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the fifth embodiment, in the photoelectric switch having a single screen, the first and second display portions 17 and 18 of the first to fourth embodiments described above are provided. It will be understood that various items can be displayed based on the same concept as the dual monitor photoelectric switch 100 provided.

  The present invention has been described above by exemplifying the reflective and integral photoelectric switch 100 including the optical fibers 14 and 15, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this type of photoelectric switch. For example, the present invention can also be applied to photoelectric switches of the types shown in FIGS. In the photoelectric switches illustrated in FIGS. 35 to 38, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements as those included in the above-described photoelectric switch 100.

  In FIG. 36, the light emitting element 12 and the light receiving element 13 are provided on one end surface of the casing 11 (FIG. 36 does not appear in the drawing for the purpose of drawing), and the light emitted from the light emitting element 12 is detected as the object T. 1 shows a photoelectric switch 200 of a type in which the reflected light is directly received by the light receiving element 13. The photoelectric switch 200 employs a semiconductor laser light emitting element as the light emitting element 12.

  On the upper surface 11a of the casing 11 of the photoelectric switch 200, a first display unit 17 and a second display unit 18 are disposed adjacent to each other in the vertical direction. Further, a bar LED monitor 40, a light emission indicator 41, and first and second hold mode indicators 42 and 43 are provided on the upper surface 11 a of the casing 11. The above-described swing type threshold adjustment switch 21 included in the first embodiment is composed of two independent key switches, an up key switch 44 and a down key switch 45.

  The bar LED monitor 40 displays that the current value corresponding to the amount of light received by the light receiving element 13 is within a range of ± 20% from a predetermined value (threshold level). FIG. 37 is an enlarged view of the bar LED monitor 40. As shown in FIG. As can be understood from the figure, the bar LED monitor 40 has a configuration in which eight vertical LEDs are arranged in two upper and lower stages for each stage. This configuration is substantially the same as the display of the margin bar format described with reference to FIG.

  If a threshold level is set between the fourth vertical LED and the fifth vertical LED from the right, and one vertical LED is set to 5% increase or decrease, ± 20 from the threshold level. % Increase / decrease can be displayed. The lower vertical LED is used for the four vertical segments located on the right side of the threshold level, and the upper vertical LED is used for the four vertical segments located on the left side. The threshold level can be taught to the user by the difference in lighting position between the vertical segment located at the bottom of the eye and the vertical segment located at the top of the fifth.

  The light emitting indicator 41 is turned on when light is emitted from the light emitting element 12, and is turned off when light emission of the light emitting element 12 is stopped. The first hold mode indicator 42 is turned on when the first hold mode that holds the maximum amount of light received by the light receiving element 13 is selected. The second hold mode indicator 43 is turned on when the second hold mode that holds the minimum value of the amount of light received by the light receiving element 13 is selected.

  FIG. 38 is a circuit diagram of the laser photoelectric switch 200 of FIG. Since the photoelectric switch 200 of the second embodiment employs a laser light emitting element, it includes a power supply circuit 46 and a variable power supply circuit 47, and also includes a light emitting circuit 48 for the bar LED monitor 40 described above. Yes.

  FIG. 39 shows another photoelectric switch 300. The photoelectric switch 300 includes a head unit 51 including a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and a main unit 52 incorporating an amplifier, a CPU, and the like, which are connected by a cable 53. In the reflective and separate photoelectric switch 300, the main unit 52 is provided with the first and second display units 17 and 18 and the operation unit 36 described above.

FIG. 40 is a modification of the photoelectric switch of FIG. 39 and shows an example in which the first and second display portions 17 and 18 are provided in the head unit 51. However, the operation unit 36 may be additionally provided.
As described above, the present invention has been described by taking the reflection type photoelectric switch as an example. However, the present invention can be applied to a transmission type photoelectric switch in which the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are separated and the light passing through the detection object is received by the light emitting unit. Needless to say. Even in this transmissive photoelectric switch, the first display unit 17, the second display unit 18 or the single display unit 60 may be provided in either one of the light receiving unit and the light emitting unit. The first and second display units 17 and 18 or one display unit 60 may be provided on both of the unit units. Further, the operation unit 36 including various switches may be provided in the light receiving unit and / or the light emitting unit.

1 is a perspective view of a dual monitor type reflective photoelectric switch, illustrating a photoelectric switch to which the present invention can be applied. It is a top view of the photoelectric switch of FIG. It is a circuit diagram of the photoelectric switch of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the outline | summary of the display method of 1st Example. It is a figure which shows the display form of the basic display screen of 1st Example, and the flow of a display item. It is a figure for demonstrating the example which displays a margin in a bar format by the 4-digit display which arranged 7 segments horizontally. It is a flowchart regarding all the display modes ("Full" mode) in the basic display screen of 1st Example. It is a figure for demonstrating the display screen in the process of performing the mode selection regarding the display on a 2nd display screen. The diagram for explaining the flow from the transition to the display mode selection process of the second display screen from the full display mode ("Full" mode) until the second display screen is displayed in the mode selected in this selection process. It is. The diagram for explaining the flow from the partial display mode (“Std” mode) to the display mode selection process of the second display screen until the second display screen is displayed in the mode selected in this selection process. It is. It is a flowchart until it transfers to the selection process of the display mode of a 2nd display screen from a basic display screen, and a 2nd display screen is displayed in the mode selected by this selection process. It is a figure which shows the display form of a 2nd display screen in "Easy" mode, and the flow of a display item. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow in the operation mode switching item in "Easy" mode. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the item displayed in "Easy" mode. It is a figure which shows the display form of the 2nd display screen in "Pro" mode, and the flow of a display item. It is explanatory drawing of the outline | summary of the display method of 2nd Example. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the item displayed on the basic display screen ("Full" mode display) in 2nd Example. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the item displayed on the basic display screen ("Std" mode display) in 2nd Example. It is a figure which shows the display form of the basic display screen in 2nd Example, and the flow of a display item. It is a figure which shows the flow of the display form in the operation function setting mode which is a 2nd display screen in 2nd Example, and a display item. It is a figure which shows the flow of the display form and display item in the display function setting mode which is a 3rd display screen in 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing of the outline | summary of the display method of 3rd Example. In 3rd Example, it is a figure for demonstrating switching directly from the basic screen display to the operation function setting mode which is a 2nd display screen. In the third embodiment, in the middle of the display flow of each item in the operation function setting mode which is the second display screen, a step of selecting whether or not to proceed with the item display in the operation function setting mode is included. It is a figure for demonstrating. It is a figure which shows the flow of the display form and display item in the operation function setting mode which is a 2nd display screen of 3rd Example. It is explanatory drawing of the outline | summary of the display method of 4th Example. Regarding the display method according to the fourth embodiment, the process proceeds from the basic display screen (“Std” mode) to the selection process, and the second display screen or the third display screen is displayed in the mode selected in the selection process. It is a figure for demonstrating. It is a figure for demonstrating the display screen in a mode selection process regarding 4th Example. It is a figure which shows the flow of the display form in the "Easy" mode regarding the 2nd display screen in 4th Example, and a display item. It is a figure which shows the display mode in "Pro" mode regarding the 2nd display screen in 4th Example, and the flow of a display item. It is a figure which shows the flow of the display form in the "display" mode regarding the 3rd display screen in 4th Example, and a display item. It is a figure which shows the display form and the flow of a display item in the basic display screen of the specific example for demonstrating that this invention is applicable to one display part. It is a figure for demonstrating the display screen in the process of performing the mode selection regarding the display on a 2nd display screen by 1 display part similarly to 1st Example. It is a figure which shows the flow of the display form in the "Easy" mode similar to 1st Example, and a display item only with one display part. It is a figure which shows the flow of the display form and display item in "Pro" mode similar to 1st Example by only one display part. It is a perspective view of another laser type photoelectric switch to which the present invention is applicable. It is a figure which expands and shows the part of the bar LED monitor provided in the photoelectric switch contained in FIG. It is a circuit diagram of the laser type photoelectric switch of FIG. It is a perspective view of a separate photoelectric switch to which the present invention is applicable. FIG. 40 is a perspective view of a head unit of a modification of the photoelectric switch of FIG. 39.

Explanation of symbols

100 Photoelectric switch 17 First display on the left side 18 Second display on the right side 21 Up / down key switch (threshold fine adjustment switch)

Claims (4)

  A photoelectric switch that projects light to the detection area, receives light from the detection area, and compares the received light amount with a preset threshold value to detect the presence or absence of an object in the detection area. Because
  Two display units arranged adjacent to each other;
  A manual threshold adjustment switch capable of adjusting the threshold,
  A first display mode for displaying a numerical value of “current received light amount” on one of the two display units and displaying a numerical value of “threshold value” on the other display unit;
  A numerical value of the relative value of the “current received light amount” with respect to the “threshold value” is displayed as a percentage on either one of the two display portions, and the same display as the display portion on which the numerical value of the relative value is displayed A second display mode for displaying characters indicating that the relative value is displayed as a percentage on the part simultaneously with the relative value;
  One of the two display units displays a character indicating "maximum received light amount" that is the maximum value of received light amount, and the other display unit indicates "minimum received light amount" that is the minimum value of received light amount After displaying the character to be displayed, the numerical value of the “maximum received light amount” is displayed on the display unit displaying the character indicating the “maximum received light amount”, and the character indicating the “minimum received light amount” is displayed. A third display mode for displaying a numerical value of the “minimum received light amount” on the part,
  A photoelectric switch, further comprising a display mode switching switch for switching the first to third display modes.   Each of the two display units consists of a 7-digit LED with multiple digits,
  In the second display mode, a character indicating that the numerical value of the relative value is displayed as a percentage is displayed in one of the 7-digit LEDs of the plurality of digits, and the relative digit is displayed in the remaining digits. The photoelectric switch of claim 1, wherein a percentage value is displayed.   The photoelectric switch according to claim 2, wherein a letter indicating that the numerical value of the relative value is displayed in percent is an alphabet “P”.   2. The numerical display of the “maximum light reception amount” and the “minimum light reception amount” and the character display meaning the “maximum light reception amount” and the “minimum light reception amount” are automatically and alternately displayed. The photoelectric switch according to any one of 3.

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