JP4084454B2 - Multiple-type multi-optical axis photoelectric switch - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improvement of a multiple-type multi-optical axis photoelectric switch.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A multiple-type multi-optical axis photoelectric switch suitable for detecting an object to be developed over a wide range is easy to connect each multi-optical axis photoelectric switch unit in a cascaded manner, and electrical connection can be reliably performed. High linearity and mechanical strength are required. However, since the plastic molded body forming the main body of each unit has inherent dimensional deviations and bending wrinkles, when the number of cascaded units increases, those defects are accumulated, and linearity and mechanical strength are impaired.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a connection structure that does not accumulate dimensional deviations and bending wrinkles inherent to plastic moldings even when the number of cascades increases in a multiple-type multi-optical axis photoelectric switch. .
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the multiple-type multi-optical axis photoelectric switch of the present invention includes:
A plurality of multi-optical element units each comprising a plastic unit case and a plurality of light emitting elements or light receiving elements arranged in substantially the same plane in the unit case,
An end base which is a separate member from the multi-optical element unit;
An end cap that is a separate member from the multi-optical element unit and the end base;
A rear end connector that protrudes from the rear end of each unit case and communicates with the drive circuit of the light emitting element or the light receiving element;
A front end connector formed at the front end of each unit case and leading to the drive circuit of the light emitting element or light receiving element;
An input end connector formed at the front end of the end base;
A termination connector formed at the rear end of the end cap;
Each of the unit case comprises screw-type connecting means provided on both sides of the front and rear ends, both sides of the end base, and both sides of the end cap,
The screw-type coupling means mechanically and detachably cascade-connects the end cap, each multi-optical element unit, and the end base,
The front end connector and the end connector are joined at the foremost end of the multi-optical element units connected in cascade, the rear end connector and the input end connector are joined at the rear end, and further, between the multi-optical element units. The end cap, the multi-optical element units and the end base are electrically connected in cascade by joining the front end connector and the rear end connector at the front end connector, thereby forming a circuit of the front end front end connector. Closes and realizes signal input / output and control from the rear end connector of the rearmost end to the drive circuits of the plurality of light emitting elements or light receiving elements in each multi-optical element unit.
It is what I did.
[0005]
According to the above configuration, the multi-optical element units are firmly connected while maintaining linearity by the connecting means provided on both sides of the front end and the rear end of the unit case . In order to maintain this linearity and mechanical strength even better, a metal sheath covering the unified contour shape of the multi-optical element unit and the end cap and end base connecting structure, or a groove section of the mounting groove portion described later Reinforcing metal (rail) suitable for the shape can be used.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state of cascade connection of three multi-optical element units 1, an end cap 2 on the front end side, and an end base 3 on the rear end side in this case. In FIG. 1, a multi-optical element unit 1 is formed by arranging a plurality of light emitting elements or light receiving elements (not shown) in a plastic unit case 4 along a lens arrangement plate 5 on the upper surface in substantially the same plane. is there. A pair of long grooves 6 are formed on both sides of the unit case 4, and a pair of metal connecting rods 7, which is an example of a connecting means, are fitted into these long grooves 6. One end of the connecting rod 7 protruding from the front end of the case has a screw hole 8, and a driver groove is formed on the periphery thereof. Further, in the connecting rod 7, a male screw 9 corresponding to the screw hole 8 is formed at the other end located before the rear end of the case.
[0007]
In the window opened at the front end of the unit case 4, the front end connector 10 connected to the drive circuit for the plurality of light emitting elements or light receiving elements described above is attached, and the plurality of light emitting elements are similarly opened from the window opened at the rear end of the unit case 4. Alternatively, a rear end connector 11 that is connected to the drive circuit of the light receiving element is attached. As shown in FIG. 2, each multi-optical element unit 1 having such a unit case 4 has a male screw 9 at the rear end of one connecting rod 7 inserted into a screw hole 8 at the front end of the connecting rod 7 of the subsequent unit. By engaging and joining the corresponding rear end connector 11 and front end connector 10 together, they are cascaded mechanically and electrically.
[0008]
Still referring to FIG. 1, the end cap 2 shown at the right end has through holes 12 corresponding to the screw holes 8 of the connecting rod 7 located in the long groove of the unit case 4 on both sides thereof. An end connector 13 having the same standard as the rear end connector 11 is provided on the end surface.
The end cap 2 is screwed to correspond to the front ends of the plurality of cascaded multi-optical element units 1, and at the same time, the end connector 13 can close the circuit of the front end connector of the unit row.
[0009]
The end base 3 shown at the left end of FIG. 1 has a screw hole 14 corresponding to the male screw of the connecting rod 7 located in the long groove of the unit case 4 on both sides thereof, and the front end connector 10 on the inner end face. And an input end connector (not shown) of the same standard as the above, and an outer end face is provided with a connector jack 15 for drawing out a connection cord led to the input end connector.
The end base 3 is screw-coupled to correspond to the rear ends of the plurality of cascaded multi-optical element units 1, and at the same time, is an electric circuit cascade-connected from the circuit of the rearmost connector of the unit row by the input end connector. To form an input and control connection to.
[0010]
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a typical configuration of the multi-optical element unit 1. That is, in FIG. 3, the unit case 4 has an internal structure 18 comprising a light-emitting element or light-receiving element holder 16 having the rear end connector 11 described above from the rear and a circuit board 17 superimposed on the lower side. A state in which the lid 20 with the front end connector 10 projecting from the board 19 and the front surface of the board is mounted at the front end is shown together with the two connecting rods 7.
[0011]
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the end cap 2, and a connector plate 22 having a terminal connector 13 is attached to the opening 21 formed from the inner end surface of the end cap 2. A rubber packing 23 for exposing the terminal connector 13 is fitted on the front surface. A sleeve 12 ′ that reinforces the through-hole 12 is attached to the outer end surface of the end cap 2, that is, the right end surface, and a mounting bracket 24 for fixing the completed multiple-type photoelectric switch is connected to the front end of the end cap 2. The unit case is attached with screws 25 for screwing at the same time.
[0012]
Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the end base 3, end the inner end surface of the base 3, that is, an opening formed from the right end surface in the figure, rubber Pas Kkingu 26 is mounted, input connector described above (Not shown) is exposed toward the rear end unit case.
[0013]
From the outer end surface of the end base 3, a cylindrical nut 14 ′ for forming the screw hole 14 is embedded, and a mounting bracket 24 ′ similar to the mounting bracket 24 on the end cap 2 side is attached by a screw 25 ′. Furthermore, the connector jack 15 described above is attached.
[0014]
6 shows the end cap 2 side (however, the mounting bracket 24 in FIG. 4 is omitted) in a state where a plurality of multi-optical element units 1 are connected in cascade to form a multi-type multi-optical photoelectric switch. It is. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, each unit 1 and end cap 2 and the like constitute one bar-like switch structure continuously without a gap, and on the back side, as shown in FIG. 6C. A long groove 6 for inserting the connecting rod 7 opens on the back surface, and the opening forms a throttle portion 6 ' corresponding to a mounting groove portion of a reinforcing metal (rail) 28 described later on the rear end side of the unit case 4. In the end cap 2 and the end base 3 (not shown), a recess communicated with the opening of the long groove 6 having the aperture 26 similar to that of the aperture 6 'is formed. Further, as shown in FIG. 6D, the internal structure of the optical element unit 1 is securely stored without the holder plate 16 and the substrate 17 being shaken.
[0015]
FIG. 7 shows an end face of the end cap 2, and a recess having an opening 26 is bent into an L shape corresponding to the long groove 6.
[0016]
FIG. 8 shows a reinforcing structure as seen from the end base 3 side of the completed multiple photoelectric switch. In FIG. 8A, reference numeral 27 denotes a metal sheath body having a rail 28 adapted to the aperture opening 26 ′ of the end base 3 and the aperture 6 ′ having the same shape in the unit case 4. portions corresponding to the lens arrangement plate 5 is notched channel shape, wherein the transparent protective cover 29 Ru mounted. With this metal sheath 27, the linearity and mechanical strength of the overall structure of the multiple photoelectric switch are better maintained.
[0017]
FIG. 8B shows a metallic reinforcing plate 30 in which rail portions 28 ′ are formed on both sides in place of the metal sheath 27 described above. Such a reinforcing plate 30 can also reinforce the linearity and mechanical strength of a similar multiple photoelectric switch.
[0018]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present embodiment , the connecting rods are fitted on both sides of each of the cascaded multi-optical element units, and the connection is performed by the screw engagement. Therefore, excellent linearity and mechanical strength are achieved. The electrical connection between the units can be easily and reliably performed by the aligned connectors. In addition, by using a reinforcing structure, it is possible to obtain a very long multiple-type multi-optical axis photoelectric switch with better linearity and mechanical strength.
In the present embodiment, as an example of the connecting means, a pair of long grooves 6 are formed on both sides of the unit case 4 and a pair of metal connecting rods 7 are fitted into the long grooves 6. The means is not limited to this, and various modifications can be adopted.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state of cascade connection of a plurality of multi-optical element units, an end cap and an end base.
2 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a connecting rod used for cascade connection of the structure shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of one multi-optical element unit.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of an end cap.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of an end base.
FIG. 6 is a partial plan view (A), a partial side view (B), a partial perspective view (C), and a partial side sectional view (D) showing the end cap side of the assembled multiple-type multi-optical axis photoelectric switch. It is.
FIG. 7 is a view showing an end face of an end cap.
FIG. 8A is a perspective view illustrating a typical reinforcing structure of a multiple-type multi-optical axis photoelectric switch viewed from the end base, and FIG. 8B is a perspective view illustrating a modified reinforcing structure.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multi-optical element unit 2 End cap 3 End base 4 Unit case 5 Lens arrangement board 6 Long groove 7 Connecting rod 8, 14 Screw hole 9 Male screw 10 Front end connector 11 Rear end connector 12 Through hole 13 Termination connector 15 Connector jack

Claims (3)

A multiple-type multi-optical axis photoelectric switch,
A plurality of multi-optical element units each comprising a plastic unit case and a plurality of light emitting elements or light receiving elements arranged in substantially the same plane in the unit case,
An end base which is a separate member from the multi-optical element unit;
An end cap that is a separate member from the multi-optical element unit and the end base;
A rear end connector that protrudes from the rear end of each unit case and communicates with the drive circuit of the light emitting element or the light receiving element;
A front end connector formed at the front end of each unit case and leading to the drive circuit of the light emitting element or light receiving element;
An input end connector formed at the front end of the end base;
A termination connector formed at the rear end of the end cap;
Each of the unit case comprises screw-type connecting means provided on both sides of the front and rear ends, both sides of the end base, and both sides of the end cap,
The screw-type coupling means mechanically and detachably cascade-connects the end cap, each multi-optical element unit, and the end base,
The front end connector and the end connector are joined at the foremost end of the multi-optical element units connected in cascade, the rear end connector and the input end connector are joined at the rear end, and further, between the multi-optical element units. The end cap, the multi-optical element units and the end base are electrically connected in cascade by joining the front end connector and the rear end connector at the front end connector, thereby forming a circuit of the front end front end connector. Closes and realizes signal input / output and control from the rear end connector of the rearmost end to the drive circuits of the plurality of light emitting elements or light receiving elements in each multi-optical element unit.
A multiple-type multi-optical axis photoelectric switch characterized by the above. Said end cap and said end base, as well as chromatic said transverse cross-sectional profile identical to the multi-optical element unit, the connected state to the foremost end and rearmost of the multi-optical element unit, wherein the cascaded,
Said end cap, said multi-optical element unit and said end base, multiple-type multi-optical axis photoelectric according to claim 1, characterized in that housed in the metallic sheath having an inner surface contour corresponding to the cross-sectional profile switch. Each multi-optical element unit has a mounting groove portion that is partially opened on the back surface of the unit case on both sides of the back surface of the unit case.
Furthermore, mounting groove portions having the same cross section as that of the multi-optical element unit are provided on both side surfaces of the end cap and the end base.
2. A multiple-type multiple light according to claim 1 , wherein a reinforcing metal having a cross-sectional shape that fits the mounting groove portions is inserted into each of the mounting groove portions of the end cap , the end base, and the multi-optical element unit. Axis photoelectric switch.

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