JP7010189B2 - Multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor.

When using the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor, it is necessary to arrange the projector and the light receiver so as to face each other, and to fine-tune the position of the light projector and the light receiver while checking the light reception state with the indicator lamp.

For example, as in Patent Document 1, a plurality of light receiving elements are divided into at least two or more light receiving element groups, and optical axis matching display means corresponding to each light receiving element group are provided to form each light receiving element group. A technique has been proposed in which all of the light receiving elements of the above light receiving elements receive light from a legitimate other party's light projecting element to operate the optical axis matching display means.

Japanese Patent No. 3902393

However, in Patent Document 1, an operation display unit that operates when the cutoff state of the optical axis is detected and an optical axis matching display means that operates when the optical axes match are provided separately, and the optical axis can be adjusted. When completed, all the optical axis matching display means are turned on and the operation display unit is turned off.

The operation display unit in Patent Document 1 is provided only in one place on the upper part of the light receiver, and it is determined which optical axis is in the cutoff state only by looking at the lighting state of the operation display unit. It is not possible.

It is not specified in Patent Document 1 whether or not the optical axis matching display means operates in the normal use mode in which the optical axis alignment is completed. However, even if the optical axis matching display means is activated even in the normal use mode, the lighting method at the time of optical axis alignment is the same as that in the normal use mode, so that the user can see the light depending on the object to be detected. It is not possible to determine whether the axes are cut off or the optical axes are out of alignment for some reason.

As described above, in Patent Document 1, when it is considered that the optical axis matching display means operates even in the normal use mode, it is difficult for the user to understand whether or not the optical axis alignment is completed, and as a result, the optical axis alignment is completed. There was a problem that the work could not be completed in a short time.

Therefore, the subject of this disclosure is to provide a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor that can clearly notify the completion of optical axis alignment of the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor and can complete the optical axis alignment in a short time. be.

In order to solve the above problems, the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor of this disclosure is used.
It is provided with a floodlight and a light receiver, detects a light-shielding state for each of a plurality of optical axes formed between the floodlight and the light receiver, and outputs a signal indicating the presence or absence of an object based on the detection result. It is an optical axis sensor
A plurality of floodlight elements arranged in a row on the floodlight, and
A plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a row on the light receiving device, each of the plurality of light projecting elements and a pair of light receiving elements,
The plurality of light emitting elements and the plurality of light receiving elements are divided into at least two or more light emitting and receiving element groups including a pair of the light emitting elements and the light receiving elements, and the light emitting and receiving element group corresponds to the light emitting and receiving element group. A light emitting / receiving element group display unit arranged at least one in each of the floodlight and the light receiving device, and
It includes an optical axis alignment mode and a normal lighting mode, and includes a control unit that controls the lighting pattern of the light emitting / receiving element group display unit to be different between the optical axis alignment mode and the normal lighting mode.

In the above-mentioned multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor, the control unit controls the lighting pattern of the light emitting / receiving element group display unit to be different between the optical axis alignment mode and the normal lighting mode. Therefore, according to the above-mentioned multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor, the completion of the optical axis alignment of the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor is notified to the user in an easy-to-understand manner, and the optical axis alignment is completed in a short time.

According to the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor of one embodiment, in the optical axis alignment mode, the control unit is a set of a pair of the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element in a part of the light-emitting element group. When the light reception can be confirmed and the light reception can be confirmed in all the light emitting and receiving element groups, the pattern indicating that the optical axis alignment in all the light emitting and receiving element groups is completed is used to indicate that all the light receiving and receiving elements are emitted. The light emitting / receiving element group display unit in the light receiving element group is controlled.

According to the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor of one embodiment, it is not the case that the light receiving of all the pair of light emitting elements and the light receiving elements in one light emitting and receiving element group can be confirmed, but a part of the light emitting elements and the light receiving light. When the light reception of the set of elements can be confirmed and the light reception can be confirmed in all the light emitting and receiving element groups, it is determined that the optical axis alignment in all the light emitting and receiving element groups has been completed, and the said. The light emitting / receiving element group display unit in all the light emitting / receiving element groups is controlled by the pattern indicating the completion. Therefore, the optical axis alignment is completed in a short time.

In the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor of one embodiment, in the optical axis alignment mode, the control unit receives light from a part of the pair of the light-emitting elements and the set of the light-receiving elements in the light-emitting element group. When it can be confirmed, the light emitting / receiving element group display unit in the one light emitting / receiving element group is controlled by the pattern indicating that the optical axis alignment in the one light emitting / receiving element group is completed.

According to the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor of one embodiment, it is not the case that the light reception of all the pair of light emitting elements and the light receiving elements in the light emitting and receiving element group can be confirmed, but the light receiving of some of the light emitting elements and the light receiving elements. When the set of light received can be confirmed, it is determined that the optical axis alignment is completed, and the light emitting / receiving element group display unit in one light emitting / receiving element group is controlled by the pattern indicating the completion. Therefore, the optical axis alignment is completed in a short time.

In the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor of one embodiment, when the control unit determines that the optical axis alignment is completed in all the light emitting and receiving element groups, the mode is changed from the optical axis alignment mode to the normal lighting mode. Make a transition.

According to the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor of one embodiment, when the optical axis alignment is completed, the control unit shifts the mode from the optical axis alignment mode to the normal lighting mode, so that the user does not have to perform switching processing such as a switch. A well-handled multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor is provided.

In the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor of one embodiment, the control unit detects the light-shielding state of the optical axis in each of the pair of the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element, and determines the presence or absence of an object based on the detection result. The safety control for outputting the indicated signal is performed independently of the lighting control of the light emitting / receiving element group display unit.

According to the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor of one embodiment, the safety control is performed independently of the lighting control of the light emitting / receiving element group display unit in the optical axis alignment mode, so that the optical axis alignment can be performed without impairing the safety. An easy multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor is provided.

As is clear from the above, according to the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor of this disclosure, it is possible to inform the user of the completion of the optical axis alignment of the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor in an easy-to-understand manner, and the optical axis alignment can be performed in a short time. Can be completed.

It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor in 1st Embodiment. It is a top view which looked at the floodlight from the side facing the floodlight. It is a top view which looked at the receiver from the side facing the floodlight. It is a figure which shows the circuit structure of the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the lighting process of the light-emitting element group display part in the optical axis alignment mode. (A) to (D) are diagrams for explaining the target element in the optical axis alignment mode. It is a figure for demonstrating the lighting pattern of the light-emitting element group display part in the optical axis alignment mode and the normal lighting mode.

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

(First Embodiment)
First, a first embodiment of the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Approximate configuration of multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor S of the present embodiment includes a floodlight 1 and a light receiver 2 arranged to face the floodlight 1.

A plurality of floodlight elements 11 are arranged in a row on the front surface of the floodlight 1 facing the light receiver 2. Further, although not shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of light receiving elements 21 each of the plurality of light projecting elements 11 and a pair of a plurality of light receiving elements 21 are arranged in a row on the front surface of the light receiving device 2 facing the floodlight 1 (FIG. 1). 2. See Fig. 3). The number of the light projecting element 11 and the light receiving element 21 can be changed according to the application of the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor S and the like, and in FIGS. 1 to 3, as an example, 12 light emitting elements 11 each are used. And a light receiving element 21 is provided. Further, a plurality of area beam indicators (hereinafter referred to as ABI) 12 as a light emitting / receiving element group display unit are arranged in front of the light projecting device 1 and the light receiving device 2.

The main body cable 14 is connected to the main body 13 of the floodlight 1, and the main body cable 24 is connected to the main body 23 of the light receiver 2. The main body cable 14 and the main body cable 24 can be connected to the extension cable 30 and the extension cable 31, respectively, and the floodlight 1 and the light receiver 2 can be connected to other devices such as a controller.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the light emitter 1 as viewed from the side facing the light receiver 2, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of the light receiver 2 as seen from the side facing the light receiver 1. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ABI 12 is arranged at a position between the adjacent light emitting elements 11 and a position between the adjacent light receiving elements 21.

The ABI 12 comprises, for example, red and green LED elements, which emit red when the red LED element emits light, green when the green LED element emits light, and both LED elements emit light. If so, it lights up in orange.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, control display units 17a to 17i are provided at positions below the ABI 12 in front of the floodlight 1 and the light receiver 2 as display units other than the ABI 12. The control display units 17a to 17i are used for synchronous processing of the floodlight 1 and the light receiver 2.

<Circuit configuration of multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor>
FIG. 4 shows the circuit configuration of the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor S. As shown in FIG. 4, the floodlight 1 incorporates a floodlight element 11, a drive circuit 120 for individually driving each floodlight element 11, and an optical axis sequential selection circuit 130. Further, the floodlight 1 incorporates an ABI 12, control display units 17a to 17d, each ABI 12 and a drive circuit 125 for individually driving these display units, and a selection circuit 135. Further, the floodlight 1 incorporates a control circuit 160, a communication circuit 170, a power supply circuit 180, and the like as control units.

The light receiving element 2 incorporates a light receiving element 21, an amplifier 220 and an analog switch 230 for each light receiving element 21, and an optical axis sequential selection circuit 250. Further, the light receiver 2 incorporates an ABI 12, control display units 17a to 17i, each ABI 12 and a drive circuit 125 for individually driving these display units, a selection circuit 135, and an optical axis sequential selection circuit 250. Further, the light receiver incorporates a control circuit 260 as a control unit, an amplifier 240 for input to the control circuit 260, a communication circuit 270, a power supply circuit 280, and the like.

Each of the control circuits 160 and 260 of the light emitting and receiving devices 1 and 2 is composed of a microcomputer having a CPU and a memory. Each communication circuit 170, 270 is a communication interface compliant with RS485, and controls the exchange of signals between the light emitters 1 and 2 via two communication lines 6A, 6B of the same type corresponding to RS485. do.

Each of the power supply circuits 180 and 280 receives power from a common external power supply 5 (DC power supply) and supplies power to each part in the same device (inside the floodlight 1 or the light receiver 2). To supply power from the external power supply 5 to the power supply circuits 180 and 280, the two power supply lines 7A and 7B are branched, one of which is the power supply circuit 180 on the floodlight 1 side and the other on the receiver 2 side. This is done by connecting to the power supply circuit 280. Therefore, the floodlight 1 and the receiver 2 are connected by the communication lines 6A and 6B and the power supply lines 7A and 7B. The communication lines 6A and 6B and the power supply lines 7A and 7B are housed in the main body cables 14 and 24 shown in FIG.

The control circuit 160 of the floodlight 1 generates a timing signal at predetermined time intervals and gives the timing signal to the optical axis sequential selection circuit 130. The optical axis sequential selection circuit 130 is a gate circuit for connecting the drive circuit 120 of each floodlight element 11 to the control circuit 160 in order, and the timing signal from the control circuit 160 is driven by the switching process in this circuit. It is given to the circuit 120 in order, and the sequential light emitting operation of each light projecting element 11 is realized. Further, the timing signal is also given to the control circuit 260 on the receiver 2 side via the communication circuits 170 and 270.

In the light receiver 2, the output from each light receiving element 21 (hereinafter referred to as “light receiving output”) is sent to the input line 290 to the control circuit 260 via the amplifier 220, the analog switch 230, and the input amplifier 240. Will be done. The control circuit 260 sends a timing signal from the floodlight 1 to the optical axis sequential selection circuit 250, turns on the analog switches 230 of each optical axis in order, and receives light from the light receiving element 21 corresponding to the light emitting element 11. It is determined whether or not each optical axis is in a light-shielding state by capturing the output and comparing each light-receiving output with a predetermined threshold value. When the capture of the light receiving output for all the optical axes is completed, the control circuit 260 collects the discrimination results for each optical axis and performs final discrimination processing to generate an object detection signal indicating the discrimination results, which is generated. Output to the outside via an output circuit (not shown).

The control circuit 260 of the light receiver 2 generates a control signal according to the light input state or the light blocking state in the optical axis between the pair of light projecting elements 11 and the light receiving element 21, and inputs the control signal to the selection circuit 135. give. The selection circuit 135 is a gate circuit for connecting the ABI 12 and the drive circuit 125 of the display units 17a to 17i for control to the control circuit 260. By the switching process in the selection circuit 135, the control signal from the control circuit 260 is given to each drive circuit 125, and the light emitting operation of the ABI 12 and the display units 17a to 17i for control is realized. Further, the control signal is also given to the control circuit 160 of the floodlight 1 via the communication circuits 270 and 170. Therefore, in the floodlight 1, the control circuit 160 realizes the light emitting operation of the ABI 12 and the display units 17a to 17d for control.

<ABI lighting process in optical axis alignment mode>
Next, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, processing in the lighting process of ABI in the optical axis alignment mode by the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor S will be described.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the lighting process of the ABI 12 in the optical axis alignment mode in the present embodiment. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is executed when the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor S is started. 6 (A) to 6 (D) are diagrams for explaining the target element in the optical axis alignment mode. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a lighting pattern of the ABI 12 in the optical axis alignment mode and the normal lighting mode.

In addition, in FIGS. 1 to 3, the embodiment in which 12 light projecting elements 11 and 12 light receiving elements 21 are provided in each of the light projecting device 1 and the light receiving device 2 has been described, but in the example shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. A mode in which 31 light emitting elements 11 and 31 light receiving elements 21 are provided in each of the light projecting device 1 and the light receiving device 2 will be described.

In this example, each of the 31 light emitting elements 11 and the light receiving element 21 is divided into four light emitting and receiving element groups as shown in FIG. Further, in this example, in order to make the explanation easy to understand, when the floodlight 1 and the light receiver 2 are arranged in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 1, the light projecting element 11 and the light receiving element 21 at the lowest position are first thrown. The optical element 11 and the light receiving element 21 are used, and the light emitting element 11 and the light receiving element 21 at the uppermost position are the 31st light emitting element 11 and the light receiving element 21. In FIGS. 6A to 6D, the numbers 1 to 31 displayed on the light receiving element 21 indicate the number of the light receiving element 21 of each light receiving element 21. In FIGS. 6A to 6D, the light projecting element 11 is not shown.

FIG. 6A shows a first light emitting / receiving element group, and the first light emitting / receiving element group is composed of the first to seventh light emitting and receiving elements 11 and the light receiving element 21. FIG. 6B shows a second light emitting and receiving element group, and the second light emitting and receiving element group is composed of the eighth to fifteenth light emitting and receiving elements 11 and the light receiving element 21. FIG. 6C shows a third light emitting / receiving element group, and the third light emitting / receiving element group is composed of the 16th to 23rd light emitting / receiving elements 11 and the light receiving element 21. FIG. 6D shows a fourth light emitting and receiving element group, and the fourth light emitting and receiving element group is composed of the 24th to 31st light emitting and receiving elements 11 and the light receiving element 21.

First, as shown in FIG. 5, when the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor S is activated, the control unit 260 of the light receiver 2 waits for a certain period of time before starting the lighting process of ABI in the optical axis alignment mode (1). S1). In this fixed time, synchronization processing between the floodlight 1 and the light receiver 2 and the like are executed.

Next, after the lapse of the fixed time, the control unit 260 of the receiver 2 determines whether or not the optical axis alignment is completed (S2). When the control unit 260 determines that the optical axis alignment is completed (S2: YES), the control unit 260 shifts the processing mode to the normal lighting mode (S19), and exits from the processing shown in FIG.

However, when the control unit 260 determines that the optical axis alignment is not completed (S2: NO), the processing mode is changed to the optical axis alignment mode (S3), and all of the projector 1 and the receiver 2 are used. The ABI12 is turned on in red (S4).

Next, the control unit 260 determines whether or not there is a light receiving output of the target element in the first light emitting / receiving element group including the first to seventh light receiving elements 21 (S5). Here, the target element refers to a light receiving element 21 used when it is determined that the optical axis alignment has been performed in the optical axis alignment mode. As described above, in the present embodiment, it is not determined that the optical axis alignment is performed when the light reception is confirmed in all the light receiving elements 21 of each light emitting and receiving element group, but a part of each light receiving and receiving element group. When light reception is confirmed in the target element, which is the light receiving element 21, it is determined that the optical axis alignment has been performed.

In the present embodiment, in FIGS. 6A to 6D, the light receiving element 21 painted in black is the target element. That is, as shown in FIG. 6A, in the first light emitting / receiving element group, the first and third light receiving elements 21 are the target elements. Further, as shown in FIG. 6 (B), the 11th and 15th light receiving elements 21 in the second light emitting / receiving element group, and 19 in the third light receiving / receiving element group as shown in FIG. 6 (C). As shown in FIG. 6D, the second and 23rd light receiving elements 21 are the target elements, and the 27th and 31st light receiving elements 21 are the target elements in the fourth light emitting and receiving element group, respectively.

When the control unit 260 determines that the light reception of the target element in the first light emitting / receiving element group including the first to seventh light receiving elements 21 is not confirmed (S5: NO), the first light receiving / receiving element group All ABI12s in the above are lit in red (S6). At this time, in the floodlight 1, the control unit 160 lights all the ABIs 12 in the first light emitting / receiving element group in red.

When the control unit 260 determines that the light reception of the target element in the first light emitting / receiving element group is confirmed (S5: YES), all the ABI12s in the first light emitting / receiving element group are turned on in orange. Notify the user that the optical axis is aligned. At this time, in the floodlight 1, the control unit 160 lights all the ABIs 12 in the first light emitting / receiving element group in orange in the same manner.

Next, the control unit 260 determines whether or not there is a light receiving output of the target element in the second light emitting / receiving element group including the 8th to 15th light receiving elements 21 (S8). When the control unit 260 determines that the light reception of the target element in the second light emitting / receiving element group including the 8th to 15th light receiving elements 21 is not confirmed (S8: NO), the second light receiving / receiving element group All ABI12s in the above are turned on in red (S9). At this time, in the floodlight 1, the control unit 160 lights all the ABIs 12 in the second light emitting / receiving element group in red.

When the control unit 260 determines that the light reception of the target element in the second light emitting / receiving element group is confirmed (S8: YES), all the ABI12s in the second light receiving / receiving element group are turned on in orange. Notify the user that the optical axis alignment in the second light emitting / receiving element group is completed. At this time, in the floodlight 1, the control unit 160 lights all the ABIs 12 in the second light emitting / receiving element group in orange in the same manner.

Next, the control unit 260 determines whether or not there is a light receiving output of the target element in the third light emitting / receiving element group including the 16th to 23rd light receiving elements 21 (S11). When the control unit 260 determines that the light reception of the target element in the third light emitting / receiving element group including the 16th to 23rd light receiving elements 21 is not confirmed (S11: NO), the third light receiving / receiving element group All ABI12s in the above are lit in red (S12). At this time, in the floodlight 1, the control unit 160 lights all the ABIs 12 in the third light emitting / receiving element group in red.

When the control unit 260 determines that the light reception of the target element in the third light emitting / receiving element group is confirmed (S11: YES), all the ABI12s in the third light receiving / receiving element group are turned on in orange. Notify the user that the optical axis alignment in the third light emitting / receiving element group is completed. At this time, in the floodlight 1, the control unit 160 lights all the ABIs 12 in the third light emitting / receiving element group in orange in the same manner.

Next, the control unit 260 determines whether or not there is a light receiving output of the target element in the fourth light emitting / receiving element group including the 24th to 31st light receiving elements 21 (S14). When the control unit 260 determines that the light reception of the target element in the fourth light emitting / receiving element group including the 24th to 31st light receiving elements 21 is not confirmed (S14: NO), the fourth light receiving / receiving element group All ABI12s in the above are turned on in red (S15). At this time, in the floodlight 1, the control unit 160 lights all the ABIs 12 in the fourth light emitting / receiving element group in red.

When the control unit 260 determines that the light reception of the target element in the fourth light emitting / receiving element group is confirmed (S14: YES), all the ABI12s in the fourth light receiving / receiving element group are turned on in orange. Notify the user that the optical axis alignment in the fourth light emitting / receiving element group is completed. At this time, in the floodlight 1, the control unit 160 lights all the ABIs 12 in the fourth light emitting / receiving element group in orange in the same manner.

As described above, the control unit 260 performs the lighting processing of the ABI 12 according to the completion or incompleteness of the optical axis alignment for each light emitting / receiving element group, and whether or not the optical axis alignment is completed in all the light emitting / receiving element groups. Is determined (S17). When the control unit 260 determines that the optical axis alignment is not completed in all the light emitting / receiving element groups (S17: YES), the control unit 260 repeats the processes from step S5 to step S17.

When the control unit 260 determines that the optical axis alignment is completed in all the light emitting / receiving element groups (S17: YES), the control unit 260 notifies the user that the optical axis alignment is completed in all the light emitting / receiving element groups. All ABI12s in the above are blinked alternately in green and orange for, for example, 1 second, and this state is continued for, for example, 5 seconds (S18). Then, the control unit 260 shifts the processing mode to the normal lighting mode (S19), and exits the processing shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 summarizes the lighting patterns of the ABI 12 in the optical axis alignment mode as described above. As shown in FIG. 7, in the optical axis alignment mode, when the optical axes are not aligned and the light is shielded, all ABI12s in the corresponding light emitting / receiving element group are lit in red. When the optical axes are aligned, all ABI12s in the corresponding light emitting / receiving element group are turned on in orange.

Further, when the optical axis alignment is completed in all the light emitting / receiving element groups, all the ABI12s in all the light receiving / receiving element groups are blinked alternately in green and orange for, for example, 1 second, and this state is blinked for, for example, 5 seconds. Continue and then transition to normal lighting mode. In the normal lighting mode, if the optical axis is not in the light-shielding state, the ABI 12 remains off, and when it is determined that the optical axis is in the light-shielding state, the light is turned on in red.

In the optical axis alignment mode, the lighting control of the ABI 12 as described above is performed, but in the present embodiment, the safety control is independently executed also in the optical axis alignment mode. That is, even in the optical axis alignment mode, safety control is performed in which each pair of the light emitting element 11 and the light receiving element 21 detects the light shielding state of the optical axis and outputs a signal indicating the presence or absence of an object based on the detection result. It will be done.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the optical axis alignment mode is provided separately from the normal lighting mode, and the lighting pattern of the ABI 12 is controlled to be different between the optical axis alignment mode and the normal lighting mode. It is possible to notify the completion of optical axis alignment in an easy-to-understand manner. Further, according to the present embodiment, it was confirmed that not all the light receiving elements in each light emitting / receiving element group were used for determining the completion of optical axis alignment, but the light receiving by some light receiving elements in each light receiving / receiving element group was confirmed. In this case, it is determined that the optical axis alignment is completed, so that the user can perform the optical axis alignment in a shorter time than before.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when the optical axis alignment is completed, the control unit 260 shifts the mode from the optical axis alignment mode to the normal lighting mode, so that the user does not have to perform a switching process such as a switch. It is possible to provide a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor S that is easy to handle.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment described above, the light receiving element 21 at the position shown in FIGS. 6A to 6D is the target element for determining the completion of optical axis alignment, but the light receiving element 21 in each light emitting / receiving element group is used. The pattern selected as the target element is not limited to the mode shown in FIGS. 6A to 6D. The light receiving element 21 as the target element may be selected in an appropriate pattern according to the application of the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor S, the number of the light projecting element 11 and the light receiving element 21, and the like.

Further, in the first embodiment, the embodiment in which the ABI 12 is arranged at the position between the adjacent light emitting element 11 and the light receiving element 21 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, one ABI 12 may be arranged in each light emitting / receiving element group.

In the first embodiment, the embodiment in which the ABI 12 is provided on the front surfaces of the floodlight 1 and the receiver 2 facing each other has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the ABI 12 may be arranged on the side surfaces of the main body 13 of the floodlight 1 and the main body 23 of the light receiver 2.

The above embodiment is an example, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The plurality of embodiments described above can be established independently, but combinations of the embodiments are also possible. Further, although various features in different embodiments can be established independently, it is also possible to combine features in different embodiments.

1 Floodlight 2 Receiver 5 External power supply 6A Communication line 6B Communication line 7A Power supply line 7B Power supply line 11 Floodlight element 12 ABI (Reflecting light receiving element group display unit)
14 Main unit cable 17a to 17i Control display unit 21 Light receiving element 24 Main unit cable 120 Drive circuit 125 Drive circuit 130 Optical axis sequential selection circuit 135 Selection circuit 160 Control circuit 170 Communication circuit 180 Power supply circuit 220 Amplifier 230 Analog switch 240 For input Amplifier 250 Optical axis sequential selection circuit 260 Control circuit 270 Communication circuit 280 Power supply circuit 290 Input line S Multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor

Claims (4)

It is provided with a floodlight and a light receiver, detects a light-shielding state for each of a plurality of optical axes formed between the floodlight and the light receiver, and outputs a signal indicating the presence or absence of an object based on the detection result. It is an optical axis sensor
A plurality of floodlight elements arranged in a row on the floodlight, and
A plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a row on the light receiving device, each of the plurality of light projecting elements and a pair of light receiving elements,
The plurality of light emitting elements and the plurality of light receiving elements are divided into at least two or more light emitting and receiving element groups including a pair of the light emitting elements and the light receiving elements, and the light emitting and receiving element group corresponds to the light emitting and receiving element group. A light emitting / receiving element group display unit arranged at least one in each of the floodlight and the light receiving device, and
It is provided with an optical axis alignment mode and a normal lighting mode, and is provided with a control unit that controls the lighting pattern of the light emitting / receiving element group display unit to be different between the optical axis alignment mode and the normal lighting mode .
In the optical axis alignment mode, the control unit can confirm the light reception of a part of the pair of the light emitting elements and the set of the light receiving elements in one group of the light emitting and receiving elements, and all the light emitting and receiving elements. When the light receiving light can be confirmed in the group, the light emitting / receiving element group display unit in all the light receiving / receiving element groups is controlled by the pattern indicating that the optical axis alignment in all the light receiving / receiving element groups is completed. do,
Multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor. When the control unit can confirm the light reception of a part of the pair of the light emitting elements and the set of the light receiving elements in the one group of the light emitting and receiving elements in the optical axis alignment mode, the one said the light emitting element . The light emitting / receiving element group display unit in the one light receiving / receiving element group is controlled by a pattern indicating that the optical axis alignment in the light receiving element group is completed .
The multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor according to claim 1. When the control unit determines that the optical axis alignment is completed in all the light emitting / receiving element groups, the control unit shifts the mode from the optical axis alignment mode to the normal lighting mode.
The multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor according to claim 1 or 2. The control unit detects the light-shielding state of the optical axis in each of the pair of the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element, and outputs a safety control indicating the presence or absence of an object based on the detection result. Performed independently of the lighting control of the light receiving element group display unit.
The multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images