JPH06201456A - Photoelectric sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To save the labor required for replacing a photoelectric sensor by providing an attachment in front of a photosensor incorporating an amplifier thereby satisfying two purposes with one sensor. CONSTITUTION:When a fiber attachment 30 is removed, such light as passing through a canopy 37 in the light emitted from a light emitting element 35 is emitted, as a parallel light, to the outside whereas the light transmitted through a spherical part is refracted according to the profile of the spherical surface and emitted, as a parallel light, to the outside. In case of an optical fiber type sensor, a fiber attachment 30 is loaded thereto. In this regard, optical fibers 22, 23 are inserted until the optical fibers 22, 23 abut on the stopper 27 of a lens member 20 and then a fastener 25 is turned to bite the optical fibers 22, 23 by means of a stopper protrusion 39. Since the stopper 27 and the canopy 37 of the lens member 20 are formed in parallel with each other, an optical signal emitted from the light emitting element 35 is transmitted without causing any refraction even when the optical signal is passed through the lens member 20.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

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

[0002]

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

In the photoelectric sensor with a built-in amplifier constructed as described above, the optical signal generated from the light emitting element 2 is radiated to the outside through the lens member 7, and the light is reflected by the external object and again the lens member. Light is received through the light receiving element 3
Come back to.

Next, FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of a conventional optical fiber type photoelectric sensor. Reference numeral 9 denotes a housing that holds each component. Further, since the reference numerals 2 to 6 have the same contents as the above-described amplifier built-in photoelectric sensor, detailed description thereof will be omitted. Reference numeral 10 is a cover that engages with the front surface side of the housing 9 and is provided with a slit hole for locking an optical fiber, 11 is an optical fiber for transmitting an optical signal generated from the light emitting element 2 to the outside, and 12 is an optical signal from the outside. An optical fiber 13 that transmits to the light receiving element 3 is a fastening tool that fixes the optical fibers 11 and 12.

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

[0006]

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

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a photoelectric sensor which can be changed at a different cost at a low cost and can be changed in a short time. And

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the photoelectric sensor of the present invention is configured such that an optical fiber type attachment can be engaged with the front surface of the lens of the amplifier built-in type photoelectric sensor. The structure is as follows.

[0009]

With the above-described structure, the present invention makes it possible to perform both the built-in amplifier type photoelectric sensor and the optical fiber type photoelectric sensor.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
Will be described with reference to.

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

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

Reference numeral 24 is a fiber holding member that engages with the front side of the housing 14. The fiber holding member 24 has a hole with a slit for locking the optical fiber. In the lens member 20, reference numeral 26 denotes a recess for inserting an optical fiber, and 27
Is the bottom of the recess 26, which is the optical fiber 22,
It is a stopper when 23 is inserted. Reference numeral 28 denotes a hook projecting from the tightening tool 25, which is provided at two symmetrical locations outward. 29 is a stepped hole that can be engaged with the hook 28.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a fiber attachment mounted on the photoelectric sensor in the embodiment. Figure 2
In the figure, 30 is the fiber holding member 24 and the tightening tool 2
It is a fiber attachment formed by combining 5 and. Reference numeral 31 is a hook receiving hole for engaging with the housing 14. 32 is projected on the fiber holding member 24, and the hole 3
1 is a formed rib. 3 (a) (b) (c)
In (d) and (e), 33 is an engaging hook that engages with the hole 31 of the fiber holding member 24.

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

Further, in FIG. 4, reference numeral 35 is a light emitting body inside the light emitting element 15, and 36 is a light receiving body inside the light receiving element 16. Reference numeral 38 is a core that performs optical transmission of the optical fibers 22 and 23.

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

In the case of the optical fiber type photoelectric sensor, the optical fibers 22 and 23 are mounted as follows. First, the optical fibers 22 and 23 are inserted through the insertion holes formed in the tightening tool 25. The optical fibers 22 and 23 are inserted until they hit the stopper 27 of the lens member 20. Optical fiber 22,
After inserting 23 until it hits the stopper 27, by rotating the tightening tool 25, the locking projection 39 bites into the optical fibers 22 and 23, and becomes an optical fiber lock. In this way, the optical fibers 22 and 23, the fiber holding member 24, and the housing 14 are fixed to each other.

As a waterproof structure, the sealing material 21 is the housing 1.
4 and the lens member 20 are in contact with the entire circumference of the lens member 20 to prevent water from entering through the gap. The optical fiber type photoelectric sensor also has such a waterproof structure.

Next, the optical path of the optical signal will be described. Figure 4
Is an optical fiber type photoelectric sensor, and in this case, the optical signal generated from the light emitter 35 is a plane in which the stopper 27 and the top surface 37 of the lens member 20 are parallel to each other and the core 38 of the optical fibers 22 and 23. Since they are parallel to each other, the optical signal is transmitted through the lens member 20 without being refracted. This is common to both the light emitting side and the light receiving side.

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

[0022]

As is apparent from the above-described embodiments, according to the present invention, one photoelectric sensor can be used for both the built-in amplifier type photoelectric sensor and the optical fiber type photoelectric sensor, and the cost can be reduced. Moreover, it is possible to replace the photoelectric sensor in a short time by changing the line product.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

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

FIG. 3A is a side view of the photoelectric sensor of the same embodiment with a fiber attachment attached, and FIG. 3B is a side view of the photoelectric sensor of the embodiment with a fiber attachment removed. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the photoelectric sensor in the example taken along the line aa shown in FIG. 3B, FIG. 7D is a plan view of the fiber attachment of the photoelectric sensor in the same embodiment, and FIG. Top view with the fiber attachment removed

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

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

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

[Explanation of symbols]

 14 Housing 15 Light-Emitting Element 16 Light-Receiving Element 20 Lens Member 22,23 Optical Fiber 24 Fiber Holding Member 25 Tightening Tool 28 Hook 29 Stepped Hole 30 Fiber Attachment 37 Top Surface

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification number Office reference number FI Technical display location G02B 6/00 H01H 35/00 R 7610-5G H03K 17/78 N 9383-5J R 9383-5J

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A light emitting / receiving element mounted on a substrate, an element cover for fixing the substrate, a lens for condensing light from the light emitting / receiving element, and light in a state of being inserted into a recess formed in the lens. It is composed of a lock member for fixing the fiber, has a function of a built-in amplifier type photoelectric sensor in a state where the lock member is removed, and becomes an optical fiber type photoelectric sensor when the lock member is attached and an optical fiber is coupled. A featured photoelectric sensor.