Photoelectric position sensor and electric appliance

Abstract

The invention discloses a photoelectric position sensor and an electric appliance, and the sensor comprises a first cover body which is provided with a first chute; the second cover body covers the first cover body and is provided with a second inclined groove, the second inclined groove and the first inclined groove form an inner cavity, the two sides of the second inclined groove are provided with a first mounting groove and a second mounting groove respectively, the first mounting groove is provided with a first opening groove communicated with the first inclined groove, the second mounting groove is provided with a second opening groove communicated with the first inclined groove, and the first opening groove is provided with a second opening groove communicated with the second inclined groove. The second opening groove corresponds to the first opening groove in position, a transmitting tube is arranged in the first mounting groove, a receiving tube is arranged in the second mounting groove, and a ball is arranged in the inner cavity; when the electric appliance is used in an inverted mode, the balls abut against the inclined faces of the first inclined grooves in the first inclined grooves, the positions of the balls can be changed through movement of the inclined faces of the first inclined grooves, and therefore the electric appliance can be used in an upright mode and can also be used in an inverted mode, and the problem that the positions can not be accurately changed when a conventional electric appliance is inverted is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of sensors, and in particular to a photoelectric sensor and an electrical appliance. Background Art

[0002] Photoelectric sensors are sensors that use the photoelectric effect to convert light signals into electrical signals. They are widely used in industrial automation, robotics, security, environmental monitoring, medical diagnosis and treatment, smart transportation, and consumer electronics. Photoelectric sensors include through-beam sensors, reflective sensors, diffuse reflective sensors, infrared sensors, and other types. The working principle of through-beam sensors is that the transmitter emits a beam of light, which passes through the object to be measured and reaches the receiver. When the object to be measured appears, it blocks the beam, causing the light intensity in the receiver to decrease. The sensor determines whether the target object exists and its location, shape, and other information by measuring the change in light intensity in the receiver.

[0003] Common ironing products or electrical appliances (such as electric irons) need to be frequently judged in terms of their placement or position, so that users can know the working status of the product and use the product or appliance more safely.

[0004] At present, the position sensor used to judge the placement state or position state of ironing products or electrical appliances usually uses a ball-bearing through-beam sensor, which includes a ball switch, a transmitting tube, and a receiving tube. The traditional through-beam sensor is provided with a rolling groove inside, and the ball is arranged in the rolling groove. However, since the existing through-beam sensor is only provided with a single rolling inclined groove, a cavity with a single inclined surface is formed inside the sensor. When the appliance is used forward, the ball hits the inclined surface of the rolling inclined groove. The inclined surface design allows the ball to move to change its position, thereby shielding and leaving the infrared light between the transmitting tube and the receiving tube. However, when the appliance is inverted, the ball hits other flat surfaces, and the ball cannot roll on the inclined surface, which may result in inaccurate transmission of sensor position information, resulting in the disadvantage that the appliance cannot be used upside down. Summary of the invention

[0005] In order to overcome the disadvantage of the prior art that when the appliance is inverted, the ball bearings will come into contact with other flat surfaces, and the ball bearings cannot roll on the inclined surface, which may result in inaccurate transmission of sensor position information, and thus the appliance cannot be used upside down.

[0006] First aspect

[0007] The present invention provides a photoelectric position sensor, comprising:

[0008] The first cover body is provided with a first inclined groove;

[0009] The second cover body is covered with the first cover body and is provided with a second oblique groove. The second oblique groove and the first oblique groove form an inner cavity. The first mounting groove and the second mounting groove are respectively provided with a first mounting groove and a second mounting groove on both sides. The first mounting groove has a first opening groove communicating with the first oblique groove, and the second mounting groove has a second opening groove communicating with the first oblique groove. The second opening groove corresponds to the position of the first opening groove. A transmitting tube is provided in the first mounting groove, a receiving tube is provided in the second mounting groove, and a ball is provided in the inner cavity.

[0010] Optionally, a first light blocking ear and a second light blocking ear are provided on both sides of the first inclined groove, the position of the first light blocking ear corresponds to the position of the first opening groove, a first light-transmitting hole is left between the first light blocking ear and the first opening groove, the position of the second light blocking ear corresponds to the position of the second opening groove, a second light-transmitting hole is left between the second light blocking ear and the second opening groove.

[0011] Optionally, the transmitting tube has a transmitting head, which is located in the first light-transmitting hole, and the shape of the first light-transmitting hole corresponds to the shape of the transmitting head. The receiving tube has a receiving head, which is located in the first light-transmitting hole, and the shape of the second light-transmitting hole corresponds to the shape of the receiving head.

[0012] Optionally, the first cover body is provided with a plurality of positioning holes, and the second cover body is provided with a plurality of positioning posts, and the positioning posts correspond to the positioning holes one by one.

[0013] Optionally, the bottom angle of the first inclined groove is a 7-10° bevel, and the two sides of the first inclined groove have a 7-10° bevel angle, and the bottom angle of the second inclined groove is a 7-10° bevel, and the two sides of the second inclined groove have a 7-10° bevel angle.

[0014] Optionally, a rib is provided on a side of the first opening groove, and a rib is provided on a side of the second opening.

[0015] Optionally, the transmitting tube has a pin, the receiving tube has a pin, and the second cover body is provided with a through hole, and the pin passes through the through hole.

[0016] Optionally, a sealing groove is provided on the through hole of the second cover body, and a sealant is provided in the sealing groove.

[0017] Optionally, an angle adjustment column is provided at the bottom of the second cover body.

[0018] Second aspect

[0019] The present invention provides an electrical appliance, comprising the photoelectric position sensor described in the first aspect.

[0020] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: a first oblique groove is provided on the first cover, a second oblique groove is provided on the second cover, a first mounting groove and a second mounting groove are respectively provided on both sides of the second oblique groove, a transmitting tube is installed in the first mounting groove, a receiving tube is installed in the second mounting groove, a first opening groove communicating with the first oblique groove is provided on the first mounting groove, a second opening groove is provided in the second mounting groove, the first opening groove and the second opening groove are positioned opposite to each other, that is, the first opening groove and the second opening groove are on the same axis, so that the light emitted by the transmitting tube can directly irradiate the receiving tube, the light passes through the first oblique groove and the second oblique groove to form an inner cavity, a ball is placed in the first oblique groove, and the first cover body and the second cover body are connected. The cover body is closed, and the first inclined groove and the second inclined groove form an inner cavity after the first cover body and the second cover body are closed, and the ball is located in the inner cavity; after the assembly is completed, the photoelectric position sensor provided by the present invention can be installed in an electrical appliance such as an electric iron; when the electrical appliance is used forward, the ball contacts the inclined surface of the second inclined groove in the second inclined groove, and the ball changes its position by moving the inclined surface in the second inclined groove; when the electrical appliance is used inverted, the ball contacts the inclined surface of the first inclined groove in the first inclined groove, and the ball can change its position by moving the inclined surface of the first inclined groove, thereby achieving the ability to be used both upright and inverted, solving the problem that the conventional electrical appliance may not be able to accurately change its position when inverted. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The present invention is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0022] Figure 1 is an assembly schematic diagram of some embodiments;

[0023] Figure 2 are cross-sectional schematic diagrams of some embodiments;

[0024] Figure 3 is an exploded schematic diagram of some embodiments;

[0025] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the first cover structure in some embodiments;

[0026] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the second cover structure in some embodiments;

[0027] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the second cover structure in some embodiments.

[0028] Description of reference numerals:

[0029] 1. First cover body; 101. First inclined groove; 102. First light blocking ear; 103. Second light blocking ear; 104. First light transmission hole; 105. Second light transmission hole; 106. Positioning hole; 2. Second cover body; 201. Second inclined groove; 202. First mounting groove; 203. Second mounting groove; 204. First opening groove; 205. Second opening groove; 206. Positioning column; 207. Retaining edge; 208. Angle adjustment column; 209. Sealing groove; 3. Transmitting tube; 301. Transmitting head; 4. Receiving tube; 401. Receiving head; 5. Ball bearing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The following will clearly and completely describe the concept, specific structure and technical effects of the present invention in combination with the embodiments and drawings, so as to fully understand the purpose, characteristics and effects of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, other embodiments obtained by technicians in this field without creative work are all within the scope of protection of the present invention. In addition, all the connection / connection relationships involved in the patent do not refer to the direct connection of components, but refer to the formation of a better connection structure by adding or reducing connection accessories according to the specific implementation situation. The various technical features in the invention can be combined interchangeably without conflicting with each other.

[0031] The present invention provides a photoelectric position sensor, which is used in electrical appliances such as electric irons to obtain position information. The photoelectric position sensor comprises: a first cover body 1, which is provided with a first inclined slot 101; a second cover body 2, which covers the first cover body 1 and is provided with a second inclined slot 201, wherein the second inclined slot 201 and the first inclined slot 101 form an inner cavity, and a first mounting groove 202 and a second mounting groove 203 are respectively provided on both sides of the first inclined slot 101, wherein the first mounting groove 202 has a first opening groove 204 communicating with the first inclined slot 101, and the second mounting groove 203 has a second opening groove 205 communicating with the first inclined slot 101, and the second opening groove 205 corresponds to the first opening groove 204 in position, a transmitting tube 3 is provided in the first mounting groove 202, a receiving tube 4 is provided in the second mounting groove 203, and a ball 5 is provided in the inner cavity.

[0032] During implementation, a first inclined groove 101 is provided on the first cover, a second inclined groove 201 is provided on the second cover body 2, a first mounting groove 202 and a second mounting groove 203 are provided on both sides of the second inclined groove 201, a transmitting tube 3 is installed in the first mounting groove 202, a receiving tube 4 is installed in the second mounting groove 203, a first opening groove 204 communicating with the first inclined groove 101 is provided on the first mounting groove 202, a second opening groove 205 is provided in the second mounting groove 203, the first opening groove 204 and the second opening groove 205 are positioned opposite to each other, that is, the first opening groove 204 and the second opening groove 205 are on the same axis, so that the light emitted by the transmitting tube 3 can directly irradiate the receiving tube 4, the light passes through the first inclined groove 101 and the second inclined groove 201 to form an inner cavity, and a receiving tube 4 is placed in the first inclined groove 101. The ball 5 covers the first cover body 1 and the second cover body 2, and the first inclined groove 101 and the second inclined groove 201 form an inner cavity after the first cover body 1 and the second cover body 2 are covered, and the ball 5 is located in the inner cavity; after the assembly is completed, the photoelectric position sensor provided by the present invention can be installed in an electrical appliance such as an electric iron; when the electrical appliance is used forward, the ball 5 contacts the inclined surface of the second inclined groove 201 in the second inclined groove 201, and the ball 5 changes its position by moving the inclined surface in the second inclined groove 201; when the electrical appliance is used inverted, the ball 5 contacts the inclined surface of the first inclined groove 101 in the first inclined groove 101, and the ball 5 can change its position by moving the inclined surface of the first inclined groove 101, thereby realizing that it can be used upright or inverted, solving the problem that the conventional electrical appliance may not be able to accurately change its position when inverted.

[0033] Furthermore, the first cover body 1 is provided with a plurality of positioning holes 106, and the second cover body 2 is provided with a plurality of positioning posts 206. The number of the positioning holes 106 and the positioning posts 206 are the same, and the positions are also corresponding. In the present embodiment, three positioning holes 106 are provided on the first cover body 1, and three positioning posts 206 are provided on the second cover body 2. When the first cover body 1 and the second cover body 2 are covered, each positioning post 206 on the second cover body 2 passes through a positioning hole 106 on the first cover cover, thereby achieving accurate covering and positioning and avoiding position displacement when covering.

[0034] In some embodiments, a first light blocking ear 102 and a second light blocking ear 103 are provided on both sides of the first inclined groove 101. The position of the first light blocking ear 102 corresponds to the position of the first opening groove 204, and a first light-transmitting hole 104 is left between the first light blocking ear 102 and the first opening groove 204. The position of the second light blocking ear 103 corresponds to the position of the second opening groove 205, and a second light-transmitting hole 105 is left between the second light blocking ear 103 and the second opening groove 205.

[0035] During implementation, a first light-blocking ear 102 and a second light-blocking ear 103 are arranged on both sides of the first inclined groove 101, that is, on the first cover body 1. The first light-blocking ear 102 corresponds to the position of the first opening groove 204, and the second light-blocking ear 103 corresponds to the position of the second opening groove 205. That is, when the first cover body 1 and the second cover body 2 are covered, the first light-blocking ear 102 will enter the first opening groove 204 to form a first light-transmitting hole 104 in the first opening groove 204, and the second light-blocking ear 103 will enter the second opening groove 205 to form a second light-transmitting hole 105 in the second opening groove 205. The infrared light emitted by the transmitting tube 3 will pass through the first light-transmitting hole 104. The light is irradiated out, passes through the inner cavity formed by the first inclined groove 101 and the second inclined groove 201 to the second light-transmitting hole 105 and is received by the receiving tube 4. Firstly, the purpose of setting the first light-blocking ear 102 and the second light-blocking ear 103 is to prevent the light from irradiating out from between the first cover body 1 and the second cover body 2, thereby avoiding light leakage and improving the stability of the photoelectric position sensor; secondly, the formation of the first light-transmitting hole 104 and the second light-transmitting hole 105 indicates that the area of ​​the first opening groove 204 and the second opening groove 205 is reduced, which is more conducive to the ball 5 to block the light emitted from the first opening groove 204, thereby avoiding the problem of light leakage and improving the stability of the photoelectric sensor.

[0036] Furthermore, the bottom of the first opening groove 204 is set to be semicircular, the bottom of the second opening groove 205 is also set to be semicircular, the bottom of the first light blocking ear 102 is also set to be semicircular, and the bottom of the second light blocking ear 103 is also set to be semicircular. The first opening groove 204 and the first light blocking ear 102 will form a circular first light-transmitting hole 104, and similarly, the second light blocking ear 103 will form a circular second light-transmitting hole 105 between the second opening groove 205. The outer shape of the ball 5 is spherical, and the circular first light-transmitting hole 104 and the circular second light-transmitting hole 105, the shapes of the first light-transmitting hole 104 and the second light-transmitting hole 105 are similar to the cross-sectional shape of the ball 5. Both are circular, which is more conducive to light shielding for the ball 5. The side of the first opening groove 204 is provided with a rib 207, and the side of the second opening groove 205 is also provided with a rib 207. This can further reduce the area of ​​the first light-transmitting hole 104 and the area of ​​the second light-transmitting hole 105, which can also avoid light leakage and make the ball 5 form a better shielding. Moreover, the small area of ​​the first light-transmitting hole 104 and the second light-transmitting hole 105 can be convenient for the small-volume ball 5. As the ball 5 is reduced, the overall structure can also be further reduced, so that the structure of the photoelectric position sensor provided by the present invention is more miniaturized, and the miniaturized photoelectric position sensor can adapt to more different electrical appliances.

[0037] In some cases, the first light-transmitting hole 104 and the second light-transmitting hole 105 may also be in other shapes.

[0038] In some embodiments, the transmitting tube 3 has a transmitting head 301, which is located in the first light-transmitting hole 104, and the shape of the first light-transmitting hole 104 corresponds to the transmitting head 301. The receiving tube 4 has a receiving head 401, which is in the first light-transmitting hole 104, and the shape of the second light-transmitting hole 105 corresponds to the receiving head 401.

[0039] During implementation, the transmitting tube 3 is installed in the first installation groove 202, and the transmitting head 301 of the transmitting tube 3 will be located in the first light-transmitting hole 104. The shape of the first light-transmitting hole 104 corresponds to the shape of the transmitting head 301 to avoid light leakage, and the shape of the second light-transmitting hole 105 corresponds to the shape of the receiving head 401 to also avoid light leakage.

[0040] Furthermore, in the present application, both the transmitting head 301 and the receiving head 401 are circular, and correspondingly, the first light-transmitting hole 104 and the second light-transmitting hole 105 are also circular, so as to avoid light leakage.

[0041] In some embodiments, the bottom angle of an inclined groove is a 7-10° bevel, the two sides of the first inclined groove 101 are angles of 7-10° bevels, the bottom angle of the second inclined groove 201 is a 7-10° bevel, and the two sides of the second inclined groove 201 are angles of 7-10° bevels.

[0042] During implementation, a slope with an angle of 7-10° is set at the bottom of the first inclined groove 101, and hypotenuses with an angle of 7-10° are set on both sides of the first inclined groove 101, so that the cross-section of the first inclined groove 101 is trapezoidal. The trapezoidal structure is convenient for rolling and limiting the ball 5. Similarly, a slope with an angle of 7-10° is set at the bottom of the second inclined groove 201, and hypotenuses with an angle of 7-10° are set on both sides of the second inclined groove 201. The shape design of the second inclined groove 201 is the same as that of the first inclined groove 101. Regardless of whether the electrical appliance is placed upright or inverted, it can move in a space of the same shape.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the bottom angle of the first inclined groove 101 is 7°, and both sides of the first inclined groove 101 are set to 10°. The bottom angle of the second inclined groove 201 is 7°, and both sides of the second inclined groove 201 are set to 10°. The first inclined groove and the second inclined groove are set to 10°, which is suitable for side-placed product detection. When the product is placed on its side, the product ball will collide with the 10° inclined surface.

[0044] In some implementations, the transmitting tube 3 is provided with a pin, the receiving tube 4 is provided with a pin, and the second cover body 2 is provided with a through hole, through which the pin passes.

[0045] During implementation, a through hole is provided on the second cover body 2 , and the through hole is used for pins to pass through and be exposed to the outside, and the transmitting tube 3 and the receiving tube 4 are connected to external electrical components and communication components through the pins.

[0046] Specifically, the transmitting tube 3 has two pins, the receiving tube 4 has two pins, and the second cover body 2 is provided with four through holes, and each pin passes through one through hole.

[0047] In some embodiments, a sealing groove 209 is formed in the through hole of the second cover body 2 , and a sealant (not shown in the figure) is provided in the sealing groove 209 .

[0048] During implementation, a sealing groove 209 is provided at the through hole of the second cover body 2, and a sealant is provided in the sealing groove 209, so as to improve the sealing performance of the pin passing through the through hole and prevent water vapor from entering the second cover body 2 in a humid environment and hindering the rolling of the inverted ball 5.

[0049] Specifically, four balls 5 are provided on the second cover body 2, the transmitting tube 3 has two pins, the receiving tube 4 has two pins, each pin passes through a through hole, and the two through holes through which the pin of the transmitting tube 3 passes are arranged side by side, and a sealing groove 209 is provided at the two through holes of the pin of the transmitting tube 3, and a sealing groove 209 is provided at the two through holes of the pin of the receiving tube 4, that is, there are two sealing grooves 209 on the second cover body 2, and sealant is provided in each sealing groove 209.

[0050] Sometimes it is necessary to change the angle of the bottom of the first inclined groove or the angle of the bottom of the second inclined groove according to different application scenarios of the product, and achieve different sensing sensitivities by adjusting the angle. In some embodiments, an angle adjustment column 208 is provided at the bottom of the second cover body 2.

[0051] During implementation, after the photoelectric position sensor provided in this embodiment is installed in an electrical appliance, the second cover body 2 will be installed on the circuit board of the electrical appliance. For example, when the bottom angle of the first inclined surface or the second inclined surface is 10°, the second cover body 2 can be directly installed on the circuit board of the electrical appliance. The angle adjustment main body on the second cover body 2 will support the second cover body 2 so that the bottom angle of the first inclined groove 101 or the second inclined groove 201 in the second cover body 2 is maintained at 10°. When it is necessary to adjust the bottom angle of the first inclined surface or the second inclined surface to 7°, a through hole can be opened on the circuit board of the electrical appliance, and the angle adjustment column 208 is passed through the through hole. The angle adjustment column 208 no longer supports the second cover body 2, and the overall angle of the second cover body 2 is reduced, thereby reducing the bottom angle of the first inclined surface or the second inclined surface to 7°. In this way, the angle can be adjusted more conveniently without the need to add additional external structural parts.

[0052] The present invention provides an electrical appliance, comprising the photoelectric position sensor described in the above embodiment. The specific structure of the photoelectric position sensor has been described in the previous text and will not be repeated here.

[0053] The above is a specific description of the preferred implementation of the present invention, but the invention is not limited to the embodiments. Those skilled in the art can make various equivalent modifications or substitutions without violating the spirit of the present invention. These equivalent modifications or substitutions are all included in the scope defined by the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A photoelectric position sensor, characterized in that: include: The first cover body is provided with a first inclined groove; The second cover body covers the first cover body and is provided with a second oblique groove. The second oblique groove and the first oblique groove form an inner cavity. The first mounting groove and the second mounting groove are respectively provided with a first mounting groove and a second mounting groove on both sides. The first mounting groove has a first opening groove communicating with the first oblique groove, and the second mounting groove has a second opening groove communicating with the first oblique groove. The second opening groove corresponds to the first opening groove in position. A transmitting tube is provided in the first mounting groove, a receiving tube is provided in the second mounting groove, and a ball is provided in the inner cavity.

2. The photoelectric position sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first light blocking ear and a second light blocking ear are provided on both sides of the first inclined groove. The position of the first light blocking ear corresponds to the position of the first opening groove, and a first light-transmitting hole is left between the first light blocking ear and the first opening groove. The position of the second light blocking ear corresponds to the position of the second opening groove, and a second light-transmitting hole is left between the second light blocking ear and the second opening groove.

3. The photoelectric position sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that: The transmitting tube has a transmitting head, which is located in a first light-transmitting hole, and the shape of the first light-transmitting hole corresponds to the shape of the transmitting head. The receiving tube has a receiving head, which is located in the first light-transmitting hole, and the shape of the second light-transmitting hole corresponds to the shape of the receiving head.

4. The photoelectric position sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first cover body is provided with a plurality of positioning holes, and the second cover body is provided with a plurality of positioning posts, and the positioning posts correspond to the positioning holes one by one.

5. The photoelectric position sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom angle of the first inclined groove is a 7-10° inclined surface, and the two sides of the first inclined groove have an angle of 7-10° hypotenuse. The bottom angle of the second inclined groove is a 7-10° inclined surface, and the two sides of the second inclined groove have an angle of 7-10° hypotenuse.

6. The photoelectric position sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: A rib is disposed on the side of the first opening groove, and a rib is disposed on the side of the second opening.

7. The photoelectric position sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transmitting tube has a pin, the receiving tube has a pin, and the second cover body is provided with a through hole, through which the pin passes.

8. The photoelectric position sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: A sealing groove is disposed at the through hole of the second cover body, and a sealing glue is disposed in the sealing groove.

9. The photoelectric position sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: An angle adjustment column is provided at the bottom of the second cover.

10. An electrical appliance, characterized in that: A photoelectric position sensor comprising any one of claims 1 to 9.

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