Light curtain structure and light curtain sensor thereof

Abstract

The utility model relates to a light curtain structure and a light curtain sensor thereof, and the light curtain structure comprises a housing which is provided with a guide groove, two opposite sides of the inner wall of the guide groove are respectively provided with a first installation groove, and the first installation grooves extend along the length direction of the guide groove; the lens comprises a light-transmitting part and a flexible part which are integrally formed, the flexible part is arranged at the end of the light-transmitting part, the end and the flexible part are both matched with the first mounting groove, the lens is arranged in the guide groove, the end and the flexible part are both tightly inserted into the first mounting groove, and the lens is arranged in the guide groove. The width of the lens is greater than that of the guide groove; according to the utility model, the flexible material is arranged at the end part of the lens, the sealing is realized by using the elastic deformation of the flexible material, the flexible material effectively reduces the gap between the contact surfaces of the lens and the shell, and the waterproof and dustproof capabilities of the light curtain product are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of waterproof and dustproof light curtain products, in particular to a light curtain structure and a light curtain sensor thereof. Background Art

[0002] The light curtain product is a safety protection device that uses the principle of photoelectric induction to detect and control the position and movement of objects. Structurally, the light curtain product consists of a mechanical housing, an electronic circuit board installed in the mechanical housing, and accessories such as cables. The mechanical housing is mainly composed of a light-transmitting component (lens) and a shell. There is a guide groove inside the shell for installing the electronic circuit board. In actual applications, the light curtain product may be exposed to various environments, including humid, rainy or water-splashed environments. Moisture seeping into the guide groove will cause the electronic circuit board to fail and reduce the service life of the light curtain product. Therefore, in order to ensure that the light curtain product can still work normally in harsh environments, it is very important to improve the waterproof level of the light curtain product.

[0003] In the existing technology, the light curtain lens is produced by a single material through an extrusion process. A single material cannot achieve the waterproof level while ensuring light transmittance. Because when the light curtain lens is assembled with the hard light curtain circuit board housing, the contact surface between the lens and the housing is the contact between hard materials, and there is a large gap between the contact surfaces, which causes the light curtain product to fail to meet the IP65 waterproof and dustproof standard. Utility Model Content

[0004] To this end, the technical problem to be solved by the utility model is to overcome the problem in the prior art that the contact surface between the lens and the shell is the contact between hard materials, resulting in a large gap between the lens and the shell and the risk of water seepage, and further provide a light curtain structure, which effectively reduces the gap between the contact surface between the lens and the shell and improves the waterproof and dustproof capabilities of the light curtain product.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the utility model provides a light curtain structure, including a housing, which is provided with a guide groove, and first mounting grooves are provided on opposite sides of the inner wall of the guide groove, and the first mounting grooves extend along the length direction of the guide groove;

[0006] The lens comprises an integrally formed light-transmitting portion and a flexible portion, wherein the flexible portion is arranged at the end of the light-transmitting portion, and the end and the flexible portion are both matched with the first mounting groove. The lens is arranged in the guide groove, and the end and the flexible portion are both tightly inserted in the first mounting groove, and the width of the lens is greater than the width of the guide groove.

[0007] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first installation groove is configured to be in a "U" shape, and the first installation groove is inclined toward one side of the groove opening.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, the housing is provided with protrusions on both sides of the guide groove, and the first mounting groove is located on the protrusions.

[0009] In one embodiment of the utility model, the protrusion is provided with a second mounting groove, and the housing is provided with a third mounting groove in the guide groove facing the second mounting groove.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the guide groove includes a mounting cavity, and the second mounting groove and the third mounting groove are both located in the mounting cavity.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the end of the flexible portion is configured as a semicircular or elliptical structure.

[0012] In one embodiment of the utility model, the first mounting groove is composed of a first groove surface and two second groove surfaces connected to the first groove surface, and the first groove surface is set as a curved surface, and the curved surfaces match the semicircular and elliptical structures, the two second groove surfaces are set in parallel, and the second groove surfaces are set as curved surfaces or planes.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the housing is made of metal, and the flexible portion is made of flexible material.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the depth of the guide groove is greater than the width of the guide groove opening.

[0015] In order to solve the above problems, the utility model further provides a light curtain sensor, which is arranged in the installation cavity of any one of the light curtain structures described above.

[0016] The above technical solution of the utility model has the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0017] The light curtain structure described in the utility model is provided with a flexible part at the end of the lens. After the lens is installed in the guide groove, the stress generated by the outer shell causes the flexible part to undergo elastic deformation, which is used to seal the gap between the lens and the outer shell, thereby effectively improving the waterproof and dustproof capabilities of the light curtain structure; the light-transmitting part and the flexible part are integrally formed, and the flexible part is always located between the light-transmitting part and the outer shell bracket, thereby greatly improving the sealing stability of the flexible part. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to make the content of the utility model more clearly understood, the utility model is further described in detail below based on specific embodiments of the utility model in combination with the accompanying drawings.

[0019] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a side view of the light curtain structure of the utility model.

[0020] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the exploded view shown at A.

[0021] Explanation of the reference numerals in the specification: 1. housing; 2. sensor; 3. first mounting groove; 4. guide groove; 5. protrusion; 6. lens; 61. light-transmitting portion; 62. flexible portion; 7. circuit board; 8. second mounting groove; 9. third mounting groove; 91. first groove surface; 92. second groove surface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments so that those skilled in the art can better understand the present invention and implement it, but the embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0023] Example

[0024] Reference Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment of the utility model, a light curtain structure is used to install and seal a light curtain sensor 2 to achieve waterproof and dustproof of the light curtain product. The light curtain structure includes a housing 1, a guide groove 4 is provided inside the housing, a plurality of small grooves are evenly provided on the surface of the housing 1, and a "T"-shaped connecting portion is provided on the housing 1; first mounting grooves 3 are provided on opposite sides of the inner wall of the guide groove 4, and the first mounting grooves 3 extend along the length direction of the guide groove 4, and two second mounting grooves 8 are used to install the two ends of the lens 6;

[0025] The lens 6 comprises a light-transmitting portion 62 and a flexible portion 62 integrally formed by a co-extrusion process, the light-transmitting portion 62 is made of a light-transmitting material, the flexible portion 62 is made of a flexible material, the flexible portion 62 is arranged at the end of the light-transmitting portion 62 and its width is smaller than the light-transmitting portion 62, the end and the flexible portion 62 are both matched with the first mounting groove 3, the lens 6 is arranged in the guide groove 4, the end and the flexible portion 62 are both tightly inserted in the first mounting groove 3, and in order to ensure the elasticity of both sides of the guide groove 4, the width of the lens 6 is greater than the width of the guide groove 4, when installing the lens 6, the two ends of the lens 6 are squeezed into the two first guide grooves 4 by a tool, the two ends of the lens 6 push the two sides of the guide groove 4 apart, the stress generated by the housing 1 pushes the lens 6 back, the flexible portion 62 undergoes elastic deformation and seals the gap between the lens 6 and the housing 1, so as to achieve a sealing effect, after installation, the two ends of the guide groove 4 are closed by soft plastic end caps adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the guide groove 4 and glue; in this article, the length refers to the length perpendicular to the attachment Figure 1 The width refers to the direction of the line connecting the two flexible parts 62, and the depth refers to the direction of the adjacent Figure 1 Vertical direction.

[0026] In one embodiment of the present invention, referring to Figure 1As shown, in order to improve the sealing effect of the flexible portion 62 and increase the contact area between the flexible portion 62 and the first mounting groove 3, the first mounting groove 3 is set to a "U" shape; the flexible portion 62 and the end of the light-transmitting portion 91 are at an arc angle, and correspondingly, the first mounting groove 3 is inclined toward one side of the groove to adapt to the shape of the lens 6 for the convenience of the lens 6.

[0027] In one embodiment of the present invention, referring to Figure 1 As shown, the housing 1 is provided with protrusions 5 on both sides of the guide groove 4, and the first mounting groove 3 is located on the protrusions 5. On the one hand, the protrusions 5 are used to support the lens 6, and on the other hand, the protrusions 5 are used to improve the structural strength of the housing 1.

[0028] In one embodiment of the present invention, referring to Figure 1 As shown, the protrusion 5 is provided with a second mounting groove 8, and the housing 1 is provided with a third mounting groove 9 in the guide groove 4 opposite to the second mounting groove 8, and the second mounting groove 8 and the third mounting groove 9 are used to fix the two ends of the circuit board 7.

[0029] In one embodiment of the present invention, referring to Figure 1 As shown, the guide groove 4 includes an installation cavity, which is the part below the protrusion 5. The second installation groove 8 and the third installation groove 9 are both located in the installation cavity, and the installation cavity is used to install a circuit board 7, a light curtain sensor 2, etc.

[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, referring to Figure 2 As shown, the end of the flexible portion 62 is set to a semicircular structure. In other embodiments, the end of the flexible portion 62 can be set to an elliptical structure. The flexible portion 62 can be extended along the curvature of the lens 6. The purpose is to increase the contact surface between the flexible portion 62 and the first mounting groove 3, which is beneficial to improving the stability of the lens 6 and fully sealing the gap between the housing 1 and the lens 6.

[0031] In one embodiment of the present invention, referring to Figure 2 As shown, the first mounting groove 3 is composed of a first groove surface 91 and two second groove surfaces 92 connected to the first groove surface 91, and the first groove surface 91 is set as a curved surface, such as a semicircular curved surface, and the curved surfaces are matched with the semicircular and elliptical structures, the two second groove surfaces 92 are set in parallel, and the second groove surface 92 is set as a curved surface, such as an arc-shaped curved surface, and the curved surface can increase the contact area between the first mounting groove 3 and the flexible portion 62. In other embodiments, the second groove surface 92 is set as a plane.

[0032] In one embodiment of the present invention, referring to Figure 1 As shown, the housing 1 is made of metal, preferably aluminum; the flexible portion 62 is made of a flexible material, such as rubber.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, referring to Figure 1 As shown, in order to further ensure the elasticity of the housing 1 on both sides of the guide groove 4, the depth of the guide groove 4 is greater than the width of the notch of the guide groove 4, so that when the lens 6 is squeezed into the guide groove 4, the two sides of the guide groove 4 can be properly pushed open, which is conducive to the lens 6 squeezing into the guide groove 4.

[0034] To solve the above problems, the utility model also provides a light curtain sensor 2, which is arranged in the installation cavity of a light curtain structure described in any one of the items. The light curtain sensor 2 includes a transmitting end and a receiving end. When an object passes between the transmitting end and the receiving end, the light curtain sensor 2 detects information such as the position and movement of the object.

[0035] The working principle of the light curtain structure of the utility model is:

[0036] First, install the light curtain sensor 2 and the circuit board 7 in the installation cavity of the shell 1, and then install the lens 6; when installing the lens 6, use a tool to squeeze the lens 6 into the guide groove 4, and the end of the lens 6 and the flexible part 62 are inserted into the first installation groove 3, the lens 6 opens the two sides of the guide groove 4, the shell 1 generates stress and pushes back the flexible part 62 of the lens 6, and the flexible part 62 of the lens 6 is squeezed by the shell 1 to elastically deform and seal the gap between the shell 1 and the lens 6. After the lens 6 is in place, it is sealed with a flexible plastic end cover that is adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the guide groove 4 and glue to achieve the IP65 effect. In actual applications, the light curtain structure and the light curtain sensor 2 inside it are installed in the detection environment, and a light curtain sensor 2 receiver is set opposite to the light curtain sensor 2 to receive the signal sent by the light curtain sensor 2.

[0037] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely examples for the purpose of clear explanation and are not intended to limit the implementation methods. For those skilled in the art, other different forms of changes or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is not necessary and impossible to list all the implementation methods here. The obvious changes or modifications derived from these are still within the scope of protection of the invention of the utility model.

Claims

1. A light curtain structure, characterized in that: include, The housing is provided with a guide groove, and first mounting grooves are provided on opposite sides of the inner wall of the guide groove, and the first mounting grooves extend along the length direction of the guide groove; The lens comprises an integrally formed light-transmitting portion and a flexible portion, wherein the flexible portion is arranged at the end of the light-transmitting portion, and the end and the flexible portion are both matched with the first mounting groove. The lens is arranged in the guide groove, and the end and the flexible portion are both tightly inserted in the first mounting groove, and the width of the lens is greater than the width of the guide groove.

2. A light curtain structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first mounting groove is configured to be in a "U" shape, and the first mounting groove is configured to be inclined toward one side of the groove opening.

3. A light curtain structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing is provided with protrusions on both sides of the guide groove, and the first mounting groove is located on the protrusions.

4. A light curtain structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The protrusion is provided with a second mounting groove, and the housing is provided with a third mounting groove in the guide groove facing the second mounting groove.

5. A light curtain structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The guide groove includes a mounting cavity, and the second mounting groove and the third mounting groove are both located in the mounting cavity.

6. A light curtain structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The end portion of the flexible portion is arranged in a semicircular or elliptical structure.

7. A light curtain structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first mounting groove is composed of a first groove surface and two second groove surfaces connected to the first groove surface, and the first groove surface is set as a curved surface, and the curved surfaces match the semicircular and elliptical structures, the two second groove surfaces are set in parallel, and the second groove surfaces are set as a curved surface or a plane.

8. A light curtain structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shell is made of metal, and the flexible part is made of flexible material.

9. A light curtain structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The depth of the guide groove is greater than the width of the guide groove opening.

10. A light curtain sensor, characterized in that: It also includes a light curtain structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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