Sensor system

Abstract

To provide a sensor system capable of enhancing usefulness of an indicator lamp.SOLUTION: A sensor system 1 includes a sensor head 10 that detects a physical quantity, and a sensor amplifier 20 that is connected to the sensor head and receives the physical quantity detected by the sensor head to output a determination result, the sensor system further including an error detection unit that detects an error occurring in the sensor head and the sensor amplifier, and three or more indicator lamps, wherein when no error is detected by the error detection unit, one or more of the three or more indicator lamps are turned on in a display color unique to the indicator lamp in accordance with three or more states corresponding to the determination result. When an error is detected by the error detection unit, the three or more display lamps are synchronized and blink in a predetermined display color different from the unique display color.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a sensor unit equipped with an indicator light. This indicator light turns on when the sensor unit detects a workpiece or when the sensor unit detects an error. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-82775 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the sensor unit of Patent Document 1, the indicator light is turned on only when the sensor unit detects a workpiece or when some kind of error occurs in the sensor unit, so it cannot be said that the indicator light is being used effectively.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a sensor system that can increase the usefulness of an indicator light. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A sensor system according to one aspect of the present invention is a sensor system including a sensor head that detects a physical quantity, and a sensor amplifier connected to the sensor head that receives the physical quantity detected by the sensor head and outputs a determination result, and is also equipped with an error detection unit that detects errors that occur in the sensor head and the sensor amplifier, and three or more indicator lights, and when no error is detected by the error detection unit, one or more of the three or more indicator lights light up in a display color unique to the indicator light depending on three or more states corresponding to the determination result, and when an error is detected by the error detection unit, the three or more indicator lights flash in a predetermined display color different from the unique display color in synchronization.

[0007] According to this aspect, errors that occur in the sensor head that detects a physical quantity and the sensor amplifier that receives the physical quantity detected by the sensor head and outputs a judgment result are detected, and when no error is detected, one or more of the three or more indicator lights are lit in a display color specific to that indicator light depending on three or more states corresponding to the judgment result, while when an error is detected, the three or more indicator lights are synchronized and made to flash in a predetermined display color different from the display color specific to each indicator light.

[0008] This allows the user to visually check whether an error has occurred in the sensor head or the sensor amplifier by looking at the display status of three or more indicator lights. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sensor system that can increase the usefulness of an indicator light. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of a sensor system according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a displacement sensor. [Figure 3]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a display of the displacement sensor. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a display of the displacement sensor. [Figure 5] 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining the display states of the indicator lights under normal conditions; [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the display states of the indicator lights when an abnormality occurs. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a top view of a sensor amplifier. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a front view of a sensor amplifier. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the installation state of three indicator lights. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the three indicator lamps with the light guides removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, components with the same reference numerals have the same or similar configurations.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of a sensor system according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, a case where the sensor system is configured using an optical displacement sensor will be described. Note that the detection principle of the sensors that configure the sensor system does not need to be limited to optical displacement sensors. For example, a linear proximity sensor, an ultrasonic displacement sensor, or a contact-type displacement sensor may be used, as long as it is a sensor that detects a physical quantity.

[0013] The displacement sensor 1 is an optical displacement sensor, and includes a sensor head 10 and a sensor amplifier 20. The sensor head 10 and the sensor amplifier 20 are connected via a cable.

[0014] The displacement sensor 1 projects laser light from the sensor head 10 onto the object and receives the light reflected from the object, thereby measuring the amount of displacement of the object's surface based on the principle of triangulation. Note that the amount of displacement measured is the distance from the sensor head 10 to the object's surface, and the distance can be output as detection data.

[0015] The sensor amplifier 20 is provided with a display 23a, which will be described later, and the sensor head 10 and the sensor amplifier 20 are provided with a plurality of indicator lights 23b to 23f, which will be described later, in a distributed manner.

[0016] Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the displacement sensor 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the displacement sensor 1 includes a light projecting unit 11, a light receiving unit 12, a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a display unit 23, an operation unit 24, and an input / output interface 25.

[0017] The light-projecting unit 11 projects light onto an object. The light-projecting unit 11 includes, for example, a light-projecting element and a light-projection control circuit. The light-projecting element is, for example, a laser diode. The light-projection control circuit controls the driving of the light-projecting element based on a command from the control unit 21. Specifically, the light-projection control circuit outputs a drive signal to the light-projecting element based on a control signal from the control unit 21 to control, for example, the intensity (power) of the light, the light-projection period, the light-projection cycle or interval, and the timing. The light-projecting element is driven by the drive signal to emit light.

[0018] The light receiving unit 12 receives light reflected by an object and outputs a received light waveform (electrical signal). The light receiving unit 12 includes, for example, an imaging element, a signal processing circuit, and an A / D conversion circuit. The imaging element is, for example, a CMOS image sensor and includes a plurality of pixels. Each pixel outputs a received light waveform according to the amount of light it receives. The signal processing circuit controls the operation timing of the imaging element based on instructions from the control unit 21, and outputs the received light waveform output from the imaging element to the A / D conversion circuit. The A / D conversion circuit analog-to-digital converts the input received light waveform and outputs it to the control unit 21.

[0019] The control unit 21 is, for example, a CPU. Based on a program and setting data stored in the storage unit 22, the control unit 21 causes the light projecting unit 11 to emit laser light and operates the light receiving unit 12 in synchronization with the emission timing to receive the light reflected from the target. Then, the control unit 21 executes various processes based on the received light waveform output from the light receiving unit 12, and measures values ​​such as the displacement of the target.

[0020] The control unit 21 controls the content to be displayed on the display unit 23 and the content of data to be output from the input / output interface 25 to the outside, based on the results of executing various processes.

[0021] The control unit 21 according to the present embodiment exemplarily functions as an error detection unit, a screen generation unit, a determination unit, and a display control unit. Each of these functions will be described below.

[0022] The error detection unit detects a plurality of errors that occur in the sensor head 10 and the sensor amplifier 20, respectively.

[0023] The screen generator generates a screen to be displayed on the display 23a based on the error detected by the error detector. The screen to be displayed on the display 23a includes, for example, an error notification screen and a solution screen.

[0024] The error notification screen is a screen for notifying a detected error. The solution screen is a screen for notifying a solution corresponding to the detected error. Solution methods corresponding to errors are stored in the storage unit 22 for each error. Therefore, the screen generation unit reads out the solution method corresponding to the detected error from the storage unit 22 and generates the solution screen. Details of the error notification screen and the solution screen will be described later.

[0025] The determination unit determines the detection state based on the physical quantity detected by the sensor head 10. The detection state that is the determination result can include, for example, the following states (a) to (c).

[0026] (a) A state indicating that the physical quantity detected by the sensor head 10 is equal to or greater than a predetermined upper limit (hereinafter also referred to as a "High state").

[0027] (b) A state indicating that the physical quantity detected by the sensor head 10 is equal to or less than a predetermined lower limit (hereinafter also referred to as a "Low state").

[0028] (c) A state indicating that the physical quantity detected by the sensor head 10 is smaller than a predetermined upper limit value and larger than a predetermined lower limit value (hereinafter also referred to as a "Pass state").

[0029] The display control unit controls the display states of the indicator lights 23b to 23f based on the detected error and the result of the determination. The display states of the indicator lights 23b to 23f will be described in detail later.

[0030] The storage unit 22 is, for example, a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM, etc. Specifically, the storage unit 22 stores the program executed by the control unit 21, information on setting items such as setting items and setting contents of the displacement sensor 1, information on errors, information on how to deal with errors, and display state information of the indicator lamps.

[0031] The display unit 23 includes a display 23a (dot matrix display) such as an organic light emitting diode (OLED) and a plurality of indicator lights 23b to 23f such as light emitting diodes (LEDs). The display 23a displays information to be presented to the user, such as the detection results of the displacement sensor 1, information related to the setting items including the setting items and setting contents of the displacement sensor 1, an error notification screen, and a troubleshooting screen.

[0032] The arrangement of the plurality of indicator lights 23b to 23f and the role of each of the indicator lights 23b to 23f can be designed appropriately for each displacement sensor 1.

[0033] The operation unit 24 is configured with a plurality of buttons 24a, and allows the user to input information and instructions to the displacement sensor 1. The layout of the plurality of buttons and the functions assigned to each button can be designed appropriately for each displacement sensor 1.

[0034] The input / output interface 25 is an interface with a device external to the displacement sensor 1. An example of the external device is a programmable logic controller (PLC). The input / output interface 25 is configured to exchange data and signals with the external device, and controls communication with the external device. The data output to the external device also includes physical quantities detected by the sensor head 10.

[0035] 3 and 4, the error notification screen De and the solution method screen Dh displayed on the display 23a will be described. The error notification screen De and the solution method screen Dh are displayed alternately on the display 23a at a predetermined interval when an error is detected in the sensor head 10 and the sensor amplifier 20.

[0036] Here, because the error notification screen De and the solution screen Dh each display characters, it is necessary to make it easy for the user to read the alternating characters. Therefore, it is preferable to set the predetermined cycle longer than when simply notifying the type of error by blinking an LED at a fixed cycle. Specifically, the display time of the error notification screen De can be 1.5 seconds, the display time of the solution screen Dh can be 1.5 seconds, and the display cycle of the two screens (OLED) can be 3 seconds, but this is not limited to this, and it is preferable to set the display cycle in the range of 2 to 4 seconds. On the other hand, it is preferable to set the blinking cycle of the LED in the range of 0.3 to 1 second.

[0037] The error notification screen De displays information that identifies the error. The information that identifies the error may include, for example, an error name or an error number. The error notification screen De in FIG. 3 displays "Error AMP-Memory" as the information that identifies the error. The error notification screen De in FIG. 4 displays "Error AMP-Com01" as the information that identifies the error.

[0038] The troubleshooting screen Dh displays how to deal with the error. If it is necessary to check the manual for the troubleshooting method, a message urging the user to check the manual may be displayed as the troubleshooting method. The troubleshooting screen Dh in Figure 3 displays "Push Mode 3sec for Init" as a troubleshooting method for the error. The troubleshooting screen Dh in Figure 4 displays "Refer to the manual" as a troubleshooting method for the error.

[0039] By referring to the error notification screen De in Figure 3, the user can recognize that an error has occurred in the memory of the sensor amplifier 20, and by referring to the troubleshooting screen Dh in Figure 3, the user can understand that the error can be resolved by pressing the Mode button on the sensor amplifier for 3 seconds to initialize it.

[0040] Furthermore, by referring to the error notification screen De in FIG. 4, the user can recognize that an error has occurred in the sensor amplifier 20, and by referring to the troubleshooting screen Dh in FIG. 4, the user can understand that checking the manual is necessary to deal with the error. In the manual, the user can also see that they should refer to the "Com01" item for the sensor amplifier. This "Com01" is the error number. A unique error number is assigned for each error content. Therefore, by registering detailed error content in association with an error number, it is possible to check the detailed error content associated with the specified error number by specifying the error number.

[0041] The display states of the indicator lights 23b to 23f will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. The following description will be divided into (1) the display state in a normal state (see Figure 5) and (2) the display state in an abnormal state (see Figure 6).

[0042] (1) Display state during normal operation: When no errors are detected in the sensor head 10 and the sensor amplifier 20, the three indicator lights 23b, 23c, and 23d of the sensor amplifier 20 and the two indicator lights 23e and 23f of the sensor head 10 are in the display state shown in Fig. 5. This will be explained in detail below.

[0043] When no error is detected by the error detection unit, the display control unit lights up one of the three indicator lights 23b, 23c, and 23d of the sensor amplifier 20 in a unique display color depending on the detection state determined by the determination unit. Note that, depending on the detection state, one or more of the three indicator lights 23b, 23c, and 23d may be lighted up in a unique display color. For example, when the detection state corresponds to two states simultaneously, two indicator lights corresponding to the two states may be displayed.

[0044] For example, when the detection state is a High state, the indicator light 23b of the sensor amplifier 20 is lit in orange, which is the display color specific to the indicator light 23b, and the two indicator lights 23e and 23f of the sensor head 10 are also lit in orange.

[0045] If the detection state is a Pass state, the indicator light 23c of the sensor amplifier 20 is lit in green, which is the display color specific to the indicator light 23c, and the two indicator lights 23e and 23f of the sensor head 10 are also lit in green.

[0046] When the detection state is a Low state, the indicator light 23d of the sensor amplifier 20 is illuminated in orange, which is the display color specific to the indicator light 23d, and the two indicator lights 23e and 23f of the sensor head 10 are also illuminated in orange.

[0047] Furthermore, when the setting items of the sensor amplifier 20 are being set, the three indicator lights 23b to 23d of the sensor amplifier 20 are turned off, and the two indicator lights 23e and 23f of the sensor head 10 are made to flash in blue.

[0048] (2) Display state during abnormality: When an error is detected in the sensor head 10 and the sensor amplifier 20, the three indicator lights 23b, 23c, and 23d of the sensor amplifier 20 and the two indicator lights 23e and 23f of the sensor head 10 are in the display state shown in Fig. 6. This will be explained in detail below.

[0049] When an error is detected by the error detection unit, the display control unit synchronizes the three indicator lights 23b, 23c, and 23d of the sensor amplifier 20 and causes them to flash in a predetermined display color different from the display colors inherent to the indicator lights 23b, 23c, and 23d.

[0050] For example, if the detected error is a malfunction of the sensor head 10, the three indicator lights 23b, 23c, and 23d of the sensor amplifier 20 are caused to flash in red, which is different from the display color inherent to the indicator lights 23b, 23c, and 23d, and the two indicator lights 23e and 23f of the sensor head 10 are also caused to flash in red. When causing the indicator lights 23b to 23f to flash in red, it is preferable to synchronize the flashing states of the indicator lights 23b to 23f.

[0051] If the detected error is something other than a malfunction of the sensor head 10, the three indicator lights 23b, 23c, and 23d of the sensor amplifier 20 are made to flash in red, which is different from the display color inherent to the indicator lights 23b, 23c, and 23d, and the two indicator lights 23e and 23f of the sensor head 10 are turned off. When making the indicator lights 23b, 23c, and 23d flash in red, it is preferable to synchronize the flashing states of the indicator lights 23b, 23c, and 23d.

[0052] 6 illustrates an example of an error notification screen 6a corresponding to an error detected by the error detection unit and a solution screen 6b corresponding to the error. In FIG. 6, the error notification screen is displayed with a black background, and the solution screen is displayed with a white background. The background colors of the screens are not limited to this, and the error notification screen may be displayed with a white background, and the solution screen may be displayed with a black background.

[0053] [Configuration of indicator lights 23b, 23c, and 23d] An example of the configuration of the three indicator lights 23b, 23c, and 23d of the sensor amplifier 20 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0054] Fig. 7 is an example of a top view of the sensor amplifier 20, and Fig. 8 is an example of a front view of the sensor amplifier 20. Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the attachment state of the three indicator lights 23b, 23c, and 23d, and Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the three indicator lights 23b, 23c, and 23d with the light-guiding unit G removed.

[0055] 7 to 10, the three indicator lights 23b, 23c, and 23d are arranged adjacent to each other. The three indicator lights 23b, 23c, and 23d are located at the corners of the housing of the sensor amplifier 20 and protrude from the housing. This allows the range in which the display states of the indicator lights 23b, 23c, and 23d can be confirmed to be expanded in many directions.

[0056] 9, each of indicator lights 23b, 23c, and 23d includes a light-emitting section L and a light-guiding section G. Light-emitting section L is composed of two light-emitting diodes. This allows each of indicator lights 23b, 23c, and 23d to emit a display color unique to that indicator light 23b, 23c, and 23d, as well as a display color different from the unique display color.

[0057] The number of light-emitting diodes provided for each indicator light is not limited to two, and one light-emitting diode that emits light in two or more colors may be provided for each indicator light.

[0058] 10, a light-blocking portion S for blocking light is provided between each of the indicator lights 23b, 23c, and 23d, so that the colors emitted by the indicator lights 23b, 23c, and 23d do not mix, and each color can be emitted clearly.

[0059] As described above, the displacement sensor 1 according to the embodiment detects errors that occur in the sensor head 10 and the sensor amplifier 20, and when no error is detected, one of the three indicator lights 23b, 23c, and 23d is illuminated in a display color specific to that indicator light according to the three states corresponding to the judgment result, whereas when an error is detected, the three indicator lights 23b, 23c, and 23d are synchronized to flash in a predetermined display color different from the display colors specific to the three indicator lights.

[0060] This allows the user to visually check whether an error has occurred in the sensor head 10 or the sensor amplifier 20 by looking at the display states of the three indicator lights 23b, 23c, and 23d.

[0061] Furthermore, if the detected error is a malfunction of the sensor head 10, in addition to the three indicator lights 23b, 23c, and 23d, the two indicator lights 23e and 23f of the sensor head 10 can also be made to flash in red. This makes it possible for the user to easily determine that the location of the error is the sensor head 10.

[0062] Therefore, the displacement sensor 1 according to the embodiment can improve the usefulness of the indicator light.

[0063] The above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The elements of the embodiments, as well as their arrangement, materials, conditions, shapes, sizes, etc., are not limited to those exemplified and can be modified as appropriate.

[0064] In the above-described embodiment, the sensor amplifier 20 is provided with three indicator lights 23b, 23c, and 23d corresponding to the three detection states that are the determination results of the determination unit, but the number of determination results and indicator lights provided on the sensor amplifier 20 are not limited to this. For example, if there are four or more determination results, the sensor amplifier 20 may be provided with four or more indicator lights to match the number of determination results.

[0065] As a specific example, a case will be described in which the following five detection states (A) to (E) are determined as the determination results by the determination unit. In this case, five indicator lights will be provided.

[0066] (A) A state indicating that the detected physical quantity is equal to or greater than a predetermined upper limit. (B) A state indicating that the detected physical quantity is below a predetermined lower limit. (C) A state indicating that the detected physical quantity is smaller than a predetermined upper limit value and equal to or greater than the intermediate value on the upper limit side. (D) A state indicating that the detected physical quantity is greater than a predetermined lower limit value and is equal to or less than the intermediate value on the lower limit side. (E) A state in which the detected physical quantity is smaller than the intermediate value on the upper limit side and larger than the intermediate value on the lower limit side.

[0067] The display control unit lights up one or more of the five indicator lights in a specific display color according to the detection states (A) to (E) above. Furthermore, when an error is detected, the display control unit flashes the five indicator lights in a predetermined display color different from the specific display color.

[0068] [Note] Aspects of this embodiment include the following disclosure.

[0069] (Appendix 1) A sensor system including a sensor head that detects a physical quantity, and a sensor amplifier that is connected to the sensor head, receives the physical quantity detected by the sensor head, and outputs a determination result, an error detection unit that detects errors occurring in the sensor head and the sensor amplifier; three or more indicator lights; The three or more indicator lights are: When no error is detected by the error detection unit, one or more of the indicator lights are lit in a specific display color according to three or more states corresponding to the judgment result, When an error is detected by the error detection unit, the three or more indicator lights flash in a predetermined display color different from the unique display color in synchronization. Sensor system (1).

[0070] (Appendix 2) The three or more indicator lights are arranged adjacently. 1. The sensor system (1) of claim 1.

[0071] (Appendix 3) the three or more indicator lights are located at corners of a housing of the sensor amplifier and protrude from the housing; The sensor system (1) according to appendix 1 or 2.

[0072] (Appendix 4) The three or more states include a state indicating that the physical quantity detected by the sensor head is equal to or greater than a predetermined upper limit value, a state indicating that the physical quantity detected by the sensor head is equal to or less than a predetermined lower limit value, and a state indicating that the physical quantity detected by the sensor head is smaller than the upper limit value and larger than the lower limit value. A sensor system (1) according to any one of appendices 1 to 3.

[0073] (Appendix 5) The detection principle of the sensor head is an optical displacement sensor. A sensor system (1) according to any one of appendices 1 to 4. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1...displacement sensor, 10...sensor head, 11...light-emitting unit, 12...light-receiving unit, 20...sensor amplifier, 21...control unit, 22...storage unit, 23...display unit, 23a...display, 23b to 23f...indicator lights, 24...operation unit, 24a...button, 25...input / output interface, De...error notification screen, Dh...solution method screen, G...light-guiding unit, L...light-emitting unit, S...light-shielding unit

Claims

1. A sensor system including a sensor head that detects a physical quantity, and a sensor amplifier that is connected to the sensor head, receives the physical quantity detected by the sensor head, and outputs a determination result, an error detection unit that detects errors occurring in the sensor head and the sensor amplifier; three or more indicator lights; The three or more indicator lights are: When no error is detected by the error detection unit, one or more of the indicator lights are lit in a specific display color according to three or more states corresponding to the judgment result, When an error is detected by the error detection unit, the three or more indicator lights flash in a predetermined display color different from the unique display color in synchronization. Sensor system.

2. The three or more indicator lights are arranged adjacently. The sensor system of claim 1 .

3. the three or more indicator lights are located at corners of a housing of the sensor amplifier and protrude from the housing; The sensor system of claim 1 .

4. The three or more states include a state indicating that the physical quantity detected by the sensor head is equal to or greater than a predetermined upper limit value, a state indicating that the physical quantity detected by the sensor head is equal to or less than a predetermined lower limit value, and a state indicating that the physical quantity detected by the sensor head is smaller than the upper limit value and larger than the lower limit value. The sensor system of claim 1 .

5. The detection principle of the sensor head is an optical displacement sensor. The sensor system of claim 1 .

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