Photoelectric Sensor

Abstract

To provide a photoelectronic sensor which can secure visibility and operability.SOLUTION: A photoelectronic sensor 10 includes a housing 11 formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 11 has a housing upper surface 11a having a rectangular shape. The housing upper surface 11a includes: an operation part 16 including multiple operation buttons 16a to 16d; and a display 50 which is arranged side by side with the operation part 16 in a longer side direction (X direction) of the housing upper surface 11a. The display 50 has a display part 51 and a connection part 52. The display part 51 is arranged in the longer side direction of the housing upper surface 11a relative to the operation part 16. The connection part 52 is arranged side by side with the display part 51 in a shorter side direction of the housing upper surface 11a (Y direction).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to photoelectric sensors. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, sensors used for detecting objects, etc., have a light-emitting unit that emits light and a light-receiving unit that receives the light emitted from the light-emitting unit, and detect the presence or absence of an object according to the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit. The photoelectric sensor displays the amount of received light, a threshold value to be compared with the amount of received light, etc. on a display unit. The display unit is composed of a 7-segment LED (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The detection sensor has an operation key for switching the display.

[0003] In recent years, photoelectric switches equipped with dot matrix displays have also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Photoelectric switches are equipped with a reception unit that receives operations for setting threshold values ​​and the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-110372 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-061885 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, a user operates the reception unit by hand. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure ease of operation. Furthermore, a user may visually check the values ​​displayed on the display and operate the selection switch or reception unit to change the threshold value, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure the visibility of the displayed values.

[0006] For example, in the above-mentioned photoelectric switch, a connection portion for the display is provided between the display and the receiving portion. Therefore, if one tries to ensure visibility, it becomes difficult to ensure operability, and vice versa. Furthermore, in the above-mentioned photoelectric sensor, if one tries to ensure operability and visibility, the size of the sensor itself may become large. If one tries to prevent the increase in the size of the sensor itself, it becomes difficult to ensure visibility and operability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A photoelectric sensor that solves the above problem includes a housing formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and having a rectangular first surface, a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit arranged within the housing, an operation unit provided on the first surface and including a plurality of operation buttons configured to be operable by an operator, a display unit arranged within the housing and having a display surface facing the same direction as the first surface, the display unit including a dot-matrix type display unit arranged adjacent to the operation unit in the longitudinal direction of the first surface, and a connection unit arranged adjacent to the display unit in the lateral direction of the first surface, a substrate arranged within the housing and having first and second main surfaces facing opposite each other in the lateral direction, and a control circuit mounted on the substrate and displaying the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit on the display unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, a photoelectric sensor that can ensure visibility and operability can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a photoelectric sensor according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a top view of the photoelectric sensor of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the photoelectric sensor of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial top view showing the connection state between the display and the board. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is a partial side view showing the connection state between the display and the substrate. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the display device housed in the housing. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a display. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a connection state between the display and the substrate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An embodiment of a photoelectric sensor will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For simplicity and clarity of explanation, components shown in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Also, hatching lines may be omitted in cross-sectional views to facilitate understanding. The accompanying drawings merely illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure. Terms such as "first," "second," and "third" in the present disclosure are used merely to distinguish between objects and are not used to rank the objects.

[0011] The following detailed description includes devices, systems, and methods embodying example embodiments of the present disclosure. This detailed description is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the embodiments of the present disclosure or the application and uses of such embodiments.

[0012] The phrase "at least one" as used herein means "one or more" of the desired options. As an example, the phrase "at least one" as used herein means "only one option" or "both of two options" when the number of options is two. As another example, the phrase "at least one" as used herein means "only one option" or "any combination of two or more options" when the number of options is three or more.

[0013] (Photoelectric sensor appearance) 1 and 2 show a photoelectric sensor 10 according to one embodiment. The photoelectric sensor 10 includes a housing 11. The housing 11 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. In this specification, "rectangular parallelepiped shape" includes shapes in which the corners and ridges are chamfered, shapes in which the corners and ridges are rounded, and shapes in which recesses are formed in some or all of the corners and ridges. In addition, unevenness may be formed on some or all of the faces. In addition, in a "rectangular parallelepiped shape," the faces facing opposite each other do not necessarily need to be perfectly parallel, and may be slightly inclined.

[0014] The housing 11 has a housing top surface 11a, a housing bottom surface 11b, a first side surface 11c, a second side surface 11d, a first end surface 11e, and a second end surface 11f. Each surface 11a to 11f is rectangular. The housing top surface 11a and the housing bottom surface 11b face in opposite directions. The direction in which the housing top surface 11a faces is the height direction of the photoelectric sensor 10, which is defined as the Z direction. Two directions that are perpendicular to the Z direction and perpendicular to each other are defined as the X direction and the Y direction, respectively. The housing 11 is shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped that is longer in the X direction than the Y direction and the Z direction. The housing top surface 11a is shaped like a rectangle that is longer in the X direction. This X direction is also the longitudinal direction of the housing top surface 11a. The Y direction is also the lateral direction of the housing top surface 11a. The housing top surface 11a corresponds to the first surface.

[0015] The first side surface 11c and the second side surface 11d face opposite each other in the short-side direction (Y direction) of the housing top surface 11a. The first end surface 11e and the second end surface 11f face opposite each other in the long-side direction (X direction) of the housing top surface 11a. In this specification, the term "rectangular parallelepiped" includes shapes with chamfered corners and ridges, shapes with rounded corners and ridges, and shapes with recesses formed in some or all of the corners and ridges. In addition, unevenness may be formed on some or all of the faces. In addition, in a "rectangular parallelepiped" shape, the faces facing opposite each other do not necessarily need to be completely parallel, and may be slightly inclined.

[0016] The housing 11 has two fiber insertion ports 12A, 12B on the first end face 11e. The two fiber insertion ports 12A, 12B are arranged side by side in the Z direction. A light-projecting optical fiber 90A is inserted into the fiber insertion port 12A. A light-receiving optical fiber 90B is inserted into the fiber insertion port 12B. The housing 11 has a fiber holding operation lever 13 on the housing top surface 11a on the first end face 11e side. The photoelectric sensor 10 is configured to be able to hold the optical fibers 90A, 90B inserted into the fiber insertion ports 12A, 12B by operating the fiber holding operation lever 13. The photoelectric sensor 10 is also configured to be able to insert and remove the optical fibers 90A, 90B from the fiber insertion ports 12A, 12B by operating the fiber holding operation lever 13.

[0017] The photoelectric sensor 10 is provided on the housing top surface 11a with a fiber holding operation lever 13, an operation indicator light 14, a display area 15, and an operation unit 16. The fiber holding operation lever 13, the operation indicator light 14, the display area 15, and the operation unit 16 are arranged in this order on the housing top surface 11a from the first end face 11e side toward the second end face 11f side. In other words, it can be said that the photoelectric sensor 10 is provided with the display area 15 and the operation unit 16 arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction of the housing top surface 11a.

[0018] The operation unit 16 is configured to be operable by an operator. The photoelectric sensor 10 displays the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit in the display area 15. The photoelectric sensor 10 also displays a set threshold value in the display area 15. The photoelectric sensor 10 stores the threshold value set in response to operation of the operation unit 16. The photoelectric sensor 10 compares the amount of light received with the threshold value and determines the presence or absence of an object in response to the comparison result. The photoelectric sensor 10 turns on or off the operation indicator light 14 in response to the determination result. The photoelectric sensor 10 notifies the operator of the determination result by means of this operation indicator light 14.

[0019] The housing 11 has a cable connection portion 17 on the side of the second end face 11f. A plurality of connector pins 17a are arranged in the cable connection portion 17 so as to protrude from the housing 11. An external cable is connected to the plurality of connector pins 17a. The external cable can include at least one of a power cable that supplies power to the photoelectric sensor 10, an input signal cable that inputs a signal to the photoelectric sensor 10, and an output signal cable that outputs a signal from the photoelectric sensor 10.

[0020] The housing 11 has a mounting recess 18 formed on the housing bottom surface 11b. The mounting recess 18 is recessed from the housing bottom surface 11b toward the housing top surface 11a. The photoelectric sensor 10 is fixed to a fixed rail (not shown) that is inserted into the mounting recess 18. As shown in FIG. 2, the multiple photoelectric sensors 10 are arranged in the Y direction (thickness direction of the housing 11) and fixed Can be fixed to the rail.

[0021] The photoelectric sensor 10 also includes an operation unit cover 19. The operation unit cover 19 is rotatably supported by a support member 19a provided on the second end surface 11f. The operation unit cover 19 is positioned as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, and is formed to cover only the operation unit 16.

[0022] (Photoelectric sensor housing and internal structure) 2, the housing 11 includes a first case 30 and a second case 60 that are divided in the Y direction, and a cover member 80 that is attached to the first case 30 and the second case 60. The upper surface of the cover member 80 forms the housing upper surface 11a of the housing 11 described above.

[0023] The first case 30 has a first side surface 11c, and the second case 60 has a second side surface 11d. The first case 30 has a display upper panel 31 extending in the Y direction from the upper end of the first side surface 11c. The display upper panel 31 has an opening 31a that penetrates the display upper panel 31 in the Z direction. The opening 31a is formed so as to expose characters and the like displayed on the display unit 51 of the display device 50. The opening 31a forms a display area corresponding to the display unit 51.

[0024] As shown in Figures 2, 5, and 6, the first case 30 has a display unit support plate 32 that is arranged lower in the Z direction than the display unit top plate 31. As shown in Figure 5, the display unit support plate 32 is connected to the display unit top plate 31 by connecting portions 33a and 33b provided at both ends in the X direction. A storage recess 34 is defined by the display unit top plate 31, the display unit support plate 32, and the connecting portions 33a and 33b. The display unit 51 and connecting portion 52 of the display device 50 are housed in the storage recess 34. The position of the display device 50 in the X direction is restricted by the connecting portions 33a and 33b.

[0025] Two pressing portions 35a, 35b that protrude toward the display unit upper plate 31 are formed on the upper surface 32a of the display unit support plate 32 that defines the accommodation recess 34. The two pressing portions 35a, 35b are arranged side by side in the X direction. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the two pressing portions 35a, 35b press the display surface 50a of the display 50 accommodated in the accommodation recess 34 toward the display unit upper plate 31. The position of the display 50 in the Z direction is restricted by the pressing portions 35a, 35b. The display surface 50a of the display 50 is in close contact with the display unit upper plate 31.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, a fiber holding portion 41 is disposed in the first case 30. The fiber holding portion 41 is formed by assembling the second case 60 to the first case 30. withThe fiber holding part 41 is configured to hold optical fibers 90A, 90B (see FIG. 1) that are inserted into fiber insertion ports 12A, 12B of the second case 60. The fiber holding part 41 is also configured to enable insertion and removal of the optical fibers 90A, 90B (see FIG. 1) by operating a fiber holding operation lever 13.

[0027] The fiber holding part 41 is provided with a light-projecting part 42 and a light-receiving part 43 shown in Fig. 2. The light-projecting part 42 is arranged so as to project light onto an optical fiber 90A (see Fig. 1) held by the fiber holding part 41 shown in Fig. 3. The light-receiving part 43 is arranged so as to receive light emitted from an optical fiber 90B (see Fig. 1) held by the fiber holding part 41 shown in Fig. 3.

[0028] 3, a shield plate 44 is disposed inside the housing 11. The shield plate 44 is disposed between the control board 45 and the housing 11. As shown in FIG. 3, a control board 45 is disposed in the first case 30. The control board 45 has a first main surface 45a and a second main surface 45b facing the opposite side from the first main surface. The control board 45 is disposed so that the first main surface 45a and the second main surface 45b face in the Y direction, which is the short-side direction of the housing 11. The first main surface 45a faces in the same direction as the second side surface 11d of the housing 11. In other words, the first main surface 45a faces toward the second case 60. The second main surface 45b faces in the same direction as the first side surface 11c. In other words, the second main surface 45b faces toward the first case 30.

[0029] The control board 45 is assembled from the second case 60 side toward the first case 30, and is screwed to the fiber holding part 41. A control circuit 46 is mounted on the first main surface 45a of the control board 45. The control circuit 46 controls the light emitting part 42 and the light receiving part 43. The control circuit 46 stores various information such as threshold values. The control circuit 46 displays the amount of light received by the light receiving part 43 on the display 50. The control circuit 46 determines the presence or absence of an object to be detected based on the result of comparing the amount of light received with the threshold value. The control circuit 46 turns on or off the operation indicator light 14 based on the determination result. The control circuit 46 displays the determination result on the display 50. display It is also possible to do so.

[0030] Furthermore, a connector 47 is mounted on the first main surface 45a of the control board 45. The connector 47 is an example of a display connector. The connector 47 connects the display 50 to the control board 45. Therefore, the display 50 is connected to the control circuit 46 mounted on the control board 45 by the connector 47.

[0031] 4, a light emitting element 48 is mounted on the first main surface 45a of the control board 45. The light emitting element 48 is a light source that lights up the operation indicator light 14. The second case 60 has an operation unit support plate 61 extending in the Y direction from the upper end of the second side surface 11d. The operation unit support plate 61 supports a plurality of operation buttons 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d. The plurality of operation buttons 16a to 16d are arranged in a line in the X direction.

[0032] The cover member 80 is attached to the top of the display unit upper plate 31 of the first case 30 and the operation unit support plate 61 of the second case 60. It can be said that the top surface of the operation unit support plate 61 of the second case 60, together with the top surface of the display unit upper plate 31 of the first case 30, constitutes the mounting surface to which the cover member 80 is attached.

[0033] The cover member 80 has a display area 15 and a plurality of insertion holes 81a to 81d. The display area 15 is configured so that the display on the display unit 51 of the display device 50 housed in the housing 11 can be viewed from the outside. The cover member 80 is configured so that portions other than the display area are opaque. The operation buttons 16a to 16d of the operation unit 16 are inserted through the insertion holes 81a to 81d, respectively. Furthermore, the cover member 80 displays characters indicating the purpose of each operation button 16a to 16d. For example, the operation button 16a is an up button, the operation button 16b is a confirmation button, the operation button 16c is a down button, and the operation button 16d is a mode selection button. The photoelectric sensor 10 changes the setting value displayed on the display unit 51 in response to operation of the operation buttons 16a and 16c. The setting value includes a threshold value, etc. Furthermore, the photoelectric sensor 10 stores the setting value, such as a threshold value, displayed on the display unit 51 in response to operation of the operation button 16b. The operation button 16d is a mode switching button. The operation button 16d switches the various modes of the photoelectric sensor 10. The operation button 16d also functions as a cancel button that cancels changes made by the operation buttons 16a and 16c.

[0034] (Display configuration) As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the display device 50 includes a display unit 51, a connection unit 52, and a signal cable 53.

[0035] The display unit 51 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate. The display unit 51 has a display surface 51a and a bottom surface 51b. The display surface 51a is the surface on which characters and the like are displayed. The display surface 51a constitutes the display surface 50a of the display device 50. The bottom surface 51b is the surface facing the opposite side to the display surface 50a. As shown in FIG. 6 , the bottom surface 51b contacts the pressing portions 35a, 35b arranged in the housing recess 34 of the first case 30.

[0036] Display unit 51 is composed of a dot matrix display element. This display element can be an organic EL (organic electroluminescence) panel, a liquid crystal display panel, or the like. A dot matrix display element can display more information (for example, numbers with more digits) than a display unit using, for example, a 7-segment display element.

[0037] The connection portion 52 is disposed in the short direction of the display portion 51 relative to the display portion 51. The connection portion 52 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate. In this embodiment, the length of the connection portion 52 is equal to the length of the display portion 51. The width of the connection portion 52 is narrower than the width of the display portion 51. The thickness of the connection portion 52 is thinner than the thickness of the display portion 51. A signal cable 53 is connected to the connection portion 52.

[0038] The connection portion 52 has an upper surface 52a and a lower surface 52b. The upper surface 52a faces the same side as the display surface 51a of the display portion 51. The lower surface 52b faces the opposite side to the upper surface 52a. A drive circuit 54 is provided on the lower surface 52b of the connection portion 52. The drive circuit 54 drives the display portion 51.

[0039] The signal cable 53 is connected to the connection portion 52. In this embodiment, the signal cable 53 is connected to the connection portion 52 by a connecting material such as solder. Note that the signal cable 53 may be connected to the connection portion 52 by using a connector or the like.

[0040] The signal cable 53 extends from the connection portion 52 to the side opposite the top surface 52a of the connection portion 52, i.e., the side opposite the display surface 51a of the display portion 51. The signal cable 53 is a flexible substrate. For example, a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) can be used as this substrate. Note that the signal cable 53 may also be a ribbon cable, a multi-core flat cable, or the like.

[0041] 7, the signal cable 53 includes a first cable 531 extending from the connection portion 52 and a second cable 532 extending from the first cable 531 in the longitudinal direction of the connection portion 52. In FIG. 7, the solid line indicates the state of the signal cable 53 inside the housing 11. In addition, in FIG. 7, the two-dot chain line indicates the unbent state of the flexible signal cable 53. In other words, the signal cable 53 is arranged inside the housing 11 in a bent state.

[0042] FIG. 8 shows a state in which the display 50 and the control board 45 are connected. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the second cable 532 has a first end 532a connected to the first cable 531 and a second end 532b opposite the first end 532a. The first end 532a is connected to the first cable 531 on the side opposite the connector 47 of the control board 45. The second cable 532 extends from the first cable 531 in the opposite direction to the connector 47 of the control board 45. The second cable 532 is curved so as to convex on the side opposite the connector 47, and the second end 532b (the tip of the signal cable 53) is connected to the connector 47. The first cable 531 and the second cable 532 may be formed from the same member.

[0043] (action) Next, the operation of the photoelectric sensor 10 will be described. The photoelectric sensor 10 includes a housing 11 formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 11 has a rectangular housing top surface 11a. The housing top surface 11a includes an operation unit 16 including a plurality of operation buttons 16a to 16d, and a display 50 arranged adjacent to the operation unit 16 in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the housing top surface 11a. The display 50 includes a display unit 51 and a connection unit 52. The display unit 51 is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the housing top surface 11a with respect to the operation unit 16. The connection unit 52 is arranged adjacent to the display unit 51 in the lateral direction (Y direction) of the housing top surface 11a. Therefore, the display unit 51 and the operation unit 16 can each be secured in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the housing top surface 11a.

[0044] The plurality of operation buttons 16a to 16d are operated by the operator's fingers. If the operation buttons 16a to 16d are spaced too close together, there is a risk that two operation buttons may be touched by mistake or the wrong operation button may be operated. Therefore, the operation buttons 16a to 16d are spaced apart to prevent erroneous operation. With the operation buttons 16a to 16d set in this manner, operability can be ensured.

[0045] The control circuit 46 displays the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit 43 on the display unit 51. Simultaneous display of the threshold and the amount of received light on the display unit 51 allows for easy understanding of the operating status and the installation status of the optical fibers 90A and 90B. The proximal ends of the optical fibers 90A and 90B are inserted into the fiber insertion ports 12A and 12B of the photoelectric sensor 10. The distal ends of the optical fibers 90A and 90B are positioned so that light emitted from the optical fiber 90A directly enters the optical fiber 90B. In this case, the amount of light entering the optical fiber 90B changes when at least a portion of the light entering the optical fiber 90B is blocked by the object to be detected. Therefore, if the amount of received light displayed on the display unit 51 does not change, it can be determined that the optical fibers 90A and 90B are not positioned so that the light is blocked by the object to be detected. The distal ends of the optical fibers 90A and 90B can also be positioned so that light emitted from the optical fiber 90A indirectly enters the optical fiber 90B. In this case, at least a portion of the light reflected by the object to be detected enters optical fiber 90B, changing the amount of light entering optical fiber 90B. Therefore, if the amount of light received by display unit 51 does not change, it is clear that optical fibers 90A and 90B are not set so that the light reflected by the object to be detected enters optical fiber 90B.

[0046] The light-emitting unit 42 uses an element that emits a large amount of light due to its high power. This increases the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit 43, and therefore increases the number of digits required to display the amount of received light and the threshold value for the amount of received light. For example, if a display unit uses a 7-segment display, it cannot simultaneously display the threshold value when displaying the amount of received light.

[0047] The photoelectric sensor 10 of this embodiment is provided with a display 50 having a dot matrix display section 51. This allows the threshold value with many digits and the amount of received light to be displayed simultaneously, thereby ensuring visibility on the display section 51.

[0048] 7, the display device 50 has a signal cable 53 connected to a connection portion 52. The signal cable 53 has a first cable 531 extending from the connection portion 52 and a second cable 532 connected to the first cable 531. The direction in which the first cable 531 extends is opposite to the display surface 50a of the display device 50, and this direction is the height direction (Z direction) of the housing 11. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the width direction (Y direction) of the housing 11.

[0049] The second cable 532 extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first cable 531 extends, relative to the first cable 531. The second cable 532 is connected to the connector 47 in a state in which the second end 532b, which is the tip of the second cable 532, is bent so as to convex toward the opposite side from the connector 47 to which the second end 532b is connected. By bending the second cable 532 in this manner, the position of the second end 532b of the second cable 532 can be easily changed in the X direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the housing 11. This makes it easy to connect the second cable 532. That is, a worker assembling the photoelectric sensor 10 connects the second cable 532 to the connector 47 after accommodating the display 50 in the accommodating recess 34 of the first case 30. In this connection, if the position of the second end 532b of the second cable 532 is fixed, it is necessary to connect the second cable 532 to the connector 47 while moving at least one of the display 50 and the control board 45. On the other hand, in the photoelectric sensor 10 of this embodiment, it is easy to change the position of the second end 532b of the second cable 532. Therefore, the second cable 532, i.e., the signal cable 53, can be connected to the connector 47 simply by changing the position of the second end 532b of the second cable 532.

[0050] Furthermore, if the position of the second end 532b of the second cable 532 is fixed, there is a risk that a sufficient connection between the signal cable 53 and the connector 47 may not be obtained if a misalignment occurs between the position of the display 50 and the position of the connector 47 of the control board 45 due to manufacturing errors or the like. In contrast, the photoelectric sensor 10 of this embodiment makes it easy to change the position of the second end 532b of the second cable 532. Therefore, even if a misalignment occurs between the position of the display 50 and the position of the connector 47 of the control board 45, the signal cable 53 and the connector 47 can be reliably connected by changing the position of the second end 532b in accordance with the misalignment.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 3 , the control board 45 is attached to the first case 30 from the side of the second case 60. Similarly, the display 50 is inserted into the accommodating recess 34 of the first case 30 from the side of the second case 60. The signal cable 53 of the display 50 is connected to the connector 47 mounted on the first main surface 45 a of the control board 45. The photoelectric sensor 10 is then assembled by assembling the second case 60 to the first case 30. In this way, by attaching the control board 45, the display 50, and the second case 60 to the first case 30 from the same direction, the assembly workability can be improved compared to assembling from multiple directions.

[0052] (effect) As described above, this embodiment provides the following advantages. (1) The photoelectric sensor 10 includes a housing 11 formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 11 has a rectangular housing top surface 11a. The housing top surface 11a includes an operation unit 16 including a plurality of operation buttons 16a to 16d, and a display 50 arranged adjacent to the operation unit 16 in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the housing top surface 11a. The display 50 includes a display unit 51 and a connection unit 52. The display unit 51 is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the housing top surface 11a with respect to the operation unit 16. The connection unit 52 is arranged adjacent to the display unit 51 in the lateral direction (Y direction) of the housing top surface 11a. Therefore, the display unit 51 and the operation unit 16 can each be secured in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the housing top surface 11a.

[0053] (2) The photoelectric sensor 10 is provided with a display 50 having a dot matrix display section 51. This allows the threshold value with many digits and the amount of received light to be displayed simultaneously. This ensures visibility on the display section 51.

[0054] (3) The display device 50 has a signal cable 53 connected to the connection portion 52. The signal cable 53 has a first cable 531 extending from the connection portion 52 and a second cable 532 connected to the first cable 531. The direction in which the first cable 531 extends is opposite to the display surface 50a of the display device 50, and this direction is the height direction (Z direction) of the housing 11. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the width direction (Y direction) of the housing 11.

[0055] (4) The second cable 532 extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first cable 531 extends, relative to the first cable 531. The second cable 532 is connected to the connector 47 in a state in which the second end 532b, which is the tip of the second cable 532, is curved so as to convex toward the side opposite the connector 47 to which the second end 532b is connected. By bending the second cable 532 in this way, the position of the second end 532b of the second cable 532 can be easily changed in the X direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the housing 11. Since the position of the second end 532b of the second cable 532 can be easily changed in this way, the second cable 532, i.e., the signal cable 53, can be connected to the connector 47 simply by changing the position of the second end 532b of the second cable 532.

[0056] (5) The photoelectric sensor 10 can easily change the position of the second end 532b of the second cable 532. Therefore, even if there is a misalignment between the position of the display 50 and the position of the connector 47 of the control board 45, the signal cable 53 and the connector 47 can be reliably connected by changing the position of the second end 532b in accordance with the misalignment.

[0057] (6) The control board 45 is attached to the first case 30 from the side of the second case 60. Similarly, the display 50 is inserted into the accommodating recess 34 of the first case 30 from the side of the second case 60. The signal cable 53 of the display 50 is connected to the connector 47 mounted on the first main surface 45a of the control board 45. The photoelectric sensor 10 is then assembled by assembling the second case 60 to the first case 30. In this way, by attaching the control board 45, the display 50, and the second case 60 to the first case 30 from the same direction, assembly workability can be improved compared to assembling from multiple directions.

[0058] (Example of change) The above description of the embodiment is merely an example of a form that the photoelectric sensor according to the present disclosure can take, and is not intended to limit the form. In addition to the embodiment, the present disclosure can take the form of, for example, modified examples of the embodiment shown below, and a form that combines at least two modified examples that are not mutually contradictory.

[0059] The drive circuit 54 may be disposed on the signal cable 53. The signal cable 53 may be connected to the connection portion 52 by crimping, a connector, or the like.

[0060] The signal cable 53 may be connected to the control board 45 by soldering, crimping, or the like. In this case, the control board 45 is provided with a pad for soldering, a member for crimping, or the like as a display connecting portion.

[0061] The signal cable 53 may be a terminal such as a metal lead. The above description is merely illustrative. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many more possible combinations and permutations are possible other than the components and methods (manufacturing processes) listed for the purpose of describing the technology of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the present disclosure, including the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 10 Photoelectric Sensor 11. Housing 11a Top of the housing (first surface) 11b Bottom surface of the housing 11c 1st side 11d 2nd side 11e 1st end surface 11f 2nd end face 12A, 12B Fiber insertion port 13 Fiber holding operation lever 14 Operation indicator 15 Display area 16 Control section 16a~16d Operation buttons 17 Cable connection 17a connector pin 18 Mounting recess 19 Operation unit cover 19a Support member 30 Case 1 31 Display top plate 31a opening 32 Display support plate 32a top surface 33a Connecting part 33b Connection part 34 Receiving recess 35a Pressing part 35b pressing part 41 Fiber holder 42 Light projector 43 Light receiving part 44 Shield plate 45 Control board 45a First main surface 46 Control circuit 47 Connector 48 Light-emitting element 50 Display 50a Display surface 51 Display section 51a Display surface 51b Bottom side 52 Connection 52a Top side 52b Bottom side 53 Signal Cable 531 Cable No. 1 532 Second Cable 532a First end 532b 2nd end 54 Drive circuit 60 Case 2 61 Operation unit support plate 80 Cover member 81a~81d Insertion holes 90A optical fiber (light projection optical fiber) 90B optical fiber (receiving optical fiber)

Claims

1. a housing formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and having a rectangular first surface; a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit disposed within the housing; an operation unit provided on the first surface and including a plurality of operation buttons configured to be operable by an operator; a display device that is disposed within the housing and includes a dot matrix display unit that is arranged alongside the operation unit in a longitudinal direction of the first surface, and a connection unit that is arranged alongside the display unit in a lateral direction of the first surface; a substrate disposed within the housing and having a first main surface and a second main surface facing opposite to each other in the short-side direction; a control circuit mounted on the substrate and configured to display the amount of light received by the light receiving unit on the display unit; Equipped with the display has a signal cable connected to the board; the signal cable extends from the connection portion toward a side opposite to a display surface of the display device, the substrate has a display connection portion to which the signal cable is connected, at a position different from a position of the signal cable extending from the connection portion in the longitudinal direction; The signal cable a first cable extending toward an opposite side to the display surface; a second cable having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, the first end being connected to the side of the first cable opposite to the display connection portion, the second cable being curved so as to be convex in the direction away from the display connection portion, and the second end being connected to the display connection portion; A photoelectric sensor having:

2. The photoelectric sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of operation buttons of the operation unit are arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction.

3. The photoelectric sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the display connector is a connector mounted on the substrate.

4. The photoelectric sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the signal cable is a flexible printed circuit board.

5. The photoelectric sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the display device includes a drive circuit that drives the display unit.

6. The photoelectric sensor according to claim 5 , wherein the drive circuit is provided in the connection portion.

7. The photoelectric sensor according to claim 5 , wherein the drive circuit is provided on the signal cable.

8. the housing has a first side surface and a second side surface facing opposite to each other in the short-side direction, the housing is configured with a first case having the first side surface and a second case having the second side surface, the first case has an accommodating recess into which the display unit is inserted from the side opposite to the first side surface; The photoelectric sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The photoelectric sensor according to claim 8 , wherein the accommodating recess has a pressing portion that presses the display portion accommodated in the accommodating recess toward an upper surface plate that constitutes the first surface.

10. 10. The photoelectric sensor according to claim 1, further comprising: a cover member attached to the first surface, the cover member having a plurality of openings through which the plurality of operation buttons are respectively inserted, and a display area configured to allow the display of the display unit to be visible from the outside.

11. the housing has a first end surface and a second end surface facing opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction, The photoelectric sensor according to claim 10 , further comprising an operation unit cover rotatably supported on the second end surface side and configured to cover only the operation unit.

12. a fiber holding section provided on the side of the first end face and holding a light-projecting optical fiber that guides light from the light-projecting section to an outside and a light-receiving optical fiber that guides light from the outside to the light-receiving section; a cable connection portion provided on the second end surface side to which an external cable is connected; Equipped with The photoelectric sensor according to claim 11.

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