Air Purge Unit with Selective Mounting for Sensor Lens

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation position of air purge units is typically fixed due to the fixed connection of air injectors, limiting the flexibility and versatility of their placement in environments where photoelectric sensors are used, such as machining settings where dirt accumulation is a concern.

Innovation Solution

The air purge unit design features multiple connection points for the air injector, allowing it to be selectively mounted on various surfaces (upper, lower, or rear) of the optical sensor, enhancing the degree of freedom in installation positions and enabling easy detachment and replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the air injector is fixedly connected to the air purge unit, then the connection is stable and reliable, but the installation position of the air purge unit is greatly limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidinstallation position flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The air purge unit is divided into a main body and a detachable connection portion. The connection portion can be selectively attached to different positions (upper surface, lower surface, or rear surface) of the optical sensor, allowing the same air purge unit to be installed in multiple locations while maintaining a stable fixed connection when attached.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection between the air purge unit and the optical sensor is made changeable rather than fixed. The connection portion can be attached to different surfaces depending on the installation requirements, transforming the static installation into a dynamic, adaptable configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If the air purge unit is designed with fixed installation position, then the structure is simple, but the degree of freedom in installation position is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidinstallation position freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The air purge unit is designed with a universal connection portion that can be attached to multiple different positions (upper, lower, or rear surfaces) of the optical sensor. This single design serves multiple installation purposes, making the device multi-functional without significantly increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design allows for improved flexibility in installing air purge units on photoelectric sensors, preventing dirt accumulation while allowing for adaptable placement and easy maintenance, ensuring reliable detection results.

Implementation Method 1

an air blowout part 12 for blowing out air to the lens surface 21

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow:

Data Source

PatentEP3466555B1Air purge unit
Publication Date: 2021.04.07 OMRON CORP
  • EP3466555B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3466555B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3466555B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

An air purge unit (10a) which blows out air to a lens surface (21) of an optical sensor includes: a first surface (16) and a second surface (17) which are opposite to each other; a third surface (18) which is located along a direction intersecting with the first surface (16) and the second surface (17); a first connection part (11a), a second connection part (11b) and a third connection part (11c) which are respectively arranged on the first surface (16), the second surface (17) and the third surface (18), and to which an air injector (13) for injecting air to the inside of the air purge unit (10a) is selectively connected; and an air blowout part (12) which blows out the air injected to the inside of the air purge unit 10a to the lens surface (21) of the optical sensor.