Light-Transmissive Conductive Member for Photoelectric Sensor Noise Suppression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water discharge apparatuses with photoelectric sensors face instability in water discharge due to electromagnetic noise, leading to erroneous operations, and current noise suppression methods are complex and costly.
Innovation Solution
A water discharge apparatus with a photoelectric sensor featuring a conductive member in a sheet configuration that is light-transmissive and electrically connected to the sensor's reference potential, effectively suppressing electromagnetic noise from the front while maintaining a simple configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a light-shielding conductive material is used to cover the front of the light receiving element to suppress electromagnetic noise, then electromagnetic noise suppression is improved, but the received signal becomes unstable due to blocked reflected light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameter of the conductive member from light-shielding to light-transmissive. The conductive member is configured to be transparent or translucent to the detection light and reflected light, allowing light to pass through while maintaining electromagnetic noise suppression functionality. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by enabling both noise suppression and stable signal reception simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure where a conductive material is combined with a light-transmissive property. The conductive member may be formed by depositing a conductive film on a light-transmissive substrate, or by using a light-transmissive conductive material. This composite approach allows the member to exhibit both electromagnetic shielding and optical transparency, resolving the contradiction between noise suppression and light transmission.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a complex configuration is used to suppress electromagnetic noise from the front of the light receiving element, then electromagnetic noise suppression is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electromagnetic noise suppression function with the existing conductive member structure in a simplified configuration. The conductive member is integrated into the sensor housing or mounting structure, eliminating the need for separate complex shielding arrangements. This merging approach reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining effective noise suppression.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent simplifies the configuration by changing the structural parameters of the conductive member to a basic sheet or plate form that can be easily manufactured and installed. The conductive member is positioned to cover the front of the light receiving element in a straightforward manner, reducing assembly complexity and manufacturing cost compared to complex multi-component shielding structures.
3Device complexity
If no electromagnetic noise suppression is implemented at the front of the light receiving element, then manufacturing cost and complexity are reduced, but the received signal becomes unstable due to electromagnetic noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves an optimal balance by changing the optical parameter of the conductive member to be light-transmissive. This simple configuration modification provides effective electromagnetic noise suppression without the complexity of additional components, while maintaining stable received signals by allowing reflected light to pass through the conductive member to the light receiving element.
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
The solution ensures stable water discharge operations by reducing electromagnetic noise interference, preventing erroneous water discharge events, and simplifying the noise suppression configuration, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the effects of electromagnetic noise entering from the outside are suppressed by covering, with a shield member, the periphery of the sensor main body of the light-projecting element, the light receiving element, etc.
Implementation Method 2
the conductive member covers a front of the light receiving element, is formed in a sheet configuration, is light-transmissive to the detection light and the reflected light, is conductive, and is electrically connected to a reference potential of the sensor main body
Implementation Method 3
the light-projecting element projects the detection light
Implementation Method 4
the light receiving element receives the reflected light, and outputs a received signal corresponding to a light reception amount of the reflected light
Data Source
AI summary
A water discharge apparatus including a water discharger, a water supply path, an opening/closing valve, a photoelectric sensor, and a controller, the photoelectric sensor projects detection light, receives a reflected light of the detection light, and outputs a received signal corresponding to a light reception amount of the reflected light, the controller detects an existence or absence of an object based on the received signal and controls opening and closing of the opening/closing valve according to a detection result of the object, the photoelectric sensor includes a sensor main body and a conductive member, the sensor main body includes a light-projecting element and a light receiving element, and the conductive member covers a front of the light receiving element, is formed in a sheet configuration, is light-transmissive, is conductive, and is electrically connected to a reference potential of the sensor main body.