Optical Displacement Sensor Head Downsizing via Cable Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated optical displacement sensors are large due to the inclusion of display and operation parts, restricting installation locations, while separated sensors require complex wiring protection circuits to prevent pairing failures between the head and amplifier.
Innovation Solution
The optical displacement sensor design separates the power supply circuit from the head housing, integrating it with a secondary housing connected via a cable, eliminating the need for an I/O port and simplifying the circuit structure by using a relay cable without a connector, allowing for downsizing of the head and increased installation flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the display and operation part are integrated into the head housing, then the sensor can be operated directly at the measurement location, but the head housing becomes large in size
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is divided into two separate housings: the head housing (first housing) that contains only the light projecting and receiving parts, and the body housing (second housing) that contains the display and operation part. These housings are connected via a cable, allowing the head to remain compact while the body provides the user interface functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The display and operation part are extracted from the head housing and placed in a separate body housing. This extraction removes the bulky interface components from the measurement location unit, enabling the head to be small and compact for easy installation in narrow spaces.
2Volume of moving object
If a separated amplifier is used with the head, then the head can be downsized, but complex wiring protection circuits are required to prevent pairing failures
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is merged with the body housing through integration, eliminating the need for separate connectors and I/O ports on the head. The cable extends directly from the head and is integrated into the body housing, simplifying the overall circuit structure and removing the need for complex wiring protection circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable serves as an intermediary that directly connects the head to the body housing without requiring complex connectors or protection circuits. By using a simple cable integration approach rather than a separated amplifier with multiple connection points, the circuit complexity is significantly reduced.
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 achieves significant downsizing of the head, allowing for more flexible installation locations and reducing the complexity of the circuit structure, while ensuring reliable operation by eliminating the need for improper wiring protection circuits.
Implementation Method 1
a light receiver that is provided in the first housing and performs photoelectric conversion on the measurement light from the detection region through the transmission window to generate a light receiving signal
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an optical displacement sensor that allows a housing serving as a head to be downsized. A relay cable extending from the head is integrated with a body. The head is primarily responsible for projecting and receiving light to and from a to-be-detected object, while the body is made up of a power supply circuit, a display, and an operation part. The head includes a green laser light source and emits the green laser light to form a spot on a surface of the to-be-detected object.