Photoelectric Sensor Cable Guide Reduces Bending Stress

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Solution Overview

Problem

In photoelectric sensors used in production equipment, cables connected to the case body often become bent due to restricted installation spaces, leading to excessive loading and potential breakage.

Innovation Solution

A concave portion is recessed into the outer surface of the case body to house the cable, limiting its bending angle and reducing the load on the cable connection point, with optional protruding features and cable protection members to further mitigate bending stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the cable is installed in a bent state due to restricted installation space, then the installation flexibility is improved, but the cable connection portion becomes excessively loaded and may breakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidcable connection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A cable guide portion is introduced as an intermediary structure between the cable and the case body. This guide portion has a curved surface that redirects the cable's bending path, allowing the cable to bend away from the case body rather than directly at the connection point. This mediator structure enables installation flexibility while protecting the cable connection from excessive loading and potential breakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the cable is allowed to bend freely along the case body, then the installation ease is improved, but the bending angle becomes excessive and causes cable breakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidcable bending resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The cable guide portion serves as a mediator that provides a predetermined curved path for the cable. This guide structure makes installation easy by directing the cable along a safe bending path, while simultaneously preventing excessive bending angles that would compromise cable strength and lead to breakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable guide portion is pre-formed with a specific curved geometry that anticipates the cable's bending needs. By preparing this guide structure in advance, the system pre-establishes a safe bending path that prevents excessive bending before it can occur during installation, thereby protecting cable strength while maintaining installation ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3540474B1Photoelectric sensor
Publication Date: 2022.04.20 OMRON CORP
  • EP3540474B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3540474B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3540474B1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~3(B)

AI summary

A photoelectric sensor capable of suppressing breakage of a cable connected to a case body is provided. The photoelectric sensor (1) includes a case body (2) having an accommodation space which accommodates at least one of a light projecting portion (31) and a light receiving portion (32) therein, and a cable (80) which accommodates a cord (50) connected via a control portion to at least one of the light projecting portion (31) and the light receiving portion (32), and a concave portion (241) recessed toward an inside of the case body (2) is provided in an outer surface of the case body (2), and the cable (80) is mounted in the concave portion (241).