Multi-optical Axis Photoelectric Sensor Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-optical axis photoelectric sensors with infrared light sources are difficult to visualize, making it hard for operators to identify the light curtain area, especially when the sensor is covered with a protective metal casing, which hinders safety by obscuring the indicators.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit with equally spaced elements forming optical axes, accompanied by indicating elements that are positioned along the same rows as the light emitting and receiving elements, allowing for a visible indication of the light curtain area through a binary status output and diagnosis system, enabling operators to easily recognize the light curtain's location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If indicators are disposed at the side surface of the casing to indicate the light curtain position, then the light curtain position becomes visible to operators, but the indicators are covered by the protective metal cover and become invisible
Solution Approach 1:
The indicating elements are disposed in the same row as the light emitting or receiving elements, extending in the longitudinal direction of the unit. This dimensional arrangement allows the indicators to be positioned such that they are not covered by the protective cover, which typically covers only the front light emitting/receiving surface, thereby maintaining visibility while preserving sensor protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover is designed to cover only the front surface where light emitting and receiving elements are located, while leaving the side surfaces and rear portions exposed. This localized protection approach allows indicators disposed along the longitudinal direction to remain visible while the critical light emitting/receiving areas are protected.
2Loss of information
If indicating elements are disposed across the total length of the unit along the longitudinal direction, then the light curtain area becomes visible, but the width of the light emitting surface becomes wider in the transverse direction
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending indicating elements in the transverse direction (which would increase the width of the light emitting surface), the indicators are arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction along the same row as the light emitting elements. This dimensional reorientation achieves visibility of the light curtain area without increasing the transverse width.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicating elements are asymmetrically arranged relative to the optical axes - they share the same longitudinal row position but are offset in the transverse direction. This asymmetric positioning allows the indicators to be visible while maintaining a narrow light emitting surface width, as the indicators do not need to extend beyond the necessary transverse boundaries.
3Ease of manufacture
If indicating elements are offset from the optical axes along the longitudinal direction, then the indicators can be disposed without interfering with light elements, but it becomes difficult for operators to recognize the exact plane having the light curtain
Solution Approach 1:
The indicating elements are positioned with specific local characteristics: they are offset from the optical axes in the transverse direction to avoid interference, but they are disposed at longitudinal positions that correspond to the positions of the light emitting elements. This localized positioning strategy ensures both non-interference with light elements and accurate indication of the light curtain plane.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicating elements are arranged to copy the longitudinal positioning pattern of the light emitting elements. Each indicating element corresponds to a specific light emitting element in the same longitudinal row, creating a visual copy that accurately represents the light curtain's spatial configuration without requiring the indicators to be exactly co-located with the optical axes.
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 configuration allows operators to visibly identify the light curtain area, enhancing safety by preventing object intrusion and maintaining a narrow width for the light emitting or receiving elements, while also diagnosing malfunctions and providing clear indication patterns.
Implementation Method 1
a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor uses an infrared ray as the light emitted by the light emitting element
Implementation Method 2
a light receiving unit having a plurality of light receiving elements disposed along a longitudinal direction of the unit in a line
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor is describes having a first indicating portion disposed at each of the light emitting and receiving units comprising a plurality of first indicating elements being in the same row of each of the light emitting and receiving elements with no-interference to each of the light emitting and receiving elements, a second indicating portion disposed at one of the light emitting and receiving units and comprising a plurality of second indicating elements being out of the same row of one of the light emitting and receiving elements of the units having the second indicator portion with no-interference to one of the light emitting and receiving elements of the units having the second indicator portion and an indicating control portion for turning on the plurality of the first indicating elements of the first indicating portion to show the first and second rows of the units when the binary signal indicating the first status is outputted by the status output circuit and indicating a result of the diagnosis based on the diagnosis device with a predetermined turn-on pattern of the plurality of the second indicating elements of the second indicating portion when the malfunction is diagnosed by the diagnosis device.