Photoelectric Sensor Light Guide Member with Reduction Part
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photoelectric sensors with a single light guide member for guiding light in two paths can have complex shapes, leading to unexpected light reflection and erroneous detection due to the complexity of the light guide member.
Innovation Solution
A photoelectric sensor design featuring a light guide member with a partitioned light projecting side and receiving side guide paths, including a reduction part at the end of the connecting gap between the paths, which reduces light reflection and simplifies the configuration, preventing erroneous detection by ensuring light is accurately guided.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single light guide member is used to guide light in two paths, then the number of parts is reduced, but the shape of the light guide member becomes complicated and light may be reflected unexpectedly inside the light guide member
Solution Approach 1:
The single light guide member is divided into two separate light guide members: a first light guide member for guiding light from the light projecting part, and a second light guide member for guiding light from the outside to the light receiving part. This segmentation simplifies the shape of each individual light guide member while maintaining the reduced part count advantage, as each member has a dedicated function and simpler geometry.
2Quantity of substance
If a single light guide member is used to guide light in two paths, then the number of parts is reduced, but unexpected light reflection may occur inside the light guide member resulting in erroneous detection
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the light guiding functions into two distinct light guide members, the patent eliminates the complex internal geometry that causes unexpected light reflection. Each light guide member has a simpler, dedicated path that reduces the risk of erroneous detection, thereby improving reliability while maintaining efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and separates the two light guiding functions into independent components. The first light guide member handles light from the projecting part, while the second handles light to the receiving part. This extraction eliminates the source of unexpected reflections that would occur in a single complex light guide member.
3Illumination intensity
If light guide members are used in each light guide path, then the amount of light emitted and received is increased, but the configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses two separate light guide members instead of one complex member, achieving the benefit of increased light transmission in each dedicated path while keeping each individual member's configuration simple and manageable.
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 design effectively prevents unexpected light reflection, enhancing detection accuracy by ensuring light is reliably guided and reducing the complexity of the light guide member, thereby improving the sensor's ability to detect objects and surface conditions without false positives.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide member for guiding the light that has entered inside while reflecting it at the boundary surface
Data Source
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AI summary
A light guide member (3) includes: a light projecting side light guide part (4) extending in the front-and-rear direction and guiding light emitted from a light projecting part (71) to the outside; a light receiving side light guide part (5) extending in the front-and-rear direction and spaced apart from the light projecting side light guide part (4) by a gap (35) in the up-and-down direction, and guiding light that enters from the outside to a light receiving part (73); and a connecting part (31) disposed over the gap (35) and connecting the light projecting side light guide part (4) and the light receiving side light guide part (5). The gap (35) is provided with a reduction part (35a) at an end portion on the side of the connecting part (31), and a dimension of the reduction part (35a) gradually decreases toward the side of the light projecting part (71).