Rear Cable Photoelectric Sensor Space Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional photoelectric sensors in production facilities face challenges in space-saving due to the need for cable routing on the bottom surface, leading to wasted space and inefficient placement.

Innovation Solution

The photoelectric sensor design features a cable attached to the rear surface, eliminating the need for bottom surface routing and allowing for a more compact form factor by utilizing the rear surface space, with attachment sections and a cable protection member to enhance durability and reduce noise interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the cable is connected to the bottom surface of the case body, then the cable routing is simple, but the placement space is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable routing simplicityVSAvoidplacement space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cable connection position is changed from the bottom surface (horizontal plane) to the rear surface (vertical plane), utilizing a different spatial dimension. This allows the cable to be routed vertically along the rear surface rather than horizontally along the bottom surface, eliminating the need for additional placement space while maintaining routing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the cable is connected to the bottom surface of the case body, then the connection is stable, but the sensor size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidsensor size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By moving the cable connection to the rear surface, the patent utilizes the vertical dimension of the case body rather than extending the horizontal dimension. This allows the sensor to maintain a compact footprint while providing a stable connection point that can accommodate cable routing without increasing the overall sensor volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Area of stationary object

If the cable is connected to the rear surface of the case body, then the placement space is saved, but the cable routing becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplacement spaceVSAvoidcable routing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent provides a specific cable connection structure on the rear surface with dedicated cable passing holes and routing paths. This localized design concentrates the cable routing functionality in a specific area, making the routing process straightforward despite the changed connection position, and actually simplifying the overall cable management compared to alternative configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Volume of moving object

If the cable is connected to the rear surface of the case body, then the sensor size is reduced, but the cable protection becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor sizeVSAvoidcable protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a cable protection structure integrated into the rear surface connection assembly, providing localized protection at the critical cable entry point. This includes features such as cable clamps, grommets, or protective channels that safeguard the cable where it enters the case body, maintaining protection effectiveness while keeping the overall sensor size compact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 effectively saves space in the up-down direction of the sensor, reduces noise, and improves cable durability, enabling more efficient placement and reduced size of the photoelectric sensor.

Implementation Method 1

a light projecting section that emits light to a front space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a light receiving section that receives light from a front zone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reception and conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3540473B1Photoelectric sensor
Publication Date: 2022.08.24 OMRON CORP
  • EP3540473B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3540473B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3540473B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A photoelectric sensor capable of saving a space is provided. A photoelectric sensor (1) includes a case body (2) with a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that accommodates at least one of a light projecting section (31) and a light receiving section (32). The case body (2) has a front surface (21) that has a light projecting and receiving surface (21a) that allows at least one of light from the light projecting section (31) and light to the light receiving section (32) to pass therethrough and a rear surface (22) that is located on a side opposite to the front surface (21), and a cable (80) that accommodates cords (50) that are connected to at least one of the light projecting section (31) and the light receiving section (32) via a control section is attached to the rear surface (22).