Omron Corporation

Fumihiko Misumi

Satoru Shimokawa

Kiyoshi Imai

Kazunori Osako

Arata Nakamura

Tetsuya Akagi

Takayoshi Takahara

Masato Hara

Shinya Tamino

Yutaka Matsui

Tetuya Akagi

Masazumi Ueda

To provide a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor and a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor system, which enable function setting by an extremely simple operation, and further make it unnecessary to increase the size of a housing or to separately prepare a PC or a function setting tool. The multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor has: a columnar housing, from one end of which in the longitudinal direction an electric cord is pulled out, and at the other end of which in the longitudinal direction a plug-in type socket is provided, and a plug piece detachably attachable to the socket of the columnar housing. Particular information to serve as a function determining element on the columnar housing side is incorporated in the plug piece in a manner referenceable from a processing circuit on the columnar housing side via the socket. Further, the processing circuit on the columnar housing side is set so as to determine a function based upon particular information in the plug piece referenced via the socket.

Multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor system

A reflective-type photoelectric switch projects emitted light from a light-emitting element toward a detection zone by a light-projecting optical system, and guides reflected light from an object to be detected in the detection zone to a light-receiving element by a light-receiving optical system. A special optical element is used in part of at least one of the two optical systems. The optical element functions to diverge light in a direction parallel to a plane containing the optic axes of the light-emitting and light-receiving elements, and condense light in a direction perpendicular to the same plane. As a result, it is possible to detect, with excellent sensitivity, both an object which is far from the switch and an object very near the switch.

Reflection-type photoelectric switch, fresnel lens and method of

A light projecting circuit of a photoelectric switch includes a light projecting element (2), a driver circuit (1, 3) for driving the light projecting element by use of pulses, and a change-over switch (4) for increasing or for decreasing an amount of light emitted from the light projecting element. With this provision, in an operation to adjust optical axes, the change-over switch can be used to increase the amount of the emitted light. Consequently, the position of the projected light beam can be easily confirmed.

Photoelectric switch having pulse driver circuitry

Growing community of inventors

Ibaraki, Japan

Fumihiko Misumi