JPS62229084A - Ultrasonic sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To protect the oscillating surface of an oscillator without damaging it and obtain an easy-to align ultrasonic sensor by providing a light emitting element on the front face of a protecting cap with a configuration covering the oscillating surface of the oscillator so that the light emitting element has an optical axis coaxial with the central axis of a ultrasonic beam emitted from the oscillator. CONSTITUTION:An oscillator 5 for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves is covered by a protective cap 8 made of a synthetic resin or the like so that an oscillating surface 6 is included. A light emitting element 11 is mounted on the top face of the protective cap 8 so that the optical axis 10 of a light beam 9 coincides with the central axis of a ultrasonic beam emitted from the oscillating surface 6 of the oscillator 5. A lead wire 12 for applying signals for lighting the light emitting element 11 is connected to the other end of the protective cap 8. Thus, the signals are fed by utilizing the lead wire to operate the light emitting element 11, emitting the light beam 9 and, after conducting aligning with a work using the light beam 9, a ultrasonic sensor is fixed. Dismounting the protective cap 8 from the vibrator 5 enables the aligning and the setting of the ultrasonic sensor and a sensing to be performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to an ultrasonic sensor used for measuring distance, detecting the presence or absence of an object, etc.

Conventional technologyUsually, ultrasonic sensors are used to measure distances with high precision.
Since ultrasonic waves with a high frequency of several hundred kilohertz or higher are required, and a protective structure such as a net on the front would interfere with measurement, in most cases they were used as is.

As shown in FIG. 2, a conventional ultrasonic sensor has a vibrating surface 2 consisting of a spherical concave portion on the surface that emits an ultrasonic beam 1.
The ultrasonic beam 1 was radiated with a central axis 4.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In such an ultrasonic sensor, the ultrasonic beam 1 from the ultrasonic transducer 3 is often in a fairly narrow beam shape, and it is difficult to align or align the ultrasonic sensor and the workpiece. Requires extreme precision.

Since the ultrasonic beam 1 is invisible, it is difficult to handle, and since the ultrasonic vibrator 3 is exposed as it is, the vibrating surface may be damaged if an external object collides with it during setting. There were drawbacks such as damage.

The present invention aims to eliminate the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks, and to provide an ultrasonic sensor that protects the vibrating surface from damage during alignment and setting, and that is easy to align. .

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a protective cap that covers the vibrating surface of a vibrator that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves. The structure is such that the light emitting element is provided so that the optical axis is coaxial with the central axis of the acoustic beam.

Effect With the above configuration, the light emitting element can be operated during setting and the light beam can be used as a guide for alignment, and after the setting and sorting is completed, the protection cap can be removed to protect the vibrating surface of the vibrator. .

EXAMPLE Hereinafter, an example of the ultrasonic sensor of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a vibrator for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves made of piezoelectric ceramics, etc., which has a vibrating surface 6 made of a spherical concave portion at its tip, and a lead wire 7 for applying an electrical input signal to the other end. ing. This vibrator 6 is covered with a protective cap 8 made of synthetic resin or the like so as to cover the vibrating surface 6. The top surface of this protective cap 8 has the above-mentioned vibrator 6 attached to it.
The light emitting element 11 is mounted so that the optical axis 1o of the light beam 9 coincides with the central axis of the ultrasonic beam emitted from the vibrating surface 6. Further, a lead wire 12 is connected to the other end of the protective cap 8 to apply a signal that causes the light emitting element 11 to emit light.

With such a configuration, the setting is based on the lead wire 12.
is used to send a signal, operate the light emitting element 11 to emit a light beam 9, use this light beam 9 to align with the workpiece, and then fix the protective cap 8 on the vibrator 6.
By removing it, the ultrasonic sensor can be aligned and set, allowing sensing.

Effects of the Invention As described above, since the ultrasonic sensor of the present invention uses a protective cap equipped with a light emitting element, alignment with the workpiece can be easily and reliably set by visual inspection using the light beam of the light emitting element. The work is greatly improved, and since the vibrating surface of the vibrator can be protected with a protective cap during setting, it will not be damaged, making it highly safe, and has great industrial value. be.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the ultrasonic sensor of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a conventional ultrasonic sensor. 5... Vibrator, 6... Vibration surface, 8...
...Protective cap, 9...Light beam, 10
...Optical axis, 11...Light emitting element. Name of agent: Patent attorney Toshio Nakao and 1 other person No. 1
figure

Claims (1)

[Claims] A light emitting element is provided on the front surface of a protective cap shaped to cover the vibrating surface of a vibrator that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, so as to have an optical axis coaxial with the central axis of the ultrasonic beam emitted from the vibrator. An ultrasonic sensor.