Radiant energy – Photocells; circuits and apparatus – Housings
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-05
2003-04-15
Pyo, Kevin (Department: 2878)
Radiant energy
Photocells; circuits and apparatus
Housings
C250S216000, C220S837000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06548808
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical sensor holder for holding an optical sensor at a predetermined position to detect a light beam.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As a conventional type optical sensor holder, an optical sensor holder disclosed in JP-A-60-217545 is known.
In this optical sensor holder, an optical sensor is inserted through an opening formed on backside of the holder, and the sensor unit on the optical sensor is positioned face-to-face to a window so that the sensor unit is exposed to light. By fixing a printed circuit board using screws on the opening on backside of the holder, the incidence of the light into the holder from portions other than the window is prevented.
As another type of optical sensor holder, an optical sensor holder disclosed in Japanese Utility Model 4-111019 Laid-Open is known. In this case, a hood is provided on a window of a holder, and only a light beam entering from the direct front of the tip of the sensor unit can be detected.
In the conventional type optical sensor holders as described above, there have been the following problems:
In case of the former, the printed circuit board must be fixed by screws to prevent the incidence of the light into the holder from portions other than the window. This means that the number the component parts must be increased and complicated assembling procedure is needed.
In case of the latter, no consideration is given on the light beam entering the holder from portions other than the window. If the light beam enters from portions other than the window, the optical sensor may erroneously detect the light.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical sensor holder, in which only the light coming from a predetermined direction can enter and there is no need to increase the number of component parts and to use complicated assembling procedure.
In a concrete arrangement example, the optical sensor holder of the present invention comprises:
a holder main unit made of synthetic resin and having an opening formed on backside thereof where an optical sensor can be inserted, a window where a sensor unit arranged on the optical sensor is faced to outside on upper portion of the front side, a partition plate formed toward backside and for dividing inner space of the holder main unit in lateral direction so that a pair of metal terminals of the optical sensor can be moved away from each other in lateral direction in the holder main unit, a positioning pin projected from inner part of the opening toward backside, and a positioning pin integrally projected from the bottom surface for positioning with respect to a base plate and said positioning pin being inserted into a positioning hole formed on the base plate;
a cover unit made of synthetic resin, having a positioning hole for receiving the positioning pin and mountable on said opening so that the sensor unit can be covered from backside;
an arm made of synthetic resin and integrally molded as bendable between the tip of the holder main unit and the tip of the cover unit; and
a leg structure having a pair of leg units extended approximately in parallel and in the same direction to be separated from the holder main unit, having pawls to be engaged with mounting holes formed on the base plate and arranged on forward end thereof to be separated from each other, and said leg units being bendable in directions to be moved closer to each other.
In an essential arrangement of the optical sensor holder, the optical sensor holder comprises:
a holder main unit, having an opening for receiving an optical sensor on backside thereof and a window where a sensor unit provided on the optical sensor is faced to outside on front side;
a cover unit mountable on said opening so that the sensor unit can be covered from backside; and
a connection unit for connecting said holder main unit with the cover unit.
In the present invention with the arrangement as described above, the optical sensor is inserted through the opening on the backside of the holder main unit. The sensor unit provided on the optical sensor is positioned face-to-face to a window formed on the holder main unit, and the sensor unit is exposed to the light.
A cover unit connected to the holder main unit via a connection unit is mounted on the opening so that the sensor unit is covered from the backside and the light does not enter the holder main unit from portions other than the window.
As a result, in the optical sensor holder, the light enters only through the window, and the sensor unit detects this incident light. Therefore, there is no possibility that the sensor unit erroneously detects the light entering from portions other than the window.
As explained above, it is possible according to the present invention to provide an optical sensor holder, in which only the light from a predetermined direction can enter, and this means that there is no need to increase the number of component parts and to use complicated assembling procedure.
The holder main unit and the cover unit are connected with each other via the connection unit, and there is no need to have component parts for individual purpose. This means that there is no need to increase the number of component parts and to use complicated procedure to assemble the cover unit with the holder main unit.
As an example of additional arrangement to provide the holder main unit with the optical sensor at a predetermined point, the holder main unit can be also be designed with a leg structure mountable on the base plate.
In the invention with the arrangement as described above, the holder main unit with the optical sensor accommodated in it can be fixed on the base plate by mounting the leg structure on the base plate.
According to the present invention, the arrangement of the holder main unit at a predetermined point can be integrally designed with the holder.
As described above, when the holder main unit is provided with the leg structure, it is convenient because it can be easily mounted on the base plate. However, this is only an example. From the viewpoint that the optical sensor is accommodated in the holder main unit in such manner that the light does not enter from the portions other than the window, it is possible to use a mounting member prepared for each individual purpose or to form a mounting structure on the base plate side. Because the holder main unit of the present invention is not limited to the one fixed on the base plate, it may be fixed on a cabinet.
As an arrangement example of the leg structure, it may be designed in such manner that the leg structure comprises a pair of leg units extended approximately in parallel and in the same direction to be separated from the holder main unit, having pawls to be engaged with mounting holes formed on the base plate and arranged on forward end thereof to be separated from each other, and said leg units being bendable in directions to be moved closer to each other.
In the invention with the arrangement as described above, the pawls are formed on the forward end of a pair of leg units extended approximately in parallel and in the same direction to be separated from each other and arranged on the side to be separated from the holder main unit, and the pawls are pressed against opening edges of the mounting holes formed on the base plate. As a result, the leg units can be inserted into the mounting holes when the leg units are bent to directions to move closer to each other.
When the pawls are inserted into the mounting holes and are projected on opposite surface of the base plate, each of the leg units is restored to the initial position in the directions to be separated from each other, and the pawls are engaged with the opening edges on the opposite side of the mounting holes.
As described above, it is possible according to the present invention to provide the leg structure by merely adding a simple arrangement to the holder main unit.
As an example of additional arrangement of the holder main unit, the
Crowell & Moring LLP
Funai Electric Co. Ltd.
Pyo Kevin
LandOfFree
Optical sensor holder does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Optical sensor holder, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Optical sensor holder will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3051928