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HP7 Series Photoelectric Sensor:A Product Born from Life Cycle Assessment of Environmental Impact

HP7 series photoelectric sensor

HP7 series photoelectric sensor

A photoelectric sensor detects the absence or presence of objects, using light as a medium, and emits an electrical on/off signal. The sensor consists of a light transmitter and a light receiver. The receiver detects whether the light emitted from the transmitter is being blocked or reflected by an object. It processes the light signal, and generates an output.

During the course of new product development, we conducted a life cycle assessment (LCA) of our existing photoelectric sensor and found that it consumed a significant amount of power during its service life.*1 We therefore identified the factors responsible for consuming a large amount of current and took four countermeasures: reducing the photoelectric current, reducing power consumption by using voltage to drive certain components of the sensor, reducing the current consumption of the integrated circuit, and adopting a new adaptable design. As a result, we were able to cut the product’s power consumption by about one-half compared with our previous photoelectric sensor.

*1 It can be used 24 hours a day and has a service life of ten years.

TechnicalReview

For details on energy-saving features, other environment-related features contributing to business solutions, and product features other than environmental benefits, please see the April 2013 edition of the azbil Technical Review (in Japanese with English abstracts).

https://www.azbil.com/jp/corporate/pr/library/review/pdf/2013_04_3.pdf