The Omron B5W Light Convergent Reflective Sensor is able to detect target objects more reliably than general reflection photo sensors, even those that are often a challenge such as reflective, transparent, diffuse or black surfaces.
According to Omron, the sensor’s convergent light beam can be accurately set to trigger on the presence of an object within a tightly specified target area, and ignore any objects in the background or foreground. The B5W features a combination of a cylindrical and a non-spherical lens.
The sensors design allows it to detect objects that are often a challenge for traditional sensors, such as: transparent cups and glasses in vending machines, diffuse surfaces that scatter incident light like carpets, black surfaces that absorb light and mirrored surfaces.
A typical application is a step detection function in a robot device as the B5W can reliably distinguish wood, glass, carpet and other floor surfaces from a downward step, to avoid risk of the robot falling.
The B5W can detect objects over a maximum distance of 70mm and provides an analogue output signal.
