Multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor system

A multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor system, comprising:

• a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor for master, having a pair of columnar housings, from one end of at least one of which in the longitudinal direction an electric cord including an external input/output wire as a core wire is pulled out, and at the other end of at least one of which in the longitudinal direction a plug-in type socket is provided,
• one or more than one of multi-optical axis photoelectric sensors for coupling, having a pair of columnar housings, from one end of at least one of which in the longitudinal direction an electric cord including a signal wire between sensors as a core wire is pulled out, and at the other end of at least one of which in the longitudinal direction a plug-in type socket is provided, with a plug, detachably connectable to the socket of the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor for master or another multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor, being attached to the end of the electric cord including the signal core wire between sensors, and
• a plug piece, detachably connectable to the socket of the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor for master or the socket of the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor for coupling, wherein
• the columnar housing of the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor for master at least includes:
• a light projecting circuit for performing an operation of projecting light by means of light projecting element arrays as a series of light axis elements, or a light receiving circuit for performing an operation of receiving light by means of light receiving element arrays as a series of light axis elements, an input/output circuit for performing an operation of inputting from or outputting to the outside, and a processing circuit for controlling over those circuits to realize a function as a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor,
• the columnar housing of the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor for coupling at least includes:
• a light projecting circuit for performing an operation of projecting light by means of light projecting element arrays as a series of light axis elements, or a light receiving circuit for performing an operation of receiving light by means of light receiving element arrays as a series of light axis elements, an input/output circuit for performing an operation of inputting from or outputting to the outside, and a processing circuit for controlling over those circuits to realize a function as a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor,
• particular information to serve as a function determining element on the columnar housing side of the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor for master or for coupling is incorporated in the plug piece in a manner referenceable from the processing circuit on the columnar housing side via the socket,
• a function is incorporated in the processing circuit in the columnar housing of the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor for coupling, which is a function of transmitting particular information acquired from the plug piece attached via the socket or particular information from another adjacent multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor for coupling, to another multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor for coupling adjacent to the master side or the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor for master,
• the processing circuit in the columnar housing of the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor for master is set so as to determine a function based upon particular information in the plug piece referenced via the socket or particular information acquired from an adjacent multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor for coupling, and thereby,
• attachment of the plug piece to the socket of the columnar housing positioned at the most end of the series of mutually coupled columnar housings enables setting of a function of the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor for master.