In the photoelectric conversion method and apparatus applicable to displacement sensors irradiating light to objects and sensing the distances to the objects, distance-determining type photoelectric sensors etc., the method and apparatus arrange n (n>2) light-receiving elements in a predetermined direction, and divide each photoelectric current I1, I2, . . . , In of each light-receiving element in predetermined ratios k1 to 1-k1, k2 to 1-k2, . . . , kn to 1-kn; and lead the divided photoelectric currents to the first and the second photoelectric current output terminal, and control the predetermined ratios k1, k2, . . . , kn in keeping such relationships as k1>0.5>kn and km.ltoreq.kp (p=m-1; m=2 to n), therefore the arbitrary positions on the light-receiving surface can be set in high sensibility, and high speed responsibility can be attained.
The present invention concerns an optical apparatus for measuring the distance of an object and characterized in that it comprises a case, a first converging lens housed in the case, a light source housed in the case and acting through the first converging lens to illuminate in a direction of illumination an object, a second converging lens housed in the case in a position such as to collect, in a direction angularly deviated with respect to the illumination direction, a light beam diffused by the illuminated object, detection means housed in the case in a position such as to collect the light beam diffused by the object illuminated and penetrating into the case through the second converging lens, with said light beam being collected on detection means from the second converging lens at a point of incidence having a position varying as a function of the distance of the object, with the detection means being capable of generating two electrical signals of different magnitude depending on the point of incidence of the diffused light beam coming from the object, and processing means for electrical signals generated by the detection means and capable of calculating a numerical value of the measured distance.
A system for distributing power from a detection switch parent device to detection switch child, or slave, devices. The system includes a power supply source for supplying an electric power; the detection switch parent device including, a body portion, an output wire for outputting a detection signal connected to the body portion, and power supply wires connectable to the power supply source, for receiving the electric power; at least one detection switch child device each including, a body portion, and an output wire for outputting a detection signal connected to the body portion; and electrical connection means for electrically connecting the body portions of the detection switch parent device to detection switch child device to one another to transmits the electric power being supplied to the body portion of the detection switch parent device to the body portion of the detection switch child device.
