B5W-LB/DB
Light Convergent and
Light Diffuse Reflective Sensors
Application Guide Providing answers to customers’ top issues and requests

What are Omron’s light convergent and light diffuse reflective sensors?

They are small-sized advanced optical sensors equipped with a built-in photomicrosensors, Omron’s original optical lens*, an LED pulse-driven circuit (modulated light), and a circuit less susceptible to external disturbing light. These sensors make it possible to detect a target object which is difficult to detect stably by the conventional Photomicrosensor (photointerrupter) or a target object in a long range, utilized in various applications.
Two models are available. The light convergent reflective sensor which can detect transparent or glossy objects such as a glass plates or low-reflective black and the other colored objects. The light diffuse reflective sensor which can detect long distance target objects.

*Patent No. KR101640989B

B5W-LB Series: Light Convergent Reflective Sensor

A light convergent reflective sensor less susceptible to colors and materials, not missing even a mirror, black, or transparent objects

B5W-DB Series: Light Diffuse Reflective Sensor

An ultra-small-sized light diffuse reflective sensor capable of detecting long ranges up to 550 mm

What’s the difference between light convergent and light diffuse reflective sensors?

Reflective optical sensors are generally classified into light diffuse reflective type and light convergent reflective type. The light diffuse reflective sensor sets the emitting beam in parallel to the receiving path. On the other hand, the light convergent reflective sensor has an optical design which sets the emitting path toward the aimed detection area to receive the regular reflection light from the surface of the sensing object.
In addition, the light diffuse reflective sensor can detect a distant target object by the optical lens design as shown on the graph of sensing distance characteristics below. The light convergent reflective sensor is able to detect low-reflective objects and glossy objects. This sensor has a limited sensing area and is effectively used when an object which should not be detected, such as a background, is behind the sensing object.

Light diffuse reflective sensor* The sensing area is not limited
Light convergent reflective sensor* The sensing area is limited

Usage hints for the light convergent and light diffuse reflective sensors

By making the most of the functions of OMRON's light convergent reflective optical sensor, stable sensing can be realized for a long period of time in applications. Here are some tips on how to use the light convergent reflective sensor.

B5W-LB Series: Light Convergent Reflective Sensor User’s Manual