10 Photointerrupter Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for photointerrupters as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 10 photointerrupter manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked photointerrupter companies as of November, 2024: 1.Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., 2.OncQue, 3.SHARP CORPORATION.
Table of Contents
What Is a Photointerrupter?
Photointerrupters are devices that detect the presence, absence, or position of an object using a light-emitter and receiver. They are classified into transmissive and reflective types. Transmissive photointerrupters work by blocking light between the emitter and receiver, while reflective photointerrupters detect light reflected off an object back to the detector.
Though both are used in various devices, this discussion focuses on transmissive photointerrupters, where the emitter and receiver are positioned opposite each other within a single package.
Uses of Photointerrupters
Employed across automotive, food, semiconductor, and other industries, photointerrupters serve various functions, including:
- Measuring lens ejection and aperture diameter in digital cameras.
- Detecting the timing of photosensitive drums and paper passage in photocopiers.
- Monitoring print head position and paper flow in printers.
- Tracking human movement in automatic ticket gates.
- Validating banknote passage in vending machines.
Principle of Photointerrupters
Comprising a near-infrared LED emitter and a phototransistor detector, photointerrupters operate by continuously projecting light from the emitter to the detector. The interruption of this light path by an object decreases the phototransistor's collector current, which is then processed to signal the object's detection.
Integrated types align the optical axes during manufacturing, eliminating the need for post-installation adjustments. Conversely, separate types require precise alignment of the emitter and detector at setup.
Other Information on Photointerrupters
Precautions for Using Photointerrupters
Considerations include:
- Detecting highly transparent objects may be challenging due to their light transmission properties.
- Small objects might not be detected if they are smaller than the emitter's slit.
- Ambient light can saturate the phototransistor, hindering object detection, especially near 1,000 nm wavelength light sources.
- The near-infrared LED's light output may decrease over time, potentially affecting device operation. Designing with sensitivity margin is advisable.
List of 10 Photointerrupter Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- United States of America
- Japan
- Taiwan
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Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.,
OPTICAL SENSORS - TRANSMISSIVE
Manufacturer Overview
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. (Vishay) was incorporated in 1962 and is headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania. The company serves the industrial, automotive, telecommunications, consumer products, and medical end markets and sells its products under numerous brand names inlcuding Siliconix, Draloric, Beyschlag, UltraSource, and Applied Thin-Film Products. The company manufactures and sells discrete semiconductors and passive electronic components in globally while operating in six market segments: MOSFETs, diodes, optoelectronic components, resistors, inductors, and capacitors.
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Light in Motion LLC
Photointerrupters
Manufacturer Overview
Light in Motion LLC, founded in 2009, is a manufacturer of standard and custom hermetically sealed optoelectronics components, headquartered in Milpitas, California. Some of the optoelectronics components offered, which are used in sensing applications include light-emitting diodes, optical interrupters, switches, emitters, and detectors. They also provide assemblies and photosensors. The company serves the sensor industry and is RoHS-compliant. Light in Motion's Engineering Group, situated in California, collaborates with their factories in Asia, ensuring adherence to ISO 9001 standards throughout the entire product lifecycle.
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Shinkoh Electronics
Photo Interrupter – separate type
Manufacturer Overview
Shinkoh Electronics, established in 1974, is a manufacturer and retailer of electrical semiconductor products based in Kanagawa, Japan. The company’s product portfolio is composed of photo reflectors, prism photo sensors, photo interrupters, and photo interrupter separator-type & actuator-type. Their products are used in various settings including in amusement machines, slot machines, and cash machines for object detection, button detection, coin/bill passing detection, barcode reading, and mark detection. They are also used in testing equipment and medical and analytical equipment for various mechanism detection, and cover & object detection.
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OKAYA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
Transmissive photointerrupter
Manufacturer Overview
OKAYA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES., LTD was founded in 1939 in Japan. OKAYA produces a range of electronic parts for various industries. Some of these include noise suppression products, surge protective devices, display products including LEDs, and micro sensors with LED lights. OKAYA has offices across Eastern Asia and in the United States.
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KODENSHI CORP
REFLECTIVE TYPE PHOTOINTERRUPTER
Manufacturer Overview
Kodenshi Corporation Japanese manufacturer of electronic components and optoelectronic devices, including infrared sensors, LEDs, and photodiodes. The company was established in 1979 and operates globally and serves a range of industries, including automotive, telecommunications, and consumer electronics. The company's infrared sensors and receivers, for example, are used in devices such as air conditioners and televisions, while its photodiodes are used in barcode scanners and medical equipment. The company has received several awards for its products and technologies, including the Good Design Award and the JAXA President Award.
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Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
Photointerrupter
Manufacturer Overview
Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., established in 1953 and headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a manufacturer of sensors and emitters for both visible and invisible light. It stocks products like LEDs, lamps, and photodiodes used in several industries, including consumer electronics, dental imaging, and environmental monitoring. The sensor and light source components are also available as modules and units that can be incorporated into systems the company develops, like optical measurement systems or imaging systems. The ISO 9001-certified company stocks over 15,000 devices, units, and systems that ship to over 100 destinations worldwide, and it has ten research and production bases.
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LITE-ON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
Photointerrupter
Manufacturer Overview
Lite-On Technology Corporation is a global manufacturer of electronics components and computer peripherals based in Taiwan. Established in 1975, their products include power supplies, optical storage devices, LED lighting, and automotive electronics. The company's products are used in a diversity of applications, from computer hardware and consumer electronics to automotive and industrial equipment. The company's optoelectronics products include LED lighting, infrared components, and optical sensors, while its storage devices include solid-state drives and optical disc drives. In 2020, the company won the "Taiwan Excellence Award" for its smart street lighting system, which uses IoT technology to reduce energy consumption.
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OncQue
Photointerrupter
Manufacturer Overview
OncQue Corporation, founded in 1996 and located in Taichung, Taiwan, is a manufacturer of sensor switches. They specialize in an array of sensor switches that provide crucial functionality for enhanced safety, security, efficiency, and automation across different applications, including security systems, alarm systems, GPS, and home appliances. Their product range includes tilt sensor switches, vibration sensor switches, optical sensor switches, and centrifugal force sensor switches. They also offer different kinds of sensor modules, such as liquid level sensor modules and tilt power controller modules.
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SHARP CORPORATION
Photointerrupters
Manufacturer Overview
Sharp Corporation is a multinational electronics manufacturer based in Japan. They design and produce a wide range of electronic products, including TVs, smartphones, home appliances, and solar panels. The company was establish in 1912 in Tokyo and has received several awards for its products and technologies. In 2020, the company received the Red Dot Award for its Aquos Zero2 and iF Design Award for its Plasmacluster Ion Generator, along with multiple ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Awards. Sharp's business model is centered on technology and research and development, enabling the manufacturing and supply like air purifiers, refrigerators, washing machines, and TVs.
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KODENSHI CORP.
SEPARATED TYPE PHOTOINTERRUPTER
Company Overview
Kodenshi Corp. is an ISO 14001 and IATF 16949-certified manufacturer of optical devices that was established in 1972 in Kyoto, Japan. The company’s product lineup includes photointerrupters for sensing motion or positioning, photodiodes for converting light into electrical currents, and phototransistors for amplifying currents generated by photodiodes. It also offers encoders for converting motion into digital signals, and photo couplers for noise reduction or signal isolation. The company’s products are commonly used within the private security and transportation sectors, and have additional applications in the automotive industry.
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Photointerrupter Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. |
17.9%
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| 2 | SHARP CORPORATION |
14.3%
|
| 3 | OncQue |
14.3%
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| 4 | LITE-ON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION |
13.4%
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| 5 | Light in Motion LLC |
11.6%
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| 6 | KODENSHI CORP |
8.9%
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| 7 | Shinkoh Electronics |
6.3%
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| 8 | OKAYA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES CO., LTD. |
6.3%
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| 9 | Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., |
5.4%
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| 10 | KODENSHI CORP. |
1.8%
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Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the photointerrupter page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
- SHARP CORPORATION: 48,165
- Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.: 3,766
- OKAYA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.: 1,423
Newly Established Company
- OncQue: 1996 (28 years ago)
- LITE-ON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION: 1975 (49 years ago)
- Shinkoh Electronics: 1974 (50 years ago)
Company with a History
- SHARP CORPORATION: 1912 (112 years ago)
- OKAYA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.: 1939 (85 years ago)
- Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.: 1953 (71 years ago)
Photointerrupter Manufacturers in United States
*Including some distributors, etc.
Global Distribution of Photointerrupter Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
Japan
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5 | 55.6% |
United States of America
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2 | 22.2% |
Taiwan
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2 | 22.2% |
