All Categories
History
This section provides an overview for photointerrupters as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 11 photointerrupter manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked photointerrupter companies as of January, 2025: 1.Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., 2.OncQue, 3.SHARP CORPORATION.
Table of Contents
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.
Employed across automotive, food, semiconductor, and other industries, photointerrupters serve various functions, including:
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.
Considerations include:
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
Sort by Area
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ranking as of January 2025
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. |
17.9%
|
2 | SHARP CORPORATION |
14.3%
|
3 | OncQue |
14.3%
|
4 | LITE-ON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION |
13.4%
|
5 | Light in Motion LLC |
11.6%
|
6 | KODENSHI CORP |
8.9%
|
7 | Shinkoh Electronics |
6.3%
|
8 | OKAYA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES CO., LTD. |
6.3%
|
9 | Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., |
5.4%
|
10 | KODENSHI CORP. |
1.8%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the photointerrupter page as of January 2025. 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
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
Japan | 6 | 60.0% |
United States of America | 2 | 20.0% |
Taiwan | 2 | 20.0% |
127 products found - Page 1
127 products - Page 1
Shinkoh Electronics
620+ people viewing
Last viewed: 6 hours ago
Standard Response
74 models listed
ASIC Co., Ltd.
230+ people viewing
Last viewed: 35 minutes ago
■Summary A sensor that consists of a package of a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element arranged in pairs, and when an object passes...
3 models listed
Nimatsu Electric Co., Ltd.
160+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 day ago
Very Fast Response
RODAN is a Taiwanese LED manufacturer founded in 1974. The main products are infrared LED, phototransistor, photodiode, photointerrupter, visible L...
Nimatsu Electric Co., Ltd.
100+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 day ago
Very Fast Response
Letex Technology is a manufacturer of Photo DMOS-FET relays, optocouplers, and other Photo related products, founded in Taiwan in 2001. Obtained IS...
Unitech Co., Ltd.
40+ people viewing
Last viewed: 21 hours ago
UI2010 is a general-purpose transmissive photosensor that uses an infrared light emitting diode and a phototransistor. ■Features ・8mm gap general...
Unitech Co., Ltd.
40+ people viewing
UI1422-06 is a small transmission-type photosensor with a dust-proof construction and a flat detection slit. ■Features ・Dustproof structure that ...
Unitech Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 day ago
The UI2458 is a dust-proof transparent photo IC sensor with a flat detection slit and an operation indicator light that lights up when an object is...
Unitech Co., Ltd.
40+ people viewing
Last viewed: 21 hours ago
UI2012 is a general-purpose transmissive photosensor that uses an infrared light emitting diode and photo IC. ■Features ・8mm gap general-purpose ...
Unitech Co., Ltd.
40+ people viewing
UI1423-06 is a small transmission-type photosensor with a dust-proof construction and a flat detection slit. ■Features ・Dustproof structure that ...
Unitech Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 day ago
The UI2488 is a dust-proof transparent photo IC sensor with a flat detection slit and an operation indicator that lights up when an object is detec...
Unitech Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
UI2013 is a general-purpose transmissive photo sensor that uses an infrared light emitting diode and photo IC. ■Features ・8mm gap general-purpose...
Unitech Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 day ago
UI1492-04 is a small transmission type photosensor with a flat detection slit and dust-proof construction. ■Features ・Dustproof structure that is...
Unitech Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
Last viewed: 22 hours ago
UI2020 is a general-purpose transmissive photosensor that uses an infrared light emitting diode and a phototransistor. ■Features ・5mm gap general...
Unitech Co., Ltd.
40+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 day ago
UI1493-04 is a small transmission type photosensor with a flat detection slit and dust-proof structure. ■Features ・Dustproof structure that is le...
Unitech Co., Ltd.
40+ people viewing
Last viewed: 21 hours ago
UI2022 is a general-purpose transmissive photosensor that uses an infrared light emitting diode and photo IC. ■Features ・5mm gap general-purpose ...
Unitech Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
Last viewed: 2 hours ago
UI1502-04 is a small transmission type photosensor with a flat detection slit and dust-proof structure. ■Features ・Dustproof structure that is le...
Unitech Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 day ago
UI2023 is a general-purpose transmissive photosensor that uses an infrared light emitting diode and photo IC. ■Features ・5mm gap general-purpose ...
Unitech Co., Ltd.
40+ people viewing
Last viewed: 21 hours ago
UI1503-04 is a small transmission type photosensor with a flat detection slit and dust-proof structure. ■Features ・Dustproof structure that is le...
Unitech Co., Ltd.
40+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 day ago
UI2030 is a general-purpose transmissive photosensor that uses an infrared light emitting diode and a phototransistor. ■Features ・3mm gap general...
Unitech Co., Ltd.
40+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 hour ago
The UI2400-06 is a dust-proof transmission type photosensor that uses an infrared light emitting diode and a phototransistor. ■Features ・Phototra...
Unitech Co., Ltd.
50+ people viewing
Last viewed: 34 minutes ago
UI2032 is a general-purpose transmissive photosensor that uses an infrared light emitting diode and photo IC. ■Features ・3mm gap general-purpose ...
Unitech Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 day ago
UI2402-06 is a small transmission type photosensor with a dust-proof construction and a flat detection slit. ■Features ・Dustproof structure that ...
Unitech Co., Ltd.
40+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 day ago
UI2033 is a general-purpose transmissive photosensor that uses an infrared light emitting diode and photo IC. ■Features ・3mm gap general-purpose ...
Unitech Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 day ago
The UI1428 is a dust-proof transparent photo IC sensor with a flat detection slit and an operation indicator that lights up when an object is detec...
Unitech Co., Ltd.
40+ people viewing
Last viewed: 21 hours ago
UI1413 is a small transmission type photosensor with a flat detection slit and dust-proof construction. ■Features ・Dustproof structure that is le...
Unitech Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
Last viewed: 15 hours ago
The UI2408 is a dust-proof transparent photo IC sensor with a flat detection slit and an operation indicator that lights up when an object is detec...