Triangulation light sensor

A triangulation light sensor for the detection of objects on a conveying path, the triangulation light sensor comprising

• a light transmitter for transmitting transmitted light into a detection zone that extends over a partial region of the conveying path;
• a light receiver having an array of reception elements for receiving light that is remitted from the detection zone by one of an object to be detected and the conveyor path, wherein the array of reception elements extends at least in a triangulation direction, and wherein the reception elements generate respective received signals;
• a reception optics arranged in the optical path between the detection zone and the light receiver for generating at least one light spot from the remitted light on the light receiver, wherein the position of the at least one light spot on the light receiver in the triangulation direction results in dependence on the distance of a point of incidence of the transmitted light on one of an object to be detected and the conveyor path from the triangulation light sensor;
• and
• an evaluation unit that is configured for generating an object detection signal from the received signals, wherein an object detection signal is only generated when a distance value of the point of incidence determined on the light receiver with reference to the position of the at least one light spot on the light receiver falls below a predefined distance threshold value;
• wherein the evaluation unit is configured to replace the previous distance threshold value cyclically with a new distance threshold value, with the new distance threshold value being determined by a currently determined distance value less a predefined first hysteresis value when the currently determined distance value is greater than the previous distance threshold value and/or the new distance threshold value is determined by the currently determined distance value plus a predefined second hysteresis value when the currently determined distance value is smaller than the previous distance threshold value.