Modular Light Curtain and Optical Unit For A Light Curtain

A light curtain for monitoring a protective field, said light curtain comprising:

• at least one first optical unit having a plurality of light emitting elements and light receiving elements and at least one second optical unit having a plurality of light emitting elements and light receiving elements, wherein said light emitting elements and light receiving elements are operable to form a light grid from a plurality of light barriers formed between opposing light emitting elements and light receiving elements,
• a control unit for processing output signals generated by said light receiving element and for generating a defined output signal upon interruption of at least one light barrier,
• wherein said first and second optical unit each comprise a transceiver unit carrying said plurality of light emitting elements and light receiving elements, and at least one separate detachable plug-in module, said first and second transceiver units being based on an identical structure and said first and second plug-in modules differing from each other in order to define the functionality of the first optical unit and the second optical unit, respectively.