Method for automatically calibrating a sensor module and sensor module for detecting material containers in a storage or transport system

A method for automatically calibrating a sensor module formed as a rocker, the sensor module having which has a position or acceleration sensor, the method comprising:

• measuring, by the sensor module, a position of the sensor module as an angle relative to a fixed spatial direction;
• outputting, by the sensor module, an output signal that depends on whether the measured angle is greater than or less than a switching angle;
• setting the output signal to a first output value responsive to the measured angle exceeding the switching angle;
• setting the switching angle to a value equal to the measured angle minus an off free pivot angle as long as a value of the measured angle continues to increase;
• setting the output signal to a second output value responsive to the measured angle falling below the switching angle;
• and
• setting the switching angle to a value corresponding to the measured angle plus an on free pivot angle as long as the value of the measured angle continues to decrease.

A sensor module for detecting material containers in a storage or transport system, the sensor module comprising:

• a position or acceleration sensor, via which a position of the sensor module can be measured as an angle relative to a fixed spatial direction;
• and
• an evaluation unit that evaluates a signal of the position or acceleration sensor and that outputs an output signal as a function of the measured angle,
• wherein the evaluation unit is configured to
• set the output signal to a first output value responsive to the measured angle exceeding the switching angle;
• set the switching angle to a value equal to the measured angle minus an off free pivot angle as long as a value of the measured angle continues to increase;
• set the output signal to a second output value responsive to the measured angle falling below the switching angle;
• and
• set the switching angle to a value corresponding to the measured angle plus an on free pivot angle as long as the value of the measured angle continues to decrease.