Redundant optical deflection sensor having separate masses

Sensor comprising an emitting element emitting a bundle of light rays in a direction of propagation, said bundle of light rays having transversely to its direction of propagation a distribution of intensity which varies over its cross-section, a receiving element receiving said bundle of light rays and having at least one receiving surface for said bundle of light rays, said emitting element being so arranged relative to said receiving element that when said sensor is acted upon, said emitting element is movable relative to said receiving element in a direction of deflection transversely to said direction of propagation of said bundle of light rays, and an evaluating device generating an output signal of said sensor, wherein:

• in each deflection position, a receiving surface is illuminated by only a partial bundle of rays of said bundle of light rays in said direction of deflection,
• said receiving element generates for said receiving surface an integral intensity signal corresponding to the total intensity impinging upon this receiving surface, and
• said evaluating device detects said intensity signal and determines the deflection with a processor taking into account the size of said intensity signal and a predetermined set of parameters based on said distribution of intensity in said bundle of light rays and on the size and position of said receiving surface.