Modular articulated light curtain

A method for implementing a modular articulated light curtain, comprising the following steps:

• (a) providing at least first and second modules, each module having a first rounded distal end including a first electrical connector providing first connections, a second rounded distal end including a second electrical connector providing second connections, and a length therebetween, and a module surface upon which is disposed an array of light units spaced-apart from each other with a pitch P1, said light units being selected from a group consisting of (a) light emitters, and (b) light detectors;
• (b) providing a coupler having a first distal end defining a cavity sized to receive at least a portion of said first rounded distal end of said first module and including a first electrical connector having first connections sized to mate with said first connections provided by said first electrical connector, said coupler further having a second distal end defining a cavity sized to receive at least of portion of said second rounded distal end of said second module and including a second electrical connector having second connections sized to mate with said second connections provided by said second electrical connector;
• and
• (c) providing on said coupler a light unit that is equi-spaced between a closest adjacent light unit on a distal end of said first and second modules.

A method of implementing a light curtain coupleable to electronics providing operating power and drive signals and providing analysis of signals output by the light curtain, the method comprising the following steps:

• providing a light emitting system that defines a locus and includes:
• a first module having a first rounded distal end, a second rounded distal end, and a length therebetween, and including on a surface of said first module an array of light emitters spaced-apart from each other with a pitch P1;
• said first distal end including a first electrical connector providing first connections, said second distal end including a second electrical connector providing second connections, and providing at least one lead electrically coupling at least some said first connections on said first electrical connector to said light units to at least some said second connections on said second electrical connector;
• a second module having a first rounded distal end, a second rounded distal end, and a length therebetween, and providing on a surface of said second module an array of light emitters spaced-apart from each other with a pitch P1;
• said first distal end including a first electrical connector providing first connections, said second distal end including a second electrical connector providing second connections, and further including at least one lead electrically coupling at least some said first connections on said first electrical connector to said light emitters to at least some said second connections on said second electrical connector;
• disposing a coupler to receive and retain said first rounded distal end of said first module and said first rounded distal end of said second module, said coupler including a first electrical connector to make electrical connection with said first electrical connector on said first module, and including a second electrical connector to make electrical connection with said first electrical connector on said second module, said coupler maintaining said pitch P1 between adjacent ends of said first and second module;
• providing a light detecting system, spaced-apart from said light emitting system, also defining said locus;
• and
• coupling electrical signals to and from said light emitting system and said light detecting system.

A method of implementing a modular coupler for use in a modular articulated light curtain, the method comprising:

• providing a module having a first rounded distal end having curved radius R, a second rounded distal end having curved radius R, and a length L therebetween;
• disposing a plurality equal to a number n of light units on a first surface of said module a common distance P1 apart from each other, and selecting said light units from a group consisting of (a) light emitters, and (b) light detectors;
• first surface of said module at said first rounded distal end defining a curved ledge with radius R≦P1/2overhanging an edge of a second surface of said module, said second surface of said module defining a base having radius R≦P1/2extending beyond a second rounded distal end of said first surface;
• disposing a first electrical connector making first connections beneath said curved ledge at said first rounded distal end;
• disposing a second electrical connector making second connections on said base extending from said second surface;
• and
• electrically coupling at least some said first connections on said first electrical connector to said light units to at least some said second connections on said second electrical connector.

A method of providing a modular articulated light curtain coupleable to electronics providing operating power and drive signals and providing analysis of signals output by the light curtain, the method comprising:

• providing a light emitting system that defines a locus and includes:
• first and second modules each having a first rounded distal end having curved radius R, a second rounded distal end having curved radius R, and a length L therebetween;
• disposing a plurality equal to a number n of light emitters on a first surface of each said module a common distance P1 apart from each other;
• said first surface of each said module at said first rounded distal end defining a curved ledge with radius R≦P1/2overhanging an edge of a second surface of said module, said second surface of said module defining a base having radius R≦P1/2 extending beyond a second rounded distal end of said first surface;
• disposing a first electrical connector making first connections beneath said curved ledge at said first rounded distal end;
• disposing a second electrical connector making second connections on said base extending from said second surface;
• each of said first and second modules including electrical connection between the first and second connectors on a module and including electrical connection to said light emitters;
• wherein a distal end of each of said modules is connectable-together using mating said electrical connectors to maintain said distance P1 from module to module, while allowing a desired angle between connected-together said modules to be achieved;
• providing a light detecting system, spaced-apart from said light emitting system, also defining said locus;
• and
• coupling electrical signals to and from said light emitting system and said light detecting system.