Method for detecting objects and light barrier grid
AssigneeSick AG
InventorsManfred Haberer, Thomas Staehler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for monitoring two or more movable objects in a monitoring region. A substantially horizontal light barrier grid having a plurality of parallel light barriers monitors the region. To permit a plurality of objects to simultaneously move in the monitored region without deactivating the monitoring function of the system, the system controls an entry area for the objects, the size of the objects as well as the distance between the objects to ascertain that predetermined criteria therefor are met. If one or more of these criteria is not met, a control signal is generated which can be used, for example, to deactivate the machinery and/or prevent access to the monitored region.
Claims12
A method for monitoring at least two movable objects in a monitored region comprising arranging a substantially horizontal light barrier grid having a plurality of parallel light barriers in the monitored region, observing the objects in the monitored region, establishing at least three criteria concerning the objects in the region which must be met by the objects to constitute permitted objects, the criteria including an entry area for the objects into the monitored region, a size of the objects, and a distance between the objects, and generating a control signal if at least one of the three criteria is not met by objects in the monitored region.
A light barrier grid comprising a light emitting bar having light emitters arranged next to each other, a light receiving bar including light receptors which cooperate with the light emitters and which are arranged adjacent to each other, cooperating light emitters and light receptors defining a multiplicity of parallel light barriers, and at least one control and evaluation unit for controlling and reading output provided by light barriers, the control and evaluation unit observing as criteria at least an entry area through which the objects enter the monitored region, a size of the objects in the monitored region, and a distance between the objects in the monitored region, the control and evaluation unit comparing the observed criteria with predetermined, stored, values for the corresponding criteria and generating an output signal for controlling potential danger in the monitored region if at least one of the monitored criteria does not correspond to the corresponding stored values therefor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.