Method for identifying an object within a protective zone with a protective device for a vehicle

A method for identifying an object within a protective zone with a protective device for a vehicle, wherein the protective device comprises an optical sensor installed on the vehicle and wherein an area of coverage monitored by the optical sensor includes a protective zone, within which object detection is realized, the method comprising:

• (a) locating objects within the area of coverage at predetermined points in time with the optical sensor;
• (b) based on detected locations of the objects, determining at least one of a driving direction or a speed of the vehicle;
• (c) based on the determined driving direction and/or speed:
• selecting a protective zone with the optical sensor among a plurality of protective zones previously stored in the optical sensor, wherein the protective zone forms a section within the area of coverage monitored by the optical sensor, or
• checking, with the optical sensor, at least one of a validity of a preset protective zone or a preset vehicle parameter value read into the optical sensor by a vehicle control unit;
• (d) monitoring the protective zone with the optical sensor for detection of an object;
• (e) generating a switching signal in the optical sensor if:
• an object is detected in the protective zone, or
• at least one of the preset protective zone or the preset vehicle parameter value read in by the vehicle control unit is identified as non-valid by the optical sensor in the checking step;
• (f) evaluating the switching signal via a redundant evaluation unit associated with the optical sensor, wherein the redundant evaluation unit satisfies safety requirement standards for the protection of persons;
• (g) forwarding the switching signal from the optical sensor to the vehicle control unit, wherein the switching signal comprises a shutdown command;
• (h) receiving the shutdown command by the vehicle control unit;
• and
• (i) stopping the vehicle with the vehicle control unit.