Sensor arrangement for detecting a safe installation state of an installation operated in an automated manner

A sensor arrangement for detecting a safe installation state of an installation operated in an automated manner, the sensor arrangement comprising:

• an input circuit designed to receive a first input signal and designed to receive at least one further input signal, with the first input signal depending on the safe installation state to be detected, and with the further input signal depending on a further state,
• a first output and at least one second output for outputting a first output signal and a second output signal, and
• an evaluation unit designed to evaluate the first input signal in a fail-safe manner and, on the basis thereof, to generate the first and second output signals at the first and second outputs, with the first and second output signals forming a redundant signal pair which in combination signals the safe installation state,
• wherein the evaluation unit is further designed to evaluate the further input signal and, on the basis thereof, to generate a third output signal at the first output and a fourth output signal at the second output, with the third and fourth output signals forming a non-redundant signal pair which differs from the redundant signal pair, and further
• wherein the evaluation unit generates the redundant signal pair with the first and second output signals only when the input circuit exclusively receives the first input signal.

In an installation operated in an automated manner under the control of at least one control unit, said installation having a plurality of operational states and at least one safety-related state, a sensor arrangement comprising:

• an input circuit designed to receive a first input signal depending on the safety-related state and designed to receive at least one further input signal depending on one of said plurality of operational states,
• a first output and at least one second output for outputting a first output signal and a second output signal to the at least one control unit, and
• an evaluation unit designed to evaluate the first input signal in a fail-safe manner when identified as an input signal relating to a safety-related state of said installation and, on the basis thereof, generate the first and second output signals at the first and second outputs, with the first and second output signals forming a redundant signal pair which in combination signals the safety-related state to the control unit, and
• wherein the evaluation unit is further designed to evaluate the further input signal and, when identified as an input signal relating to one of said plurality of operational states of said installation, on the basis thereof, generate a third output signal at the first output and a fourth output signal at the second output, with the third and fourth output signals forming a non-redundant signal pair which differs from the redundant signal pair,
• wherein the evaluation unit generates the redundant signal pair with the first and second output signals if and only if the input circuit receives only the first input signal.

A sensor arrangement for detecting a safety-related state of an installation operated in an automated manner, the sensor arrangement comprising:

• an input circuit designed to receive a first input signal and designed to receive at least one further input signal, with the first input signal depending on the safety-related state of the installation, and with the further input signal depending on an operational state of the automated installation,
• a first output and at least one second output for outputting a first output signal and a second output signal, and
• an evaluation unit designed to evaluate the first input signal in a fail-safe manner when identified as an input signal relating to a safety-related state of said installation and, on the basis thereof, generate the first and second output signals at the first and second outputs, with the first and second output signals forming a redundant signal pair which in combination signals the safety-related state,
• wherein the evaluation unit is further designed to evaluate the further input signal and, when identified as an input signal relating to the operational state of said installation, on the basis thereof, generate a third output signal at the first output and a fourth output signal at the second output, with the third and fourth output signals forming a non-redundant signal pair which differs from the redundant signal pair,
• wherein the evaluation unit generates the redundant signal pair with the first and second output signals only when the input circuit exclusively receives the first input signal.