sensor

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor for sensing an object in a monitoring area, the sensor comprising a sensor component and an evaluation unit (9). An object detection signal is generated in the evaluation unit (9) based on a sensor signal of the sensor component. A selector unit and an input interface (11) with a mechanical adjustment element are provided, wherein a parameter set is selected from a plurality of preconfigured parameter sets in the selector unit (10) based on the setting configuration of the mechanical adjustment element of the input interface. The selected parameter set is adopted for the function of the sensor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a sensor. Background Art

[0002] Such optical sensors are often used to sense objects in a monitored area.

[0003] The sensor can be designed in particular as an optical sensor.

[0004] In the simplest embodiment, the optical sensor has only a transmitter for emitting a light beam and a receiver for receiving a light beam as optical components. In this case, the optical sensor can be designed as a retroreflection sensor, a distance sensor, a reflective light barrier, etc., wherein in these embodiments, the transmitter and the receiver are integrated in a common housing. Furthermore, the optical sensor can also be designed as a light barrier. In this case, the transmitter and the receiver are accommodated in separate housings.

[0005] In general, optical sensors can also have a plurality of transmitters and / or receivers. An example of such an optical sensor is a light curtain.

[0006] Typically, the light curtain comprises a series arrangement of transmitters emitting light beams in a first housing at one edge of the monitored area and a series arrangement of receivers receiving light beams in a second housing at the opposite edge of the monitored area.

[0007] The optical sensor has an evaluation unit as an electronic component, in which an object confirmation signal or a measured value in the form of a distance value, an object size, a shadow area of ​​an object, etc. is generated based on the received signals of one or more receivers. The object confirmation signal can be designed in particular as a binary switching signal, the switching state of which indicates whether an object is located in the monitoring area. Alternatively, the object confirmation signal can be an analog signal, for example a distance value.

[0008] A general requirement for such sensors is that their functionality must be adapted to the respective application.

[0009] In known sensors, an input interface with mechanical adjustment elements is provided for this purpose. Typically, such an input interface has a plurality of mechanical adjustment elements in the form of jumpers, wiring bridges or switches, in particular DIP switches.

[0010] By means of the mechanical setting elements, different input variables are possible which can be manually input by the user. If the user enters a specific input variable, the device configuration permanently assigned to this input variable is activated and the sensor is then operated with this device configuration.

[0011] A disadvantage here is that only a limited number of input variables can be realized using the mechanical adjustment elements of the input interface, so that the number of adjustable device configurations is also limited. As a result, only inadequate adaptation of the sensor to the application is possible. Summary of the invention

[0012] The invention is based on the object of providing a sensor of the type mentioned in the introduction which can be adapted flexibly and with little design outlay to different applications.

[0013] To achieve this object, the features of claim 1 are provided. Advantageous embodiments and expedient refinements are provided in the dependent claims.

[0014] The invention relates to a sensor for sensing an object in a monitoring area, the sensor having a sensor component and an evaluation unit. An object detection signal is generated in the evaluation unit based on a sensor signal of the sensor component. A selector unit and an input interface with a mechanical setting element are provided, wherein a parameter set is selected from a plurality of preconfigured parameter sets in the selector unit based on the setting configuration of the mechanical setting element of the input interface. The selected parameter set is adopted for the function of the sensor.

[0015] The sensor according to the invention is used to sense an object in a monitoring area. To this end, the sensor has a sensor component and an evaluation unit, wherein an object detection signal is generated in the evaluation unit as a function of the sensor signal.

[0016] In order to adjust the functionality of the sensor in an application-specific manner, the sensor has, according to the invention, an input interface and a selector unit with a plurality of mechanical adjustment elements.

[0017] Using the mechanical setting element of the input interface, the user can predetermine a specific setting configuration. Based on this setting configuration, a parameter set is selected from a plurality of preconfigured parameter sets in the selector unit, wherein the selected parameter set is adopted for the function of the sensor.

[0018] The basic idea of ​​the invention is therefore that, in contrast to known sensors, each setting configuration of a mechanical setting element other than an input interface stores a specific, fixedly predefined device configuration of the sensor, so that when setting the setting configuration this device configuration is adopted for the sensor.

[0019] According to the invention, different parameter sets can be assigned to individual setting configurations of the input interface using the selector unit. Thus, by means of the possibility of selecting a parameter set made possible by the selector unit and the assignment of the parameter set to the setting configurations of the input interface, a significantly larger number of parameter sets are available which can be selected by the user using the setting configurations of the input interface. This allows a significantly expanded and improved adaptation of the sensor to different applications.

[0020] Particularly advantageously, a plurality of preconfigured parameter sets can be selected from a total parameter set using the selector unit.

[0021] The total number of available parameter sets is usually significantly greater than the number of setting configurations that can be set using the mechanical setting elements of the input interface. All parameter sets are preconfigured, i.e., they can be used to predetermine the operable device functions of the sensor. Using a selector method stored in the selector unit, a plurality of preconfigured parameter sets can be selected from the total preconfigured parameter sets, the number of which advantageously corresponds to the number of setting configurations of the input interface, so that the user can select the preconfigured parameter set of his choice by adjusting the setting configurations, which is then adopted for the function of the sensor. Advantageously, the selection performed by means of the selector unit is adapted to the possible application of the sensor. The user can then select the parameter set he wants from the collection of suitable parameter sets by adjusting the setting configuration on the input interface.

[0022] Particularly advantageously, the assignment of the parameter sets to the mechanical setting elements of the input interface is predefined by means of the selector unit.

[0023] Therefore, not only is a preconfigured parameter set selected from the total parameter set by means of the selector unit, but the selected parameter set is also assigned to the individual mechanical setting elements by means of the selector unit, so that a complete presetting of the parameter sets is performed by means of the selector unit, and the parameter sets can then be individually selected by the user via the setting configuration of the setting input interface without the need for further measures, in order to thus adopt a parameter set for the function of the sensor.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment, the selector unit is used to determine which mechanical adjustment elements of the input interface are to be evaluated.

[0025] Therefore, the functionality of the input interface is additionally determined by means of a selector unit.

[0026] The input interface expediently has an arrangement of bridges, jumpers or switches as mechanical setting elements.

[0027] An input interface designed in this way is formed by known standard components, the functionality of which is expanded by the selector unit.

[0028] According to an advantageous embodiment, the functional properties of the selector unit are parameterized.

[0029] By virtue of the parameterizability of the selector unit, its functional scope can be varied, thereby enabling a significant expansion in the adaptation of the sensor to different applications.

[0030] Expediently, a configuration interface is provided for parameterizing the selector unit.

[0031] In this case, the configuration interface is a wired interface or an interface operating in a contactless manner.

[0032] Examples of wired interfaces are USB or 10-link interfaces. Examples of interfaces operating contactlessly are radio interfaces or optical interfaces.

[0033] Typically, a configuration device, such as a laptop or a PC, can be connected to the configuration interface, with which the functionality of the selector unit is specified.

[0034] In this case, in particular, the selector method of the selector unit can be predefined by parameterization.

[0035] By means of the parameterization, the functionality of the selector unit can thus be varied in such a way that, in particular, the sensor is adapted to a specific application.

[0036] For example, the selector method can be predefined or changed in the following aspects: the type and composition of the preconfigured parameter sets can be predefined from the existing total parameter set, and the user selects a parameter set from these preconfigured parameter sets by means of the setting configuration of the mechanical setting elements of the predefined input interface, which parameter set then determines the function of the sensor.

[0037] Likewise, parameterization can define the assignment of a setting configuration to a specific preconfigured parameter set. Likewise, parameterization can predetermine which mechanical setting elements or input interfaces are to be evaluated when selecting a parameter set.

[0038] It is also possible to set the selector method of a selector unit via parameterization.

[0039] The composition of the parameters forming a parameter set can thus be predetermined.

[0040] Typically, a parameter set contains function parameters or IO parameters.

[0041] For example, a functional parameter can be a parameter that establishes the function of the sensor component. In the case of a sensor component in the form of a transmitter that emits radiation, the transmission power can be predefined as a functional parameter. In the case of a sensor component in the form of a receiver that receives radiation, the received signal amplification can be predefined as a functional parameter.

[0042] The resolution of the sensor can also be set as a functional parameter. The reaction time of the sensor can also be set as a functional parameter, for example in such a way that a plurality of, in particular successive, object detections must be present in order to generate an object confirmation signal.

[0043] An IO parameter can generally be defined as a specific function which is assigned to an input or output of a sensor.

[0044] Advantageously, the selector unit is parameterized during the manufacture of the sensor or at its location of use.

[0045] Therefore, parameterization can not only take place on the manufacturer's production line, but also at the user, who uses the sensor for monitoring purposes in an application-specific manner. Particularly advantageously, the sensor can be parameterized for the first time on the production line, wherein the user can then perform re-parameterization if necessary.

[0046] According to one advantageous embodiment, the selector unit comprises a computing unit and an associated memory unit in which parameter sets and configuration data for the functionality of the selector unit are stored.

[0047] Furthermore, the selector unit comprises output means via which the parameters of the selected parameter set can be output in order to establish the functionality of the sensor.

[0048] When parameterizing the selector unit, the computing unit reads the corresponding data from the memory unit and uses these data to set the functionality of the selector unit.

[0049] If a setting configuration has been predefined during operation of the sensor (i.e. after parameterization has been completed) using the mechanical setting elements of the input interface, then the assigned parameter set is selected by means of the selector unit according to the setting configuration and adopted for the function of the sensor. For this purpose, the parameters of the parameter set are output via the output means and then adopted by the sensor, in particular its sensor components. The parameters can also be adopted by the evaluation unit for signal evaluation.

[0050] In particular, it is also possible for the selector unit to be a component of the evaluation unit.

[0051] The sensor according to the invention can be designed in particular as a safety sensor, ie the sensor then has a fail-safe design so that it can be used in safety-related applications, for example in the field of personal protection.

[0052] The fail-safe structure is achieved in particular by a redundant, advantageously dual-channel structure of the evaluation unit, for example in the form of two computing units which monitor each other cyclically.

[0053] If an error is detected by means of the computing unit of the evaluation unit, the safety sensor is put into a safe state, for example by generating an object confirmation signal by means of which the monitored hazardous machine is switched off.

[0054] The failsafety of the sensor can be further increased by providing a test unit, with the aid of which the functionality of the input interface can be checked.

[0055] In particular, a test signal is generated in the test unit, which is output to a first mechanical setting element of the input interface, is guided through all mechanical setting elements up to the last mechanical setting element, and is read back from these into the test unit.

[0056] It is expedient to provide a time-varying test signal.

[0057] The test signal read back into the test unit is compared with a defined expectation, wherein faultless operation of the input interface is present only if the test signal read back meets the expectation. In the event of a fault, the sensor transitions to a safe state.

[0058] In order to further increase the functionality, the test unit has a fail-safe, redundant structure.

[0059] In particular, the test unit is a component of the evaluation unit.

[0060] This is particularly advantageous if the sensor is a safety sensor and the evaluation unit has a redundant structure, so that the test unit then also has a redundant structure.

[0061] In principle, the optical sensor according to the invention can be a radar sensor or an ultrasonic sensor. Particularly advantageously, the sensor is an optical sensor.

[0062] The optical sensor can be designed as a retroreflective sensor, a distance sensor, a light barrier, a reflection light barrier or also as a scanner (in particular an area distance sensor) or a light curtain. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0063] The present invention will be explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings show:

[0064] Figure 1 : An embodiment of a sensor according to the invention in the form of a light curtain.

[0065] Figure 2 :Used according to Figure 1 Block diagram of a selector unit of a light curtain with assigned input interfaces.

[0066] Figure 3 :according to Figure 2 Functional diagram of the selector unit.

[0067] Figure 4 :Used according to Figure 2 and Figure 3 First example of a selector method for the selector unit.

[0068] Figure 5 :Used according to Figure 2 and Figure 3 Second example of a selector method for the selector unit.

[0069] Figure 6 :Used according to Figure 1 and Figure 2 An embodiment of a test unit for a light curtain. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of a sensor according to the invention in the form of a light curtain 1 is schematically shown, which serves to sense objects within a monitoring area.

[0071] The light curtain 1 has a transmitter unit with a housing 2a, which has a serial arrangement of transmitters 4 as first sensor components, which emit light beams 3, and transmission optics 5 forming optical elements assigned to these transmitters. Furthermore, the light curtain 1 has a receiver unit with a second housing 2b, which has a serial arrangement of receivers 6 as second sensor components, which receive light beams 3, in front of which optical elements in the form of reception optics 7 are respectively arranged.

[0072] The housings 2a, 2b are arranged at opposite edges of the monitoring area in such a way that the receivers 6 are arranged opposite the transmitters 4 and form a transmitter-receiver pair with the transmitter, wherein the light beams 3 of the transmitters 4 form beam axes. In the present case, eight beam axes are provided. Of course, the light curtain 1 can also have a different number of beam axes.

[0073] Alternatively, the light curtain 1 can also be constructed as a reflective light curtain 1. Then, all transmitters 4 and receivers 6 are arranged in a housing 2a or 2b, which is arranged at the edge of the monitoring area. The reflector is located at the other end. When the monitoring area is free, the light beams 3 of the transmitters 4 are guided back to the respectively assigned receivers 6 via the reflectors.

[0074] The transmitter 4 is controlled by a transmitter control device 8. An analysis unit 9 is assigned to the receiver 6. In this case, the beam axes are activated periodically and individually in sequence. The analysis unit 9 controls the receiver 6 and analyzes its received signals to generate an object confirmation signal in the form of a binary switching signal, the switching state of which indicates whether the object is located in the monitoring area. When the monitoring area is idle, the light beam 3 of the beam axis reaches the receiver 6 of the corresponding beam axis without hindrance. In the event of object interference, at least one beam axis is interrupted. The analysis unit 9 can have a multi-channel structure if the light curtain 1 forms a safety sensor. In particular, the transmitter control device 8 or the analysis unit 9 can be composed of two computing device units that monitor each other periodically.

[0075] For example, a hazardous area on a machine is monitored using a light curtain 1 designed as a safety sensor. The operation of the machine is only started when the monitoring range is free. If an error is detected in the evaluation unit 9, a switching signal is generated in the light curtain 1 so that the machine is turned off, i.e., a transition to a safe state occurs.

[0076] Figure 2 Shown for use according to Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of a selector unit 10 of a light curtain 1 having an assigned input interface 11 is shown.

[0077] The selector unit 10 has a processor unit 12 which in the simplest case can be formed by a controller or the like. In the present case, the processor unit 12 is formed by a computing unit of a redundant evaluation unit 9 of the light curtain 1. Further components of the selector unit 10 can also be integrated in the transmitter control device 8 or the evaluation unit 9 of the light curtain 1.

[0078] The selector unit 10 also has a first memory unit 13 in which configuration data for a selector method are stored, which can be executed with the selector unit 10. The selector unit 10 also has a second memory unit 14 in which parameter sets for the light curtain 1 are stored. A reserve of parameter sets for the light curtain 1, i.e. the total parameter sets, is stored in the memory unit 14. All stored parameter sets are preconfigured in such a way that an operational device configuration of the light curtain 1 or, in general, an operational device configuration of a sensor can be predefined with these parameter sets.

[0079] The parameter set includes functional parameters, i.e. parameters for the transmitter 4 (e.g. its transmission power), parameters for the receiver 6 (e.g. its received signal amplification) and also parameters for the signal evaluation performed in the evaluation unit 9 (e.g. resolution or reaction time for generating an object confirmation signal). Application-specific parameters can also be predefined for the light curtain 1 for muting or blanking.

[0080] Muting is the temporary muting of individual or all beam axes of the light curtain 1 , so that permitted, non-dangerous objects can pass through the light curtain 1 without the light curtain generating a switching signal.

[0081] In the case of blanking, some of the beam axes are interrupted by non-hazardous objects. An object confirmation signal is generated by the light curtain 1 only if not all hidden (blanked) beam axes are interrupted or if at least one non-blanked beam axis is interrupted.

[0082] An input interface 11 is connected to a processor unit 12 of the selector unit 10, said input interface having a plurality of mechanical setting elements 15. The input interface 11 can have mechanical setting elements 15 in the form of wiring bridges, jumpers or switches, in particular DIP switches, which can be manually manipulated by a user. By manipulating the mechanical setting elements 15, a setting configuration is generated, which is fed to the processor unit 12 of the selector unit 10. Advantageously, the setting possibilities can also be mixed. For example, the setting can be carried out both via the DIP switch and additionally via the wiring bridge.

[0083] Furthermore, output means 16 are connected to the processor unit 12 of the selector unit 10 , via which output means 16 the set parameters are output in order to set the function of the light curtain 1 accordingly.

[0084] The selector unit 10 further has a configuration interface 17, which is connected to the processor unit 12. A configuration device 18, such as a laptop or a PC, can be connected to the configuration interface 17 in order to parameterize the selector unit 10 or configure setting parameters.

[0085] Figure 3 Shown for use according to Figure 2 Functional diagram of the arrangement.

[0086] The selector unit 10 can be parameterized by means of a configuration device 18 connected to the configuration interface 17, wherein the selector method S is predefined by the parameterization. n To parameterize the selector unit 10, configuration data are read from the memory unit 13. The parameterization is used to establish the configuration E caused by the selector unit 10. i ( i=1, 2, ...) to the selected parameter set P j ( j =1, 2, 3), the setting configuration is set using the mechanical setting element 15 of the input interface 11, and the parameter set is selected from the total parameter set stored in the memory unit 14.

[0087] According to the selector method predefined by parameterization, the selector unit 10 does not only predefine the setting configuration E j To the selected parameter set P j Instead, the selector unit 10 also determines which of the mechanical adjustment elements 15 of the input interface 11 are evaluated here.

[0088] If, after parameterization has been completed (ie during operation of the light curtain 1), the user enters the configuration E at the input interface 11 j , the selector unit 10 activates the configuration E associated with this setting j The corresponding parameter set P j And output corresponding parameters via output device 16, so as to automatically adjust corresponding device function G of light curtain 1 K .

[0089] In view of this, Figure 4 and Figure 5 Two specific application examples are shown.

[0090] In accordance with Figure 4 In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 , three setting configurations E1, E2, E3 are possible. By means of a selector method S1 predetermined by parameterization, a parameter set P can be selected from the total parameter set stored in the memory unit 14. A , P B , P F Furthermore, the selector unit 10 is used to assign the setting configuration E1 to the parameter set P A , assign configuration E2 to parameter set P B And assign the configuration E3 to the parameter set P F .

[0091] If the user selects the setting configuration E1 at the input interface 11, for example, the setting configuration E1 is thus carried out in the selector unit 10 to the then selected parameter set P A distribution, so that then using this P A To establish and activate the device configuration G1, the light curtain 1 then operates with this device configuration.

[0092] In accordance with Figure 5In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 , three setting configurations E1, E2, E3 are again possible. By means of a selector method S2 predetermined by parameterization, a parameter set P can be selected from the total parameter set stored in the memory unit 14. C , P E , P F Furthermore, the selector unit 10 is used to assign the setting configuration E1 to the parameter set P C , assign configuration E2 to parameter set P E 12 and assign the configuration E3 to the parameter set P F .

[0093] If the user selects the setting configuration E2 at the input interface 11, for example, the setting configuration E2 is thus carried out in the selector unit 10 to the then selected parameter set P E The allocation of parameters P E To establish and activate the device configuration G2, the light curtain 1 then operates with this device configuration.

[0094] Furthermore, a different number of setting configurations can also be predefined by parameterizing the selector unit 10 .

[0095] Figure 6 Shown for use according to Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the present case, the test unit 19 is a component of the transmitter control unit 8 or the evaluation unit 9 of the light curtain 1 designed as a safety sensor and therefore has a fail-safe multi-channel structure.

[0096] The test unit 19 is used to perform a functional check on the input interface 11. To this end, the test unit 19 outputs a test signal to the first mechanical adjustment element 15 ( Figure 6 The test signal is then guided through the mechanical adjustment elements 15 to the last mechanical adjustment element 15 of the input interface 11 and is read back from there into the test unit 19 ( Figure 6 In the present case, a time-varying test signal is provided, which advantageously has a defined coding. In the test unit 19, the read-back test signal is compared with a predefined expected signal. Only if the read-back test signal meets the expectations is there a faultless function of the input interface 11. If an error state is detected, the light curtain 1 is switched into a safe state.

[0097] Reference numerals list

[0098] (1) Light curtain

[0099] (2a) Housing

[0100] (2b) Housing

[0101] (3) Beam

[0102] (4) Transmitter

[0103] (5) Emission optics

[0104] (6) Receiver

[0105] (7) Receiving optics

[0106] (8) Transmitter control device

[0107] (9) Analysis and processing unit

[0108] (10) Selector unit

[0109] (11) Input interface

[0110] (12) Processor unit

[0111] (13) Memory unit

[0112] (14) Memory unit

[0113] (15) Mechanical adjustment components

[0114] (16) Output devices

[0115] (17)Configure the interface

[0116] (18)Configure the device

[0117] (19) Test unit

Claims

1. A sensor for sensing an object in a monitoring area, the sensor comprising a sensor component and an evaluation unit (9), wherein: An object confirmation signal is generated in the analysis unit (9) based on the sensor signal of the sensor component, characterized in that a selector unit (10) and an input interface (11) with a mechanical adjustment element (15) are provided, wherein, based on the adjustment configuration of the mechanical adjustment element of the input interface, a parameter set is selected from a plurality of preconfigured parameter sets in the selector unit (10), and the selected parameter set is adopted for the function of the sensor.

2. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that The selector unit (10) can be used to select a plurality of preconfigured parameter sets from a total parameter set.

3. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that The selector unit (10) is used to establish an assignment of a setting configuration of a mechanical setting element (15) of the input interface (11) to a preconfigured parameter set.

4. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that The selector unit (10) is used to determine which mechanical adjustment elements (15) of the input interface (11) are to be evaluated.

5. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that The input interface (11) has an arrangement of bridges, jumpers or switches as mechanical setting elements (15).

6. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that The functional performance of the selector unit (10) is parameterized.

7. The sensor according to claim 6, characterized in that In order to parameterize the selector unit (10), a configuration interface (17) is provided.

8. The sensor according to claim 7, characterized in that The configuration interface (17) is a wired interface or a contactless interface.

9. The sensor according to claim 6, characterized in that The parameterization specifies a selector method of the selector unit (10).

10. The sensor according to claim 6, characterized in that A preconfigured parameter set is specified by parameterizing the selector unit (10).

11. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that A parameter set contains function parameters or IO parameters.

12. The sensor according to claim 6, characterized in that The selector unit (10) is parameterized during the manufacture of the sensor or at the location of use of the sensor.

13. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that The selector unit (10) has a computing unit and an associated memory unit (13, 14) in which parameter sets and configuration data for the functionality of the selector unit (10) are stored.

14. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that The selector unit (10) has an output device (16) via which the parameters of the selected parameter set can be output in order to establish the function of the sensor.

15. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that The selector unit (10) is a component of the evaluation unit (9).

16. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that A test unit (19) is provided, by means of which the functionality of the input interface (11) can be checked.

17. The sensor according to claim 16, characterized in that A test signal is generated in the test unit (19), which is output to a first mechanical adjustment element (15) of the input interface (11) and read back into the test unit (19).

18. The sensor according to claim 17, characterized in that A test signal is generated in the test unit (19), which is output to a first mechanical adjustment element (15) of the input interface (11), is guided through a plurality or all of the mechanical adjustment elements (15) and is read back from the mechanical adjustment elements into the test unit (19).

19. The sensor according to claim 17, characterized in that Set up a time-varying test signal.

20. The sensor according to claim 16, characterized in that The test unit (19) has a fail-safe, redundant structure.

21. The sensor according to claim 16, characterized in that The test unit (19) is a component of the evaluation unit (9).

22. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that The sensor is a safety sensor.

23. The sensor according to claim 22, characterized in that The evaluation unit (9) has a fail-safe, redundant structure.

24. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that The sensor is an optical sensor.

25. The sensor according to claim 24, characterized in that The optical sensor is a light curtain (1).

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