Obstacle detection device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for detecting obstacles in the area of a movable closure element (12) for closing and / or releasing a space in a motor vehicle, having the following features: a plurality of emission means (3a to 3q) for emitting light signals; a plurality of reception means (2a to 2h) for receiving light signals; a control device (6) operatively connected to the emission means (3a to 3q) and to the reception means (2a to 2h), which compares the light signals received by the reception means (2a to 2h) with a setpoint signal, and which detects the presence of an obstacle (11) when there is a deviation between the received light signals and the setpoint signal. For the purpose of reducing the cost of the device and increasing the detection capacity, the number of emission means (3a to 3q) is greater than the number of reception means (2a to 2h), and the emission means and the reception means are arranged relative to each other in such a way that at least one reception means can receive light signals from a plurality of emission means.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for detecting (particularly in motor vehicles) obstacles in the area of ​​a movable enclosure element used to close and / or release space. Background Technology

[0002] In the following text, the term "closure element" is understood to mean, in particular, an electrically operable / lockable tailgate of a motor vehicle, but also to doors, hoods, and other movable surfaces used to close or release space.

[0003] Furthermore, the aforementioned devices are not limited to or applicable only to motor vehicles, but can be used in all modes of transportation.

[0004] A general detection device is known from DE 10 2014 015 031 B4. An optical signal emitted by a transmitting device and received by a receiving device ensures highly reliable detection of obstacles within the range of motion or rotation of an enclosing element. Thus, due to the use of the optical signal, obstacles are detected long before the enclosing element may come into contact with them. Therefore, even in the event of mechanical overtravel of the enclosing element, there is still sufficient time or travel distance for the enclosing element to stop moving.

[0005] Meanwhile, many vehicles are already equipped with such devices and corresponding sensors or detectors that can detect obstacles or foreign objects when the closing element is closed, warn the user, and / or even electrically stop the closing movement. The purpose of this is to prevent injury to persons and damage to the vehicle or other objects, or at least to reduce the corresponding risks.

[0006] A drawback of existing technologies may lie in their complex electronic circuitry. Numerous sensors and microcontrollers are required to perform effective and reliable detection. This can lead to high device costs and complex circuitry.

[0007] Furthermore, obstacles cannot be detected well "shortly before closure" or "within the shear zone." Here, most of the reflected light initially emitted by the emitting device comes from the frame; therefore, if the IR LED (emitting device) is only arranged next to the sensor (receiving device), it is impossible to distinguish between obstacles and the frame. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a device for detecting obstacles in the area of ​​a moving enclosed element, wherein obstacles in the moving area of ​​the enclosed element can be reliably detected with very high certainty. At the same time, manufacturing costs will also be reduced.

[0009] According to the present invention, this objective is achieved by the features described in claim 1.

[0010] In detail, an apparatus according to the invention is provided for detecting obstacles in an area of ​​a movable enclosure element used to close and / or release space in a motor vehicle, the apparatus having the following characteristics:

[0011] Multiple transmitting devices used to transmit optical signals;

[0012] Multiple receiving devices for receiving optical signals; and

[0013] A control device operably connected to a transmitting device and a receiving device compares an optical signal received by the receiving device with a setpoint signal. If the received optical signal deviates from the setpoint signal, the control device detects the presence of an obstacle.

[0014] The device is characterized in that the number of transmitting devices is greater than the number of receiving devices, and the transmitting devices and receiving devices are arranged relative to each other in such a way that at least one receiving device can receive optical signals from the multiple transmitting devices.

[0015] The advantage of the device according to the invention is that it requires fewer receiving devices (especially sensors or, for example, infrared (IR) sensors) compared to transmitting devices (e.g., IR LEDs). This reduces the number of sensors, thereby lowering the manufacturing cost of the device.

[0016] Another advantage of the device is that one or more transmitters can be placed between receivers and thus shared by the receivers. Compared to existing technologies, this improves the efficiency of the transmitters and reduces the power consumption of the detection devices.

[0017] Furthermore, due to the use of the device according to the invention, the number of control devices can be reduced, making it possible to require only at least one control device, rather than controlling each pair of sensors and LEDs or providing a separate control device for each pair of sensors and LEDs as is known in the prior art.

[0018] By using two or more transmitters for each receiver, different optical paths can be provided, which may differ, for example, due to the different distances between the transmitters and receivers, and are not simply reflected in the presence of obstacles.

[0019] Preferred embodiments according to the dependent claims are described below:

[0020] Preferably, the number of transmitting devices is one and a half to five times the number of receiving devices, more preferably two to three times.

[0021] It has proven particularly advantageous to arrange at least two transmitting devices between two adjacent or neighboring receiving devices. This can be used in instances where one, several, or all of the receiving devices are adjacent or neighboring.

[0022] Furthermore, the transmitting and / or receiving devices can advantageously be activated or controlled relative to each other at time intervals and in a specific sequence. This can reduce the peak power consumption of the devices and the peak amount of data generated when recording reflected signals at specific points in time.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the control device is designed to communicate with the transmitting and / or receiving devices via an internal bus system, particularly via a custom bus system or a UART bus system, and to output signals to or receive signals from the transmitting and / or receiving devices.

[0024] Furthermore, the control device is preferably designed to communicate with the vehicle bus system, particularly the CAN bus system, and to output signals to or receive signals from the vehicle bus system.

[0025] In another advantageous embodiment, the transmitting device is designed to emit optical signals, particularly infrared, visible, and / or UV light, which can be received or recorded by a receiving device. Visible light has the advantage of also being usable for illumination. Depending on the wavelength, more accurate distance determination and obstacle detection can be performed. For example, shorter wavelength signals are more accurate in determining position and distance. However, such signals have a shorter range due to scattering and attenuation.

[0026] Preferably, the transmitting and receiving devices are arranged in a line, particularly a straight line. This arrangement saves space or narrows the width of the device. Simultaneously, the device extends the furthest in length (compared to another device with the same number of transmitting and receiving devices) and can monitor obstacles within the longer frame (of the enclosed element), thus ensuring its safety.

[0027] It has been proven advantageous that the transmitting device is always positioned at a first distance from adjacent transmitting devices, and the receiving device is always positioned at a second distance from adjacent receiving devices. In other words, the distances between adjacent transmitting devices and adjacent receiving devices in the device proposed herein can always be constant. On the one hand, this periodic arrangement simplifies the manufacturing or installation process. Furthermore, it allows for the unified identification or detection of obstacles in the device area.

[0028] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous that the second distance is greater than or equal to the first distance. The advantage of this is that at least two transmitting devices can be used with one receiving device. However, this may affect the device's sensitivity in detecting obstacles. Once the second distance is greater than the first distance, two transmitting devices can be placed between two receiving devices. Preferably, the second distance is twice the first distance. In this case, the two transmitting devices can be placed between every two adjacent or near-adjacent receiving devices, particularly symmetrically or asymmetrically with respect to the center of the distance between the receiving devices. Because the distances between the transmitting devices and adjacent receiving devices differ, foreign objects are illuminated by light at different angles, thus improving the obstruction of the light path by the foreign object. Therefore, foreign objects can also be detected better in the "shear zone" of the enclosed element.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a switching mechanism configured to provide a connection, particularly an electrical connection, between a control device and a receiving device, and to control one or more receiving devices. Here, the switching mechanism can receive signals from the control device and then selectively transmit the signals to the appropriate receiving device. Additionally or alternatively, the switching mechanism can receive, particularly retrieve, signals from the receiving devices and transmit the signals to the control device. The switching mechanism and its previously mentioned functions are particularly advantageous if the control device uses a general broadcast switching technique (or similar technique) without using a specific receiver for the signals to the receiving devices. Such a switching mechanism becomes redundant and can be omitted when the control device can selectively control the receiving devices or is configured to perform the aforementioned functions of the switching mechanism.

[0030] Preferably, the control device and / or switching device are configured to control or activate at least one transmitting device and at least one receiving device according to a specific time and / or spatial pattern. A time pattern can be understood as meaning the activation of the transmitting and / or receiving devices at different or equal time intervals, particularly simultaneously and / or continuously. A spatial pattern is, for example, activation every two, three, or n transmitting and / or receiving devices. In particular, a pattern of activating only the transmitting device or only the receiving device can be used. Of course, it is important to note that at least one corresponding component of the respective device should be activated to detect obstacles or, by means of the device, determine the degrees of freedom of movement of the enclosing element.

[0031] To improve obstacle detection, the control and / or switching devices are preferably configured to identify at least two groups, each group comprising one receiving device and at least one transmitting device, and / or to control the groups in a manner that prevents or only partially interferes with each other when transmitting and receiving optical signals. By grouping the transmitting and receiving devices, the groups can be activated in different areas or segments of the devices and / or at different times. This also reduces control and / or switching operations, thereby reducing the number of signals to be processed. Simultaneously, this improves the accuracy and reliability of obstacle detection.

[0032] Advantageously, the transmitting and receiving devices are arranged relative to each other in such a way that at least two groups can be defined, each group comprising one receiving device and at least one transmitting device, and these groups do not or only partially affect each other in transmitting and receiving optical signals. The transmitting devices of each group are spaced apart from the receiving devices of other groups such that these receiving devices cannot receive signals or signals recognizable as signals from these transmitting devices.

[0033] In another preferred embodiment, a transmitter or its predetermined transmitter, arranged between two adjacent receiving devices and / or at a distance from a corresponding receiving device that is neither less than nor greater than a predetermined distance value range, simultaneously belongs to two groups. This allows one or more receiving devices in a corresponding group to receive optical signals from these transmitters. This results in partial mutual interference or crosstalk on the receiving devices when the transmitters are activated. The range of distance values ​​describes a set of different distance values ​​from one or more transmitters to the nearest corresponding receiving device in their own group and other groups capable of receiving signals.

[0034] Preferably, the distance from one or at least a portion of the transmitting devices to the corresponding receiving devices associated with its group is less than the distance between two adjacent receiving devices.

[0035] Further advantageous embodiments are described below, which are not set forth in the dependent claims, and additional or alternative embodiments are shown:

[0036] The device according to the invention preferably operates based on the principle of light reflection, whereby light is initially emitted by the emitting device and received or detected by the receiving device. However, the emitting and receiving devices may also be arranged not only adjacent to each other, but positioned relative to each other, such that the receiving device directly receives light from the emitting device.

[0037] Specifically, the received optical signal can be compared with an optical setpoint signal (i.e., a reference signal) corresponding to a specific position of the enclosure element. These setpoint signals can be determined prior to operation, for example, based on the reflection from the frame enclosed by the enclosure element, wherein the reflection becomes stronger as the distance between the enclosure element and the frame decreases.

[0038] In addition to IR sensors and LEDs, other LEDs and optical sensors that emit visible light can be used, thus allowing the visible light to be used as a light source.

[0039] The transmitting and receiving devices can each be arranged on their own lines or straight lines. Similarly, in addition to or as an alternative to a linear arrangement, the transmitting device can also be arranged around one or more receiving devices.

[0040] Intelligent activation of the transmitting and receiving devices (which can be understood as an example of temporal and / or spatial patterns) avoids crosstalk between the transmitting devices. Only one transmitting device is active at a time during the receiving device's measurement. The distance between the two pairs of active transmitting and receiving devices is chosen such that they do not interfere with each other.

[0041] Due to the advantageous arrangement of the transmitter between and adjacent to the receiver, obstacles can be detected more effectively.

[0042] The switching device proposed herein can also be additionally configured to provide a connection, particularly an electrical connection, between a control device and a transmitting device, and to activate one or more transmitting devices. In this case, the switching device can receive signals from the control device and selectively send the signals to the corresponding transmitting device, particularly activating the transmitting device. In this case, the switching device has the advantage that it can selectively activate transmitting devices, particularly according to specific time and / or spatial patterns, rather than simultaneously and / or always activating all transmitting devices. Similarly, the control device can be configured to perform this function instead of the switching device. Furthermore, the control device can have a stored program that, upon activation, is automatically executed by an external bus system and controls the transmitting and receiving devices in a specific manner to detect obstacles.

[0043] If a group of transmitting and receiving devices can be determined and / or controlled in a manner that partially influences each other, it means that a signal from at least one transmitting device can be received, or can be received, from at least two receiving devices from two different groups.

[0044] To distinguish between light signals emitted by a transmitting device and sunlight, the transmitting device can be programmed to send modulated light signals. This avoids potential errors in light signal detection.

[0045] For example, the modulated optical signal can be pulse width modulated and / or frequency modulated, which allows for easy and reliable detection of the optical signal.

[0046] The accompanying drawings described below relate in particular to preferred embodiments of the detection apparatus according to the invention, and are therefore intended not to limit but rather to illustrate the invention. Elements from different drawings but having the same reference numerals are identical; therefore, a description of an element in one drawing is also valid for elements in other drawings having the same reference numerals or numbers. Attached Figure Description

[0047] The attached diagram shows:

[0048] Figure 1 This is a schematic circuit diagram of a detection device with a sensor, an infrared LED, and an I2C interface in the prior art;

[0049] Figure 2 It refers to multiple devices connected in a vehicle via signal technology, such as... Figure 1 A schematic circuit diagram showing the arrangement of the detection device;

[0050] Figure 3 This is the first example of using infrared LEDs and sensors placed next to them to detect obstacles;

[0051] Figure 4 This is a second example of using infrared LEDs and sensors arranged therein to detect obstacles;

[0052] Figure 5 This is a schematic circuit diagram of a sensor strip as an embodiment of a device for detecting obstacles according to the present invention;

[0053] Figure 6 It is connected in the vehicle via signal technology, such as Figure 5 The schematic circuit diagram of the sensor strip shown is shown; and

[0054] Figure 7 This is an example of using infrared LEDs and sensors arranged according to the present invention to detect obstacles. Detailed Implementation

[0055] Figure 1A schematic circuit diagram of a prior art detection device 1 is shown, which includes a sensor 2, an infrared LED 3, an I2C interface 4, terminals for a bus system 5, and a microcontroller 6. The LED 3 is arranged next to the sensor 2. The sensor 2 detects the reflected light from the LED 3 and sends a corresponding electrical signal to the microcontroller 6 via the known I2C interface 4. The microcontroller 6 evaluates the signal and sends it to the bus system 5 via the terminals, which is connected to another control system (not shown). Since infrared sensors 2 are typically only accessible via I2C, they are not suitable for connecting multiple sensors to a common bus. Therefore, for applications in sensor bundles, for example, each sensor requires a microcontroller to convert the I2C interface to, for example, UART / LIN / CAN.

[0056] Figure 2 This illustrates multiple components in the vehicle connected via signal technology, such as... Figure 1 A schematic circuit diagram 10 shows the arrangement of the detection device 1. To provide detection of obstacles between the enclosing element and the frame it encloses, the prior art uses a detection device 1 in the form of a sensor strip. For illustrative purposes, five detection devices are shown, electrically connected to the bus system 5, and ultimately require five sensors, five LEDs, and five microcontrollers. Additionally, a motor 9 is shown in circuit diagram 10, which acts as an actuator for the tailgate and is connected to the electric vehicle control system 8. The vehicle control system 8, also known as the tailgate control unit (TRCD), has electronics for controlling the tailgate's actuation. To control other vehicle systems and receive signals from the detection device 1, system 8 is electrically connected to the bus system 5 via the CAN bus system 7 and ECU 16. The lines shown in the bus system 7 represent at least a portion of the vehicle wiring harness. ECU 16 (Electronic Control Unit) is a control unit configured at least to evaluate the sensors, particularly the sensor strip.

[0057] Figure 3 A first example is shown of detecting an obstacle 11 by means of infrared LEDs 3a, 3b and sensors 2a, 2b arranged adjacent to them. The LEDs 3a, 3b and sensors 2a, 2b are arranged on a closure element 12 or door, which faces a frame 13 of the space to be enclosed by the closure element 12 and is configured to close together with the frame. This example is based on... Figure 1The detection device 1 has a typical arrangement or function. Because sensors 2a and 2b are arranged very close to LEDs 3a and 3b, the detection device 1 cannot detect obstacle 11, especially not within the shear zone of the enclosing element 12 or just before the enclosing element 12 closes the frame 13. The frame 13 reflects light emitted or emitted by the first LED 3a back to the enclosing element 12 and is received by the first sensor 2a. Simultaneously, obstacle 11 reflects light emitted or emitted by the second LED 3b back to the enclosing element 12 and is received by the second sensor 2b. Based on the reception of the reflected light by the corresponding sensors 2a and 2b, the detection device cannot identify the obstacle. The reflected light exhibits an angle of incidence or divergence of less than 10 to 5 degrees.

[0058] Figure 4 A second example is shown, illustrating the use of infrared LEDs 3a, 3b and sensors 2a, 2b arranged between them to detect obstacle 11. Figure 3 In comparison, sensors 2a and 2b are further away from LEDs 3a and 3b, and the reflected light exhibits an incident or reflection angle of approximately 40 degrees. Therefore, the light emitted or emitted from the second LED 3b is blocked by obstacle 11 and not received by the second sensor 2b. In view of this, the detection device can detect the obstacle 11 between the enclosing element 12 and its frame 13. According to the detection device of the invention, particularly the arrangement of the transmitting and receiving devices, it is preferable to simultaneously apply the method according to... Figure 3 The first example and based on Figure 4 The second example is both of these.

[0059] Figure 5A schematic circuit diagram of a sensor strip as an embodiment of an obstacle detection device 15 according to the present invention is shown. The device 15 has sensors 2a to 2h and LEDs 3a to 3q, with the number of sensors being less than the number of LEDs. Sensors 2a to 2h and LEDs 3a to 3q are located in a straight line. The distance between sensors 2a to 2h is constant; and the distance between LEDs 3a to 3q is also constant, but the distance between LEDs 3a to 3q is less than the distance between sensors 2a to 2h. For example, two LEDs, such as 3b and 3c, are always arranged between two sensors, such as 2a and 2b. Here, one LED 3b is arranged adjacent to sensor 2a, while another LED 3c is arranged between sensor 2a and sensor 2b. The latter LED 3c is configured such that when the signal or light of LED 3c is reflected by the frame of the enclosing element, both sensors 2a and 2b can receive the signal or light. Sensors 2a to 2h are electrically connected to a microcontroller 6 via an I2C interface 4 by means of an I2C switch, which is a switching device 14. The I2C interface is not suitable for connecting multiple sensors to a common bus, therefore the switching device 14 selectively receives signals from sensors 2a to 2h and transmits the signals to the microcontroller 6. The microcontroller 6 processes these signals and sends them to the bus system 5.

[0060] Figure 6 This illustrates how signal technology can be used to connect components in a vehicle. Figure 5 The schematic circuit diagram 20 for the sensor strip is shown. Besides the CAN gateway 18, UART bus system 17, and others... Figure 5 In addition to the device 15 shown, circuit diagram 20 and as shown Figure 2 The circuit diagram shown is the same as 10. The detection device 15 is a unit and can be attached, for example, as a strip to a vehicle enclosure or door. The control unit of device 15 sends and receives data from the UART bus system 17. Another device 15 or additional devices besides device 15 are connected to or can be connected to the bus system 17. The CAN gateway 18 makes it possible to connect device 15 or other devices without directly connecting device 15 to the CAN bus, using another bus system, particularly the UART bus, or a separate or custom bus. The CAN gateway 18 has the features of the ECU 16, plus the additional function of converting signals from UART to the CAN bus (and / or vice versa).

[0061] Figure 7 A third example of detecting obstacles using infrared LEDs and sensors arranged according to the present invention is shown. Here, it relates to... Figure 3 The first example shown is similar to... Figure 4The second example shown is a combination of LEDs 3a to 3c and sensor 2a in a first group, and LEDs 3c to 3e and sensor 2b in a second group, arranged on enclosing element 12. Light emitted or emitted by the sensors is reflected by frame 13, and all light from the LEDs reaches the corresponding sensor, except for light from LED 3c at sensor 2a (which is blocked by obstacle 11). In this case, the third LED 3c belongs to both the first and second groups because the light from LED 3c can be received by both sensors 2a and 2b without the obstacle 11. Sensors 2a and 2b can share the IR LED 3c arranged between the sensors. For each sensor 2a and 2b, a total of three measurements can be performed using the IR LEDs on the left and right sides (arranged between the sensors and on the other side next to the sensors).

[0062] List of reference numerals

[0063] 1. Detection device based on existing technology

[0064] 2. Receiving device, sensor

[0065] 2a…2h Receiving device

[0066] 3. Transmitting device, IR LED

[0067] 3a…3q Launching device

[0068] 4. Interconnect Integrated Circuit (I2C) Interface

[0069] 5. Bus System

[0070] 6. Control device, microcontroller

[0071] 7. Controller Area Network (CAN) bus system, vehicle wiring harness

[0072] 8. Vehicle control system, TRCD (Rear Roof Control Device)

[0073] 9. Engine, tailgate drive unit

[0074] 10. Schematic circuit diagram of a vehicle equipped with a prior art detection device.

[0075] 11 Obstacles, foreign objects

[0076] 12. Sealing components, car doors

[0077] 13. A frame for a space to be enclosed by enclosing elements.

[0078] 14. Switching device, I2C switch

[0079] 15. Detection device according to the embodiment (sensor strip)

[0080] 16. Electronic control unit (ECU), circuit unit or control device

[0081] 17 Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter (UART) Bus System

[0082] 18 CAN gateways and UART master devices

[0083] 20. Schematic circuit diagram of a vehicle having a detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for detecting obstacles in the area of ​​a movable enclosure element (12) used to close and / or release space in a motor vehicle, comprising the following features: Multiple transmitting devices (3a; ...; 3q) for transmitting optical signals; Multiple receiving devices (2a; ...; 2h) for receiving optical signals; A control device (6) is operably connected to a transmitting device (3a; ...; 3q) and a receiving device (2a; ...; 2h) and compares the optical signal received by the receiving device (2a; ...; 2h) with a setpoint signal. If there is a deviation between the received optical signal and the setpoint signal, the control device (6) detects the presence of an obstacle (11). Its features are, The number of transmitting devices (3a; ...; 3q) exceeds the number of receiving devices (2a; ...; 2h). The transmitting devices and receiving devices are arranged relative to each other in such a way that at least one receiving device can receive optical signals from multiple transmitting devices. The transmitting devices (3a; ...; 3q) and the receiving devices (2a; ...; 2h) are arranged in a line, and at least two transmitting devices (3a; ...; 3q) are arranged between two adjacent receiving devices (2a; ...; 2h).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of transmitting devices (3a; ...; 3q) is one and a half to five times the number of receiving devices (2a; ...; 2h).

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The transmitting device (3a; ...; 3q) and / or the receiving device (2a; ...; 2h) can be activated or controlled in a time-spaced manner and in a specific order.

4. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The control device (6) is configured to communicate with the transmitting device (3a; ...; 3q) and / or the receiving device (2a; ...; 2h) via an internal bus system, and to send signals to or receive signals from the transmitting device (3a; ...; 3q) and / or the receiving device (2a; ...; 2h).

5. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The control device (6) is configured to communicate with the vehicle-side bus system and to output signals to or receive signals from the vehicle-side bus system.

6. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The transmitting devices (3a; ...; 3q) are configured to transmit or emit optical signals respectively, which can be received or detected by the receiving devices (2a; ...; 2h).

7. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The transmitting device (3a; ...; 3q) is always at a first distance from the adjacent transmitting device, and the receiving device (2a; ...; 2h) is always at a second distance from the adjacent receiving device.

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second distance is greater than or equal to the first distance.

9. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 2 and 8, characterized in that, The device has a switching device (14) adapted to provide a connection between the control device (6) and the receiving devices (2a; ...; 2h) and drive one or more receiving devices (2a; ...; 2h).

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The control device (6) and / or the switching device (14) are configured to control at least one of the transmitting devices (3a; ...; 3q) and at least one of the receiving devices (2a; ...; 2h) according to a specific time and / or space pattern.

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The control device (6) and / or switching device (14) are configured to determine and / or drive at least two groups, each group including one of the receiving devices (2a; ...; 2h) and at least one of the transmitting devices (3a; ...; 3q), such that these groups do not or only partially affect each other when transmitting and receiving optical signals.

12. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, 8, and 10 to 11, characterized in that, The transmitting device and the receiving device are arranged relative to each other such that at least two groups are defined, each group comprising one of the receiving devices (2a; ...; 2h) and at least one of the transmitting devices (3a; ...; 3q), and the groups do not or only partially affect each other during the transmission and reception of the optical signal.

13. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that, A transmitter located between two adjacent receiving devices and / or at a distance from the corresponding receiving device that is neither less than nor greater than a specific distance range belongs to two groups.

14. The device according to claim 11 or 13, characterized in that, The distance from at least a portion of the transmitting device (3a; ...; 3q) to the receiving device (2a; ...; 2h) associated with its group is less than the distance between two adjacent receiving devices (2a; ...; 2h).

15. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The number of transmitting devices (3a; ...; 3q) is two to three times the number of receiving devices (2a; ...; 2h).

16. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The control device (6) is configured to communicate with the transmitting device (3a; ...; 3q) and / or the receiving device (2a; ...; 2h) via a custom bus system or a UART bus system, and to send signals to or receive signals from the transmitting device (3a; ...; 3q) and / or the receiving device (2a; ...; 2h).

17. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The control device (6) is configured to communicate with a CAN bus system.

18. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The transmitting devices (3a; ...; 3q) are configured to emit or transmit infrared light, visible light and / or UV light respectively, which can be received or detected by the receiving devices (2a; ...; 2h).

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