REFLECTOR USED IN A REFLEX MODE DETECTION DEVICE

• US 20140346326A1
• Filed: 04/21/2014
• Published: 11/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tmss France
• Original Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Roger, Mireille, Gressier, Gilles
• Granted Patent: US 9,329,079 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/216
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0414 using plane or convex mirrors, parallel phase plates, or plane beam-splitters
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/10 Detecting, e.g. by using light barriers by reflection from the object G01S17/00

Abstract

The invention relates to a reflector used in a reflex mode detection device, said reflector being intended to be positioned in alignment with a detector and comprising a reflective region (Z) for reflecting a light beam (F1) so as to send it back towards the detector (1). The reflector (2) is arranged to fulfil:

• • a signalling function using a signalling interface (20), said signalling interface (20) being arranged to indicate a state of alignment of the reflective region (Z) of the reflector (2) with respect to the emitter,
  • a detection function so as to detect the presence of the light beam against the reflector,
  • an interpretation function using an interpretation unit (22), said interpretation unit (22) being arranged to operate on the signalling interface with the aim of indicating the state of alignment,
  • a power supply function with autonomous electric power, so as to supply electric power to the signalling interface (20) and the interpretation unit (22).

Claims

1. Reflector used in a reflex mode detection device, said reflector being intended to be positioned in alignment with a detector and comprising a reflective region (Z) for reflecting a light beam (F1) so as to send it back towards the detector (1),

characterized in that the reflector (2) is arranged to fulfil:

a signalling function using a signalling interface (20), said signalling interface (20) being arranged to indicate a state of alignment of the reflective region (Z) of the reflector (2) with respect to the emitter,

a detection function so as to detect the presence of the light beam against the reflector,

an interpretation function using an interpretation unit (22), said interpretation unit (22) being arranged to operate on the signalling interface with the aim of indicating the state of alignment,

a power supply function with autonomous electric power, so as to supply electric power to the signalling interface (20) and the interpretation unit (22).

2. Reflector according to claim 1, characterized in that the detection function and the power supply function are fulfilled by photovoltaic cells (211) sensitive to the light of the light beam, distributed over a first region corresponding to the reflective region (Z).

3. Reflector according to claim 2, characterized in that the detection function and the power supply function are fulfilled by photovoltaic cells (212) sensitive to the light of the light beam, distributed over a second region peripheral to the first region.

4. Reflector according to claim 2, characterized in that the power supply function is fulfilled by photovoltaic cells (212) sensitive to ambient light, distributed over a second region peripheral to the first region.

5. Reflector according to claim 1, characterized in that the detection function is fulfilled by photoreceptors (230) arranged over a first region peripheral to the reflective region (Z).

6. Reflector according to claim 5, characterized in that the power supply function is fulfilled by photovoltaic cells (210) sensitive to ambient light, distributed over a second region peripheral to the first region.

7. Reflector according to claim 1, characterized in that the signalling interface includes light indicators (200).

8. Reflex mode detection device comprising a detector (1) and a reflector (2), said device being characterized in that the reflector is as defined in claim 1.