Device for detecting objects in a monitored area

• US 7,696,468 B2
• Filed: 09/04/2007
• Issued: 04/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leuze electronic GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: Leuze Lumiflex GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Lohmann, Lutz
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps; Georgia Y
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, DON J
• Application Number:
  US11/896,572
• Publication Number:
  US 20080061221A1
• Time in Patent Office: 952 Days
• Field of Search: 250/216, 250/221, 250/222.1, 340555-557, 340641-642, 356/152.1, 356/153
• US Class Current: 250/221
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/10 Detecting, e.g. by using light barriers by reflection from the object G01S17/00

Abstract

A device is provided for detecting an object within a monitored area of a machine or installation. The device includes at least one sensor for detecting objects within the monitored area. At least one configuration module is fixedly connected to the machine or the installation. The configuration module includes configuration data for the sensor, wherein the at least one configuration module feeds the sensor with the configuration data upon being connected to the sensor.

Claims

1. A device for detecting an object within a monitored area of a machine or installation comprising:

at least one sensor for detecting an object within the monitored area; and

at least one configuration module fixedly connected to the machine or the installation, the at least one configuration module storing configuration data for the at least one sensor,

wherein the at least one configuration module feeds the at least one sensor with the configuration data upon being connected to the at least one sensor,

wherein the sensor is replaceable and the configuration module is configured to download the configuration data to a new sensor replacing an existing sensor upon connection to the new sensor, and

wherein the configuration data includes sensor-specific parameter values and is adaptable to take a format specific to the machine or the installation.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a cable that connects the configuration module to the machine or installation, wherein the configuration module is integrated into the cable.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a plug that connects the configuration module to the machine or installation, wherein the configuration module is integrated into the plug.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the configuration module comprises a non-volatile data memory.

5. The device of claim 3, further comprising a cable adapted to connect the plug to the machine or installation.

6. The device of claim 3, wherein the plug comprises a bus terminal adapted to connect to a bus system to which the machine or the installation are connected.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to read the configuration data from the configuration module during operation of the sensor.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises an optical sensor.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a safety sensor.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein computing units integrated into the at least one sensor are configured to receive and read the configuration data.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is capable of emitting an object detection signal to shut down the machine or installation if an object is detected in the monitored area.