Reflector having a detector to detect the presence of light beam against the reflector and to indicate a state of alignment used in a reflex mode detection device

• US 9,329,079 B2
• Filed: 04/21/2014
• Issued: 05/03/2016
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Que T
• Application Number:
  US14/257,399
• Publication Number:
  US 20140346326A1
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 250/214.1, 250/221, 250/216, 250/214.AL, 250/239, 359222-242, 359534-536, 340555-557, 356/3.11, 356/3.12, 356/139.07, 356/139.08, 356/141.3
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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

A reflector for use in a reflex mode detection device, said reflector being positioned in alignment with a detector and including a reflective region for reflecting a light beam to send the light beam back towards the detector, a signalling interface configured to indicate a state of alignment of the reflective region of the reflector with respect to an emitter, a detector configured to detect the presence of the light beam against the reflector, interpretation circuitry configured to control the signalling interface to indicate the state of alignment, and a power supply having autonomous electric power and configured to supply electric power to the signalling interface and the interpretation circuitry.

Claims

1. A reflector for use in a reflex mode detection device, said reflector being positioned in alignment with a detector and comprising:

a reflective region for reflecting a light beam to send the light beam back towards the detector;

a signalling interface configured to indicate a state of alignment of the reflective region of the reflector with respect to an emitter;

a detector configured to detect the presence of the light beam against the reflector;

interpretation circuitry configured to control the signalling interface to indicate the state of alignment; and

a power supply having autonomous electric power and configured to supply electric power to the signalling interface and the interpretation circuitry.

2. The reflector according to claim 1, wherein the detector and the power supply are photovoltaic cells sensitive to the light of the light beam, distributed over a first region corresponding to the reflective region.

3. The reflector according to claim 2, wherein the detector and the power supply are photovoltaic cells sensitive to the light of the light beam, distributed over a second region peripheral to the first region.

4. The reflector according to claim 2, wherein the power supply is photovoltaic cells sensitive to ambient light, distributed over a second region peripheral to the first region.

5. The reflector according to claim 1, wherein the detector is photoreceptors arranged over a first region peripheral to the reflective region.

6. The reflector according to claim 5, wherein the power supply is photovoltaic cells sensitive to ambient light, distributed over a second region peripheral to the first region.

7. The reflector according to claim 1, wherein the signaling interface includes light indicators.

8. A reflex mode detection device comprising:

a detector; and

a reflector as defined in claim 1.