Safety scanner tracking dangerous objects and dynamically switching protected field configuration

US8471192B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SICK AG · DE

Inventors

• Frank Erb · Karlsruhe, DE
• Daniel Wagner · Wien, AT

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 21, 2010
• Grant date: Jun 25, 2013
• Expiry date: Sep 22, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01S7/4802
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A safety scanner (10) is set forth for securing a monitored zone (18), wherein the safety scanner (10) has a light transmitter (12) for transmitting a light beam (14), a deflection unit (16) for the periodic deflection of the light beam (14) into the monitored zone (18), a light receiver (24) for generating received signals from the light beam (20) remitted by objects in the monitored zone (18) as well as an evaluation unit (30) which is made to recognize intrusions into a protected field within the monitored zone (18) with reference to the received signals and thereupon to provide a securing signal, except for the case that the intrusion can be associated with an expected dangerous object (40). In this respect, the evaluation unit (30) is made to track the dangerous object (40) in the protected field and to carry out the association of intrusions with the expected dangerous object (40) with reference to the contour and to the then current position, orientation and/or speed of the dangerous object (40).