Distance sensor
A method of monitoring a hazardous zone ( 2 ) and a safe optoelectronic distance sensor ( 1 ) for monitoring a hazardous zone ( 2 ) at a movable machine part ( 3 ) having a protected zone ( 4 ), wherein the safe distance sensor ( 1 ) is arranged at the movable machine part ( 3 ), wherein a tool ( 5 ) is arranged at the movable machine part ( 3 ), wherein a plurality of distance sensors ( 1 ) are arranged in a modular manner and wherein the protected zone ( 4 ) is adapted to the tool ( 5 ).
1. A safe optoelectronic distance sensor for monitoring a hazardous zone at a movable machine part having a protected zone,
wherein the safe distance sensor, provided as a time-of-flight sensor, is arranged at the movable machine part, and wherein a tool is arranged at the movable machine part,
wherein a plurality of optoelectronic distance sensors are arranged in a modular manner;
and wherein the protected zone is adapted to the tool,
and wherein a light receiver of the distance sensor has at least one array of single photon avalanche diodes.
2. The sensor in accordance with claim 1 , wherein reference targets are arranged in the hazardous zone.
3. The sensor in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the tool is changeable and the safe distance sensors are arranged at the tool.
4. The sensor in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the distance sensor has a highly integrated sensor module.
5. The sensor in accordance with claim 1 , wherein each distance sensor has a pre-evaluation unit.
6. The sensor in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the distance sensors are connected to one another via a bus line, with safe data being able to be transmitted on the bus line.
7. The sensor in accordance with claim 1 , wherein safe switching signals and/or safe distance data can be transmitted on the bus line.
8. The sensor in accordance with claim 1 , wherein a plurality of distance sensors have a common control and evaluation unit.
9. The sensor in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the distance sensor has an optical head.
10. The sensor in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the protected zone of individual distance sensors is linear or areal.
11. The sensor in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the protected zone of a plurality of combined distance sensors is of grid shape or has multiple areas.
12. The sensor in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the protected zone of individual distance sensors or of a plurality of distance sensors is sectionally planar and/or arched.
13. The sensor in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the distance sensor is a triangulation sensor.
14. A movable machine part having at least two distance sensors in accordance with claim 1 .
15. A method of monitoring a hazardous zone by means of a protected zone at a movable machine part having at least one safe optoelectronic distance sensor,
wherein the safe distance sensor, provided as a time-of-flight sensor, is arranged at the movable machine part, with a tool being arranged at the movable machine part,
in which a plurality of optoelectronic distance sensors are arranged in a modular manner;
and in which the protected zone is adapted to the tool,
and wherein a light receiver of the distance sensor has at least one array of single photon avalanche diodes.