Optoelectronic device

Abstract

The invention relates to an optoelectronic device (,) for detecting objects (,) in a monitoring range, one end of which comprises a transmitter (,) that emits transmitting light rays (,) and two receivers (,) that receive light rays (,) and have respectively one first and second linear polarizing element (,) installed in front, for which the polarization directions are such that they are turned relative to each other by an angle &agr; in the range of 45&deg;<&agr;<135&deg;, while the other end has a reflector unit (,), comprising a reflector (,) with a third linear polarizing element (,) installed in front, for which the polarization direction essentially coincides with the polarization direction of the first or second polarizing element (,). The receiving signals present at the outputs of the receivers (,) are respectively assigned two different threshold values S,and S,(S,>S,), for which the interval is selected such that the receiving signal of a receiver (,) is above S,and the receiving signal of the second receiver (,) is below S,, but only for a clear optical path. Means for testing the device (,) are provided which, when activated, cause the receiving signals of the receivers (,) to assume predetermined switching states with respect to the threshold values S,and S,, that is during an error-free operation. Alternatively, the quotient of the receiving signals for receivers,can also be assigned a threshold value S.