Patent ID: 7942059

Claim:
A sensor arrangement for detecting objects, comprising: first and second housings; an ultrasonic sensor including: a first ultrasonic converter that emits ultrasonic waves; and a second ultrasonic converter that receives ultrasonic waves; wherein the first and second ultrasonic converters comprise, respectively, first and second piezo ceramic discs each having a center bore and being integrated into the first and second housings, respectively; and an optical sensor integrated into the ultrasonic sensor, wherein the optical sensor comprises: a first optoelectronic element that transmits light rays and is arranged in the first housing behind the first piezo ceramic disc the center bore of which constitutes an aperture for transmitted light rays; a second optoelectronic element that receives the light rays transmitted from the optoelectronic light transmitter and arranged in the second housing behind the second piezo ceramic disc the center bore of which constitutes an aperture for the received light rays; and first and second membranes each permeable to light rays and arranged, respectively, on the first and second piezo ceramic discs on a side remote from, respectively, the first and second optoelectronic elements.