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What are the advantages of using conductive position sensors on off-road vehicles?

by

Jason H Walker

Inductive position sensors are designed to detect the position of moving parts on any off-road vehicle. Multiple sensors are often used on machines to improve the safe operation of the vehicle and to protect the vehicles operator/driver. A position sensor located on an industrial cranes cable drum could, for example, detect the end of its cable, thus protecting the crane against machine damage. Position sensors can also monitor the rotational speed of a gear, detect the position of a platform, or sense the open- and closed-position of vehicle cab door. The position sensors provide continual feedback on the operating condition of all the machines moving parts and relay all this information to the vehicle operator.

Position sensors are designed and built to be sturdy and resilient. They have to be able to withstand the extreme shock, vibration, and all the harsh elements associated with outdoor use. Moreover they also have to be able to cope with direct exposure to chemicals, dirt, moisture, sunlight, and electrical interference. Consequently most position sensors incorporate the following features:

Long sensing ranges that increase the distance between the target and sensor and reduce the chance of impact and damage to the sensor.

Flexible electronic circuitry that resists the effects of shock and vibration.

Stainless steel, zero-leak housings which encase and protect the electronics from chemicals and liquid ingress.

Highly visible LEDs that indicate power and output status which aid in setup and monitoring, especially in direct sunlight.

Sensing faces made of UV-resistant plastic that wont break down from exposure to sunlight.

Noise-immune technology which enables the sensors to ignore conducted and radiated electrical noise.

How do inductive proximity sensors operate?

Inductive proximity sensors work by analysing the changes in a resonant circuit which are caused by eddy current losses in conductive materials. An inductive proximity sensor is constructed from four essential components: a coil of wire wrapped in a ferrite core, an oscillator circuit, an evaluation circuit and an output circuit. When voltage is applied to the sensor, an oscillating current flows through the coil and radiates an electromagnetic field from the active face of the sensor. This field is directed and shaped by the ferrite core.

When an electrical conductor or metal target enters the electromagnetic field, eddy currents are drawn from the oscillator and induced into the target. These currents draw energy from the electromagnetic field. The subsequent losses in energy caused by the eddy currents are attributable to the conductivity and permeability of the target, the distance and position of the target, and the size and shape of the target.

When the metal target is positioned at a precise distance from the active face of the sensor, the energy loss caused by the eddy currents becomes so large that the amplifier cannot output sufficient energy to maintain oscillation and the magnetic field therefore collapses. The breakdown in oscillation is detected by the evaluation circuit, which then changes the state of the output circuit.

This article about

position sensors

was submitted by

Datron Technology

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What are the advantages of using conductive position sensors on off-road vehicles?}