Promote the four elements of sensor application in home appliance design

Smart technology is an integral part of many consumer electronics devices today. In the home appliance market, more and more smart home appliances are beginning to adopt sensors in their designs to achieve advanced sensing and control. Position sensors, proximity sensors, level sensors, flow and speed control sensor technology are used in a wide range of appliances to improve accuracy, reliability and efficiency. Modern smart appliance designs require multiple sensors to be placed in each unit, as shown in Figure 1.

What is driving the application of sensors in the home appliance industry? This article will first discuss the four most important factors, including the use of microprocessor control systems in the design of home appliances. Then, the article will list two examples of non-contact sensing technology and explain their impact on home appliance design.

Four factors affecting the application of sensor in household appliances

1. The need for consumer convenience and home automation has driven demand for home appliances with smart sensors. As modern homes increasingly rely on smart technology, smart home appliances using advanced sensing technology enable simultaneous communication and control.

2. Demand for energy efficient and low-cost appliances continues to grow throughout the world, including Asia, South America and other continents.

3. Rising energy prices and related government regulations require the use of energy-efficient household appliances. The widespread use of sensors in a variety of applications, including smart grids, smart buildings, and smart industrial process control, will help achieve more efficient resource utilization and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By adopting advanced technologies with built-in energy efficiency, the level of energy and water demand is significantly reduced, while minimizing the corresponding waste of water and electricity.

4. The use of microprocessor control systems has reduced the need for large mechanical contactors/relays and switching techniques that traditionally use a few ampere current switch incandescent lamps. Today's smart appliances require low voltage and low current switching/sensing devices. Non-contact sensing devices are an ideal replacement for mechanical devices. The next section will list a few examples and illustrate their use in the appliance market.

Non-contact sensor: reed switch and Hall effect

Reed switches and Hall sensors are non-contact sensing technologies suitable for millions of operating cycles. They are considered to be contactless because the starting device does not require physical contact with the sensor to change the sensor output. Now let's discuss the key details about reed switches and Hall sensors and how they affect today's home appliance design.

Reed switch

A reed switch is an electronic switch that is operated by an applied magnetic field. As a passive device, it does not require any electrical energy to operate. This switch consists of two or three thin metal sheets called reeds with plated contacts on the top with a small gap between them (see Figure 2). The reed is usually sealed in a sealed glass tube filled with an inert gas.

Due to its simple and reliable performance, reed switches are ideal for low power applications such as home appliances. Reed switches are commonly used in refrigerators and oven doors to detect the opening or closing of a door. The sensor signals the control unit to quickly activate or deactivate the LED illumination in the appliance.

The magnetic sensitivity switch point of the reed switch is more accurate than the solid state switch. High precision is very important for the design of systems that function properly under a variety of operating conditions. Since the contacts of the reed switch are sealed, the effects of extreme temperatures, humidity and moisture that are common in many appliances are avoided, without affecting their contact stability and operating life.

Hall sensor

Hall sensors are sensors based on semiconductor technology. The principle is to change the induced voltage in response to changes in the magnetic field. These sensors incorporate Hall-effect sensing elements into the circuit to provide a digital on/off or analog output signal that is sensed in response to changes in the magnetic field without the need for any moving parts.

Unlike reed switches, Hall-effect devices contain source circuits, so a small amount of current is always required (see Figure 3). Hall effect devices are programmable and can be used in a variety of ways to achieve a variety of outputs, including digital, analog, and speed sensing.

The application of Hall sensors in the washing machine speed sensor is very popular. The speed of the washing machine drum is monitored by a multi-stage magnet (16 or 32 poles) connected to the motor shaft. This magnet rotates on a Hall effect sensor with excellent speed measurement. This digital speed signal is sent to the control unit, which controls the motor speed internally to obtain various speed cycles.

How does non-contact sensors improve the performance of today's home appliances?

To stay competitive in today's smart appliance market, designers must take advantage of every technology they can use, including contactless sensors. These sensors can improve the performance and appearance of home appliance designs, thereby increasing consumer satisfaction and increasing demand. Compared to mechanical technology, the use of non-contact sensors not only saves energy with the use of microprocessors, but also increases reliability and lower maintenance costs.

Higher precision

The output signal options of the non-contact sensor include a position sensing signal and a linear or rotational sensing ratio metric output value. These signals provide instantaneous response, ensuring tighter control and better resolution for enhanced sensing accuracy.

Greater flexibility and reliability

With non-contact sensing technology, home appliance design offers greater flexibility for applications that require tight tolerances.

This is especially important for narrow spaces where space for sensors is very limited.

Non-contact sensors provide improved reliability and durability throughout the life of the appliance because they are not affected by mechanical wear or oxidation build-up of mechanical contacts. In addition, these sensors are not affected by temperature and humidity changes that are common in many household appliances.

Higher energy efficiency

Non-contact sensing solutions help achieve the energy efficiency required by home appliances to earn an ENERGY STAR rating. The increasing use of ENERGY STAR appliances has a positive impact on the environment. Please see the following facts:

· The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that ENERGY STAR products can prevent more than 150 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year.

· These products also save 200 billion watt-hours of electricity per year, accounting for 15% of all residential electricity in the United States.

· Since its launch in 1992, the ENERGY STAR program has saved billions of dollars in energy use.

Enhanced beauty

Unlike mechanical devices with visible levers or buttons, non-contact technology sensors and magnet actuators are hidden behind the electrical panel. This will result in more stylish and attractive designs that are more popular with contemporary customers.

in conclusion

The growth of the smart appliance market has sparked demand for advanced sensor technology. The use of microcontrollers, the growth of home automation, rising energy prices, and global demand for low-cost appliances have helped establish the position of contactless sensors in the home appliance market. Low-power, non-contact sensors such as reed switches and Hall effect sensors provide flexible sensing solutions with tighter tolerances. With these advanced sensors, the electrical design will be more reliable, durable and aesthetically pleasing, with less impact on the environment.

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