Inductive

Proximity
sensors
BY
AHMED MAHMOUD AHMED
 Components

 An inductive proximity sensor has four elements:

 Coil
 Oscillator
 creates a radio frequency field that is shaped and defined by the coil and core

 Trigger circuit
 rectifies the AC sine wave signal to DC

 Output
 It changes according to the presence and absence of the target
 Basic operation

 Proximity sensors are one type of pre-touch

sensors.

 Inductive proximity sensors operate under the electrical

principle of inductance where a fluctuating current, which by
definition has a magnetic component, induces an electromotive
force (emf) in a target object.
 Basic operation

 When a conducting object is found in sensor’s domain it

reduces the induced current in the electrodes.

 This change in the electric field is detected by the sensors.

 Specialized algorithms process the data and instruct the rest of

the
machine to take appropriate action
Example from
Intel
Robotic hand

 The researchers have incorporated the sensors into a

robotic hand as well, allowing mechanical fingers to adjust
to the size and shape of an object that they encounter.

 The goal, is to improve the ability of robots to grasp

objects in unstructured human environments.
The video
 Wind turbines

 Wind Turbines uses proximity

sensors to determine the best
direction to which it should be
adjusted to get maximum wind
possible
Advantages

 They are very accurate compared to other technologies

 Have high switching rate

 Can work in harsh environmental condition

 Minesweeper

 A robot to sweep over an object and collect EF information from it.

 The algorithm then compares, in near real time, this data to a series
of prerecorded signals that describe various shapes, sizes, and
orientations of the object.

 When the algorithm finds a reasonably certain match, it adjusts

the robotic fingers so that they can grasp the object.
Disadvantages

 It can detect only metallic targets

 Operating range may be limited