MECHATRONICS

By-
Niranjan Kumar
IDTR, Jamshedpur
 TRANSDUCERS
• A transducer is a device that converts energy
from one form to another. Usually a
transducer converts a signal in one form of
energy to a signal in another.
• The process of converting one form of
energy to another is known as transduction.
• For example- loudspeaker, microphone, LEDs,
etc.
Types of transducers
Transducers

Sensors Actuators
 Sensors
• Sensor is a device used for the conversion of
physical events or characteristics into the
electrical signals.
• This is a hardware device that takes the input
from environment and gives to the system by
converting it.
• For example, a thermometer takes the
temperature as physical characteristic and
then converts it into electrical signals for the
system.
 Actuators
• Actuator is a device that converts the
electrical signals into the physical events or
characteristics.
• It takes the input from the system and gives
output to the environment.
• For example, motors and heaters are some of
the commonly used actuators.
 LIMIT SWITCH
• Limit switches are used to automatically detect
or sense the presence of an object or to monitor
and indicate whether the movement limits of
that object have been exceeded.
• The original use for limit switches, as implied by
their name, was to define the limit or endpoint
over which an object could travel before being
stopped. It was at this point that the switch was
engaged to control the limit of travel.
 PRINCIPLE AND WORKING
• Limit switches are electromechanical devices
consisting of an actuator mechanically linked
to an electrical switch.
• When an object contacts the actuator, the
switch will operate causing an electrical
connection to make or break.
 PROXIMITY SWITCH
• A proximity switch is one detecting the
proximity (closeness) of some object. By
definition, these switches are non-contact
sensors, using magnetic, electric, or optical
means to sense the proximity of objects.
• A proximity switch will be in its “normal”
status when it is distant from any
detectable object.
Types of proximity switches
Proximity
switch

Inductive

Capacitive

Optical
• Inductive switch:-An inductive sensor or
switch is a device that uses the principle
of electromagnetic induction to detect or
measure objects.
• An inductor develops a magnetic field when a
current flows through it; alternatively, a current
will flow through a circuit containing an inductor
when the magnetic field through it changes. This
effect can be used to detect metallic objects that
interact with a magnetic field. 
• Example- search coil magnetometer.
• Capacitive switch: Capacitive proximity
sensors are non-contact devices that can
detect the presence or absence of virtually
any object regardless of material. 
• They utilize the electrical property of
capacitance and the change of capacitance
based on a change in the electrical field
around the active face of the sensor.
• For example- sensing pressure, depth of ice
• Optical Sensor: Optical sensors are electronic
detectors that convert light, or a change in
light, into an electronic signal. 
• An optical sensor converts light rays into
electronic signals.
• It measures the physical quantity of light and
then translates it into a form that is readable
by an instrument.
• For example- photovoltaic cell, photodiodes,
etc
 Thumbwheel switch
• A Thumbwheel Switch is a setting switch that
converts the numeric value selected by
turning a disk-shaped part on which numbers
are written into a binary, decimal,
hexadecimal, or other code using the
combination of ON and OFF signals for
multiple contact circuits and that outputs the
resulting code.
 Magnetic reed switch
• The reed switch is an electrical switch operated by an
applied magnetic field. In its simplest and most common form, it
consists of a pair of ferromagnetic flexible metal contacts in
a sealed glass envelope. The contacts are usually normally open,
closing when a magnetic field is present, or they may be
normally closed and open when a magnetic field is applied.
• The switch may be actuated by an electromagnetic coil, making
a reed relay, or by bringing a permanent magnet near it. When
the magnetic field is removed, the contacts in the reed switch
return to their original position. The "reed" is the metal part
inside the reed switch envelope that is relatively thin and wide
to make it flexible.