M² magnetic foil sensor

Where weight is critical and space is limited - M² magnetic foil sensor

Combining foil technology and magnetic circuit design the newly designed M² magnetic foil sensor is cost effective for automotive applications and precise enough for industrial applications in the range of 5-1000mm for absolute linear position sensing or with a rotation angle of 0-360°. M² contact free sensor operates on the basis of a magnetic field generated by a permanent magnet integrated into a hermetically sealed foil system.

Foil technology – proved in automotive and industrial applications - provides robust, low cost solutions for absolute linear and angle position sensing. The idea of combining foil with a magnetic field in order to have a contact free foil technology that produces an analogue output signal results in M² magnetic foil sensor.

The technical advantage of M²
The foils are hermetically sealed by a proven technology. M² sensor is suitable for applications where high velocities in the movement is demanded, because the response time of the foil with respect to the magnetic field is optimised. An advanced magnetic circuit makes low hysteresis possible.

Customer benefits:
The newly formed sensor is especially suitable where weight is critical and space is limited due to its small dimensions with respect to thickness and width. M² is cost attractive for applications where absolute distances have to be detected and is the base for a reliable operation in rugged applications. The sensors light weight is due to its design adding no extra weight. Small dimensions help to realize applications where little space is required.

Applications

M² magnetic foil sensor is suitable for automotive and industrial applications that call for robust design, reliability, low weight and small dimensions.

Applications automotive:
Possible applications that can be covered with the M² Sensor are in the segments of manually adjustable seats, sliding roofs, sliding doors, hyraulics cylinders…

Applications industrial:
Industrial pneumatic- and hydraulic cylinders, sausage cutting machines, assembling lines, building automation, linear and rotary drives, boat trim pads.

Example of an application:
Possible industrial applications are pneumatic and hydraulic cylinders that need sensing of the piston. Ideally installed within the cylinder, no mechanical force can damage the sensor. The foil with its carrier is placed in an extrusion chamber of the cylinder combined with the electronic board that is used in this case for the signal conditioning. The ring shaped magnet is placed directly on the piston. Hence a rotation of the piston does not influence the magnetic field of the sensor and no extra precautions have to be taken to prevent a cylinder rotation. The sensor detects the magnetic field through the aluminium cylinder depending on the flux lines directions. The aluminium housing of the cylinder had only a damping effect on the magnetic field. Generating a contact free detection of the magnetic field.

The two companies Metallux and Hirschmann Automotive mixed up their respective core ompetence of foil technology and magnetic circuit design working towards the objective of designing a sensor, cost effective for automotive applications and precise enough for industrial applications in the range of 5-500mm for absolute linear position sensing. Furthermore this technological approach can also be used to design an absolute angle of rotation sensor in the range of 0-360°.

Metallux AG

Metallux AG is a public limited German company for electronic products based in Korb, near Stuttgart, Germany. The company focuses on research, development, production and sales of thick film products in cermet- and conductive plastic technology (sensors, resistive components). The company management starting with „father & son“ Oberascher is a union of about 30years experience with new and innovative ideas. A good mix well respected by customers of Automotive industry, Electro static, Medical industry and common industrial electronics as well as sensor requirements. This is our commitment to our customers since 1986. www.metallux.de

Hirschmann Automotive GmbH

Hirschmann Automotive GmbH is your competent partner for innovative solutions in the field of automotive connector technology. The product range includes mechatronic components, intelligent sensor and actor elements and flat cable systems for security-related and highly stressed areas in the car. www.hirschmann.at