Grass cutter gets detected
Requirement:
Starting grass cutting tractors with the cutter positioned down can cause damage to the engine and the ground – alowing start up only when the blade is up is prevents damage. The client wanted a reliable sensor to replace the contact switch type he had been using. Contamination and vibration caused poor reliability. A high concentration of metal in the detection area made standard non-contact sensors difficult to source.
Design parameters:
- Ease of fitment
- Non adjusting
- Reliably switch ECU voltages in extreme conditions of vibration & contamination.
- MTBF figure to exceeds life of the cutter platform
- Economically acceptable solution.
Solution:
Gentech assessed the high concentration of metal in the sensor location area and custom designed a higher intensity magnet for a standard sensor. Unlike the previous micro switch, the new unit required no adjustment saving fitting time on the production line.
In use, problems of contamination, seizure and high contact resistance were totally eradicated.
This manufacturer now uses the solution for detecting the position of the foot brake, hand brake and four wheel drive system.
Design outcome:
- Based around Gentech PSS Product Range technology
- Custom design will perform in areas where there are high concentrations of ferrous metal
- A choice of switching configurations
- Power up to 10 watts.
- A life in excess of 100 million operations
- Switching speeds of less than 1 millisecond.
- High chemical resistance, fully sealed
Similar applications:
- Construction equipment.
- Agricultural equipment
- Trucks
- Process control
- Cranes and access equipment
- Linear actuators
- Security
- Lifting platforms