Flexible Solutions of Ultrasonic Transducers

                         Flexible Solutions of Ultrasonic Transducers 

Technological progress makes piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers very durable and has excellent sensing capabilities. These new technologies make ultrasonic sensors simpler, more flexible, and more cost-effective. These newly enhanced features open up a new field of application beyond traditional ultrasonic transducers applications. Ultrasonic transducers offer ultrasonic machine designers a new, creative solution found in industrial fields. A few years ago, in the field of sensor technology, ultrasonic transducers have always been the backup choice. Designers only choose ultrasonic technology when other sensing technologies fail to work. Generally, it occurs in the detection of transparent objects, long-distance sensing or local This technique is only used when the target color changes. 

The application of new technologies enables today's ultrasonic sensors to withstand the test of harsh environments:

Ultrasonic transducers with IP67 and IP69K degrees of protection can be used in wet environments, such as bottle washing machines. Built-in temperature compensation circuit, in the normal or changing operating state, when there is a significant temperature change, the temperature compensation circuit will be corrected. The surface of the ultrasonic transducers for distance measurement has a special coating to resist the erosion of harmful chemicals. The advanced filter circuit can shield the ultrasonic sensor from field interference. The new sensor head has a stronger self-protection ability, can resist material damage, and adapt to a dirty environment.

A notable feature of the new generation of underwater ultrasonic transducer is the ease of use, which includes button settings, DIP switch programming and a selection of multiple programs. The switch button is embedded in the ultrasonic sensor device, which makes it very easy to adjust the distance of installing the ultrasonic sensor. It is very simple to put the target in front of the ultrasonic sensor and press the button. This ultrasonic sensor can automatically grasp the size of the window and the  the distance. Easy installation means that the same sensor can be used in the many different applications. The way the switches are programmed means that a ultrasonic sensor can be customized for a specific application. These personalized features include response time, output type, digital and analog options, and special settings for level/level control. 

Piezoelectric ultrasonic sensors generally contain multiple output types in a single sensor. Models with two switch outputs can use one sensor to sense two objects at different distances at the same time, while sensors with a switch output and an analog output at the same time It can be used for measurement and has an alarm output.

These characteristics make ultrasonic sensors more flexible and selective than other technology sensors. The basic principle of using an ultrasonic transducer is that the ultrasonic sensor uses the vibration of the pressure vibration ceramic on the head of the sensor to generate a high-frequency sound wave that cannot be heard by the human ear for sensing. If the sound wave hits an object, the ultrasonic sensor can receive the return signal. Wave. The ultrasonic sensor can determine the distance of the object through the wavelength of the sound wave and the time difference between the emitted sound wave and the received return sound wave. Typically, a ultrasonic sensor can have two settings of close distance and long distance through the setting of the button, regardless of the object In that kind of boundary, ultrasonic sensor can detect it. For example:  ultrasonic sensor can be installed on a pool filled with liquid, or on a box filled with small balls, and send out sound waves to the container, and determine whether the container is full, empty or is partially full.

Ultrasonic sensors also use independent transmitter and receiver models. When it is detecting slow-moving objects, or when fast response is required or applied in a humid environment, this kind of anti-shooting or separate ultrasonic sensor is very useful. Ultrasonic sensors are used when detecting transparent objects, liquids, smooth, rough and shiny, translucent material surfaces, and irregular objects. The situations where the ultrasonic sensor is not suitable are: outdoors, extremely hot environment, in a pressured container, and it also cannot detect objects with foam.

Key points for ultrasonic sensor selection:

The size of the detected object will affect the maximum effective range of the underwater ultrasonic depth sensor. The sensor must detect a certain level of sound waves to be excited to output signals. A larger object can reflect most of the sound waves to the sensor, so The sensor can sense this object at its maximum, and a small object can only reflect few sound waves, which significantly reduces the sensing range. Object to be measured: The object that can be detected by the ultrasonic sensor should be a large, flat, high-density object, placed vertically facing the sensing surface of the sensor. The most difficult to detect are those that have a very small area, or are made of sound-absorbing material, such as foam, or have a corner facing the sensor. Some objects that are difficult to detect can be taught to the background surface of the object first, and then respond to the object placed between the sensor and the background.

When used for liquid measurement, the surface of the liquid needs to face the ultrasonic sensor vertically. If the surface of the liquid is very uneven, the response time of the sensor should be adjusted longer. It will average these changes and can compare the fixed reading. 

Using the ultrasonic sensor in retrosonic mode makes it possible to detect irregular objects. In retrosonic mode, the ultrasonic sensor can first detect a flat background, such as a wall. When any object passes between the sensor and the wall, it will be blocked. Sound waves, the sensor senses the interruption and recognizes the presence of an object.

Vibration: Whether it is the vibration of the sensor itself or the surrounding machinery, it will affect the accuracy of the distance measurement. At this time, some shock-absorbing measures can be considered, for example: use rubber anti-seismic equipment to make a base for the sensor, which can reduce vibration. Can eliminate or minimize vibration.

Attenuation: When the ambient temperature changes slowly, the ultrasonic sensor with temperature compensation can make adjustments, but if the temperature changes too fast, the ultrasonic sensor will not be able to make adjustments.

Misjudgment: Sound waves may be reflected by some nearby objects, such as guide rails or fixed fixtures. In order to ensure the reliability of detection, the influence of surrounding objects on sound wave reflection must be reduced or eliminated. In order to avoid false detection of surrounding objects and many ultrasonic level sensors.There is an LED indicator to guide the operator to install, to ensure that the sensor is installed correctly, reducing the risk of error.

Typical application examples of ultrasonic sensors

Ultrasonic sensors were once considered too difficult or too expensive to operate, but with the reduction in cost and ease of use, more and more mechanical designers have incorporated ultrasonic sensors into the design of machines. Industrial areas of application for ultrasonic sensors include detecting filling conditions, detecting reflective objects and substances, controlling the expansion of loops and measuring distances.