A displacement sensor is a device used to measure the position or detect the movement of a specific object, with these movements occurring either linearly or rotationally.
It is also known as position sensors and is a very common type of sensor. They are used in many industries and can be found around us.
Displacement sensors are available in various types, shapes, and sizes suitable for different applications.
What Are Displacement Sensors Used For?
Displacement sensors are widely used. Some of the common industries that employ displacement sensors include motorsports, automotive, industrial applications, agriculture, aerospace, robotics, and many others.
Some sample applications using position sensors include:
Automotive and Motorsports
In this industry, displacement sensors can be used for steering systems in agricultural machinery, electric cart throttle control, bicycle suspension systems, and many other applications.
Factory Automation
Displacement sensors can be used to measure conveyor belt speed, machinery, and label control in printing and packaging processes.
Medical Applications
Displacement sensors are utilized in medical machines such as MRI or oncology devices.
Security Applications
Displacement sensors can be used in security applications, such as monitoring the angle of CCTV cameras.
Barriers and Bridges
Displacement sensors are used to position various barriers, which can be for pedestrians or vehicles. Bridges and movable ramps also use displacement sensors to monitor points where they remain fixed.
Other applications - Displacement sensors can also be used for elevator positioning, special effects in film and television, applications in Segways and other transport modes, various renewable energy applications, baking machinery, paper mills, and many others.
Types of Displacement Sensors
Displacement sensors are available in various types. The two main types are linear and rotational displacement sensors. Within these categories, there are other types of displacement sensors that relate to the technology used in the sensor. Various technologies are employed in displacement sensors, some of which are contact-based and others non-contact.
Linear Displacement Sensors
Linear displacement sensors measure movements occurring along a single axis, which can be from left to right or up and down. They utilize a range of technologies and have different outputs depending on application requirements.
Rotational Displacement Sensors
Rotational displacement sensors are used to measure rotary motion. They convert rotary movements into output signals. Rotational displacement sensors can be used for movements in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction and can operate in a single rotation for movement ranges under 360 degrees or multi-turn for larger movements.
Contact Displacement Sensors
Contact displacement sensors utilize technology where the sensor comes in contact with the object in question, and the internal components also make physical contact with each other to measure displacement.
Potentiometers - Also referred to as "pots," this contact technology uses a sliding bar and a resistive path to monitor displacement. Potentiometers can be linear or rotational, and we have a range of each on our website.
Cable extension transducers - Cable extension transducers are a type of linear potentiometer but use a flexible cable and a pulley to measure long-range linear position.
Non-Contact Displacement Sensors
Non-contact displacement sensors have no touching parts. This eliminates friction as well as wear and tear, giving the sensor a longer lifespan — and sometimes infinite longevity.
We offer various types of non-contact technologies in our displacement sensor range. Some of these include:
Hall Effect
The Hall effect tends to be used for rotary sensors but can also be employed in linear sensors; we have our own specific range of rotary Hall effect sensors available in standard or compact sizes.
Inductive Sensors
This technology uses alternating currents and is employed for measuring linear displacement.
Encoders
Shaft or hollow encoders are used for monitoring and controlling rotary position; they can be absolute or incremental.
LVDT and RVDT - Linear or Rotary Variable Differential Transformers that employ an iron core and copper coils to measure displacement.
For any questions or comments, please contact the Pargaran team.
