German TECON sensors TECON models TECON prices

The TECON sensor is used to detect angles. It has a hole in its body that fits LEGO axles. When connected to the RCX, the angle sensor counts once for every 1/16 rotation of the axle. When rotating in one direction, the count increases; when the direction of rotation changes, the count decreases. The count depends on the initial position of the angle sensor. When the angle sensor is initialized, its count value is set to 0. If needed, you can reset it via programming.

TECON sensor introduction

Sensors used in robots to mimic tactile functions. Tactile sense is an important sensory function when humans directly contact the external environment. Developing tactile sensors that meet requirements is one of the key technologies in robot development. With the development of microelectronics and the emergence of various organic materials, many development plans for tactile sensors have been proposed, but most are currently at the laboratory stage, with few reaching productization. Tactile sensors can be roughly classified by function into contact sensors, force-torque sensors, pressure sensors, and slip sensors.

TECON sensor classification

Slip sensors are used to judge and measure the slippage of objects when a robot grips or transports them. They are essentially displacement sensors. Based on whether they have sliding direction detection capability, they can be divided into three categories: non-directional, single-directional, and omni-directional. 1) Non-directional sensors include the probe-earphone type, which consists of a sapphire probe, a metal buffer, a piezoelectric Rochelle salt crystal, and a rubber buffer. Sliding causes the probe to vibrate, which is converted into corresponding electrical signals by the Rochelle salt. The buffer reduces noise. 2) Single-directional sensors include the drum photoelectric type. Slippage of the gripped object causes the drum to rotate, leading a photodiode to receive light signals through a code disk (mounted on the circular face of the drum). Object slippage is measured via the drum's rotation angle signal. 3) Omni-directional sensors use metal balls coated with insulating material and composed of conductive and non-conductive areas arranged in a latitude-longitude distribution. When the sensor contacts an object and slides, the ball rotates, causing the conductive and non-conductive areas on the ball's surface to alternately contact electrodes, thereby generating on/off signals. By counting and judging these on/off signals, the magnitude and direction of slippage can be measured. This type of sensor requires high manufacturing precision.

TECON sensor applications

Tactile sensors are used to determine whether a robot (primarily its limbs) is in contact with external objects or to measure the characteristics of the contacted objects. Types of tactile sensors include micro switches, conductive rubber, carbon-impregnated sponge, carbon fiber, and pneumatic reset devices. 1) Micro switch: Composed of a spring and contacts. When the contacts touch an external object, they move away from the base plate, breaking the signal circuit, thereby detecting contact with the external object. The advantage of this normally closed (continuously connected when not in contact) micro switch is ease of use and simple structure; the disadvantages are susceptibility to mechanical oscillation and contact oxidation. 2) Conductive rubber type: It uses conductive rubber as the sensing element. When the contacts touch an external object and are compressed, the conductive rubber is pressed, changing its resistance and thus altering the current flowing through it. The disadvantage of this sensor is that due to variations in the material formulation of the conductive rubber, drift and hysteresis characteristics are inconsistent; the advantage is its flexibility. 3) Carbon-impregnated sponge type: It features an elastic body made of sponge mounted on a base plate, with carbon-impregnated sponge arranged in an array within the sponge. When the contacted object is compressed, the resistance of the carbon-impregnated sponge decreases. Measuring the magnitude of the current flowing through the carbon-impregnated sponge determines the degree of compression. This sensor can also be used as a pressure sensor. Advantages include simple structure, good elasticity, and ease of use. Disadvantages are that the uniformity of carbon distribution directly affects measurement results, and recovery after compression is poor. 4) Carbon fiber type: The upper layer is carbon fiber, the lower layer is a base plate, and polyurethane and metal electrodes are installed in between. When contacting an external object, the carbon fiber is compressed and makes contact with the electrodes to conduct electricity. The advantage is good flexibility, allowing installation on curved surfaces of robotic arms, but hysteresis is significant. 5) Pneumatic reset type: It has a flexible insulating surface that deforms under pressure, using compressed air as the resetting force when contact is broken. When in contact with an external object, the internal elastic dome (beryllium copper foil) contacts the lower contacts to conduct electricity. Advantages include good flexibility and high reliability, but a compressed air source is required.

Weidou Intelligent Technology specializes in selling German TECON sensors, TECON proximity sensors, TECON distance sensors, TECON vision sensors, TECON displacement sensors, TECON load cells, TECON speed sensors, TECON photoelectric sensors, TECON position sensors, TECON angle sensors, TECON tactile sensors, TECON temperature sensors, TECON pressure sensors, TECON flow sensors, TECON level sensors, TECON motion sensors, TECON process sensors. Original German imports. Welcome inquiries and orders from users.