Difference between revisions of "Sensors"
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Obtains GPS data. This is usually used for logging the position of the car, so that you can see where the car is going and compare lines through corners. | Obtains GPS data. This is usually used for logging the position of the car, so that you can see where the car is going and compare lines through corners. | ||
===Sensing Movement of a Single Component=== | ===Sensing Movement of a Single Component=== | ||
| − | ===Hall Effect Sensors=== | + | ====Hall Effect Sensors==== |
Detect the presence of a magnetic field. These are typically switches, that are either on or off (i.e., not analog). These are most commonly used to detect and measure rotation, e.g. of a gear. Unlike a VR sensor, they require an external magnetic force. | Detect the presence of a magnetic field. These are typically switches, that are either on or off (i.e., not analog). These are most commonly used to detect and measure rotation, e.g. of a gear. Unlike a VR sensor, they require an external magnetic force. | ||
====Variable Reluctance Sensors==== | ====Variable Reluctance Sensors==== | ||
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====Rotary Position Sensors==== | ====Rotary Position Sensors==== | ||
These act as more accurate rotary potentiometers. Often they are contactless, meaning they last much longer and for many more cycles than potentiometers do. These are useful as pedal position sensors and steering angle sensors. | These act as more accurate rotary potentiometers. Often they are contactless, meaning they last much longer and for many more cycles than potentiometers do. These are useful as pedal position sensors and steering angle sensors. | ||
| − | ===Knock Sensors=== | + | ====Knock Sensors==== |
Sensors that detect engine knocking. These will bolt directly to the engine block, and will usually come with the engine. | Sensors that detect engine knocking. These will bolt directly to the engine block, and will usually come with the engine. | ||
===O2 Concentration Sensors=== | ===O2 Concentration Sensors=== | ||
Revision as of 19:09, 18 May 2020
Sensors measure physical properties, and convert their measurements into electrical signals to be captured by the data logger and used for running the vehicle, diagnosing the vehicle, verifying that the vehicle is running properly, and/or helping to tune the vehicle.
Contents
Common Sensors
Sensing location/movement of vehicle
These sensors are used to tell where the vehicle is, and how it is moving. Dataloggers often have some or more of these sensors built in. With these sensors, where they are mounted on the car may change how useful the data is. For instance, you may find that you want to mount them as close to the center of gravity as possible.
Accelerometer
Measures its acceleration in one or more axes. This may or may not be the actual acceleration of the vehicle, depending on how it's mounted.
Gyroscope
Measures its angular velocity (change in an angle over time) on one or more axes. Again, you'll probably want these axes to line up with those of the vehicle.
Magnetometer
Measures the strength and direction of the magnetic field. Useful for measuring the yaw of the vehicle.
IMU
Standing for Inertial Measurement Unit, it measures orientation, velocity, and acceleration in all three axes, utilizing accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers.
GPS Receivers
Obtains GPS data. This is usually used for logging the position of the car, so that you can see where the car is going and compare lines through corners.
Sensing Movement of a Single Component
Hall Effect Sensors
Detect the presence of a magnetic field. These are typically switches, that are either on or off (i.e., not analog). These are most commonly used to detect and measure rotation, e.g. of a gear. Unlike a VR sensor, they require an external magnetic force.
Variable Reluctance Sensors
Known also as VR sensors, they detect a change in the magnetic field. Unlike hall effect sensors, they do not require an external magnetic field, so many OEMs use them for cam and crank position sensors.
Potentiometers
Variable resistor ladders that measure movement. The can be used as driver controls (e.g., for adjusting radio volume), or in linear form for measuring shock travel (among other uses).
Rotary Position Sensors
These act as more accurate rotary potentiometers. Often they are contactless, meaning they last much longer and for many more cycles than potentiometers do. These are useful as pedal position sensors and steering angle sensors.
Knock Sensors
Sensors that detect engine knocking. These will bolt directly to the engine block, and will usually come with the engine.
