“Virtually since the invention of the automobile, SKF have been providing innovative bearing and sealing solutions for engines, transmissions, steering and wheel end systems,” says SKF South Africa’s, Marchant Taylor. “SKF has also led the way in the development of sensor bearings and communication from hub units to vehicle CPUs.”
Sensor integration in hub bearing units is one of the older examples of mechatronics in vehicles; as a key element in vehicle dynamics, the hub bearing is an ideal assembly to capture data for processing by vehicle performance and condition monitoring systems.
“However,” continues Taylor, “there are even more innovative and exciting developments around the corner. Intelligent bearings (iHBUs) that will monitor wheel-end temperature, measure vehicle loads, evaluate noise and vibration levels, and then convert this data to intelligent signals via embedded software to improve safety and performance.”
The signal is transmitted to an electronic processing unit for evaluation and integration with the application
Sensor bearing technology
A magnetic impulse ring divided into a sequence of north and south poles is attached to the inner ring of the bearing. The outer ring carries a sensor body with embedded Hall cells. When the inner ring rotates, the impulse ring moves past the stationary sensor ring, generating a magnetic field of changing polarity. The sensor outputs a pulse frequency proportional to the number of polarity changes per second.
For reasons of both weight reduction and safety an increasing number of vehicles are being equipped with speed sensing devices. The optimum wheel speed sensor is however unique to the demands of individual applications. Depending on requirements the sensor can be either non-integrated or integrated to improve reliability, save weight and ease assembly. The sensor may also be either:
* Passive – for ABS applications.
* Active – for traction control purposes.
SKF says it remains committed to the continued development of the technology in an effort to assist customers to find optimal solutions for both passenger and heavy vehicle hub unit applications.
Miniature inductive sensors ifm - South Africa
Sensors & Transducers
The inductive IY/IZ type sensors from ifm are used in various industrial areas where space is limited.
Read more...PDS implementation on mines
Sensors & Transducers
Level 9 vehicle intervention for collision avoidance has been mandatory on South African mines since 2022, yet the effective roll-out of proximity detection systems remains slower than expected. This is not due to the technical limitations of integration but to operational readiness on site.
Read more...Monitoring analogue process values ifm - South Africa
Sensors & Transducers
Everywhere in industry, electronic sensors are used to detect process values such as temperature, pressure or flow. Process value monitoring often takes place directly in the sensor.
Read more...Reimagining rotation for a circular and sustainable future SKF South Africa
Motion Control & Drives
Through the design and manufacture of components with sustainability at their core, SKF is reimagining the future of rotation, rolling away from traditional, consumable-based thinking toward a smarter, more sustainable circular approach.”
Read more...Protecting buildings’ embodied carbon with retrofitted systems Schneider Electric South Africa
Sensors & Transducers
The World Economic Forum has said that around 80% of the buildings in existence will still be around in 2050; it is therefore essential that in order to combat climate change we retrofit them for energy efficiency.
Read more...Listening for damage to wind turbines
Sensors & Transducers
The Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits, working in concert with the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems, has developed a solution that can be used to identify cracks and breakage inside wind turbine blades remotely at an early stage.
Read more...Enhancing gold leaching efficiency Endress+Hauser South Africa
Sensors & Transducers
Endress+Hauser offers a range of advanced technologies designed to enhance the stability and accuracy of pH and dissolved oxygen measurements on gold processing plants.
Read more...Powering safer mining with PDS
Sensors & Transducers
With the mining industry under increasing pressure to prioritise safety without compromising productivity, Booyco Electronics is pushing the boundaries of Proximity Detection System and Collision Avoidance System technology across both underground and surface operations.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version