The rising market for magnetic sensors offer many opportunities for new products from CHERRY

CHERRY''s background in the automotive sector prior to its acquisition by ZF in 2008 means that there is significant engineering expertise and know-how to support new product developments. The new modular system for the magnetic sensor market is based on several pre-defined configurations that are available on short lead-times and at very cost-effective prices. The modular system uses proven single-chip sensor devices with a standard and fully-integrated magnetic circuit and includes speed, position, angle and stroke sensors. The type of hall chip, fixation, connection, electronic interface and protocol are all variables that can be selected by the customer.

The CHERRY range is currently being extended, to include stroke and angle sensors (available early 2015). These sensors benefit from small package sizes and can be used in very small spaces. The operating temperature range is -40 up to +150° C and meets the minimum IP67 rating. Angle sensors are freely programmable from 0° to 360°. The freely programmable measuring range for the displacement sensors ranges from 5mm up to 45mm. A special version with a measuring range of 25mm for electric and hydraulic drives is available now.

The second technology developed by CHERRY in line with the progression of intelligent networking in the is the energy harvesting switch. It offers many advantages in applications where a complex wire assembly and/or batteries would be inappropriate. The required RF-energy is created by the mechanical actuation of the switch and the data is transmitted wireless via RF-technology. As a result there is no need for complex and expensive connection systems, which means no cables and no batteries to change so no maintenance required - just fit and forget. The technology is very easy to install – even in hard-to-reach places. The energy harvesting wireless switch for intelligent industrial applications is available in two standardised package versions: as a rocker switch for actuation by hand and as a snap-action switch for mechanical actuation.