Non-Contacting Sensors for Automotive Applications

The current trend in automobile design is for more sophisticated electronic controls for systems which include power train, suspension and steering. This necessarily increases the need for low-cost reliable sensors to measure the various parameters of speed, position, torque etc. Sensors currently used often employ contacting elements to translate these measurements into electrical analogs. These devices inevitably wear and suffer loss of performance in service. There is, therefore, a need for a new generation of non-contacting devices which will not wear out within the anticipated lifetimes of motor vehicles.

This paper describes some of the technologies presently available for non-contacting sensors and discusses some of their advantages and disadvantages. Also described are improved performances of conventional contacting sensors which should always be considered before opting for the more expensive technologically advanced devices.