InfraStructures - November 2010 - Universal Inclinometer, CANopen® Series from Axiomatic

Universal Inclinometer, CANopen® Series from Axiomatic

Axiomatic’s family of rugged inclinometers and tilt sensors has a series of new low cost sensors that can measure ±90° or 360° angular rotation. The AX06025X series features CANopen networking, a RS-232 port or 3 voltage outputs for communicating the angular measurement. The inclinometer series also supports the SAE J1939 CAN interface under the p/n’s AX0602XX. The J1939 inclinometer is fully configurable using the Axiomatic Electronic Assistant® programming tool for PCs. All units are packaged for an IP67 rating with M12x2 5-pin connectors or M12 x1 5-pin. A mating plug with CAN termination resistor is available.

The inclinometer is designed to measure inclination angle in two orthogonal sensing directions X and Y in the range of up to ±90°. If vertically installed, it can measure an inclination angle in one sensing direction in the ±180° (0-360°) range.

The angles are measured by a two-axis MEMS sensor, which senses acceleration caused by the gravity force.

The output signals from the MEMS sensor are normalized and processed by a microcontroller to receive inclination angles. The resolved angles can be then sent to the CAN bus, RS232 port or output as three 0-5 V signals.

Due to a powerful microcontroller, the inclinometer can perform pre-processing of the angular information according to the users’ needs. Its internal architecture is user-programmable and allows users to define their own custom functionality using a set of predefined internal functional blocks. For J1939 models, application programming is performed through the CAN interface by the PC-based Axiomatic Electronic Assistant® software. For CANopen® models, application programming is achieved via standard and commercially-available tools for CANopen®.

In a tilt sensor application, an out-of-range state can be transmitted as one of its outputs.

The AX06025X series can be used as an integral part of a position control system or subsystem for construction equipment (excavators) and after-market excavator attachments. It can also provide out of level indication for lift equipment and other machines.

Axiomatic provides electronic machine controls, components and systems to the off-highway, military, power generation, material handling, industrial and alternate energy OEM markets.

Source: Axiomatic