ELECTRONICS
ASM SENSORS
Mastering dynamic
inclination measurement
A NEW GENERATION OF INCLINATION SENSORS USING AN
ADVANCED SENSORFUSION ALGORITHM FOR HIGH ACCURACY IS
NOT AFFECTED BY SHOCK, VIBRATION OR ACCELERATION
RIGHT: Positilt
inclination sensors
BELOW: PTK29
Gyro-compensated
Inclination Sensor
The positilt PTK
series represents a
further development
of MEMS inclination
sensor technology
iVT International Off-Highway 2020 85
Inclination sensors are used in a wide
range of industrial applications and play a
crucial role in mobile machine and industrial
vehicle safety. However, conventional inclination
sensors soon come up against their limits in the
environment of mobile machines and vehicles,
giving incorrect values when either are in
motion. MEMS-based sensor technologies are a
solution. A new generation of MEMS-technology
inclination sensors utilizes an advanced sensorfusion
algorithm that provide high accuracy
compensated signal data not a ected by shock,
vibration or acceleration.
Conventional inclination sensors give
incorrect values in dynamic applications
Inclination sensors measure the angle of an
object with respect to gravity. erefore shock,
vibration or acceleration, which are usually
present in moving industrial vehicles and mobile
machine applications, will immediately a ect
measurement and lead to incorrect values.
Various technologies have been applied to
overcome the in uence of shock and vibration in
dynamic applications. Traditionally, dynamic
inclination was mostly measured using pendulabased
sensor systems. ese sensor
systems use a liquidity such as
silicon oil to damp shock and
vibration. e
disadvantage of such
solutions is a delayed
signal availability and
reduced sensor accuracy.
MEMS technology
In recent years inclination sensors
based on modern MEMS-sensors
have been developed. ey largely
replaced all other technologies as
they outperform them in
performance, reliability, cost and sensor
compactness. e combination of MEMS-based
acceleration and yaw rate sensors (gyro) allows
an integration of dynamic in uences into the
static measurement of acceleration in three axes.
e performance of these modern MEMS-based
inclination sensors depends mainly on the
algorithm used to integrate the dynamic
measurement data. Particularly in heavy-duty
applications such as industrial vehicles, the
tightness and size of the sensor housing play a
considerable role in the sensor’s lifespan and the
level of installation exibility.
Advanced sensor fusion algorithm
e positilt PTK series represents a further
development of MEMS inclination sensor
technology. It uses two MEMS-sensors, one
acceleration sensor to measure acceleration in
three axes and an angular speed detector or
gyrometer to measure yaw rate in three axes.
An advanced sensor fusion algorithm integrates
the measuring data of the two sensors to provide
a high linearity and accuracy. With this
design the positilt PTK sensors compensate
dynamic in uences such as shock, vibration
and acceleration to give correct values
when in motion.
Positilt PTK series inclination
sensors measure inclination
between 0 and +/-180°,
are non-contact and
wear-free. Depending on
the measuring range they
provide a static linearity up
to 0.05°. e resistances to
shock, vibration and dirt makes the
sensors ideally suited for applications
in harsh environments up to
conditions with continuous
underwater use (IP68). Analog
(voltage, current) or digital outputs
(CAnopen, SAE J1939) are available.
Redundant versions are possible for safety
applications.
Ultra-compact sensor housing opens up
new applications
Positilt PTK sensors are available in an ultracompact
stainless steel housing measuring just
10mm in depth allowing high installation
exibility. e ultra-compact stainless steel
sensor housing design can be mounted with free
axis orientation. It thus opens up new application
areas allowing exible installation in space
restricted installation situations.
e sensors are also available in a larger
stainless steel housing which can incorporate
redundant electronics. All housing types are
hermetically sealed and therefore suited for harsh
environmental conditions. For permanent
underwater applications and for cleaningintensive
applications such as food processing
and packaging machines special housing types
are available.
Positilt PTK series inclination sensors are a
superior solution for inclination measurement in
dynamic applications such as mobile machines
and industrial vehicles, where shock, vibration
and acceleration can a ect sensor accuracy. iVT
Author: Ines J. Steinich, vice president,
ASM Sensors Inc., USA
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