ENERGY HARVESTING TECHNOLOGY FOR INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS
Energy harvesting wireless switch for industrial applications from CHERRY
Easy connection with standard SPS bus system like OpenCAN and Profibus
Auerbach / OPf, Germany, 26th November 2013 – At SPS IPC Drives 2013 in Nuremberg from 26th to 28th November in Hall 7A on Stand 604 CHERRY Industrial Solutions shows its energy harvesting wireless switch for industrial applications as a batteryless alternative for wired micro-switches.
With the progressive intelligent networking in the industry and the trend for the ‘intelligent factory’ the energy harvesting switch from CHERRY offers many advantages in applications where a complex wire assembly would be disproportionate to the actual application. The required RF-energy is created by the mechanical actuation of the switch and the data is transmitted wireless via RF-technology. Because of this there is no need for expensive and complex connection systems and no wear of any cable-connection. Thanks to its compact design the wireless switch is very easy to install – even in hard-to-reach places.
The energy harvesting wireless switch for industrial applications is available in two package versions: as a rocker switch (monostable and bi-stable) for actuation by hand and as a snap-action switch for mechanical actuation, e.g. by a machine. The switch can easily be connected with a standard SPS bus system like OpenCAN and Profibus. The signal received by the receiver is simply transmitted to a SPS.
CHERRY’s energy harvesting wireless switch offers a high energy yield of 2x min. 0,33mWs (monostable) and 1x min 0,33mWs (bi-stable), an operating temperature range of -40 up to +85 degrees Celsius, and a long mechanical life of up to 1.000.000 operations. The operating force is 8N (monostable) and 3N (bi-stable). The vibration resistance is 5g and the shock resistance is 15g. Furthermore the switch is fully network-compatible.
Several available radio frequencies (e.g. 868 MHz and 915 MHz (with a radio range of 30m) and 2.4 GHz (with a radio range of 10m)) enable worldwide use in numerous applications. A flexible pairing allows for operation of several receivers with one switch (and vice versa). A ‘unique ID’ excludes a mutual interference between different RF-switches. As there is no need to change or dispose any batteries, the switch is very environmentally friendly and maintenance-free.
Serial production for the two package versions with receiver for industrial applications is expected to start at the end of July 2014.
About CHERRY
CHERRY is a registered brand of ZF Friedrichshafen AG. Under the CHERRY product brand, the Electronic Systems business unit develops and produces components for industrial and household applications, as well as computer input devices.
About ZF Group
ZF is a global leader in Driveline and Chassis Technology with 121 production companies in 26 countries. In 2012, the Group achieved a sales figure of about EUR 17.4 billion with approximately 75 000 employees. In order to continue to be successful with innovative products, ZF annually invests about five percent of its sales (2012: EUR 861 million) in research and development. ZF is among the top ten companies on the ranking list of the largest automotive suppliers worldwide.