Energy harvesting saves heating energy!

The Energy Harvester from ZF, installed in applications for windows and doors, contributes to energy efficiency and building security. These monitor if a window is open or closed and prevents, for example, the waste of heating energy. 

By RF technology, the current status of a window will be reported to the building technology and when the window is open, the heating or air-condition will turn down. If a window or door has not been closed, this information can also be checked on a central unit. Thus, the effort for the guard duty of big commercial buildings will be reduced.

By each actuation of the ZF Energy Harvester, sufficient energy for the transmission of a RF protocol is generated. The connected radio electronics transfers the status information to a receiver unit. So, window handle, window latch or door lock inform with every opening and closing about the change of status.

The completely battery-free and wireless technology from ZF is free of maintenance and flexible in use. It can be realized with different RF protocols such as Bluetooth®, EnOcean® or customer-specific RF protocols.

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@zfswitch_sensor #Automation #Energy #Building

Very miniature switches.

The sub-subminiature DG and the ultraminiature DH switches from ZF Friedrichshafen, have had an upgrade. Both products have extremely small dimensions and are suitable for low voltage applications.

The upgraded DG switch comes with dimensions of 12.8 x 5.8 x 6.6 mm and has a bigger operating temperature of -25 to +125 °C. The DG is approved according to IEC 61058-1 / UL 61058-1 and CQC certified.

ZF’s ultraminiature DH switch has dimensions of 8.4 mm × 2.7 mm × 6.55 mm. With its increased temperature range of – 25°C to + 85°C, it is now available for a wider range of applications.

Both products are part of the ZF switch product range which includes other snap action switches like miniature and subminiature switches but also rocker and pushbutton switches.

@zfswitch_sensor  #Automation

Pushbutton module ensures efficient and economic switching.

Big topics of discussion within the lighting sector include sustainability, energy efficiency, low cost systems, connectivity and convenience through flexibility. One solution to address these issues, is the wireless and battery-free ZF RF pushbutton module.

For the connection between lighting components and pushbuttons in buildings, cables are the established solution. This variant seems to be cheap and simple to install at first. Unfortunately, the initial low maintenance can quickly turn into an expensive undertaking. Installing cables creates inflexibility. As soon as it comes to modifying buildings updating cables between lights, actuators or sensors, it involves a huge effort and cost. Renovations require planning, knocking down walls, laying new wires and returning the building to its previous state.

A sustainable alternative based on RF and completely free of batteries and wires is available from ZF. This concept eliminates the disadvantages of wired and battery powered systems. A tiny and compact generator (20.1 x 7.3 x 14.3 mm) produces enough energy by pressing the button by means of induction, so that it can reliably transmit RF commands to a paired receiver. As a wireless solution it guarantees flexibility and the possibility to retrofit easily according to individual requirements. As a battery-free solution and with a lifetime of 1,000,000 switching cycles, maintenance and disposal requirements of battery replacements can be avoided.

The RF light switch module from ZF is the only one which is directly compatible with the RF standard KNX-RF and it supports the RF standard EnOcean3.0 too. In cooperation with onsemi, ZF has published a reference design for an Energy Harvesting Bluetooth5.0® Low Energy switch and a first demo light switch module. It is compatible with standard frames and can also be combined with customer-specific control and design panels.

@zfswitch_sensor #Domestic #Automation

Stop the bus.

Thanks to the wireless and battery-free switch technology from ZF, there are various possible application fields to increase connectivity, flexibility, and convenience. Bus stop buttons are another smart application integrating the inductive RF generator module. The target is to avoid cabling (up to 100m) and expensive maintenance work caused by cable breaks in buses. The energy harvesting switch guarantees design freedom and reduces maintenance work to a minimum as it has a lifetime of over 1,000,000 switching cycles.

The energy harvesting switch can be integrated directly into the plastic housing of the stop request buttons in buses. The compact design (20.1 x 7.3 x 14.3 mm) makes it easy to integrate. In addition, the ZF radio switch generates a voltage pulse by mechanical actuation as it relies on the inductive principle. Therefore, RF commands can be reliably sent via commercially available radio protocols such as EnOcean3.0 at a frequency band of 868MHz. In this case there is no risk of RF interference with Bluetooth devices which operate at a 2.4 GHz frequency range. Altogether, the radio switch is completely free of batteries or cabling, allows a reliable RF transmission and offers a high degree of flexibility when it comes to mounting in buses.

Each RF switch has a unique ID and can be programmed individually. This means that each stop request button can be assigned to a specific command group, such as opening doors at the front, back, or initiating measures for wheelchair users. The buttons are paired to the central receiver unit, which is again connected to the electrical bus system. Depending on the received command, the receiver triggers a visual or acoustic signal to give the bus driver appropriate instructions.

@zfswitch_sensor #Transportation #Energyharvesting

Position sensors control marine engines.

Hall-based position sensors are becoming widely used in a wide variety of applications due to their contactless and wear-free measurement method. These sensors are used in outboard marine engines to control the trim level. Marine drive manufacturers rely on the Hall-based position sensors from ZF as reliable and robust components for their overall drive system.

The Hall-based position sensors from ZF have been established as a reliable sensor solution for marine applications, especially for the inclination and trim measurement of outboard motors. To ensure optimal performance of a boat depending on the speed, the outboard motor must have a certain inclination. Both angle and linear position sensors are used with an associated external magnet carrier to monitor and realign the current inclination of the motor. The sensors are completely contactless and have an almost unlimited lifetime, as no wear and tear occur caused by abrasion. For position measurement, the external magnet is attached a few millimeters above the sensor. If the magnet rotates, the magnetic field changes, which again leads to a change in voltage within the sensor electronics. Each voltage value can be assigned to a specific angle value.

Depending on the requirements and customers’ requests, ZF offers a range of different angle sensor variants with associated magnets for triggering signals. These vary in terms of the angular range (0-360°), signal redundancy (non-, semi- or fully redundant), connection interface (cable, connector), operating temperature range and form factor. Attributed to long lasting experiences and know how in hall-based sensor technology, also customized solutions can be fulfilled.

@zfswitch_sensor #Marine 

Energy harvesting to benefit from membership.

The topic of sustainability is a high priority within the ZF Group. To support ZF’s energy harvesting product portfolio further, investment has been made to join the EnOcean Alliance. This is a strategic milestone in order to offer battery-free and wireless radio technology with the EnOcean3.0 radio standard in the near future.

The EnOcean Alliance was founded in 2008 and, as a non-profit company, plays a leading role in the development of maintenance-free and compatible wireless solutions for Smart Home and Smart Buildings. The products are based on the EnOcean RF standard (ISO / IEC 14543-3-10 / 11), which is designed specifically for energy harvesting solutions. With over 400 renowned members, wireless sensors with low energy consumption and energy harvesting solutions are developed and marketed. The advantages are obvious: Simple installation without laying cables, energy and CO2 savings, no maintenance and low system costs.

As a member of the EnOcean Alliance, ZF plans to expand its energy harvesting product portfolio with wireless solutions that are compatible with the EnOcean3.0 wireless standard.

@zfswitch_sensor @EnOceanAlliance #Wireless #BAC #Standards

Switch aids smooth traffic flow!

In 2019, it was announced in China that by the end of the year 90% of vehicles on Chinese expressways should be enabled to use their new electronic toll collection (ETC) system. The DG sub-subminiature switch from ZF Friedrichshafen AG, succeeded in winning business exceeding 10 million pieces from one of the leading ETC companies in China.

The Ministry of Transportation of China planned a complete removal of manual expressway toll booths, replacing them with ETC systems at provincial borders to reduce the issues of expressway traffic congestion, to enhance traffic efficiency and to reduce logistical costs.

To implement the electronic toll collection process, the toll station was equipped with electronic readers, each vehicle needed a transponder fitted, and the driver needed to apply for a dedicated bank card to actuate the cost deduction from the individual’s account. When vehicles pass through a toll booth on the expressway, they no longer need to stop because the ETC system recognizes the vehicle details and deducts the toll fee automatically.

The DG sub-subminiature switch from ZF Friedrichshafen AG is installed in the transponder for each vehicle and is used as a core component to prevent disassembly. This unique transponder is required by the ministry to protect the security of the unique ID and account of each vehicle.

@zfswitch_sensor #Transport #China

Distributor Award.

ZF manufacturer of electromechanical switch and sensor solutions for the industrial market sector, has again been given recognition for the quality of support and collaboration with their Distribution network by SPDEI.

ZF topped the Electromechanical category for Distributor support, and with it being voted for by the Distributors themselves, the award is of particular significance.

SPDEI (Professional Union of Industrial Electronics Distribution) is the French Association set up to promote the development of the profession in economic, technical and regulatory areas. Electromechanical Components is one out of 9 product categories voted on, others included passives, connectors, and wireless.

This was the 23rd year of the awards and the presentation of the 2018 SPDEI trophies took place at the Automobile Club de France (Paris), under the leadership of Pascal Fernandez, the President of the Union.

 @cherryswitches #PAuto @SPDEI1