"New compact Magnet Carrier 709-21995 for use with existing Hall-based angle sensors for precise and wear-free angle measurement".

ZF presents its new compact Magnet Carrier 709-21995 for use with existing Hall-based angle sensors for precise and wear-free angle measurement. These are ideal for harsh environments such as in the steering system of forklifts and other off-road vehicles. The combination of the new magnet carrier with the ANG angle sensor offers enormous advantages in limited space due to its small dimensions.

ZF offers several angle sensor variants that differ between the redundancy of the output signal: non-, semi or full redundancy, (primarily for safety requirements), the measuring angle and the cable connection and connector type. These variants support flexible use in individual application areas of angle detection. The ANG sensor is the newest in the ZF angle position sensing portfolio. With its length of 3.2 cm and width of 4.5 cm, it fulfills strict requirements in respect of limited space in customer applications and has an extended temperature range (-40 to 140°C), high accuracy (+/- 2% to +/- 2.5%) and is rated IP68. Depending on the desired security, the ANG angle sensor is available in a simple version with three cable outputs but without a redundant output signal, or with four cables and a semi-redundant output signal.

The brand new and extremely compact magnetic carrier from ZF is ideally suited for combination with angle sensors over a measuring range of up to 360°. It works perfectly in conjunction with the ZF Hall sensors. The plastic carrier housing contains a rare earth magnet consisting of a samarium-cobalt compound. It is equipped with two brass bushings to attach the magnet carrier to the target object reliably. The magnet carrier has primarily been designed to serve applications with limited space. It is only 2.4 cm long and 1.8 cm high.

An application example is electric steering (steer by wire) in forklifts, one that ZF sensors and magnet carriers are already well established. The target is for the precise implementation of the desired steering angle from the driver to be communicated to the vehicle. The small magnet carrier is mechanically attached to the steering axle with M3 screws and rotates without contact. It is therefore wear-free over the Hall element of the sensor.

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DG Sub-Miniature Switch

• Extremely small dimensions – only 12.8 x 5.8 x 6.5 mm
• Breaking capacity ranges from small switching currents and voltages to low-voltage applications up to 3 A 125 VAC
• Available with or without auxiliary actuator
• Use on circuit boards with connections to the left or right and standing
• Operating temperature -25 to +85 °C
• High mechanical operating life > 1,000.000 operations (model dependant)
• Degree of protection IP40

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Energy Harvesting Switches

Is the window open or closed? For smart homes this is a simple question but when it comes to energy efficiency and safety, it is a critical one. Thanks to the battery-free and wireless RF technology from ZF this question can be answered reliably.

With an integrated energy harvesting switch, there is the possibility to record each locking and unlocking actuation of a window. A leading company in the window system industry has revolutionized the connectivity between windows and smart home control systems with an innovative concept.

The window specialist Schüco International KG based in Germany has designed a solution for integrating the ZF RF switch in a locking latch, the so called "SensTrack wireless". This RF locking latch is attached to the window frame. When opening or closing the window, the fitting will be moved. This leads to the extension and retraction of the locking roller which actuates the ZF radio switch in the locking latch. The mechanical activation is enough to generate a small voltage based on induction which leads to the transmission of several telegrams of the EnOcean3.0 protocol. The signal is processed in a smart home control unit which then triggers customised functions such as climate control. In large buildings this can be especially helpful to monitor the window state and therefore save on energy costs.

The concept benefits from the compact design with high energy output of the ZF energy harvesting switch. With its size of 20.1 x 7.3 x 14.3 mm, it is ideal for applications with limited space requirements. In addition, due to its durable use with a lifetime of one million switching cycles, there is no maintenance work required to frequently change the components within the window frame.

The RF Switch is battery-free and the wireless technology provides flexibility in use. It can be utilized with different RF protocols - BLE5.0, EnOcean3.0 or ZigBee. The system can also be implemented for diverse applications in the smart home, building and industrial automation sectors, for applications such as lighting, shutters, and doors. With the help of these ZF products, comfort, safety and energy efficiency can be increased and improved in a smart way.

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GS82-AA02 E-Bike Sensor

With the increasing popularity and growing trend of e-bikes, bicycle system suppliers have set goals to optimize power and performance of their drive systems. In order to support the driver in the best possible way, sensors are needed to deliver the required data and therefore adapt the engine's power support. An essential component is the ZF e-bike sensor for measuring the current speed. The ZF e-bike sensor is based on Hall technology with significant advantages over conventional reed switches.

Especially for high-quality e-bikes, all components need to be functional, from the drive to the battery and cabling. This is also the case with the ZF e-bike sensor. Speed sensors of the GS series have been specially developed for use in Pedelecs and S-Pedelecs. The extremely compact design meets the necessary requirements for the use in e-bikes. The sensors are based on the principle of Hall-effect and therefore they are non-contact and durable. In combination with ferromagnetic target wheels, a high-resolution speed measurement with over 50 pulses per revolution can be implemented without any problems. In practice, this leads to a finer and quicker response from the e-bike drive - especially at lower speeds (e.g. when starting up a hill). The differential measurement of the magnetic flux also increases the robustness of the sensor against vibrations. In addition, there is no need for an external magnet, which is used with conventional reed switches. These are frail against even slight shifts on the spoke, which leads to functional failures and shut down of the drive unit.

The GS82-AA02 is the latest addition to the ZF e-bike sensor portfolio. This sensor is significantly more compact than its’ predecessor (21.75mm length, 9.35mm diameter) and optimized for use in e-bikes. As an interface to the drive system, the Higo connector has a cross-section of only 0.14mm² and due to its small size is prevalent in the e-bike industry. Depending on the customer's requirements the contact via connector, as well as the cable length, can be preselected individually. The sensor requires a constant voltage supply of 6.5 - 20 VDC and measures frequencies between 1 and 2,500 Hz. They are designed for a temperature range from -25 ° C to + 85°C to fulfill the declaration of conformity in the e-bike industry.

The ZF sensor was originally developed for ABS applications. In addition to e-bikes, other target markets include e-scooters and various sports equipment for this small and efficient sensor.

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D4 Switch

ZF Friedrichshafen AG’s D4 miniature snap action switch has been an industry standard for many years. Originally this style of switch became popular with appliance manufacturers, due to its small size and excellent current carrying capabilities.

The D4 series benefits from an increased tracking resistance of PTI 300, a high functional reliability, and excellent switching precision. Using application-specific contact materials for switching currents from 0.1A up to 21A at 250VAC, the switches offer superior contact reliability. Due to several available actuators and mounting points, the devices will prove suitable for many different applications.

ZF are pleased to confirm approval has recently been received for the NCKL2/8 UL certificate which applies to the D4 range. They are now certified as ignition protected against new refrigerants which are being used within domestic white goods including refrigerators, ice machines, heat pumps and air conditioning units.

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Self-Sufficient RF Transmission of Switch Signals Without Battery and Wires.

Energy Harvesting Switch Solutions Technology is an energy harvesting switch which reacts to its environment without a need for energy. This solution developed by ZF is based on the principle of Energy Harvesting and does not require any wires. Energy Harvesting can be described as an ‘operation without any auxiliary energy’. Instead of generating auxiliary energy through an integrated energy source or adding it via an external energy supply, energy that is available in the surrounding environment or that is acting on the system is converted. Therefore an Energy Harvester generally speaking is an energy converter.

The wireless RF switch system from ZF based on an energy harvester transforms the mechanical input energy of the actuation into electrical energy, which then transmits, for example, a switching signal to a wireless receiver via RF electronics. The advantages of the system are that the switch can be placed anywhere without the need for any wires. Over its whole life cycle it will fulfill its function completely maintenance free and without any need to replace a battery. The RF switch is fed with different input parameters and is capable of reacting to its environment.

The energy harvesting RF-switches from ZF can be used in a variety of applications such as industrial automation and building automation, smart home or medical technology. Designed for global use, the switches provide an excellent alternative to wired or battery-powered systems.

System Advantages:
• Reduction of connection systems
• Flexibility for inaccessible locations
• No complex wire assembly
• Maintenance-free – no batteries need to be changed
• Network-compatible
• High energy efficiency
• Long mechanical life
• Flexible “Pairing” allows the operation of several receivers with one switch (and vice versa)
• Unique ID excludes a mutual interference between different RF-switches

Description
> Compact & highly efficient Energy harvesting wireless system consisting of a generator and receiver.
> Network compatible wireless data transfer via RF-technology.
> “Unique ID” excludes interference between RF-switches.
> Several frequency bands allow global use within different applications.
> Flexible “Pairing” allows the operation of several receivers with one switch (and vice versa).
> Environmentally friendly – no batteries need to be changed or disposed of.
> Long mechanical life (up to 1.000.000 operations).

Receiver
> Integrated receiver (in existing ECU) or as a separate unit (in a housing/as a plug-in receiver PCB).
> Antenna integrated or external
> Output interfaces: Low voltage relay 230V / 0.5A; RS 232 TTL Bus; RS 485 TTL Bus; Digital interface (high/low) / SPI; USB

Product Range
> The product is available in the form of a “raw” energy harvesting generator or generator with PCB and antenna system, as a rocker switch, snap switch or light switch module.
> A Wireless Switch Module fulfilling KNX-RF 2.0 is also available.

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