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WEBENCH® Tools: TOUCH sensor

Other Parts Discussed in Thread: FDC1004

Tool/software: WEBENCH® Design Tools

Hello Dear TI team support

 

I need to implement in my devise a TOUCH sensor.

  should be maximum of 50 cm from main board.

 

Touch sensor requirements

The Touch sensor is connected to a “metal gate” using a metal screw (See picture TOUCH_1.jpg). When the rodent enters the bait station, he touches the “U” shape “metal gate” (see the 40 mm strip at the button of “metal gate” as seen in picture TOUCH_2.jpg) and triggers the touch sensor.

 

Please help me understand how can I create it, please suggest components and connection.

 

Best regards

Ilya

  • Hi Ilya,

    Interesting application. if I understand it correctly, if a rodent an object enters the gate the gate hinges upward correct ? For sensing solution typically we need to consider a type of target. In this case it can be a magnet this can point you to Hall Sensors, If you like to use metal you can choose Inductive Sensing solution. As long as the target travel from a rest position the change in the position can be detected by the sensor and with that information you can make a decision. 

    If you can help us identify what technology you like to use and what is the target that best suits the application and from there we can begin recommending sensing solutions. 

  • Hello Arjun

    I don't know which solution is better, maybe you can suggest. my whole device work from battery source, therefor it should very power consumption solution. second, I need develop second generation, first one developed by other engineer and I can't know how he made it. what I know that the gate is build from iron. i think it work by capacitance detection, but I don't know. I know that when rodent an object enters the gate, microcontroller get alert.

    please suggest.

    Ilya

  • Hi Ilya, 

    If you already have an existing Microcontroller and a sensor solution that already works and if you are leaning towards capacitance I would recommend that you look into the captivate technology. You can find more information here https://www.ti.com/microcontrollers/msp430-ultra-low-power-mcus/capacitive-sensing-mcus-overview.html 

    For capacitive application for discrete solution you can also consider FDC1004. Here is an app note that discusses the Application note. https://www.ti.com/lit/an/snoa928a/snoa928a.pdf?ts=1594146897886&ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.google.com%252F 

    One downside of capacitive application is that its not immune to humidity, rain etc. Careful consideration needs to thought through while designing the sensor to account for external changes. 

    Let us know if thsi helps and goodluck on your project!