What sensors are used in smart homes?

The sensor is a detection device that can sense the measured information and convert the sensed information into electrical signals or other required forms of information output according to a certain rule to meet the information’s transmission, processing, storage and display recording and control etc.requirements. Nowadays, sensors are the basis of smart home control systems to achieve control. With the development of technology, more and more sensors are used in smart home systems, such as washing machines, refrigerators, TVs, microwave ovens, etc. Today we will take stock of the various sensors used in the smart home system.

(1) Pressure sensors are used as water level switches or more complicated devices, such as the monitoring of the amount of foam in washing machines and dryers.

(2) Chemical sensors are used for water quality monitoring. The monitoring parameters include turbidity, color, surface tension, detergent solubility, ph value, etc., and then determine the number of rinsing cycles (solution sensing system).

(3) The photoelectric system is used to monitor the turbidity of the washing machine, so that the number of washing cycles is consistent with the actual needs (liquid sensor system).

(4) The electromagnetic sensor is used to control the movement of the water spray arm in the dishwasher.

Advanced sensors are also used in many other household electrical appliances.

(1) Non-contact detection system, for example, micro-processing thermocouple infrared sensor for temperature control, it can also be used in cookware, hair care appliances and toasters.

(2) The flow sensor can be used to detect the air quality in electric fans and vacuum cleaners.

(3) Acceleration and slope sensors can be used in electric irons.

(4) Intelligent multi-gas sensor (artificial nose) can be used in automatic baking control.

The sensors used for heating and temperature control are: temperature sensors，switches sensors, pressure sensors, gas sensors and liquid flow sensors. Temperature control is one of the earliest and most important functions in home appliances. The uranium resistance temperature sensor based on advanced thin film fiber technology is a good example. It is often used in kitchen heating plates and ovens.

The reed switch is a typical example of remote sensing technology. It is used in thousands of electrical equipment. 

The application of reed technology includes: 

①Turbine-type instruments to measure liquid flow;

②Water level monitoring, for example, used in coffee machines or dishwashers to monitor the water level of softeners and clarifiers;

③Dishwasher arm movement control;

④ washing machine drum position detection;

⑤ safety control of appliance door detection; 

⑥ electric toothbrush; 

⑦ reed sensor in carpet vacuum cleaner;

⑧ wheelchair, bathtub lifting and hospital bed movement or final position detection.

Take some new or improved sensors applied to smart small appliances as an example:

(1) The combination of sensor and non-contact temperature dispersion recognition can be used for automatic baking control, and for long-distance non-contact temperature, humidity and color detection of hair care devices.

(2) Intelligent medical sensors are used in protective equipment. An improved UV sensor is used in the device as a protection against allergy to UV light.

(3) Smart shoes can use acceleration sensors to measure the movement of footsteps, and also calculate the distance traveled by runners and walkers.

(4) The distance sensor and pressure sensor are used to adjust the blade during the use of the shaver.

(5) In many kitchen equipment, some sensors can be used to implement automatic cooking functions, such as determining the state of food, and monitoring possible accidents.