Engee documentation

Absolute Rotational Motion Sensor

Motion sensor in mechanical rotary systems.

Absolute Rotational Motion Sensor

absolute rotational motion sensor

Relative Rotational Motion Sensor

relative rotational motion sensor

Description

The Rotational Motion Sensor unit is a mechanical rotational motion sensor, i.e. a device which, when included between two mechanical rotational units, generates a signal proportional to acceleration, angular velocity or position (angle). The initial angular position (offset) can be set as a block parameter.

The R and C connections are mechanical rotary ports that connect the block to the nodes between which motion is measured. The positive direction of the block is from port R to port C. This means that velocity is measured as , where are the absolute angular velocities at ports R and C respectively. The Measurement type parameter allows the C port to be disabled and measurements to be made relative to ground.

Connections α, W and A are the output ports for angular acceleration, velocity and displacement respectively. The visibility of these ports is controlled by the block parameters. If you enable the α port, the block performs additional calculations to measure acceleration based on velocity. To avoid complicating the model, it is recommended to enable only those ports that are actually used for measurement.

The Wrap angle to [0, 2*pi] parameter allows you to control the output range of angular displacement. When this parameter is enabled, the angular displacement is stored in the range of 0 to radians (360 degrees), regardless of the number of revolutions performed by the object and the direction of rotation. When the parameter is off, the output range is not limited.

The figure shows the difference between the two options.

angle sensor1

In this example, the object moves at a speed of 6 rad/s in the positive direction for the first 5 seconds and then switches to the negative direction at the same speed. By default, the angular offset output (line 1) shows that the object has turned forward 30 rad and then turned back in the negative direction, continuing to −20 rad. If you select the Wrap angle to [0, 2*pi] checkbox, the output (line 2) remains between 0 and rad.

Checking Wrap angle to [0, 2*pi] simplifies the development of models with complex relationships between model parameters and wrap angle, such as pumps and motors.

Ports

Output

α - angular acceleration, rad/s²
scalar

Angular acceleration output port.

Dependencies

To use this port, set Acceleration to `On'.

W - angular velocity, rad/sec
scalar

Angular velocity output port.

Dependencies

To use this port, set Velocity to `On'.

A - position (angular displacement), rad
scalar

Angular displacement (angle of rotation) output port.

Dependencies

To use this port, set Position to `On'.

Non-directional

R - shaft (positive connection)
`rotational mechanics

Mechanical rotary port corresponding to the positive connection of the encoder.

C - housing (negative connection)
`rotational mechanics

Mechanical rotary port corresponding to the negative connection of the sensor.

Dependencies

To use this port, set the Measurement type parameter to `Relative'.

Parameters

Measurement type - choice between absolute and relative measurements
Absolute (by default) | Relative

Select between absolute and relative measurements:

  • Relative - measuring the acceleration, velocity and position of port R relative to port C.

  • Absolute - disable the C port and measure the acceleration, velocity and position of the R port relative to the ground (internal reference node).

Acceleration - switch on the output port for angular acceleration measurement
Disabled (by default) | On

Checking this box enables the α output port to measure angular acceleration. Opening the α port also requires additional calculations to measure velocity-based acceleration, so this port is disabled by default.

Velocity - Enable the output port for angular velocity measurement
On (By default) | Disabled.

When checked, the W output port is enabled to measure angular velocity.

Position - Enables the output port for angular displacement measurement
Enabled (By default)| Disabled

When this checkbox is selected, the A output port is enabled, which allows to measure the position (angular displacement).

Wrap angle to [0, 2*pi] - limit the output range for angular displacement
Off (By default) | On

When set to `On', the angular displacement output from the encoder remains in the range of 0 to radians (360 degrees), regardless of the number of revolutions performed by the object and the direction of rotation. When set to the `Off' position, the output range is not limited.

Checking this box simplifies the development of models with complex relationships between model parameters and angle of rotation, such as pumps and motors.

Dependencies

This parameter is used when Position is set to `On'.

Initial angle, rad - initial sensor offset
0 rad (by default).

Initial angular position of the sensor (offset).

Dependencies

This parameter is used when Position is set to `On'.