A transducer is a device that converts one kind of energy into another. The conversion can be mutual conversion of electric energy, electromechanical energy, electromagnetic energy, photon energy, photovoltaic energy or any other form of energy. Although the term transducer usually means to be used as a sensor/detector, any device that converts energy can be considered as a transducer.
A transducer is an electrical or electronic device that converts energy from one manifestation to another. When most people think of transducers, they especially think of devices that perform this conversion to collect or transmit information, but in fact, anything that converts energy can be regarded as a transducer.
Sensors for detecting or transmitting information include microphones, geiger meters, potentiometers, pressure sensors, thermometers and antennas. For example, a microphone converts sound waves hitting its diaphragm into analog electrical signals that can be transmitted through wires. The pressure sensor converts the physical force applied to the sensing device into an analog reading that is easy to represent. Although many people think that sensors are some kind of technical equipment, once you start looking for them, you will find sensors everywhere in your daily life.
Most sensors have an inverter that allows energy to return to its original form. For example, a cassette tape is made by using a sensor to convert an electrical signal from a microphone pickup into magnetic fluctuations on a magnetic head, and the microphone pickup in turn converts sound waves into electrical signals through the sensor. Then, these magnetic fluctuations are read and converted by another converter, in this case, a stereo system, which converts back electrical signals and then feeds them to the speaker through wires, and the speaker acts as another converter to convert the electrical signals back to sound waves.
Other sensors convert one kind of energy into another, not to measure something in the external environment or transmit information, but to use this energy in a more effective way. For example, the light bulb is one of many converters in our daily life, which converts electric energy into visible light. Motor is another common form of electromechanical converter, which converts electrical energy into kinetic energy to perform mechanical tasks. Contrary to the motor, the generator is also a converter, which converts kinetic energy into electrical energy for other equipment.
Like all energy conversion, the sensor will lose some energy when it works. By comparing the total energy input to the transducer with the total energy output from the system, the efficiency of the transducer can be obtained. Some sensors are very effective, while others are very inefficient. For example, a radio antenna acts as a converter to convert radio frequency power into an electromagnetic field; If it runs well, the efficiency of this process can reach more than 80%. In contrast, the efficiency of most motors is much lower than 50%, while the efficiency of an ordinary light bulb is lower than 10% due to heat loss.
What is the difference between transducer and sensor?
A transducer is a machine used to convert one kind of energy into another. They are usually part of more complex equipment. The sensor is specially used to measure and express the measurement level. Usually, sensors consist of transducers; Therefore, people can see how easy it is to confuse the two.
Generally speaking, there are various basic types of sensors, and their applications are almost endless. The first is a contact sensor. This type is classified by a single point contact for detecting energy. Coupling materials, such as water or oil, are usually used to prevent distortion between the energy source and the detection point.
Many sensors use contact sensors to detect the energy level and convert it into electric energy, which then affects the display instrument. In the late1980s and early1990s, a kind of almost ubiquitous contact sensor was magnetic tape head. These can be found in any cassette player. Touch the tape and read the magnetic information on the tape. This information is then converted into electrical signals, transmitted to speakers or headphones through wires, and then converted back to sound waves.
The second most common type of sensor is immersion. These are designed to work in a liquid environment. This type is very effective in measuring sound, pressure or other forms of mechanical energy. Brush sensors are used in a similar way to immersion sensors, but they work in an open environment and have high-sensitivity crystals, which can detect even the weakest energy. Radio wave antennas are of the brush type because they collect broadcast radio waves and convert them into electrical energy, which is converted back to sound through the speakers of the radio.
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