Inductive proximity sensor for detecting an object starting electrical

Abstract

Inductive proximity sensor for detecting an object having electrical conductivity comprising a sensor housing, a measuring coil and reference coil placed on either side of a plane of symmetry through the sensor housing. Each coil is partly surrounded by a piece of magnetic material which leaves the measuring coil or reference coil respectively free at the front which faces the direction of the object to be detected or a reference member. An electronic circuit is provided for supplying both coils with an AC signal and for measuring the change in a specific property of the measuring coil with respect to that of the reference coil when object approaches and determining therefrom the distance or the presence of the object. The pieces of magnetic material around the two coils are formed essentially from the same homogeneous material forming a block. Means are provided in the sensor housing for screening magnetic fields produced by both coils in order to suppress thereby mutual crosstalk. The electronic circuit for each coil has a separate synchronous detector with its own oscillator for effecting a frequency-selective measurement such that the effect of changes in the properties of the magnetic material and of the measuring coil on the detection distance is compensated for electronically. Both oscillators of the synchronous detectors have a frequency offset from each other.