How Does a Sensor Work?
2 Answers
Sensor working principle involves converting specific measured signals into "usable signals" through sensitive and conversion elements according to certain rules, then outputting them to meet requirements for information transmission, processing, recording, display, and control. Sensors can be categorized by principle into: vibration sensors, humidity sensors, magnetic sensors, gas sensors, vacuum sensors, and biosensors. Sensors are the primary component for achieving automatic detection and control. Their function is to convert non-electrical quantities into electrical quantities or circuit on/off states, enabling convenient measurement, transmission, processing, and control.
The working principle of sensors, in my opinion, can be simply described as their ability to detect changes in the surrounding environment, such as temperature increases or object movements, and then convert these physical signals into electrical signals to transmit to other devices. From my perspective, this is a fundamental process: sensors act like little detectives, collecting data in real-time and outputting digital or analog signals through circuits. Taking cars as an example, the O2 sensor detects oxygen levels in the exhaust pipe and sends the data to the ECU, which then adjusts the air-fuel ratio for more efficient combustion. There's also the radar sensor's collision avoidance function, which measures distance and issues alerts. This mechanism makes vehicles smarter and safer, but without timely maintenance, dust or moisture can affect accuracy. Regular checks can prevent warning lights from coming on.
