Enhancing Motorsport Performance with Contactless Sensing Solutions

Contactless position sensors are used in a variety of applications, including race cars, where they are used to measure steering angle, suspension and pedal angle. These sensors are highly reliable and accurate, and they can withstand the harsh conditions of racing.

One of the key advantages of magnetic position sensors is that they offer full redundancy. This means that they have two or more independent power supplies, so that if one fails, the other can continue to provide accurate data. This is important and mandatory in race cars, where any sensor failure can be costly and even dangerous.

You can buy Piher redundant or full redundant hall effect position sensors (separate power supplies) or you can even stack several simple sensors following Piher’s advice.

Contactless position sensors can also measure up to 360 degrees of electrical angle. This is important for automotive steering sensors, as they need to be able to measure the full range of steering motion. Piher also manufactures multiturn absolute position sensors for steering angle applications.

Here are some of the benefits of using contactless position sensors in race cars:

• Reliability: non contact position sensors are very rugged, highly reliable and can withstand the harsh conditions of racing.
• Accuracy: Contactless position sensors are very accurate, even at high speeds.
• Interference Protection
• Compact Form Factor
• Programmability
• Interface Options: Supports analogue outputs, CAN, SENT, PWM, SPI, and SSI interfaces with various connection technologies including stranded wire and pin-connector packages.
• Redundancy: Dual-channel position sensors are often redundant, so that if one core fails, the other sensing core can continue to provide accurate data.

• 360-degree measurement: Non-contacting rotary position sensors can measure up to 360 degrees of electrical angle, which is important for race car steering sensors. Multi turn hollow-shaft absolute rotary sensors are available for the steering column. They are true power-on so they will not loose the last recorded position if power supply fails.

How OEM contactless position sensors work

Contactless angular or linear position sensors use a variety of technologies to measure position, but the most common and trusted technologies are Hall effect and Inductive sensing. Hall effect sensors use a magnetic field to measure the position of a target.

The touchless rotary position sensor is typically mounted on a shaft or axle, and the target is attached to the shaft or axle. The magnetic field generated by the sensor interacts with the target to create a voltage signal. The voltage signal is proportional to the position of the target.

Applications for contactless position sensors in Motorsport race cars

Contactless position sensors are cost-effective and used in a variety of applications in race cars, including:

• SAS Steering sensors: Contactless angular sensors are used to measure steering angle. This information is used by the engine control unit (ECU) to control drive-by-wire systems.
• Pedal angle sensors: Contactless position sensors are used to measure throttle accelerator and brake pedal angle. This information is used by the ECU to control the engine and braking system.
• Suspension and Chassis:  Contactless linear and rotary position sensors are used to measure the position of the chassis and suspension components. This information is used by the ECU to control the ride height and damping of the suspension. Information can be output in digital (CAN BUS, SPI…) or analog ratiometric formats.
• Driver Interface: Our sensors deliver handbrake position feedback and provide real-time feedback to drivers and engineers during gear changes.

• Engine Management: Precise inlet valve throttle position sensing helps maintain fuel efficiency and power delivery.

Tailored Solutions for Racing Teams

Every racing series has unique challenges. We provide a broad range of solutions to the motorsport market beyond our standard catalog. If you have specific sensing and measurement requirements, please contact us to discuss how our engineering team can support your performance goals.

Non contacting position sensors are an essential part of modern vehicles. They provide reliable and accurate measurement of steering angle, pedal angle, transmission and suspension position.

Piher Sensing Systems is a manufacturer of Steering Sensors both off-the-shelf, and customized with functional safety (ISO 26262), ensuring that steer-by-wire systems are safe and reliable, which is a top priority for OEMs.