MEMS flow sensor feature cyclone-type system

Omron Corp. has released the D6F-P MEMS flow sensor incorporating a cyclone-type dust segregation system (DSS). The new flow sensor is designed for applications which require sensing of non-filtered, 'ordinary' air, such as 24-hour ventilation systems and energy-saving air conditioners for homes and offices.

MEMS flow sensors are particularly sensitive to dust particles. To overcome this drawback, this new product features Omron-designed 3D flow paths that generate cyclonic flows to separate dust particles from the air using centrifugal and gravitational forces. Unlike conventional sensors that rely on an indirect sensing method, the D6F-P senses airflow directly and can thus help increase the precision of air conditioning equipment.

In recent years, 24-hour ventilation systems, lowering power consumption and environmental protection have become issues of major concern, and this has created a demand for precise measurement and control of the volume of air passing in and out of air conditioning systems. Omron's new MEMS flow sensor is designed to meet this need for an ultra-small sensor that can detect minute airflow with high sensitivity. In addition, the DSS enables the D6F-P to detect minute flowrates with high sensitivity even in dusty environments, making it suitable for flowrate control in air conditioners in homes and offices.

By using the world's smallest class of MEMS flow sensor element, Omron has succeeded in reducing the new sensor's footprint by 50 percent compared with previous models, allowing it to be easily built into increasingly smaller consumer products and measuring devices.

In addition, direct mounting to PCBs helps lower total costs by preventing wiring errors and reducing labor requirements. In contrast to the uni-directional flow sensing of earlier models, the D6F-P offers bi-directional flow sensing for use in applications such as sensing air conditioner intake and exhaust, or human breathing.

Omron will exhibit the D6F-P MEMS flow sensor at the CEATEC JAPAN 2007 Exhibition, which runs from October 2 to October 6 at Makuhari Messe International Convention Complex.