• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.71-77
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• 2021

An impeller identification technique that is essential for adding viscosity measurement functions to overhead stirrers is presented in this study. Previous studies have revealed that using magnets facing the same poles arranged in a row can aid in distinguishing the types of impellers by detecting the number of magnets in a non-contact manner. However, as these previous studies measured the magnetic fields using analog Hall sensors, a converting circuit for the digital signals is required that can interface with the MCU. In this study, it was demonstrated that the number of magnets can be distinguished without using a separate conversion circuit by using a Hall sensor with a digital output. Owing to the unique hysteresis characteristics of digital Hall sensors, it was confirmed through experiments that the complex and diverse outputs appear depending on the direction of the magnetic field, the arrangement of magnetic poles, and the moving direction of the magnet. The measurement of the magnetic field showed that an edge signal equal to the number of magnets inserted into the impeller was detected when the radial direction was used, and the south pole was first approached.