Sensor That Visualizes Even the Slightest Airflow
Measuring both wind direction and velocity, with a 20 mm diameter
MinebeaMitsumi's Breeze Sensor
The breeze sensor accurately measures wind direction and wind velocity of subtle breezes* that are difficult for humans to notice.
It employs a thermal flow MEMS chip, achieving a compact design with a diameter of about 20 mm.
It enables real-time monitoring of air movement—including wind direction, wind velocity and windless conditions—while contributing to the miniaturization and energy efficiency of your products.
Test Samples are currently available.
*Wind velocity range : 0 to 3 m/sec
Three Features of the Breeze Sensor
MinebeaMitsumi's breeze sensor integrates a high-precision sensor (MEMS chip) and AFE (analog front end) into a single package. It enables more accurate wind direction measurement and high-precision wind velocity measurement, while also achieving a compact design of φ20 × 15.5 mm (12.7 mm excluding pins), contributing to the miniaturization of your equipment.
① More accurate wind direction measurement (0.3–3 m/sec.)
Two pairs of temperature sensors are placed on a single MEMS chip. Vector synthesis of wind velocity values obtained from the two pairs of temperature sensors enables wind direction measurement.
Air intake ports are provided around the entire circumference of the breeze sensor, enabling 360° wind direction measurement.
② High-precision wind velocity measurement
It employs a thermally isolated structure with a heater and temperature sensors placed on an ultra-thin film.
Heat generated by the heater forms an accurate thermal distribution without dissipating outside the film.
This enables high-precision wind velocity measurement that detects even the slightest air movement. It can also accurately detect windless conditions.
③ Compact sensor with no moving parts
Its compact φ20 × 15.5 mm design is achieved by utilizing a thermal flow MEMS chip. Using this compact breeze sensor contributes to the overall miniaturization of your products. Furthermore, with no moving parts, it is a highly reliable sensor that is less prone to mechanical failure.
Principle
The thermal flow MEMS chip used in the breeze sensor detects changes in thermal distribution via temperature sensors to read wind velocity and direction.
When wind passes through the temperature sensors, the temperature difference before and after the central heater is read as wind velocity by the temperature sensors (two sensors form one pair). Furthermore, by performing calculations on the data from all four of the temperature sensors, not only wind velocity but also wind direction can be calculated.
Additionally, using MEMS technology enables miniaturization. Moreover, by placing the temperature sensors on a thin film on the MEMS, heat remains within the thin film, enabling high-precision measurement.
Wind velocity can be measured
Wind direction can be measured
Application
The breeze sensor features the ability to detect wind direction and wind velocity. It is used, for example, for airflow monitoring in factories, for detecting the direction of airflow from air conditioners and for sensing airflow to prevent impurity adhesion in clean rooms. Its clean white packaging allows for sensing without compromising aesthetics. It can also be used in combination with other sensors, such as temperature and humidity sensors.
Main Specifications
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|
Item |
Specifications |
|---|---|
| Operating supply voltage range | 2.4～3.6V （3.3 V typ.） |
| Operating temperature range | 0～40℃ |
| Wind velocity range | 0～3 m/s |
| Wind velocity error | 0～1.0 m/s: ±（0.1 m/s + 0.5 %RD） 1.0～3 m/s: ±25%RD |
| Wind direction range | 0～360 deg |
| Wind direction error | ±15 deg（0.3～3 m/s） |
| Sampling rates | 0.5 sec |
| Current consumption | typ. 0.7 mA |
| Interface | I2C |
| Package size | φ20（30.5）x 15.5（H）mm |
Evaluation Kit
We provide an SDK (System Design Kit) for ARDUINO, which includes a shield board on which the breeze sensor can be mounted, along with sample sketches.
Please prepare your own ARDUINO separately and use it by connecting it to a Windows PC via USB.
Evaluation kit
(Breeze sensor + shield board)
ARDUINO board
* Customer-supplied
Example combined with an ARDUINO board
Evaluation Demo Kit (Wireless)
This demo kit wirelessly connects multiple breeze sensors to capture wind velocity and wind direction. Feel free to contact us.
FAQ
- How much does the breeze sensor weigh?
- It weighs about 3 g.
- I want to use the breeze sensor in a vertical position. Is there any problem with that?
- There is no problem with using it that way.
- Are there any color options for the breeze sensor other than white?
- It is available in white only.
- Is it waterproof and dustproof (IPX)?
- Currently, it is not.
- Will it be damaged if the wind velocity exceeds 3 m/s?
- It will not be damaged immediately if the wind velocity exceeds 3 m/s. However, the accuracy of wind direction and wind velocity will deteriorate significantly, so it is specified for use within 3 m/s.
- Can it measure flow rate?
- The breeze sensor can measure wind direction and wind velocity, but it cannot measure flow rate. If you need to measure flow rate, please consider using a flow sensor (such as MMS501).
- I'd like to attach the breeze sensor to a wall and start using it right away, but I can't access a power source. Do you have any wireless modules with a built-in battery?
- We have modules available for demonstration. Please feel free to contact us.