Appliances & tools
By combining state-of-the-art light and sensor technologies, we enable machines to operate more efficiently, safely and add a new dimension to appliance design and differentiating features.
Making our white goods smarter
The digitization of our homes is enabling greater comfort, lower energy consumption and better comply with compelling design constraints. Combined lighting and sensing technologies are key to automation – making our white goods ‘smarter’ and adding color to function and design.
ams OSRAM optical technology enables new levels of convenience and quality with real-time monitoring and control for washing machines, dishwashers and refrigerators. Our multi-spectral sensors in the visible and near IR spectrum let you ‘see into the water’ to determine detergent effectiveness and rinse quality using competitively-priced precision components. This chip-scale sensing includes a range of offerings that can detect color, particles, and turbidity in water or sense different types of fabric.
Becoming more intelligent, white goods will sense user absence and turn off the display to further reduce power consumption. Using 1D, single or multi-zone time-of-flight sensing the system can monitor for user presence and even detect simple hand gestures. Other ams OSRAM capabilities to support major appliances include: proximity and ambient light sensing for user display management; high-resolution image sensing; and position sensing for motor control and door monitoring.
In addition, high-power UV-C LEDs and precise spectral sensors, allow a periodic purification using in-build contamination monitoring by UV-C stimulated bio-fluorescence measurements. We provide the right fit LED light and sensing solution across performance-, spectrum- and package options for the specific end application – whether for innovative illumination, compelling functional features or display designs.
Small appliance innovative solutions
ams OSRAM sensors, LED’s and lasers are an integral part of innovative solutions in small appliances. Customers use our sensors for proximity and moisture control in hair dryers and green laser light for pointing to dirt and dust areas which require treatment with the vacuum cleaner. For beauty applications, ams OSRAM lasers are used to generate short high energetic laser pulses which are absorbed by the pigment in the hair and consequently destroy the follicle to slow down and or even fully stop further hair growth in that area.
There is an almost unlimited range of new solution opportunities where laser or LED light emitters at selected spectrum in combination with optical sensors unlock new solution domains. ams OSRAM supports these innovative solutions across the full range of desired optimization parameters, such as light source, spectral range, power range, form-factors and package options, beam shapes and optics and many more.
Laser diodes in construction tools
Precise and efficient laser diodes are game changers for high performance measurement equipment, tools in construction, warehouse management or even (invisible) barrier solutions.
In modern building construction, laser tools play an important role. Laser levelling helps ensure that an object under construction is in the correct alignment.
Laser diodes are also the perfect light source for range finders and distance measurement. For example, laser rangefinder technology is used extensively to enable the automation of stock management systems, some production processes, and even 3D modelling.
Our new green laser diodes enable users to benefit from the four-times brighter appearance of a green laser compared to red without sacrificing the valuable features of red lasers. The better visibility is ideal for longer distance operation and outdoor daylight applications.