1.0: Prelude
- Page ID
- 137389
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Mechatronic systems can be found everywhere, including manufacturing factories, airplanes, automobiles, appliances, and our homes. A mechatronic system consists of three subsystems: mechanical, electrical/electronic, and mechatronic. A microcontroller (or multiple microcontrollers) is often used to collect the sensor and reference signals from a mechatronic system, make decisions based upon the signals collected inside the microcontroller, convert these decisions into actuator commands, and send these decisions to the related actuators for execution in a closed-loop manner.
Mechatronic subsystems often convert electrical/electronic signals to mechanical motions (e.g., solenoid valve and DC motor) and mechanical motions to electrical/electronic signals (e.g., automobile wheel speed sensor). Therefore, studying characteristics of mechatronic systems requires knowledges from multiple engineering disciplines. That is, a mechatronics system is an integration of control, computer, electric/electronic, and mechanical systems. In most US universities, the computer, electric/electronic, and mechanical engineering departments are independent within the college of engineering. There are not many multidisciplinary courses available. Thus, mechatronics-related courses are important because research and industry communities need people with multidisciplinary backgrounds.
As shown in Figure 1.1, mechatronic systems require knowledge from four main engineering subjects: control system engineering, computer (microcontroller) engineering, electric/electronic engineering, and mechanical engineering. Interdisciplinary knowledge, such as control electronics between control systems and electric/electronic engineering, is also necessary. Most students, especially mechanical engineering students, lack certain knowledge needed to master mechatronic systems. For example, mechanical engineering students may lack knowledge of digital control system and control electronic hardware knowledge; these gaps need to be addressed in the mechatronic system course.
This book tries to fill these gaps by providing necessary backgrounds in control electronics, digital control systems, electromechanical systems (especially integration of control systems), electric/electronic systems, microcontroller systems, and mechanical systems. In addressing these areas, the book introduces the concept of integrated mechatronic systems. Future engineering graduates will need to have multidisciplinary engineering backgrounds to meet the requirement of engineering research and industrial research/development. For instance, in industrial research and development, system engineers are needed who can integrate a mechatronic system by providing specifications for control electronics, digital control systems, and electromechanical systems.
This chapter is organized as follows. Section 1.1 will discuss the concept of information and physical domains of a mechatronic system, along with examples of mechatronic systems in our daily life—from the passenger vehicles we drive to air conditioning and furnaces used in our home. Section 1.2 outlines the book chapter-by-chapter. Section 1.3 then provides a guideline for how to use this book for both undergraduate and graduate level classes.
Orienting Questions
- What engineering disciplines are involved in mechatronic systems?
- What is the general system architecture of a mechatronic system?
- What are the overall contents of this book?
- What content is associated with undergraduate and graduate level courses?