Intelligent spring and preparation method

Abstract

The invention relates to an intelligent spring and a preparation method, the intelligent spring comprises an elastic matrix and a piezoelectric fiber, the piezoelectric fiber comprises a core electrode, a piezoelectric active layer, an outer sleeve layer and a shielding electrode; the outer sleeve layer covers the outer side of the piezoelectric active layer, and the core electrode and the shielding electrode are respectively connected with the piezoelectric active layer; the piezoelectric fiber is of a spiral structure, the piezoelectric fiber is arranged on the elastic base body, and the core electrode and the shielding electrode are located on the outer side of the elastic base body. Compared with the prior art, the device has the advantages of being simple in structure, low in cost, high in reliability, capable of adapting to multi-dimensional pressure detection and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of sensor technology, and in particular to an intelligent spring and a preparation method thereof. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of intelligent robots, consumer electronics and bionic technology, the demand for sensors with high sensitivity, multi-dimensional force signal perception and good flexibility is increasing. Especially in the fields of intelligent robots, biomedicine, smart homes, etc., the performance of sensors directly affects the accuracy and durability of the equipment. At present, the piezoelectric cable sensors on the market have no axial elasticity and can only detect single-axial force or strain, and cannot achieve multi-dimensional signal acquisition. The spring sensors in the existing patents also have limitations. Not only can they only detect single-axial force signals, but the external sensing equipment reduces the flexibility and durability of the elastic component, making it difficult to adapt to complex mechanical environments and easily damaged or failed when bent or deformed.

[0003] Chinese patent CN115989940B discloses a memory intelligent spring mattress, control system and control method, wherein the elastic component includes a memory spring, a micro electric push rod, a vibrating rod, a data acquisition component and an impact plate, wherein the micro electric push rod, the vibrating rod, the data acquisition component and the impact plate are externally connected to the memory spring. The elastic component relies on the data acquisition component to detect force signals. Although the data acquisition component can not only detect temperature, sound wave frequency, and humidity vibration frequency, this type of acquisition component is expensive and can only detect force signals perpendicular to the spring direction. In addition, the external device destroys the flexibility of the memory spring, making the elastic component of the mattress unable to adapt to complex mechanical environments and easy to be damaged.

[0004] Chinese patent CN221288664U authorizes an automatic monitoring device for the vibrating screen plate pop-up. Its spring-type pressure sensor relies on a pin placed directly above it to receive force signals. Since the pin can only vibrate in a single dimension, the sensor can only receive a single-dimensional force signal. In addition, the rigid pin is prone to bending and deformation during use, which will directly lead to the failure of the spring-type pressure sensor.

[0005] In summary, existing spring-type pressure detectors can generally only detect and receive force signals in a single dimension, and the complex structure or rigid detection structure of the sensor is prone to failure, resulting in failure of the spring-type pressure sensor, poor reliability and high cost. Summary of the invention

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an intelligent spring and a preparation method in order to overcome the defects of the above-mentioned prior art that the spring-type pressure sensor can only detect pressure signals in a single dimension, is prone to structural failure, has low reliability and high cost.

[0007] The purpose of the present invention can be achieved by the following technical solutions:

[0008] This solution provides a smart spring, comprising an elastic matrix and a piezoelectric fiber, wherein the piezoelectric fiber comprises a core electrode, a piezoelectric active layer, a jacket layer and a shielding electrode;

[0009] The outer shell layer is coated on the outer side of the piezoelectric active layer, and the core electrode and the shielding electrode are respectively connected to the piezoelectric active layer; the piezoelectric fiber is a spiral structure, the piezoelectric fiber is arranged on an elastic matrix, and the core electrode and the shielding electrode are located on the outer side of the elastic matrix.

[0010] Preferably, the elastic matrix is ​​an elastic tube, and the piezoelectric fiber is spirally wound around the outside of the elastic tube along the axial direction of the elastic tube and fixed on the elastic tube.

[0011] Preferably, the piezoelectric fibers are fixed to the elastic tube by heat melting or gluing.

[0012] Preferably, the elastic matrix is ​​elastic silicone, and the piezoelectric fiber is packaged and fixed in the elastic silicone.

[0013] Preferably, the elastic matrix is ​​an elastic heat shrinkable tube, and the piezoelectric fiber is arranged in the elastic heat shrinkable tube and fixed by shrinking the elastic heat shrinkable tube.

[0014] Preferably, the elastic matrix is ​​made of polyurethane, silicone or natural rubber.

[0015] The present invention also provides a method for preparing a smart spring, comprising the following steps:

[0016] The piezoelectric fiber is selected and wound into a spiral structure; a core electrode and a shielding electrode are led out from one end of the piezoelectric fiber; and the piezoelectric fiber with the spiral structure is fixed to an elastic matrix to form a composite of the piezoelectric fiber and the elastic matrix.

[0017] Preferably, the elastic matrix is ​​an elastic tube, and the preparation method of the smart spring comprises the following steps:

[0018] Select piezoelectric fiber;

[0019] The piezoelectric fiber is spirally wound on the outside of the elastic tube;

[0020] A core electrode and a shielding electrode are led out at one end of the piezoelectric fiber;

[0021] The piezoelectric fiber is fixed on the elastic matrix to form a composite of the piezoelectric fiber and the elastic matrix.

[0022] Preferably, the elastic matrix is ​​made of elastic silica gel, and the preparation method of the smart spring comprises the following steps:

[0023] Select piezoelectric fiber;

[0024] Winding the piezoelectric fiber into a spiral structure;

[0025] A core electrode and a shielding electrode are led out at one end of the piezoelectric fiber;

[0026] The piezoelectric fiber is encapsulated with elastic silicone and the core electrode and the shielding electrode are exposed to form a composite of the piezoelectric fiber and the elastic matrix.

[0027] Preferably, the elastic matrix is ​​an elastic heat shrink tube, and the preparation method of the smart spring comprises the following steps:

[0028] Select piezoelectric fiber;

[0029] Winding the piezoelectric fiber into a spiral structure;

[0030] A core electrode and a shielding electrode are led out at one end of the piezoelectric fiber;

[0031] The piezoelectric fiber is placed in an elastic heat shrink tube, and the core electrode and the shielding electrode are exposed;

[0032] The elastic heat shrinkable tube is heated to shrink the elastic heat shrinkable tube to fix the piezoelectric fiber, thereby forming a composite body of the piezoelectric fiber and the elastic matrix.

[0033] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0034] (1) This scheme sets the piezoelectric fiber into a spiral structure and fixes it on an elastic matrix. The core electrode and the shielding electrode are led out from one end of the piezoelectric fiber and set on the outside of the elastic matrix. When in use, the core electrode and the shielding electrode are connected to the test instrument, and the shielding electrode is grounded. When the smart spring is subjected to external force, the geometric deformation of the piezoelectric fiber causes the charge distribution to change, and an electrical signal is generated between the core electrode and the shielding electrode. By collecting and analyzing these electrical signals, the magnitude of the external force and the deformation of the surface of the object can be monitored in real time.

[0035] The smart spring is formed by piezoelectric fibers with a spiral structure and an elastic matrix. Based on the deformation of the elastic matrix, the core electrode and shielding electrode of the piezoelectric fiber generate corresponding electrical signals, thereby enabling real-time detection of the magnitude of external force and the deformation of the surface of the object. Compared with the existing single-dimensional detection, the smart spring can perform multi-dimensional pressure detection and has a wider range of applications. The spring composed of the elastic matrix and piezoelectric fibers has high toughness, simple structure and low cost.

[0036] (2) In this scheme, the smart spring is made of piezoelectric fibers wound into a spiral structure. The spiral structure enables the piezoelectric fibers to be compounded with other elastic materials to form a flexible smart spring with shape memory and piezoelectricity. The piezoelectric fibers can be combined with different elastic materials to meet the needs of different scenarios. The structure is flexible and adaptable. The piezoelectric fibers with a spiral structure can be connected to an elastic matrix to prepare the spring. The preparation is simple and reduces costs.

[0037] (3) The smart spring in this solution can simultaneously detect the axial and radial pressure signals of the object and has axial stretchability. In addition, the smart spring is a flexible device that can adapt to complex deformation scenarios. Compared with the existing memory spring, it has a simple structure, is not easy to damage, and has higher reliability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the piezoelectric fiber provided by the present invention being wound on an elastic tube;

[0039] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the piezoelectric fiber provided by the present invention being encapsulated by elastic silicone;

[0040] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure in which the piezoelectric fiber provided by the present invention is fixed by shrinking through an elastic heat shrink tube;

[0041] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of a cubic column structure smart spring provided by the present invention;

[0042] In the figure: 1. elastic matrix, 2. piezoelectric fiber, 21. core electrode, 22. shielding electrode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Generally, the components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the drawings here can be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0044] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the invention claimed for protection, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0045] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following drawings, and therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, further definition and explanation thereof is not required in subsequent drawings.

[0046] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "up", "down", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside", "outside", etc. indicate directions or positional relationships based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, or are the directions or positional relationships in which the inventive product is usually placed when in use. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0047] It should be noted that the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of this application, the meaning of "plurality" is two or more, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0048] In addition, the terms "horizontal", "vertical" and the like do not mean that the components are required to be absolutely horizontal or suspended, but can be slightly tilted. For example, "horizontal" only means that its direction is more horizontal than "vertical", and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but can be slightly tilted.

[0049] Example 1

[0050] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a smart spring, including an elastic matrix 1 and a piezoelectric fiber 2, wherein the piezoelectric fiber 2 includes a core electrode, a piezoelectric active layer, a jacket layer and a shielding electrode;

[0051] The outer jacket layer is coated on the outer side of the piezoelectric active layer, and the core electrode and the shielding electrode are respectively connected to the piezoelectric active layer; the piezoelectric fiber 2 is a spiral structure, the piezoelectric fiber 2 is arranged on the elastic matrix 1, and the core electrode and the shielding electrode are located on the outer side of the elastic matrix 1.

[0052] Working principle: The piezoelectric fiber 2 is set into a spiral structure and fixed on the elastic matrix 1. The core electrode and the shielding electrode are led out from one end of the piezoelectric fiber 2 and set outside the elastic matrix 1. When in use, the core electrode and the shielding electrode are connected to the test instrument, and the shielding electrode is grounded. When the smart spring is subjected to external force, the geometric deformation of the piezoelectric fiber 2 causes the charge distribution to change, and an electrical signal is generated between the core electrode and the shielding electrode. By collecting and analyzing these electrical signals, the magnitude of the external force and the deformation of the surface of the object can be monitored in real time.

[0053] The smart spring is formed by the piezoelectric fiber 2 with a spiral structure and the elastic matrix 1. Based on the deformation of the elastic matrix, the core electrode and the shielding electrode of the piezoelectric fiber generate corresponding electrical signals, thereby realizing real-time detection of the magnitude of external force and the deformation of the surface of the object. Compared with the existing single-dimensional detection, the smart spring can perform multi-dimensional pressure detection and has a wider range of applications. The spring composed of the elastic matrix and the piezoelectric fiber has high toughness, simple structure and low cost.

[0054] The functional component used for electromechanical coupling in the smart spring is a cable-shaped piezoelectric sensor, preferably a piezoelectric fiber, which is composed of a core electrode, a piezoelectric active layer, a grounding / shielding electrode and a jacket layer, and has piezoelectric activity, flexibility and plasticity. Of course, the piezoelectric fiber here does not only include piezoelectric fibers such as shielding electrodes and core electrodes, as long as it has a signal terminal and can lead out a signal, it can be used.

[0055] The piezoelectric electret layer in the piezoelectric fiber can maintain the polarization state for a long time and can excite a stable and persistent electrostatic field in the space around it. Utilizing the characteristics of the piezoelectric electret layer, when the charge dipole moment in the piezoelectric electret layer changes, the core electrode in the middle will have an induced charge.

[0056] Smart springs can simultaneously detect the axial and radial pressure signals of an object and have axial stretchability. In addition, smart springs are flexible devices that can adapt to complex deformation scenarios. Compared with existing memory springs, they have a simple structure, are not easily damaged, and have higher reliability.

[0057] The elastic matrix is ​​an important component of the smart spring, playing a key role in supporting and transmitting deformation. The elastic matrix is ​​made of organic and inorganic materials with excellent linear elasticity, including but not limited to polyurethane, silicone, natural rubber, etc. Figure 4 As shown, the geometric shape of the smart spring can be determined according to actual needs, including but not limited to cubic, cylindrical and tubular.

[0058] Specifically, in this embodiment, the elastic matrix 1 is an elastic tube, such as a TPU tube or a silicone tube, and the piezoelectric fiber 2 is spirally wound around the outside of the elastic tube along the axial direction of the elastic tube and fixed on the elastic tube. The piezoelectric fiber 2 is fixed on the elastic tube by hot melting or gluing.

[0059] This embodiment also provides a method for preparing a smart spring, comprising the following steps:

[0060] The piezoelectric fiber is selected and wound into a spiral structure; a core electrode and a shielding electrode are led out from one end of the piezoelectric fiber; and the piezoelectric fiber with the spiral structure is fixed to an elastic matrix to form a composite of the piezoelectric fiber and the elastic matrix.

[0061] The specific preparation steps for the smart spring with elastic base made of elastic tube material are as follows:

[0062] S1: Select a 50 cm long, 0.3 mm diameter IXPP piezoelectric fiber and a 5 cm long, 6 mm diameter TPU tube;

[0063] S2: spirally wrap the piezoelectric fiber onto the TPU tube, with a spacing of 2 mm between each turn;

[0064] S3: A core electrode and a shielding electrode are led out from one end of the piezoelectric fiber, which are the signal electrode and the ground electrode respectively;

[0065] S4: Use a hot melt glue gun to glue the ends of the piezoelectric fiber to ensure that the piezoelectric fiber is fixed on the TPU tube. At this point, an externally wound smart spring is prepared.

[0066] The smart spring is made of piezoelectric fibers wound into a spiral structure. The spiral structure enables the piezoelectric fibers to be compounded with other elastic materials to form a flexible smart spring with shape memory and piezoelectricity. The piezoelectric fibers can be combined with different elastic materials to meet the needs of different scenarios. The structure is flexible and adaptable. It can be prepared by connecting the piezoelectric fibers with a spiral structure to an elastic matrix. The preparation is simple and reduces costs.

[0067] Example 2

[0068] like Figure 2 As shown, the structure of this embodiment is basically the same as that of the embodiment, and the difference is that:

[0069] In this embodiment, the elastic matrix 1 is made of elastic silicone, and the piezoelectric fiber 2 is encapsulated and fixed in the elastic silicone. The specific preparation steps for the smart spring with elastic silicone structure include:

[0070] S1: Select a PVDF piezoelectric fiber with a length of 40 cm and a diameter of 3 mm;

[0071] S2: The piezoelectric fiber is spirally wound into a spiral spring shape, with each coil having a diameter of 2.6 cm and a spacing of 1 cm between coils;

[0072] S3: A core electrode and a shielding electrode are led out from one end of the piezoelectric fiber, which are the signal electrode and the ground electrode respectively;

[0073] S4: Encapsulate the piezoelectric fiber in this form with elastic silicone, leaving only the core electrode and the shielding electrode exposed. At this point, a packaged smart spring is prepared.

[0074] While ensuring the elasticity of the piezoelectric fibers, the elastic silicone on the outside can also protect the internal piezoelectric fibers, thereby expanding the adaptability and service life of the smart spring.

[0075] Example 3

[0076] like Figure 3 As shown, the structure of this embodiment is basically the same as that of the embodiment, and the difference is that:

[0077] In this embodiment, the elastic base 1 is an elastic heat shrinkable tube, and the piezoelectric fiber 2 is arranged in the elastic heat shrinkable tube and fixed by shrinking the elastic heat shrinkable tube.

[0078] The specific preparation steps of the smart spring using an elastic heat shrink tube for an elastic matrix include:

[0079] Select piezoelectric fiber and elastic heat shrink tube;

[0080] Winding the piezoelectric fiber into a spiral structure;

[0081] A core electrode and a shielding electrode are led out at one end of the piezoelectric fiber;

[0082] The piezoelectric fiber is placed in an elastic heat shrink tube, and the core electrode and the shielding electrode are exposed;

[0083] The elastic heat shrinkable tube is heated to shrink the elastic heat shrinkable tube to fix the piezoelectric fiber, thereby forming a composite body of the piezoelectric fiber and the elastic matrix.

[0084] While ensuring the elasticity of the piezoelectric fiber, the elastic heat shrink tube on the outside can also protect the internal piezoelectric fiber, thereby expanding the application scenarios and service life of the smart spring.

[0085] The preferred specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above. It should be understood that a person skilled in the art can make many modifications and changes based on the concept of the present invention without creative work. Therefore, any technical solution that can be obtained by a person skilled in the art through logical analysis, reasoning or limited experiments based on the concept of the present invention on the basis of the prior art should be within the scope of protection determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A smart spring, characterized in that: It comprises an elastic matrix (1) and a piezoelectric fiber (2), wherein the piezoelectric fiber (2) comprises a core electrode, a piezoelectric active layer, a jacket layer and a shielding electrode; The outer jacket layer is coated on the outer side of the piezoelectric active layer, and the core electrode and the shielding electrode are respectively connected to the piezoelectric active layer; The piezoelectric fiber (2) is of a spiral structure; the piezoelectric fiber (2) is arranged on an elastic matrix (1); and the core electrode and the shielding electrode are located outside the elastic matrix (1).

2. The smart spring according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic matrix (1) is an elastic tube, and the piezoelectric fiber (2) is spirally wound on the outside of the elastic tube along the axial direction of the elastic tube and fixed on the elastic tube.

3. The smart spring according to claim 2, characterized in that: The piezoelectric fiber (2) is fixed on the elastic tube by hot melting or gluing.

4. The smart spring according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic matrix (1) is elastic silica gel, and the piezoelectric fibers (2) are packaged and fixed in the elastic silica gel.

5. The smart spring according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic matrix (1) is an elastic heat shrinkable tube, and the piezoelectric fiber (2) is arranged in the elastic heat shrinkable tube and fixed by shrinking the elastic heat shrinkable tube.

6. The smart spring according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material of the elastic matrix (1) includes polyurethane, silicone or natural rubber.

7. A method for preparing a smart spring according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Selecting piezoelectric fibers and winding the piezoelectric fibers into a spiral structure; A core electrode and a shielding electrode are led out from one end of the piezoelectric fiber; the piezoelectric fiber with a spiral structure is fixed to an elastic matrix to form a composite of the piezoelectric fiber and the elastic matrix.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The elastic matrix adopts an elastic tube, and the preparation method of the smart spring comprises the following steps: Select piezoelectric fiber; The piezoelectric fiber is spirally wound on the outside of the elastic tube; A core electrode and a shielding electrode are led out at one end of the piezoelectric fiber; The piezoelectric fiber is fixed on the elastic matrix to form a composite of the piezoelectric fiber and the elastic matrix.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The elastic matrix is ​​made of elastic silica gel, and the preparation method of the smart spring comprises the following steps: Select piezoelectric fiber; Winding the piezoelectric fiber into a spiral structure; A core electrode and a shielding electrode are led out at one end of the piezoelectric fiber; The piezoelectric fiber is encapsulated with elastic silicone and the core electrode and the shielding electrode are exposed to form a composite of the piezoelectric fiber and the elastic matrix.

10. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The elastic matrix adopts an elastic heat shrink tube, and the preparation method of the smart spring comprises the following steps: Select piezoelectric fiber; Winding the piezoelectric fiber into a spiral structure; A core electrode and a shielding electrode are led out at one end of the piezoelectric fiber; The piezoelectric fiber is placed in an elastic heat shrink tube, and the core electrode and the shielding electrode are exposed; The elastic heat shrinkable tube is heated to shrink the elastic heat shrinkable tube to fix the piezoelectric fiber, thereby forming a composite body of the piezoelectric fiber and the elastic matrix.

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