Sensor module and structure

Abstract

To provide a highly reliable sensor module.SOLUTION: Provided is a sensor module 100 comprising: an insulating sheet 101 having a first region 109; and a plurality of sensors 103 provided on the sheet except the first region; wherein the plurality of sensors is provided in any directions having, as a reference, a predetermined position C in the first region; and wherein at least two of the sensors are substantially equidistant from the predetermined position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sensor array including sensors that sense a physical quantity related to a property of a structure. [Background technology]

[0002] Appropriate maintenance and repair are required for structures that make up social infrastructure, such as roads, railways, ports, dams, buildings, etc. For example, structures such as bridges, tunnels, and blocks on roads and railways can cause accidents if their exterior walls fall off, so regular inspections and inspections are carried out, and repairs are made where necessary. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-063532 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] According to the crack detection device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the occurrence of a crack in a structure is detected without complicating the wiring layout. However, the sensor must be arranged so that its longitudinal direction coincides with the direction in which the crack is expected to occur and grow, and if the direction in which the crack will grow cannot be predicted, the accuracy of crack detection may decrease.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a highly reliable sensor module. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A sensor module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises an insulating sheet having a first region and a plurality of sensors arranged on the sheet excluding the first region, the plurality of sensors being arranged in any direction based on a predetermined position within the first region, and at least two of the plurality of sensors being substantially equidistant from the point.

[0007] A sensor module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises an insulating sheet having a first region, and a plurality of sensors arranged on the sheet excluding the first region, wherein the plurality of sensors are arranged in directions excluding a first direction based on a predetermined position in the first region, and at least one sensor is arranged in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction based on the point.

[0008] Each of the plurality of sensors may extend in a predetermined direction, and a direction in which each of the plurality of sensors detects a maximum intensity may be offset from the predetermined direction by a predetermined angle.

[0009] Each of the plurality of sensors may be provided along the circumference of an arbitrary circle based on the point.

[0010] The direction in which a given one of the plurality of sensors detects a maximum intensity may be parallel to a tangent at a point on the circumference corresponding to the given sensor.

[0011] The sheet may have a cutout portion in the first direction.

[0012] Each of the plurality of sensors may be a sensor that detects distortion.

[0013] The plurality of sensors may be patterned on the sheet.

[0014] A structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes any one of the sensor modules described above. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present disclosure, a highly reliable sensor module can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a sensor module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 2 is a partially enlarged view of the sensor module shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a sensor module. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is an example of a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 5A] 3 is another example of a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 5B] 3 is yet another example of a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 5C] 3 is yet another example of a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of an external circuit. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a sensor module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a modified example of a sensor module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a modified example of a sensor module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a modified example of a sensor module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a modified example of a sensor module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment shown below is an example of an embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. In the drawings referred to in this embodiment, the same parts or parts having similar functions are given the same or similar symbols (symbols with A, B, etc. added after the numbers), and repeated explanations may be omitted.

[0018] First Embodiment A sensor module according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG.

[0019] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a sensor module 100 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a partially enlarged view of the sensor module 100. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the sensor module. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in Fig. 2.

[0020] The sensor module 100 includes a sheet 101 , a plurality of sensors 103 , a wiring portion 105 , and an adhesive layer 107 .

[0021] The sheet 101 is flexible and bendable. The sheet 101 is insulating and may be an insulating film. Examples of materials for the sheet 101 include, but are not limited to, polyethylene naphthalate resin, polyethylene terephthalate resin, epoxy resin, polyimide resin, and liquid crystal polymer.

[0022] The sheet 101 is provided with a first region 109. The first region 109 may be a circle with a radius d centered on a reference point C. In this case, the reference point C is the center of the first region 109. The shape of the first region 109 is not limited to a circle, but may be an ellipse or a polygon including a rectangle. The first region 109 may have an opening in its thickness direction. When the object has a region 10 that may be a crack propagation starting point such as a hole or a chip, it is preferable to attach the sensor module 100 to the object so that at least a part of the region 10 and the first region 109 overlap when the sensor module 100 is attached to the object and used. In addition, the sheet 101 is provided with a via 115 for electrically connecting the sensor 103 and the wiring 113.

[0023] The multiple sensors 103 are provided on the first surface 101a of the sheet 101 so as to surround the periphery of the first region 109, except for the first region 109. Each sensor 103 detects a physical quantity related to the properties of an object. The sensors 103 can be formed on the sheet 101 by patterning using screen printing, inkjet, dispenser, sputtering, plating, or the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the sensors 103 are provided in any direction based on a reference point C (center C) in the first region 109. At least two of the multiple sensors 103 are substantially equidistant from the reference point C. As shown in FIG. 3, the multiple sensors 103 are provided along predetermined concentric circles R-1, R-2, and R-3 based on the reference point C, except for the first region 109. Setting That is, the multiple sensors 103 may be provided along the circumference of any circle with the reference point C as the base.

[0024] When a crack occurs in a structure, the crack often propagates in a direction away from the crack propagation starting point, and it is difficult to predict the direction. Therefore, by providing multiple sensors 103 around a region 10 that can be a crack propagation starting point along concentric circles based on a reference point C, it is possible to detect physical changes in all directions around the region 10 of the object. The sheet 101 may be installed on the structure so that the reference point C overlaps with a position in the region 10 that can be a crack propagation starting point.

[0025] Also, along a specified concentric circle based on reference point C, Setting The given sensor 103 is arranged along another concentric circle adjacent to the given concentric circle. Setting It is preferable that the sensor 103 is located between the adjacent sensors 103. Referring to FIG. 3, the sensor 103 is located along the concentric circle R-2. Setting A given sensor 103 is provided at a position between two adjacent sensors 103 provided along the concentric circle R-1 or the concentric circle R-3. This makes it possible to more reliably detect physical changes in all directions around the target area 10.

[0026] The sensor 103 will be described below. Here, as an example, a case where the sensor 103 is a strain sensor will be described. The sensor 103 is made of a strain-sensitive material whose physical property value changes with strain. The strain-sensitive material may be, for example, a conductive material whose resistance value changes with strain. Examples of such conductive materials include metals such as copper, alloys such as constantan, graphite, and carbon nanotubes. The sensor 103 is not particularly limited as long as it is a sensor that can detect strain, such as a gauge sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, or an optical fiber sensor. The sensor 103 can detect changes in an object, such as strain or the occurrence of a crack in the object.

[0027] The shape of the sensor 103 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, as an example, a sensor 103 having a plurality of extensions 203 extending from a central portion 201 at a predetermined location of the sheet 101 in at least three or more radial directions is shown. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the sensor 103 may include 16 extensions 203 extending in 16 directions from the central portion 201. For details of the shape of the sensor 103 shown in this embodiment, please refer to JP 2018-013339 A. The shape of the sensor 103 is not limited to the pattern shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, and may be a straight line, a curved line having a predetermined curvature, or a meandering shape.

[0028] Multiple Sensors 103 Of the sensors, 103 The direction in which the sensor detects the maximum intensity is 103 It is preferable that the distance between the sensor and the reference point C is parallel to a tangent at a point on the circumference of a circle centered on the reference point C, which corresponds to the position where the sensor is provided. S1 03 specified sensors 103 is The direction in which the maximum intensity is detected is the direction in which the sensor 103 The tangent point at the point on the circumference of the circle R-1 centered on the reference point C corresponds to the position where Line The sensor may be parallel to the extension direction. 103 According to the method, the sensor is attached to an object that is deformed by distortion such as cracks by the adhesive layer 107. 103 When the fixing is performed, the deformation caused by the strain occurring in the object can be reliably detected regardless of the direction in which the deformation progresses.

[0029] The sensor 103 is electrically connected to at least two or more electrodes 111. In this embodiment, the electrode 111 is electrically connected to wiring 113 provided on the second surface 101b of the sheet 101 through a via 115 penetrating the first surface of the sheet 101 and the second surface 101b opposite to the first surface 101a. A signal corresponding to a physical quantity related to the property of the object detected by each sensor 103, here, the resistance value of each sensor 103, is transmitted to the wiring 113 through the electrode 111 and the via 115. In this embodiment, as an example, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the sensor 103 is connected to four electrodes 111 at equal intervals, but is not particularly limited as long as it is two or more.

[0030] Some of the multiple wirings 113 are collected together to form a wiring section 105. The resistance value of each sensor 103 is transmitted via the wiring section 105 to an external circuit 13, which will be described later.

[0031] The wiring portion 105 has a connection terminal portion 106 at its end. The resistance value of each sensor 103 is transmitted from the connection terminal portion 106 to the external circuit 13 via the flexible printed circuit board (FPC) 11.

[0032] The adhesive layer 107 is provided on the first surface 101a of the sheet 101. The adhesive layer 107 may contain, for example, an acrylic resin or an epoxy resin. The adhesive layer 107 may also contain a latent curing agent, a curing catalyst that generates a base when irradiated with ultraviolet light or an electron beam, a curing agent having a mercapto group, or a curing agent having a phenolic hydroxyl group. In other words, the adhesive layer 107 may be a layer that hardens over time when exposed to air, a layer that hardens due to moisture, a layer that has photocurability, a layer that hardens at room temperature, or a layer that has thermosetting properties.

[0033] The adhesive layer 107 can be bent together with the sheet 101. One surface of the adhesive layer 107 contacts the first surface 101a of the sheet 101. The other surface of the adhesive layer 107 is adhered to and fixed to the surface of the object. Note that a release film may be attached to the other surface of the adhesive layer 107 before it is adhered to the surface of the object. When using the sensor module 100, the user peels off the release film attached to the adhesive layer 107, and adheres and fixes the other surface of the adhesive layer 107 to the object.

[0034] It should be noted that the connection structure between the sensor 103 and the wiring 113 is not limited to the structure shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 5A to Fig. 5C show another connection structure between the sensor 103 and the wiring 113, which is different from the connection structure shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 5A to Fig. 5C are other examples of cross-sectional views taken along the line AA shown in Fig. 2.

[0035] 5A, wiring 113 may be provided on the first surface 101a of sheet 101 with which one surface of adhesive layer 107 is in contact, and sensor 103 and electrode 111 may be provided on second surface 101b opposite to first surface 101a of sheet 101 on which wiring 113 is provided. Sensor 103 and electrode 111 may be covered with protective film 117 having flexibility.

[0036] 5B and 5C, the sensor 130 and the wiring 113 may be in direct contact with each other. Fig. 5B shows a structure in which the sensor 103 and the wiring 113 directly connected to the sensor 103 are provided on the first surface 101a side of the sheet 101 with which one surface of the adhesive layer 107 is in contact. Fig. 5C shows a structure in which the sensor 103 and the wiring 113 directly connected to the sensor 103 are provided on the second surface 101b side of the sheet 101 opposite to the first surface 101a with which one surface of the adhesive layer 107 is in contact.

[0037] 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the external circuit 13. The resistance values ​​of the sensors 103 (signals corresponding to physical quantities related to the properties of the object) transmitted from the multiple sensors 103 via the wiring unit 105 are transmitted to the external circuit 13. The external circuit 13 may include a physical quantity detection circuit 501 and a position identification circuit 503.

[0038] The physical quantity detection circuit unit 501 includes a physical quantity detection circuit corresponding to each of the multiple sensors 103. The physical quantity detection circuit detects a change in the physical quantity related to the property of the object based on a signal corresponding to the physical quantity related to the property of the object transmitted from the corresponding sensor 103. Here, the physical quantity detection circuit 501 may detect a change in the resistance value of the corresponding sensor 103 based on the resistance value of the sensor 103.

[0039] The position identification circuit 503 determines the position where the change in the physical quantity of the object occurs based on the change in the physical quantity related to the property of the object detected by the physical quantity detection circuit 501. Here, the position identification circuit 503 identifies the position where the change in the physical quantity of the object occurs based on the position of the sensor 103 that detected the change in the resistance value. The position identification circuit 503 may output the position where the change in the physical quantity of the object occurs to a position display device (not shown) equipped with an external display for display. For example, the position identification circuit 503 may output the position where the change in the physical quantity of the object occurs as position information in the X-axis direction and position information in the Y-axis direction on the sheet 101. Based on the position information displayed on the position display device, the user can confirm the position where the change in the physical quantity of the object occurs, for example, the position where a crack occurs in the object.

[0040] As described above, in the sensor module 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the multiple sensors 103 are provided along concentric circles based on the reference point C in the first region 109. This makes it possible to detect physical changes in the target object in any direction.

[0041] Such a sensor module 100 is applied to, but is not limited to, structures such as bridges, tunnels, and blocks on roads and railways, aircraft, ships, vehicles, railroad cars, construction machines, etc. In addition, the sensor module 100 can be applied after repairs to roads, ports, dams, buildings, etc., to measure the physical quantities of the repaired parts, and to monitor the recurrence of cracks.

[0042] <Second embodiment> A sensor module according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG.

[0043] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a sensor module 100A according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. In the sensor module 100A, components that are the same as or similar to those of the sensor module 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure shown in Fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals in Fig. 7. In the following, components that are different from those of the sensor module 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted.

[0044] The sensor module 100A includes a sheet 601, a plurality of sensors 103, a wiring portion 605, and an adhesive layer (not shown). The sensor module 100A according to this embodiment differs from the sensor module 100 according to the first embodiment in that the sheet 601 has a cutout portion 603. Note that a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) and an external circuit connected to the sensor module 100A are not shown in FIG.

[0045] The sheet 600 is flexible and bendable. The material of the sheet 600 is the same as the material of the sheet 101 of the sensor module 100 described above. The sheet 601 is provided with a first region 609. The first region 609 may be circular with a radius d centered on a reference point C. In this case, the reference point C is the center of the first region 609. The shape of the first region 609 is not limited to a circular shape. The first region 609 may have an opening in its thickness direction. Furthermore, the sheet 601 is provided with a cutout portion 603 in a predetermined first direction D1 based on the reference point C. The cutout portion 603 is connected to the opening of the first region 609. Although not shown, the sheet 601 is provided with an electrode 111 and a via 115 for electrically connecting the sensor 103 and the wiring portion 105, as in the first embodiment described above.

[0046] The multiple sensors 103 are provided on the first surface of the sheet 601 so as to surround the periphery of the first region 609, except for the first region 609 and the cutout portion 603 of the sheet 601. In this embodiment, the multiple sensors 103 are provided in the sheet 601 in other directions, except for the cutout portion 603 provided in the first direction D1. In other words, at least one sensor 103 is provided in a second direction D2 that is the opposite direction to the first direction D1 based on the reference point C. The multiple sensors 103 may be provided along concentric circles based on the reference point C, similar to the sensor 103 of the sensor module 100, except for the first region 609 and the cutout portion 603. The configuration of each sensor 103 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0047] A signal corresponding to a physical quantity related to the property of the object detected by each sensor 103 of the sensor module 100A according to this embodiment is output via the wiring 113 and the wiring section 105 to an external circuit (not shown).

[0048] The sensor module 100A of this embodiment is suitable for use in monitoring stop holes provided in a structure. When a crack occurs in a structure, a stop hole (hole) may be provided at the tip of the crack as a temporary measure to prevent the crack from progressing, thereby alleviating the stress concentration at the tip of the crack and extending the life of the damaged portion of the structure. However, this treatment is not permanent. As a result, the fatigue strength of the stop hole decreases over time, and there is a risk that a new crack will occur from the stop hole. Therefore, it is necessary to detect physical changes such as distortion around the stop hole and monitor the presence or absence of a new crack occurring from the stop hole.

[0049] When the sensor module 100A is applied to monitoring a stop hole provided in a structure, it is preferable to attach the sensor module 100A to the structure so that at least a portion of the cutout portion 603 of the sheet 601 overlaps with a crack 15 that has occurred in the structure, and so that at least a portion of the first region 609 overlaps with a stop hole 17 provided at the tip of the crack 15, as shown in Figure 7.

[0050] At least a part of the cutout portion 603 of the sheet 601 overlaps the crack 15, so that the sheet 601 is not affected by the tensile stress acting around the crack 15 in the structure, and therefore, peeling of the sheet 601 from the structure can be prevented. Also, at least a part of the first region 609 overlaps the stop hole 17, so that physical changes around the stop hole 17 can be reliably detected by the multiple sensors 103 provided so as to surround the periphery of the first region 609. Therefore, the occurrence of a crack propagating in a radial direction from the stop hole 17 can be reliably detected.

[0051] The sensor module 100A according to this embodiment is applied to, but is not limited to, structures such as bridges, tunnels, and blocks on roads and railways, airplanes, ships, vehicles, railroad cars, construction machines, etc. In particular, after emergency repairs such as providing stop holes in a structure in which a crack has occurred, applying the sensor module 100A around the stop holes can detect the occurrence of a crack that progresses in a radial direction from the stop holes 17.

[0052] <Modification> Modified examples of the sensor module of the present disclosure will be described below. Figs. 8 to 11 are schematic diagrams each showing a modified example of the sensor module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In Figs. 8 to 11, the same reference numbers are given to configurations that are the same as or similar to the sensor module 100 shown in Fig. 1, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted. Note that configurations other than the sheet and the sensor are not shown in Figs. 8 to 11.

[0053] In the sensor module 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure and the sensor module 100A according to the second embodiment described above, the case has been described in which the sensor 103 is applied having n extension parts 203 extending radially from the central part 201 as shown in Fig. 2. However, the sensor 103 is not limited to this.

[0054] For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the sensor 103A may be linear. As with the sensor 103 of the first embodiment, the sensor 103A is provided in any direction with respect to the reference point C. At least two sensors 103A are provided at substantially the same distance from the reference point C. The direction in which the sensor 103A detects the maximum intensity is preferably parallel to a tangent at a point on the circumference of a circle centered on the reference point C, which corresponds to the position where a given sensor 103A is provided. Each of the multiple sensors 103A extends in a given direction. In this case, the direction in which each of the sensors 103A detects the maximum intensity is preferably shifted by a given angle from the given direction.

[0055] 9, the sensors 103B (103B-1, 103B-2, 103B-3) may be arc-shaped. The sensor 103B-1 is provided on the sheet 101 along a concentric circle R-1 based on a reference point C. Similarly, the sensor 103B-2 is provided on the sheet 101 along a concentric circle R-2 based on a reference point C, and the sensor 103B-3 is provided on the sheet 101 along a concentric circle R-3 based on a reference point C. The sensor 103B may have a smaller curvature than a sensor provided along a concentric circle with a relatively smaller radius centered on the reference point C. For example, the curvature of sensor 103B-1 provided along concentric circle R-1 is greater than the curvature of sensors 103B-2 and 103B-3 provided along concentric circles R-2 and R-3, and the curvature of sensor 103B-2 provided along concentric circle R-2 is greater than the curvature of sensor 103B-3 provided along concentric circle R-3.

[0056] 10, one sensor 103C (103C-1, 103C-2) may be provided along one concentric circle based on a reference point C. In this case, the sensor 103C (103C-1, 103C-2) may be in the shape of a circular arc surrounding the periphery of the first region 109 of the sheet 101.

[0057] 11, the first region 109D provided on the sensor sheet 101D may be a rectangle with rounded corners. In this case, the sensor 103D may be provided along two adjacent sides at the edge of the first region 109D. The shape of such a sensor 103D may be a curved shape that depends on the curvature of the edge of the object. The curved center C of the curved sensor 103D may be different for each edge of the object. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 100, 100A... sensor module, 101, 601... sheet, 103... sensor unit, 105... wiring portion, 107... adhesive layer, 109, 609... first region, 103 …sensors, 111...Electrode , 115... via, 603... notch

Claims

1. an insulating sheet having a first region; a plurality of sensors provided on the sheet excluding the first region; Equipped with the plurality of sensors are provided in a plurality of directions including a first direction and a second direction different from each other with a predetermined position in the first region as a reference point, At least two sensors of the plurality of sensors are substantially equidistant from the reference point in the first direction and the second direction, respectively; A sensor module, wherein a direction in which the maximum intensity of the at least two sensors is detected is parallel to an extension direction of a tangent at a position on the circumference of an arbitrary circle centered on the reference point where the at least two sensors are provided.

2. an insulating sheet having a first region; a plurality of sensors provided on the sheet excluding the first region; Equipped with the plurality of sensors are provided in a direction other than a first direction based on a predetermined position in the first region, The plurality of sensors include a first sensor located on a circumference of an arbitrary circle having the predetermined position as a center in a second direction opposite to the first direction with the predetermined position as a reference; a second sensor located on the circumference and different from the first sensor; A sensor module, wherein a direction in which the maximum intensity of the first sensor and the second sensor is detected is parallel to an extension direction of a tangent at a position on the circumference where the first sensor and the second sensor are provided.

3. The sensor module according to claim 2 , wherein the sheet has a cutout portion in the first direction.

4. The sensor module according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of sensors is a sensor that detects a distortion.

5. The sensor module according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sensors are patterned on the sheet.

6. A structure comprising the sensor module according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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