Adhesive Strain Sensing Pods with Wireless Transceivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of strain-gauges is a time-consuming process requiring specialized equipment and training, involving multiple steps such as surface preparation, gluing, and soldering, which can be complex and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
An adhesive strain sensing pod that combines a strain sensor with front-end electronics, a wireless transceiver, and an energy store, allowing for simple and fast installation without the need for technical skill, using a pod with pre-connected electronics and a wireless transmission system, and adhesive dispensing devices to simplify surface preparation and attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional strain-gauge installation methods are used, then measurement precision can be achieved, but installation time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the strain sensor, electronics, and adhesive into a single integrated pod unit. This merging eliminates the need for separate surface preparation, sensor attachment, and electronic connection steps, reducing installation time while maintaining measurement precision through factory-pre assembled components.
Solution Approach 2:
The strain sensor and electronic components are pre-assembled and pre-tested in the pod during manufacturing before deployment. This preliminary action ensures measurement precision is calibrated correctly while eliminating time-consuming on-site assembly and testing procedures.
2Reliability
If traditional strain-gauge installation methods are used, then reliable electrical connections can be established, but device complexity and skill requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pod integrates the strain sensor, electronic components, and adhesive into a single pre-assembled unit with factory-established electrical connections. This eliminates complex on-site wiring and soldering operations while maintaining reliable electrical connections through controlled manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The pod is designed as a self-contained unit where all electrical connections are self-established during manufacturing. The installer simply applies the entire pod to the surface without needing to perform complex electrical connection tasks, reducing both complexity and skill requirements while maintaining reliability.
3Ease of operation
If wireless transmission is implemented, then ease of installation improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless transceiver is integrated into the pod along with the strain sensor and power management components. This allows for optimized power consumption through close proximity communication and shared power management, reducing energy requirements compared to separate wireless systems while maintaining installation ease.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution simplifies the mounting and installation of strain sensors, reduces noise interference, and eliminates the need for wires, making the process faster, safer, and more accessible, especially in environments with limited physical access.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor adhesive including a thermally activated adhesive film for adhering a lower surface of the strain-gauge to a surface of a structural element
Data Source
AI summary
An adhesive strain sensing pod includes at least one strain sensor, electronics for electrically sensing at least one strain signal from the at least one strain sensor, and a sensor adhesive for adhering the strain sensor to a surface of a structural element. The pod may have a protective case for protecting the strain sensor and the electronics and for transferring at least part of a force, pressing the pod against the surface, to press the strain sensor against the surface. The sensor adhesive may be a liquid adhesive contained in a fragile pouch that ruptures when the pod is forced against the surface, or may be a thermally activated adhesive film that is activated to bond the strain sensor to the surface. A protective film may protect the sensor adhesive prior to installation of the pod and is removed prior to installation of the pod on the surface.