Electro-Active Polymer Sensor for Flexible Deformation Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing deformation sensors, particularly those using piezoelectric materials, lack flexibility and are limited in measuring multi-directional deformation, making them unsuitable for structures with large curvature and various external forces.
Innovation Solution
A sensor unit utilizing electro-active polymer materials, including ferroelectric and dielectric elastomer components, which allows for wireless and powerless deformation measurement by generating electrical energy from external forces, enabling flexible installation and precise multi-directional deformation sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If piezoelectric sensors are used for deformation measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but flexibility and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid piezoelectric ceramics to flexible electro-active polymers, which maintains the piezoelectric effect while providing flexibility. This allows the sensor to be installed on structures with large curvature and enables multi-directional deformation measurement, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and installation flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structures combining electro-active polymer layers with flexible electrode patterns. This composite approach maintains the piezoelectric sensing capability while adding flexibility through the polymer matrix and flexible conductor design, enabling both precise measurement and adaptable installation.
2Reliability
If traditional sensors are used for structure monitoring, then deformation detection capability is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electro-active polymer sensor generates electrical signals autonomously in response to mechanical deformation without requiring external power supply or complex processing systems. This self-service capability simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining reliable structure monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and utilizes the inherent piezoelectric properties of the electro-active polymer material itself, eliminating the need for separate power supply units, signal conditioning circuits, and complex processing systems that would increase device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flexible sensors are used for multi-directional deformation measurement, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensor into multiple independent electro-active polymer elements with different orientations, each capable of detecting deformation in specific directions. This segmentation allows multi-directional measurement capability while maintaining precision through the piezoelectric properties of each individual element.
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
The sensor unit achieves high reliability and stability with fast mechanical-electrical response, allowing for accurate deformation measurement across various structures and forces, including those with large curvature, and enhances installation flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a first sensor part formed in a fiber or film including a ferroelectric electro-active polymer material
Implementation Method 2
a second sensor part configured to include the first sensor part, and formed in a matrix including a dielectric elastomer electro-active polymer material
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a technique related to a new sensor unit which is flexible in that the sensor unit can be installed in various locations such as inside of a structure with a large curvature, and which can stably measure multi-directional deformation and very efficiently and wireless measure deformation information, and thus provided is a technique of a sensor structure which can be universally utilized in various systems for measuring deformation information. The sensor unit using an electro-active polymer for the wireless transmission/reception of deformation information, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a first sensor part formed from a fiber or film comprising a ferroelectric electro-active polymer material; a second sensor part configured to include the first sensor part therein, and formed from a matrix comprising a dielectric elastomer electro-active polymer material; and an electrode part provided to come into contact with the first sensor part or the second sensor part and, when an external force is applied to the first sensor part or the second sensor part, transmits to the outside an electric signal generated by the first sensor part or the second sensor part.