Embedded Sensing Assembly for Composite Panel Damage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Composite panels in vehicles, particularly those in underbody locations, are prone to damage from impact and thermal events, making regular physical inspection inconvenient and costly, as damage may not be visible or easily diagnosed.
Innovation Solution
A composite panel with a sensing assembly embedded between layers, comprising a piezoelectric layer for vibration sensing, a thermopile for temperature sensing, and a transmitter for data transmission, along with an energy harvesting circuit and conductive loops for damage detection, which can be self-powered or remotely powered using RFID, enabling remote monitoring and diagnosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If physical inspection by skilled technician is performed at dealership, then damage can be diagnosed, but vehicle needs to be brought to dealership and inspection is expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The composite panel performs self-diagnosis through embedded sensors that automatically detect damage without requiring external inspection. The sensing assembly continuously monitors the panel's health status and transmits data when damage is detected, enabling the system to serve itself rather than requiring technician intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual physical inspection with electronic sensing and wireless communication systems. Sensors embedded in the composite panel detect damage through electrical or optical signals, substituting the mechanical inspection process with automated electronic monitoring that transmits data remotely
2Measurement precision
If sensing assembly is embedded in composite panel, then damage detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions (accelerometers, temperature sensors, humidity sensors) and communication capabilities into a single integrated sensing assembly that is embedded within the composite panel structure. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing assembly is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: detecting impact forces, monitoring temperature changes, measuring humidity levels, and wireless data transmission. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive damage detection capability
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 solution allows for the early detection and remote monitoring of damage, reducing the need for physical inspection and costly dealership visits, while adding minimal weight and improving damage detection accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric layer to sense vibration of the composite panel when installed on the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a thermopile configured to sense changes in temperature of the composite panel when installed on the vehicle
Implementation Method 3
An energy harvesting circuit is configured to harvest power from the at least one of the piezoelectric layer and the thermopile
Implementation Method 4
a radio frequency identification (RFID) circuit configured to receive power from a remote transmitter
Data Source
AI summary
A composite panel for a vehicle includes a plurality of layers bonded together by resin. A sensing assembly is arranged between at least two of the plurality of layers. The sensing assembly includes at least one of a piezoelectric layer to sense vibration of the composite panel when installed on the vehicle and a thermopile configured to sense changes in temperature of the composite panel when installed on the vehicle. The sensing assembly further includes a transmitter configured to transmit data to the vehicle based on an output of the at least one of the piezoelectric layer and the thermopile.