Photonic Crystal Collision Force Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transport vehicles lack effective means to measure and analyze collision forces, which hinders the development of stronger construction materials and optimal structural designs to withstand impacts.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising color-changing photonic crystals and location tags is integrated into vehicles to measure collision forces by reconstructing force maps from color changes and positional data, utilizing a sensor array and processing unit to calculate and visualize the forces experienced during collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional measurement methods are used, then the system complexity is low, but the measurement precision of collision forces is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is divided into multiple independent photonic crystal sensors distributed across the vehicle body, each measuring local collision forces independently. This segmentation allows parallel measurement of multiple force components simultaneously, improving overall measurement precision without requiring a single complex measurement device.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical strain gauges and force sensors are replaced with photonic crystal-based optical measurement systems. The photonic crystals utilize optical property changes (color shifts) in response to mechanical deformation, enabling non-contact force measurement and improving precision while reducing the complexity of electrical signal processing.
2Measurement precision
If more sensors are added to improve measurement coverage, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each photonic crystal sensor serves multiple functions: it measures local collision forces, provides spatial location data through its fixed position in the array, and contributes to the overall force map reconstruction. This multi-functionality allows a single sensor type to perform multiple measurement tasks, improving coverage without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses identical photonic crystal sensor units replicated across the vehicle body, creating a standardized sensor array. This replication approach simplifies the overall system design compared to using different sensor types for different measurement locations, as each unit is a copy of the same proven design.
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 system enables the creation of detailed force maps that aid in improving crashworthiness by providing data for better material and design development, potentially reducing injuries and fatalities from collisions.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor array of photonic crystals is applied to a mobile vehicle for crashworthiness analysis
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a system and method of collision measurement for a vehicle. According to one embodiment, a plurality of photonic crystals configured to produce a color change state are distributed on an area of the vehicle. Furthermore, a location tag is also positioned on the vehicle for providing mapping data relating to the location of the photonic crystals along said vehicle. Upon receiving external crash impact, a measurement of force is computed based on the color change state of at least one photonic crystal caused by the crash impact.