Piezo-Polymer Cable Sleeve for Trailer Line Strain Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles lack the capability to automatically detect and respond to strain or damage in connection lines, such as air hoses or electrical cables, which can lead to unsafe operating conditions due to the absence of human intervention.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a sleeve made of piezo polymer fibers to encase connection lines, which changes resistance value under stress, connected to a capacitor-resistor circuit to monitor voltage changes, generating alerts or warnings when strain exceeds a threshold, and transitioning the vehicle to a reduced functionality mode if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual inspection is used to detect damage to connection lines, then the system is simple and easy to implement, but it is not feasible for autonomous vehicles without human drivers
Solution Approach 1:
The connection line performs self-diagnosis through piezoelectric fibers embedded within it. When strain or damage occurs, the fibers generate electrical signals automatically without requiring external sensors or systems, enabling the component to monitor its own health and report conditions to the control system.
2Reliability
If no detection system is installed, then the device complexity is low, but connection line breakage or strain goes undetected leading to unsafe operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
Piezoelectric fibers are embedded within the connection line itself, nested inside the existing structure. This integration allows the monitoring function to be incorporated into the component without adding external sensors or complex monitoring infrastructure, maintaining simplicity while improving reliability.
3Extent of automation
If piezoelectric fibers are embedded in connection lines, then automatic strain detection is enabled, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection line is constructed as a composite material system combining traditional connection line materials with piezoelectric fibers. This composite structure enables the dual functionality of mechanical connection and strain detection, leveraging the properties of both materials to achieve automatic monitoring while maintaining structural integrity.
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
Enables automatic detection and response to excessive strain, preventing potential vehicle hazards by alerting the system and transitioning to a safer operational state.
Implementation Method 1
A system utilizing a sleeve made of piezo polymer fibers to encase connection lines, which changes resistance value under stress
Implementation Method 2
receive a signal corresponding to an output voltage measured across an electrical circuit, the electrical circuit connected with two ends of a sleeve over a core of the connection cable, the sleeve including a plurality of fibers of piezo polymer material
Data Source
AI summary
A system for detecting and reporting stress or strain in a connection cable connecting a tractor of a vehicle with a trailer is disclosed. The system includes a connection line breakage/strain detection system including a processor and a memory device storing instructions that when executed by the processor configure the processor to: (i) receive a signal corresponding to an output voltage measured across an electrical circuit, the electrical circuit connected with two ends of a sleeve over a core of the connection cable, the sleeve including a plurality of fibers of piezo polymer material; (ii) identify an extent of stress or strain on the connection cable based upon the received signal; and (iii) in response to the extent of stress or strain on the connection cable meeting a specific threshold condition, generate and transmit an alert or a warning to an external receiver.