Harnessing random micromeso-scale ambient energy is not only clean and sustainable, but it also enables self-powered sensors and devices to be realized. Here we report a robust and self-powered kinematic vector sensor fabricated using highly pliable organic films that can be bent to spread over curved and uneven surfaces. The device derives its operational energy from a close-proximity triboelectrification of two surfaces: a polytetrafluoroethylene film coated with a two-column array of copper electrodes that constitutes the mover and a polyimide film with the top and bottom surfaces coated with a two-column aligned array of copper electrodes that comprises the stator. During relative reciprocations, the electrodes in the mover generate electric signals of ±5 V to attain a peak power density of ≥65 mW m(-2) at a speed of 0.3 ms(-1). From our 86,000 sliding motion tests of kinematic measurements, the sensor exhibits excellent stability, repeatability and strong signal durability.

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Self-powered thin-film motion vector sensor

Self-powered triboelectric velocity sensor for dual-mode sensing of rectified linear and rotary motions

A Motion Vector Sensor via Direct-Current Triboelectric Nanogenerator

A noncontacting robust capacitive angular position sensor currently under development for industrial and automotive application is presented. The main advantages of this low-cost system are its simplicity, high accuracy (/spl plusmn/0,2/spl deg/) and resolution (/spl plusmn/0,04/spl deg/) over the range of up to 360/spl deg/, excessive temperature operating capability, insensitivity to dirt, moisture and dew on the sensor electrodes and fast measurement speed. The paper describes the working principle, derives the required relationships for computing the rotor position and discusses the sensor's properties in relation to those of established encoder principles. The sensitivity of the sensor to mechanical errors like radial and axial axis offset, tilted axis, and tilted electrodes is explained. Finally the sensor electronics and its realization is discussed and data obtained from prototype sensors is presented.

A robust capacitive angular position sensor

https://www.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/admt.201800328

Aerosol-Jet Printed Fine-Featured Triboelectric Sensors for Motion Sensing

At present, electronic controls and systems are in the process of becoming essential and integral parts of our vehicles whereas they were previously replacements for corresponding mechanical systems predominantly separately acting or fulfilling add-on functions. From this viewpoint, the electronic systems in the vehicle will be interconnected with each other to a much greater degree than was previously the case; for this reason, they must also be reclassified and subdivided. Accordingly, electronic signal-processing components, for example, which were previously located in central control units, will be moved to the periphery where they are mechanically and electrically integrated with the sensor or actuator directly at the point at which they are actually required (mechatronics). The varied advantages of such sensors which are also capable of digital communication by means of new connection systems (bus systems) can be seen in the concrete example of an ‘intelligent’ short-circuit-ring displacement sensor. The accuracy of this sensor can be increased considerably by simultaneously simplifying its design; the highly accurate measured signal can be transmitted in a digital form.

Mechatronic sensors in integrated vehicle architecture

Prozessor für die Fehlerkorrektur intelligenter Sensoren in einem zweidimensionalen Kennfeld / Error correction of intelligent sensors by a dedicated processor using a two dimensional characteristic diagram

The arrangement has a sensor whose output signal depends on the measurement parameter and a noise parameter. The sensor output signal is fed to a computer which contains a defined two-dimensional sensor characteristic field dependent on the measurement and noise parameters with a defined number of supporting locations. A corrected output parameter is derived from the sensor characteristic field by interpolation. The computer can perform the interpolation according to a function dependent on the measurement and noise parameters and can perform the required additions in a multistage network.

Signal evaluation appts. e.g. for pressure sensor

Magnetische Sensoren werden im Kraftfahrzeug vorzugsweise als berührungslose Sensoren zur Wegund Winkelmessung eingesetzt, insbesondere weil sie sehr robust sind undim Vergleich zu anderen Sensorprinzipien eine hohe Unempfindlichkeit gegen die zahlreichen im Kraftfahrzeug auftretenden Störeinflüsse aufweisen. Die Entwicklung und Optimierung solcher Sensoren nach empirischen Prinzipien ist langwierig und aufwendig. Der konsequente Einsatz numerischer Berechnungsverfahren für die auftretenden magnetischen Felder hilft, die Anzahl aufwendiger Rekursionen bei der Herstellung von Entwicklungsmustern zu verringern. Damit gelingt es, die Entwicklungszeiten zu verkürzen und die Entwicklungskosten zu senken. Gleichzeitig kann die Qualität der Sensoren einschließlich der damit verbundenen elektronischen Schaltung dank verbesserter Optimierungsmöglichkeiten erhöht werden. Unter der Voraussetzung, daß ein genügend leistungsfähiges und universelles Programm zur numerischen Berechnung elektromagnetischer Felder zur Verfügung steht, kann ein wirklichkeitsgetreues Modell des Sensors auf dem Rechner erstellt und in jeder Hinsicht variiert werden. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird das auf dem Markt verfügbare Programm MAFIA eingesetzt zur Simulation von Wegund Winkelsensoren nach dem Kurzschlußringf KR)-Prinzip. In diesen Sensoren treten zeitharmonische Wechselfelder auf, die eine dreidimensionale Berechnung unter Berücksichtigung der Wirbelströme erfordern.

Rainer Dietz

Papers

Mechatronic sensors in integrated vehicle architecture

Prozessor für die Fehlerkorrektur intelligenter Sensoren in einem zweidimensionalen Kennfeld / Error correction of intelligent sensors by a dedicated processor using a two dimensional characteristic diagram

Signal evaluation appts. e.g. for pressure sensor

Numerische Feldberechnung für die Entwicklung magnetischer Sensoren im Kraftfahrzeug

An Efficient Error Correction Method for Smart Sensor Applications in the Motor Vehicle