Piezoelectric sensor

About: Piezoelectric sensor is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 7127 publications have been published within this topic receiving 115903 citations.

Superflexible and Lead-Free Piezoelectric Nanogenerator as a Highly Sensitive Self-Powered Sensor for Human Motion Monitoring

Abstract: For traditional piezoelectric sensors based on poled ceramics, a low curie temperature (Tc) is a fatal flaw due to the depolarization phenomenon. However, in this study, we find the low Tc would be a benefit for flexible piezoelectric sensors because small alterations of force trigger large changes in polarization. BaTi0.88Sn0.12O3 (BTS) with high piezoelectric coefficient and low Tc close to human body temperature is taken as an example for materials of this kind. Continuous piezoelectric BTS films were deposited on the flexible glass fiber fabrics (GFF), self-powered sensors based on the ultra-thin, superflexible, and polarization-free BTS-GFF/PVDF composite piezoelectric films are used for human motion sensing. In the low force region (1–9 N), the sensors have the outstanding performance with voltage sensitivity of 1.23 V N−1 and current sensitivity of 41.0 nA N−1. The BTS-GFF/PVDF sensors can be used to detect the tiny forces of falling water drops, finger joint motion, tiny surface deformation, and fatigue driving with high sensitivity. This work provides a new paradigm for the preparation of superflexible, highly sensitive and wearable self-powered piezoelectric sensors, and this kind of sensors will have a broad application prospect in the fields of medical rehabilitation, human motion monitoring, and intelligent robot.

Dynamic Topology Optimization of Compliant Mechanisms and Piezoceramic Actuators

Abstract: A topology optimization method is developed to design a piezoelectric ceramic actuator together with a compliant mechanism coupling structure for dynamic applications. The objective is to maximize the mechanical efficiency with a constraint on the capacitance of the piezoceramic actuator. Examples are presented to demonstrate the effect of considering dynamic behavior compared to static behavior and the effect of sizing the piezoceramic actuator on the optimal topology and the capacitance of the actuator element. Comparison studies are also presented to illustrate the effect of damping, external spring stiffness, and driving frequency. The optimal topology of the compliant mechanism is shown to be dependent on the driving frequency, the external spring stiffness, and whether the piezoelectric actuator element is considered design or nondesign. At high driving frequencies, it was found that the dynamically optimized structure is very near resonance.

Vehicular deformation sensor system

Abstract: A sensor system for detecting impacts to a vehicle, allowing for actuation decisions of passive restraint devices. The sensor system includes one or more piezoelectric sensor assemblies (42), each including a coaxial piezoelectric cable (44) contained within a tube housing (54), which is mounted to a structural member of the vehicle. The sensor system may also include accelerometers (36, 38) that are also in communication with the restraints control module (40) and employed in combination with one or more piezoelectric sensor assemblies (42). Further, the sensor system may include diagnostics for monitoring one or more of the sensor assemblies (42) in order to detect a sensor failure, while not interfering with the impact signals from the sensor assemblies (42).

The formulation of a refined hybrid enhanced assumed strain solid shell element and its application to model smart structures containing distributed piezoelectric sensors/actuators

Abstract: In the present paper, a novel refined hybrid piezoelectric element formulation is developed for mechanical analysis and active vibration control of laminated structures bonded to piezoelectric sensors and actuators. By invoking the electrical field potential equation, a 'quasi-decoupling' method for treating the coupling electromechanical effects is presented and a modified generalized variational principle with a weaker interelement continuity condition is proposed. On the basis of this functional, a general formulation for a refined hybrid piezoelectric element method is established by incorporating an orthogonal interpolation approach and enhanced assumed strain (EAS) modes. A linearly distributed transverse EAS in the thickness direction is adopted to overcome the thickness locking of solid shell elements. Compared with the conventional incompatible brick element approach, the present formulation is very reliable, more accurate, computationally efficient and can be used to model the response of thin plates and shell structures.