Integrated Sensing System for Automotive Applications

Abstract

The Department of Energy (DOE) Vehicles Group has identified a need for novel multifunctional composite materials and structures for the automotive industry that have the capability to reduce weight and volume as well as costs of “conventional” structural components by performing engineering functions beyond load carrying. As part of this project, Acellent in collaboration with Ford Motor Company is developing a sensing system for use in automotive applications. An advanced sensing system is needed to effectively distinguish impacts between different objects. Information received from the first contact between object and automobile bumper can be used to identify the object for vehicle applications. This paper will discuss the need and requirements for such a system and provide an overview of the development of a piezoelectric sensor system including the design, development and initial testing of a complete prototype of the system through various tests on bumpers. Acellent’s SMART layer sensor design for the bumpers will be discussed along with their manufacturing and installation on the car bumper. The paper will also discuss potential optimization of the sensor locations. Detection algorithms were developed to distinguish between various objects that were used in the impact on the bumper. Additionally key parameters were considered when building the algorithms: • impact speed, • bumper stiffness and dimensions, • object stiffness, mass and size Testing was conducted using, for example, simulated small animal, stone, wooden board etc. Results from the testing of the complete prototype system for the impact detection for automobile applications will be presented.