Flexible piezoelectric composite films, flexible piezoelectric impact sensors, pedestrian protection systems, and related methods
AssigneePurdue Research Foundation
InventorsMukerrem Cakmak, Armen Yildirim, Jesse Grant, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Nagarpita Vidyanag
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Abstract
Flexible piezoelectric composite films, flexible piezoelectric impact sensors, pedestrian protection systems, and related methods. Such a flexible piezoelectric composite film includes a flexible matrix and a plurality of piezoelectric particles dispersed and embedded within the flexible matrix. The piezoelectric particles are arranged in columns aligned in a Z-direction along a thickness of the flexible matrix.
Claims14
A method of distinguishing between an impact of a pedestrian with a bumper assembly of an automobile and an impact of a misuse object with the bumper assembly, the method comprising:
- providing a flexible piezoelectric impact sensor comprising a flexible piezoelectric composite film that has a flexible matrix and a plurality of piezoelectric particles dispersed and embedded within the flexible matrix, the piezoelectric particles being arranged in columns aligned in a Z-direction along a thickness of the flexible piezoelectric composite film;
- placing the flexible piezoelectric impact sensor within a bumper assembly of the automobile so that the Z-direction is aligned with an impact direction of the bumper assembly, the flexible piezoelectric impact sensor being placed between an energy absorber of the bumper assembly and a fascia of the bumper assembly;
- and
- deploying a pedestrian protective measure if an output of the flexible piezoelectric impact sensor exceeds a threshold during an impact with the bumper assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.