Shock absorber arrangement for a vehicle, comprising an ionic electroactive polymer sensor

A shock absorber arrangement for a vehicle, especially an industrial vehicle, for connecting a vehicle frame to a wheel axle, the shock absorber arrangement comprising:

• a cylindrical sleeve having an axis;
• a base wall fixedly and sealingly mounted at one end of the sleeve;
• and
• a rod coaxially received in the sleeve and equipped with a piston sealingly mounted on the sleeve, the piston being capable of moving axially with respect to the base wall;
• wherein the sleeve, the base wall and the piston form a chamber having a variable axial length and containing a working fluid;
• and
• wherein the shock absorber arrangement further comprises at least one ionic electroactive polymer (EAP) sensor which comprises:
• a first electrode including an electrically conductive polymer, attached to both the base wall and the piston;
• a second electrode including an electrically conductive material, attached to both the base wall and the piston;
• and
• an ionic medium arranged at least between the electrodes;
• so that the movement of the piston causes stretching or compression of the first electrode, thereby inducing a voltage between the electrodes.