Flexible Piezoresistive Sensors Embedded in 3D Printed Tires
<p>(<b>a</b>) A single taxel sensor connected to a half-Wheatstone bridge circuit supplied with the DC voltage; (<b>b</b>) detailed view of the cross-section of a taxel with different layers; and (<b>c</b>) a simplified equivalent circuit showing resistance of each layer.</p> "> Figure 2
<p>Sensor fabrication steps: (<b>a</b>) TangoPlus is poured into mold to create bottom insulation layer; (<b>b</b>) UV curing process for the bottom insulation layer; (<b>c</b>) screen printing of MWNT/polymer paste to create the first electrode layer; (<b>d</b>) thermal curing of MWNT/polymer electrodes; (<b>e</b>) IL/polymer composite poured into mold to create a piezoresistive intermediate layer; (<b>f</b>) UV curing of the IL/polymer layer; (<b>g</b>) screen printing of the MWNT/polymer paste to create a second electrode layer; (<b>h</b>) thermal curing of MWNT electrodes; (<b>i</b>) TangoPlus poured to create the top insulation layer; (<b>j</b>) UV curing of the top layer; and (<b>k</b>) an exploded view of sensor.</p> "> Figure 3
<p>(<b>a</b>) Tire with slot for sensor; (<b>b</b>) wheel with hole for wiring; (<b>c</b>) tire-wheel assembly; (<b>d</b>) sectional view of the assembly; and (<b>e</b>) tire, wheel, and chassis assembled.</p> "> Figure 4
<p>Wiring diagram of a twelve (2 × 6) taxel sensor where each taxel is connected to a half-Wheatstone bridge circuit. For the operational amplifier (OPA551PA), the supply voltage range was +24 to −24 V, and the input voltage range was +10 to −10 V.</p> "> Figure 5
<p>(<b>a</b>) Six-taxel (1 × 6) sensor; (<b>b</b>) 6-taxel sensor with bead; (<b>c</b>) 12-taxel (2 × 6) sensor; and (<b>d</b>) bead attached on each taxel.</p> "> Figure 6
<p>3D printed tire assembly. (<b>a</b>) 3D printed tire and wheel; (<b>b</b>) slot for the sensor inside the tire; (<b>c</b>) the assembled tire on the wheel; and (<b>d</b>) the 3D-printed chassis</p> "> Figure 7
<p>(<b>a</b>) Twelve-taxel sensor attached on the wheel; (<b>b</b>) sensor connected and inserted inside the tire; and (<b>c</b>) the fully assembled experimental setup with the motorized linear stage.</p> "> Figure 8
<p>Changes in voltage output versus time for different load conditions: Voltage output with the speed of (<b>a</b>) 5 mm/s; and (<b>b</b>) 10 mm/s; (<b>c</b>) 50 mm/s</p> "> Figure 9
<p>(<b>a</b>) Twelve locations on the tire were marked corresponding to 12 taxels; (<b>b</b>) the tire rotates while taxels or location 7 and 8 hit the ground; and (<b>c</b>) bar plot indicates ∆V at each taxel when locations 7 and 8 hit ground.</p> "> Figure 10
<p>The car was loaded with a 0.38 kg weight and experimented at different speeds: the change in voltage output versus time for 12-taxel sensor embedded in tire while car speed was (<b>a</b>) 5 mm/s; (<b>b</b>) 10 mm/s; and (<b>c</b>) 50 mm/s. (<b>d</b>–<b>f</b>) The locations of force shown in the bar plot at a certain time. (<b>g</b>–<b>i</b>) The speed of the car calculated at each row of taxel and compared with original speed.</p> "> Figure 11
<p>(<b>a</b>) Conventional sensor installation on tire; and (<b>b</b>) proposed direct-print photopolymerization of MWNT-based electrodes on the conformal inner liner surface of the tire.</p> ">
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Design, Materials, and Methods
2.1. Sensor Design and Principle
2.2. Materials
2.3. Fabrication of Sensors
2.4. Design of Tires, Wheels, and Chassis
2.5. Experiments
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Manufactured Parts and Assembly
3.1.1. Fabricated Sensor
3.1.2. 3D Printed Tires, Wheels, and Chassis
3.1.3. Assembly
3.2. Experimental Results
3.2.1. Different Load Conditions
3.2.2. Location and Speed
3.3. Discussion
3.3.1. Result Analysis
3.3.2. 3D Printing Prospect of Sensor
4. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Emon, M.O.F.; Choi, J.-W. Flexible Piezoresistive Sensors Embedded in 3D Printed Tires. Sensors 2017, 17, 656. https://doi.org/10.3390/s17030656
Emon MOF, Choi J-W. Flexible Piezoresistive Sensors Embedded in 3D Printed Tires. Sensors. 2017; 17(3):656. https://doi.org/10.3390/s17030656
Chicago/Turabian StyleEmon, Md Omar Faruk, and Jae-Won Choi. 2017. "Flexible Piezoresistive Sensors Embedded in 3D Printed Tires" Sensors 17, no. 3: 656. https://doi.org/10.3390/s17030656