Piezoelectric chromic impact sensor
US8544337B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 6, 2010 |
| Grant date | Oct 1, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 15, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01L1/24
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An impact sensor includes a piezoelectric transducer operatively connected to a chromic device. The chromic device includes a chromic material that changes from a first color state to a second color state in response to electric power generated by the piezoelectric transducer when exposed to a given level of impact force. The chromic material is bistable so that the chromic material remains in the second color state for a significant amount of time. An impact force to which the sensor has been subjected may be quantified by observing the chromic device. In one embodiment, the chromic material is an electrochromic material, such as a viologen, that changes through a color gradient of light transmission states from the first color state to the second color state. A printed color gradient may be used to aid in quantifying the impact force. In another embodiment, the chromic device includes a thermochromic material.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.