1. A Low-Cost, Flexible Pressure Capacitor Sensor Using Polyurethane for Wireless Vehicle Detection
- Author
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Toan Thanh Dao, Duy Tien Nguyen, Chien Khong Duc, and Van-Phuc Hoang
- Subjects
Polymers and Plastics ,Computer science ,02 engineering and technology ,polyurethane polymer ,01 natural sciences ,Capacitance ,Signal ,Automotive engineering ,law.invention ,lcsh:QD241-441 ,non-intrusive monitoring ,lcsh:Organic chemistry ,law ,Wireless ,Intelligent transportation system ,Flexibility (engineering) ,wireless data acquisition (DAQ) ,business.industry ,Communication ,010401 analytical chemistry ,General Chemistry ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Pressure sensor ,0104 chemical sciences ,Capacitor ,Axle ,flexible pressure sensor ,vehicle detection ,0210 nano-technology ,business - Abstract
Detection of vehicles on the road can contribute to the establishment of an intelligent transportation management system to allow smooth transportation and the reduction of road accidents. Thus far, an efficient and low-cost polymer flexible pressure sensor for vehicle detection is lacking. This paper presents a flexible sensor for vehicle sensing and demonstrates a wireless system for monitoring vehicles on the road. A vehicle sensor was fabricated by sandwiching a polyurethane material between aluminum top/bottom electrodes. The sensing mechanism was based on changes in capacitance due to variation in the distance between the two electrodes at an applied external pressure. A clear response against a pressure load of 0.65 Mpa was observed, which is the same pressure as that of the car tire area in contact with the road. Significantly, the sensor was easy to embed on the road line due to its mechanical flexibility and large size. A field test was carried out by embedding the sensor on the road and crossing the sensor with a car. Moreover, the signal displayed on the tablet indicated that the sensing system can be used for wireless detection of the axle, speed, or weight of the vehicle on the road. The findings suggest that the flexible pressure sensor is a promising tool for use as a low-cost vehicle detector in future intelligent transportation management.
- Published
- 2019