Sensor Systems for FRP Lightweight Structures: Automotive Features Based on Serial Sensor Products

To achieve resource efficiency and an increased performance, as well as a higher safety and more features for vehicles, lightweight composites are a central sphere of activity for automotive innovations. This becomes particularly striking if the focus is not only a reduced vehicle weight but also an efficient overall concept. In addition to compatible material technologies and component design, new electronic solutions are of interest. A research contribution at the Robert Bosch Company deals with the direct integration of a current automotive acceleration sensor in fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) parts. The sensor is part of the passive vehicle safety. Primarily, the principal application of the currently mounted sensor as an integrated part of the vehicle structure was proven. Sensor-integrated parts were evaluated on their sensing functionality as well as their structural performance. The present research is done to use the integrated sensor for a secondary feature. The study shows that the sensor can also be an indicator for the condition of its surrounding FRP structure. Hence, the sensor integration makes it possible to derive a secondary feature for automobiles by using the current sensor for future functionalized lightweight structures.