2017 Volume 58 Issue 1 Pages 43-49
Piezoelectric materials are used as sensors because they convert mechanical energy to electrical energy. However, piezoelectric ceramics made with conventional piezoelectric materials, are very brittle. Instead of brittle ceramics, flexible piezoelectric rubber is preferable for engineering use. Therefore, the authors investigated the applicability of flexible rubber for pinching sensors to detect foreign objects between the edges of closing doors and for defect detection on rolling stock axle bearings. It was found that the sensors were able detect foreign objects not usually detected with ordinary systems. Similarly, the newly developed sensors were able to detect axle bearing defects in simplified system.
