STRUCTURE AS A SENSOR
Methods and apparatuses for using a structure as a sensor are disclosed. An apparatus in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure comprises an additively-manufactured component comprising a channel, a sensor including an connection point, wherein the sensor is arranged in the channel, and an adhesive arranged in the channel, the adhesive coupling the additively-manufactured component to the sensor, such that the connection point is accessible external to the adhesive, the sensor being configured to provide a signal at the connection point, wherein the signal provides information of an applied force on the additively-manufactured component.
1 . An apparatus, comprising:
an additively-manufactured component comprising a channel;
a sensor including an connection point, wherein the sensor is arranged in the channel; and
an adhesive arranged in the channel, the adhesive coupling the additively-manufactured component to the sensor, such that the connection point is accessible external to the adhesive, the sensor being configured to provide a signal at the connection point, wherein the signal provides information of an applied force on the additively-manufactured component.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a second component, wherein the adhesive further couples the second component to the additively-manufactured component.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is placed in the channel after the additively-manufactured component is formed.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a shape of the channel in the additively-manufactured component is configured to transmit the applied force to the sensor.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is manufactured as part of the additively-manufactured component.
6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the sensor is additively-manufactured.
7 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the sensor comprises a first material, and the additively-manufactured component comprises a second material different that the first material.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein sensor comprises a Wheatstone bridge.
9 . An apparatus, comprising:
an additively-manufactured component including a structure, the structure being configured to produce an indicator, the indicator corresponding to a force applied to the additively-manufactured component.
10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the structure includes a lattice structure.
11 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the indicator further indicates a direction of the force applied to the additively-manufactured component.
12 . The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising an adhesive coupled to the additively-manufactured component.
13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the adhesive includes a piezo-resistive adhesive.
14 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the additively-manufactured component includes a junction for another component.
15 . A method comprising:
additively-manufacturing a first component including a channel;
arranging a sensor in the channel, the sensor including a connection point;
arranging a second component proximate to the first component; and
applying an adhesive in the channel, such that the additively-manufactured component, the sensor, and the second component are joined, and the connection point is accessible external to the adhesive.
16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
measuring a signal applied to the sensor, wherein the signal provides information of an applied force on the additively-manufactured component.
17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the information indicates a force applied to the channel.
18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the second component is an additively-manufactured component.
19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the sensor includes a strain gauge.