A SHOCK ABSORBER ARRANGEMENT FOR A VEHICLE, COMPRISING A IONIC ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER SENSOR

Abstract

The shock absorber arrangement (10) is configured for connecting a frame to a wheel axle of a vehicle. It comprises: - a cylindrical sleeve (11) having an axis (A); - a base wall (12) fixedly and sealingly mounted at one end of the sleeve; - a rod (13) coaxially received in the sleeve and equipped with a piston (14) sealingly mounted on the sleeve, the piston being capable of moving axially with respect to the base wall; wherein the sleeve (11), the base wall (12) and the piston (14) form a chamber (16) having a variable axial length and containing a working fluid. The shock absorber arrangement (10) further comprises a ionic EAR sensor (20) which comprises: - a first electrode (21) including an electrically conductive polymer, attached to both the base wall and the piston; - a second electrode (22) including an electrically conductive material, attached to both the base wall and the piston; - an ionic medium (23) arranged at least between said electrodes (21, 22); so that the movement of the piston (14) causes stretching or compression of the first electrode (21), thereby inducing a voltage (V) between the electrodes (21, 22).

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