Impact force detection using an energy flow estimator with piezoelectric sensors

Currently, there are numerous methods for estimating impact locations. One is to find more detailed information because the system becomes complicated. Another method is to reduce energy, for which various autonomic energy harvesting methods have been developed. However, the occupied energy is still small. This paper proposes a simple, rapid, and low-powered impact estimation method based on energy flow direction estimation through a pair of piezoelectric sensors. The estimation energy flow is expressed by a Poynting vector subsequently linked to piezoelectric sensor voltage outputs. The presented approach is verified by numerical simulations and experiments.