The Crucial Role of Sensors in Cars
Sensors play a crucial role in all automotive vehicles as they detect, measure, and transmit important information about the vehicle and its immediate environment. This data is used by the vehicle’s intelligence system to analyse and optimise the performance of the vehicle and display key events and changes in the vehicle’s conditions to the driver.
Car sensors detect various forms of inputs, ranging from light, motion, temperature, moisture, pressure, oil levels, voltage, speed or any other measurable quantity. Through the measurement of these quantities, sensors contribute towards improving the vehicle’s safety, fuel consumption, efficiency and user-friendliness.
The global car sensor market is estimated to reach a value of £27 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 10.2%. This growth is accounted for by the increasing demand for smart vehicles fitted with intelligent sensors, in addition to capabilities for extra information processing, entertainment systems, integration of electronic devices and improved safety parameters.
Problems That Can Affect Sensors
Sensors can encounter a few problems over time. Some of the main problems affecting sensors include:
- Damaged, torn-out or loose wiring
- Overheating issues
- Faulty spark plug timing
- Faulty ECU (engine control unit) through electrical malfunctions
- High vibrations affecting mileage counter
- Faulty crankshaft position sensor due to debris, damage and electrical malfunctions
- Faulty oxygen sensor through contaminants and excessive oil consumption
- Problems with mass airflow sensors due to fuel varnish
Faulty sensors can be a costly and time-consuming issue. A recent survey found that the repair of certain car sensors can cost over £1000 to repair or replace. Faulty sensors can also lead to environmental impacts by affecting the vehicle performance and efficiency, which can lead to increases in emissions. These problems can damage customer satisfaction, the brand image for the vehicle manufacturers and the ability of the vehicle to meet government legislation. This is why it is essential that manufacturers invest in high-quality solutions for bonding and protecting sensors within vehicles.
Solutions for Bonding & Protecting Sensors
Here at Antala, we are equipped with adhesives, sealants and lubricants that can effectively be used for bonding and protecting sensors in the automotive industry. The proper utilisation of these solutions can enable:
- Extended component life
- Protection from external tampering
- Temperature resistance
- Humidity and water resistance
- Lightweighting
- Improved strength
- Improved flexibility
- UV stability
When it comes to bonding the various types of vehicle sensors into a vehicle, the main consideration is the material or substrate’s that are going to be bonded. This will be a deciding factor in which adhesive/s is to be used for each application. Factors such as differing thermal expansion rates can make or break an application, resulting in failures and repairs in the future. In many sensor applications, the substrates being bonded are one of the following combinations:
- Plastic to metal or alloy
- Plastic to plastic
- Plastic to composite
Plastic Bonding Solutions
Permabond
Leading adhesives specialists Permabond have a vast selection of high-performance solutions for plastic to metal and plastic to plastic bonding applications. Different sensor types experience slightly different conditions and environments, with temperatures, moisture and contaminants being more prominent in some areas of the vehicle than others. Although this may seem a challenge when selecting the right solution, Permabond’s range of solutions means that it is possible to easily implement the perfect solution/s to optimise sensor performance, reliability and longevity.
Huntsman
Huntsman Advanced Materials offer a wide range of solutions for plastic, metal and multi-material bonding applications. Huntsman’s solutions range from protecting internal sensor components and bonding sensor casings with their power electronic adhesives, down to directly bonding and applying sensors into vehicles. Huntsman’s diverse solutions for multi-material and composite bonding provide durable, lightweight and diverse adhesives that provide premium performance in a number of demanding applications.
