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Sensors in the Automotive Industry

* Exchange students do not have to consider this information when selecting suitable courses for an exchange stay.

Course Unit Code450-4106/01
Number of ECTS Credits Allocated5 ECTS credits
Type of Course Unit *Optional
Level of Course Unit *Second Cycle
Year of Study *First Year
Semester when the Course Unit is deliveredWinter Semester
Mode of DeliveryFace-to-face
Language of InstructionCzech
Prerequisites and Co-Requisites There are no prerequisites or co-requisites for this course unit
Name of Lecturer(s)Personal IDName
HER215Ing. Radim Hercík, Ph.D.
Summary
Sensors are an integral part of every modern mean of transport. There is wide range of various sensors application in the automotive industry. In case of the sensors, mainly measured variables are temperature, level, concentration, pressure, speed, movement and other physical quantities. The path to a fully functional sensor consists of a wide range tread and development steps. The development process starts with the specification requirements for the sensor, with emphasis on feasibility, manufacturability, quality, and price. The next step is to define the requirements for mechanical design, development of appropriate software and hardware requirements, while maintaining the accuracy and reliability of the product. Development of sensors for the automotive industry includes a wide range of test and measurement verifications. Within the development of new products it is needed to fullfil a number of criteria defined by automotive standards. For these purposes, a complex developmental process is defined, that allows to fully control and manage the various development phases. In this course, students will learn about the latest trends in the development of sensors that are used in the automotive industry. The course will also includes a variety of excursions into development facilities and laboratories.
Learning Outcomes of the Course Unit
The aim of the course is to acquaint students with the basic principles of sensors, which are used in the automotive industry. Students will learn the latest trends in hardware and software development of sensors, in response to physical, chemical and mechanical properties of the used materials. Students will also learn about the process of development and testing of these sensors. Acquired knowledge about the functioning of sensors will allow students to focus on the automobile components development with qualified manner. The practical part of the course includes excursions to the labs and development centers for the automotive industry.
Course Contents
Lectures:
1. Introduction to the sensors used in the automotive industry. Semester work selection.
2. Proposal for a new product design, 3D modelling and functionality simulation of the prototype realization.
3. Definition of the materials used on the basis of their physical-chemical properties, taking into account the costs and environmental standards.
4. Testing of the materials with respect to their physical and mechanical properties, durability and reliability.
5. Measurement of temperature on the principle of thermoelectric effect, thermo resistivity and optical methods. Familiarization with different types of sensors and their comparison.
6. Physical properties of ultrasound, usage of the ultrasound in levels measurements and concentration, environmental influences and materials for quality measurement. Familiarization with different types of sensors and their comparison.
7. Physical principle of the pressure sensors operation, motion sensors and speed. Familiarization with different types of sensors and their comparison.
8. Measurement methods and instrumentation used in the laboratory for testing and validating of the various types of sensors.
9. The draft scheme and circuit boards with regard to electrical properties and EMC for automotive industry
10. Industrial Communication CAN and SENT, speed, its properties comparison.
11. Microprocessors used in the automotive industry, requirements for software development (MISRA) development tools.
12. Development of production technology, manufacturing process development and its implementation I.
13. Development of production technology, manufacturing process development and its implementation II.
14. The life cycle of the product development process, methods and development phase, the links between development steps, checkpoints (V-Cycle, PLC - Product Life Cycle)

Laboratories:
1. Introduction to laboratory regulations, safety training.
2. Familiarization with the work of the prototype shop, methods of screening and 3D technology, 3D printing.
3. Metallographic sample preparation, 3D light microscopy, SEM-EDX analysis of the material.
4. Introduction to DMA, DSC and analysis of rheological variables.
5. Activation and cleaning of polymer surfaces by means of plasma application and methods used for polymers curing.
6. Methods for determination of strength, hardness, ductility and creep characteristics of the material. Fatigue and corrosion tests.
7. Visitation laboratory, familiarity with the issues and technology of thermoelectric measurements.
8. Methods of testing of sensors designed to measure the level, temperature and concentration of synthetic motor oils and urea.
9. Practical demonstration of pressure prototypes, speed and motion sensors.
10. Introduction to the processes of validation and verification of oil and urea sensors.
11. Visit in the hardware laboratory simulation of electrical circuits in PSpice, demonstrations of EMC reports.
12. Visit the software development department, implementation of communication drivers and bus parameters.
13. Microprocessors used in the automotive industry, development and programming tools, standard MISRA
14. The process of introducing a new product into production, instrument and monitor quality, problem-solving methods, customer feedback and its impact on the project.
Recommended or Required Reading
Required Reading:
Automotive sensors, ed. J. Turner, Momentum Press, 2009, pp. 278, New York, ISBN: 978-1-60650-009-5.
Sensors for Automotive Technology, eds. J. Marek, H.-P. Trah, Y. Suzuki, I. Yokomori, Wiley-VCH, Volume 4 edition, 2003, pp. 584, ISBN: 978-3-52729-553-1.
Automotive sensors, ed. J. Turner, Momentum Press, 2009, pp. 278, New York, ISBN: 978-1-60650-009-5.
Sensors for Automotive Technology, eds. J. Marek, H.-P. Trah, Y. Suzuki, I. Yokomori, Wiley-VCH, Volume 4 edition, 2003, pp. 584, ISBN: 978-3-52729-553-1.
Recommended Reading:
Papers in scientific journals.
Články v odborné literatuře.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Lectures, Tutorials, Experimental work in labs, Project work, Field trip, Teaching by an expert (lecture or tutorial)
Assesment methods and criteria
Task TitleTask TypeMaximum Number of Points
(Act. for Subtasks)
Minimum Number of Points for Task Passing
Credit and ExaminationCredit and Examination100 (100)51
        CreditCredit40 20
        ExaminationExamination60 15