Direct current force sensing device based on compressive spring, permanent magnet, and coil-wound...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Physics
• Engineering

Background:

• Development of sensors for static compressive forces is crucial for various applications.
• Existing sensing technologies may have limitations in sensitivity or operational range.
• Magnetoelectric effects offer a promising avenue for novel sensor designs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a novel force sensing device for dc compressive forces.
• To investigate the underlying mechanism of force sensing based on the magnetoelectric effect.
• To explore methods for enhancing the sensitivity of the developed sensor.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a sensor device using a stainless steel spring, NdFeB magnet, and a magnetostrictive/piezoelectric laminate.
• Theoretical and experimental evaluation of the force sensing capabilities.
• Analysis of the force-induced, position-dependent, current-driven dc magnetoelectric effect.

Main Results:

• Successful development of a force sensing device based on a dc magnetoelectric effect.
• Demonstrated sensitivity enhancement by increasing spring constant, magnet size, and driving current.
• Achieved high output voltages (262 mV and 128 mV peak) for low-force (20 N) and high-force (200 N) devices, respectively, at low driving current (100 mA peak).

Conclusions:

• The developed device effectively senses dc compressive forces via a unique magnetoelectric mechanism.
• Sensor performance, particularly sensitivity, can be tuned by modifying structural and operational parameters.
• The device shows promise for applications requiring sensitive detection of static compressive forces.