2010 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation
Anchorage, Alaska, May 3-8, 2010
WorkShop:
"Signals Measurement and Estimation Techniques Issues in the Micro/Nano-World"
- Gloria J. Wiens
SAMM Laboratory,
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,
University of Florida,
231 MAE-A, P.O. Box 116250,
Gainesville, FL 32611-6250.
A mechanism approach for enhancing the dynamic range and linearity of MEMS Optical Force Sensing
Optical based force sensors can provide the desired resolution and maintain relatively large sensing ranges for cell manipulation and microneedle injections via a force sensing method that uncouples the conflicting design parameters such as sensitivity and linearity. This talk presents a mechanism approach for enhancing the performance of a surface micromachined optical force sensor. A new design is presented which introduces a special mechanism, known as the Robert’s mechanism, as an alternate means in which the device is structurally supported. The new design’s implementation is achievable using an equivalent compliant mechanism. Initially, an analytical set of pseudo-rigid-body-model equations were developed to model the compliant design. A more accurate model was then constructed using FEA methods. The geometric parameters of the compliant Robert’s mechanism were then optimized to obtain a sensor with improved linearity and sensitivity. Overall, the force sensor provides higher sensitivity, larger dynamic range and higher linearity compared to a similar optical force sensor that uses a simple structural supporting scheme. In summary, this presentation demonstrates the effectiveness of using a mechanism approach for enhancing the performance of MEMS sensors. The expected impact is to improve biomedical experiments and help further advance research that can improve quality of life.
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