A new type of force sensor

摘要

A new type of force sensor isproposed, mainly based on standard machine parts. The sensor is made of two spring discs, positioned in mirror one to another and joined together by means of electron beam welding. A sensitive element in shape of a rectangle for example is placed between the spring discs. To design the sensor geometry finite element analysis (FEA) was applied to simulate the mechanical strains and stresses in the force sensor and to improve the sensor characteristics by placing the strain gauges on the maximum strain positions. Calibration tests were performed using a testing machine with dead loads to evaluate the linearity, hysteresis and creep.