What is a Force Sensor? What Types Are There?

2024-05-21

What is a Force Sensor? What Types Are There?

Force is the direct cause of changes in the motion of matter. A force sensor can detect various mechanical quantities such as tension, pull, pressure, weight, torque, internal stress, and strain. Typically, a force sensor consists of a sensitive element and a transduction element. It is a device or equipment capable of sensing specified measurement data and converting it into usable signals according to certain rules.

 

In this new era, force sensors have found widespread applications, especially in industrial fields. To effectively use force sensors, one must have a good understanding of their definition and functions. So, what exactly is a force sensor, and what types are there? Let’s explore!

 

Force sensors come in many types and can be categorized based on different physical effects and detection principles into resistance strain sensors, piezomagnetic sensors, and piezoelectric sensors.

 

1. Strain Gauge Force Sensors: 

   - Strain gauge force sensors are widely used among all force sensors. They offer high measurement accuracy and can measure both small and large dynamic and static forces, making up about 90% of all sensors. The working principle of strain gauge force sensors is similar to that of strain gauge pressure sensors. They consist of an elastic sensitive element and strain gauges attached to it. These sensors first convert the measured force into the strain of the elastic element, then use the resistance strain effect to measure the strain, thereby reading the output.

 

2. Piezomagnetic Force Sensors:

   - When ferromagnetic materials are subjected to external tensile or compressive forces, their magnetic permeability changes with the magnitude and direction of the stress. Under tensile forces, the magnetic permeability increases in the direction of the force and slightly decreases perpendicular to the force direction. Under compressive forces, the changes are opposite. This physical phenomenon, known as the magnetostrictive effect of ferromagnetic materials, can be used for force measurement.

 

3. Piezoelectric Sensors:

   - Piezoelectric sensors can measure various dynamic forces, mechanical impacts, and vibrations. They are widely used in acoustics, medicine, mechanics, and maritime fields due to their small size, lightweight, high-frequency response, and high signal-to-noise ratio. Based on shape, load cells (a type of force sensor) can be classified into cantilever load cells, S-type sensors, plate load cells, box sensors, and spoke-type sensors. 

 

Force sensors have penetrated a wide range of fields, including resource exploration, marine exploration, space development, industrial production, environmental protection, medical diagnostics, bioengineering, and even cultural relic preservation. It is no exaggeration to say that almost every modern engineering project, from vast space to the deep sea and various complex engineering systems, relies on various force sensors.

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