A composite optical bend loss sensor for measuring 3-D forces has been developed. The sensor is composed of two optic fiber meshes which are embedded into a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) slab. The sensor consists of an array of optical fibers lying in perpendicular rows and columns sandwiched inside an elastomeric pad. A map of normal and shear stress is constructed based on observed macrobending through the intensity attenuation from physical deformation of two adjacent perpendicular fibers. Due to the new addition of the composite design and acrylic holder, the stability of the present sensor is found to be significantly better than our previously reported microfabricated optical bend loss sensor. In this paper, we will report the results of an optical bend loss simulation using the beam propagation method based on a series of images captured by a CCD camera on the fiber's bending curvatures. The result from the simulation will be compared with the results obtained from the experiment. Other results include vertical force and shear measurements at a single pressure point of the sensor. A force image algorithm is used to map the force distribution detected by the sensor. Here, we will present the results of six different shape patterns and two force magnitudes on each shape using a neural network system. We will also present a radio frequency sensor module, which we developed for the composite optical bend loss sensor for remote sensing.Index Terms-Bend loss sensor, distributive mechanical sensor, fiber-optic sensor, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), pressure sensor, shear sensor.
A flexible high-resolution sensor capable of measuring the distribution of pressure beneath the foot via a microfabricated optical waveguide system is presented. The uniqueness of the system is in its batch fabrication process, which involves a microfabrication molding technique with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as the optical medium. The sensor manufacturing technique is described in detail, the optical performance of the waveguides is quantified and the effect of using a matching fluid to improve fiber-coupling efficiency is demonstrated. Mechanical loading tests were performed on a 4 x 4 array with a 2-mm spacing between sensing elements. Loading displacement curves were obtained using a 0 to 0.4 mm triangle loading profile. A force of 0.28 N applied to one of the sensing elements produced a displacement of a 0.325 mm and 39% change in the output light intensity. Multiple loadings were conducted to demonstrate the repeatability of the sensor. A force image algorithm with a two-layer neural network system was used to identify four load magnitudes and four different shaped applicators. All four shapes were successfully identified with the neural network.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.