Lever-Based Force Measurement Device with Tunable Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for measuring contact force in micro/nano-applications are limited by the need for specific needles, complexity, and inability to handle force characterization and contact detection during probe landing, especially in multi-scaled applications.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a lever with a probe, pivotably coupled to a body, and control stiffness means that allows proportional displacement measurement of the lever's pivoting to quantify contact force, enabling adaptable and precise force measurement across various scales without requiring specific needles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing force measurement technologies (AFM, MEMS) are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and requirement for specific needles increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the force sensing function from the probe needle, using a simple lever mechanism with a sensor that measures lever position rather than directly measuring force. This segmentation allows using a standard probe needle while maintaining precise force measurement capability through the lever-sensor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever acts as an intermediary between the probe needle and the sensor. Instead of requiring a complex integrated force sensor in the needle, the lever translates contact force into positional displacement that can be measured by a simpler sensor, reducing overall device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If standard probe needles are used, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability for force characterization is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The device makes standard probe needles universal by adding the lever-sensor mechanism that enables force characterization. The same standard needle can be used for both simple contact tasks and precise force measurement applications, improving versatility without sacrificing ease of operation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If force control mechanisms are used, then contact force stability is improved, but contact detection capability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor continuously monitors the lever's position, providing feedback about contact force conditions. This feedback enables both contact detection (when lever position changes indicate contact) and contact force stability control (by adjusting actuation based on measured position), resolving the contradiction between detection capability and force stability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides improved accuracy, sensitivity, and adaptability for measuring contact forces in micro/nano-applications, allowing for precise force detection and maintenance across millimeter to nanometer dimensions, including biological and semiconductor samples, with enhanced signal-to-noise ratio and overload protection.
Implementation Method 1
a lever (101) with a probe (102), said probe being fixed to said lever and being designed for contacting the object (103)
Implementation Method 2
said coupling means comprising control stiffness means (108) adapted to control the rotational stiffness of said lever
Implementation Method 3
a sensor (106) for measuring the displacement of said lever with respect to said body upon pivoting
Data Source
AI summary
Device and method for measuring contact force exerted by an object on a probe comprising a lever and said probe for contacting the object is provided. The lever is pivotably coupled to a body by a coupling module. The device comprising a fixed frame coupled to the body. The body is designed to be moved with respect to the object to put the probe in contact with the object to create force pivoting said lever with respect to the body around a pivot axis. The device comprising a sensor for measuring displacement of the lever with respect to the body upon pivoting. The coupling module comprises control stiffness module, so that when the probe contacts the object, the displacement of the lever is proportional to the force exerted by the probe on the object. Such control stiffness module is tunable so that accuracy and sensitivity of measured force is controlled.