Opto-mechanical Sensor Lever Arm Amplification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing opto-mechanical inertial sensors, such as accelerometers, have limited acceleration sensitivity due to the limited displacement amplification of the suspended mass, which affects the detection of inertial forces.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a lever arm effect mechanism that amplifies the displacement of a movable mass, causing a variation in the resonance frequency of optical resonators, thereby enhancing the sensitivity of the sensor. This is achieved through a mechanical structure that transmits the displacement or stress to the optical resonators, using a pivot connection and a mechanical structure that modifies the optical resonance frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a suspended mass is used to detect acceleration through displacement measurement, then the sensor can measure inertial forces, but the acceleration sensitivity is limited due to limited displacement amplification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mechanical structure with a pivot connection acting as an intermediary between the suspended mass and the optical resonator. This lever arm mechanism amplifies the displacement of the mass before it reaches the resonator, thereby enhancing the sensitivity of acceleration detection without requiring direct coupling between the mass and resonator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the detection mechanism by introducing a rotational dimension through the pivot connection. Instead of directly measuring linear displacement of the mass, the system converts it into rotational motion of the lever arm, which then amplifies the displacement transmitted to the optical resonator, effectively using dimensional transformation to achieve amplification.
2Measurement precision
If the mass displacement is amplified to improve sensitivity, then the detection precision increases, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mechanical amplification function with the existing suspended mass structure by integrating a lever arm that rotates about a pivot connection. This merging approach allows the amplification mechanism to be incorporated into the overall sensor structure rather than being added as a separate complex subsystem.
3Measurement precision
If stress is amplified and applied to the optical resonator, then the resonance frequency variation increases improving sensitivity, but the mechanical deformation requirements become more stringent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct mechanical coupling between the mass and optical resonator with a lever arm mechanism that provides mechanical advantage. This substitution allows stress amplification to be achieved through geometric leverage rather than requiring extreme mechanical deformation of the resonator itself, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements for the resonator.
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 solution significantly improves the sensitivity of the sensor, allowing for more precise detection of inertial forces, with a limit of detection reduced by one order of magnitude compared to existing technologies, enabling quicker and more accurate measurements.
Implementation Method 1
means for converting the displacement of the mass or the stress undergone by the mass into a modification of the resonance frequency of the optical resonator
Implementation Method 2
the invention implements a lever arm effect to increase the effect of a displacement of the mass resulting, for example, from the application of an inertial force
Implementation Method 3
the stress causing the mass displacement is amplified, this stress being applied on the optical resonator(s), causing a variation in the resonance frequency(ies) of the optical resonator(s) by a reversible mechanical deformation
Data Source
AI summary
A physical sensor comprising a substrate, a movable mass, said mass being able to be moved by an external force, a first optical resonator, a light wave guide for measurement and a light wave guide for detection, a rigid plate which are able to modify the optical resonance frequency of said optical resonator by moving closer and away the same, a lever arm rotatably hinged to the substrate by a pivot connection and the mass being movably integral with the transmitting means, the rigid plate being disposed relative to the mass and to the pivot connection such that the lever arm transmits to the rigid plate, in an amplified manner, the displacement of the mass.