New force sensor based on a double ended tuning fork

This paper introduces an original force sensor, constituted by two elements, designed to be directly sensitive to compressive forces. This is achieved by using a specific element which transforms the compressive force applied on it into a tensile force on the beams of a DETF. First, after a description of the sensor, the working principle of the proposed device is related. The choice of the used vibrational mode is justified in the description of the dynamic behavior of the DETF. Then, the way of applying the force is treated and the measurement principle is given. Second, in order to design the structure, a Finite Element Analysis has been performed and the predicted results are reported. Next, the designed prototype and the associated experimental set-up is described. Finally, the results of the experiments performed on the prototype are studied and a comparison with the Finite Element simulations is proposed