Design Optimisation of a Magnetic Field Based Soft Tactile Sensor

Gregory de Boer, Nicholas Raske, Hongbo Wang, Junwai Kow, Ali Alazmani, Mazdak Ghajari, Peter Culmer, Robert Hewson

Sensors, 2017

Abstract

This paper investigates the design optimisation of a magnetic field based soft tactile sensor, comprised of a magnet and Hall effect module separated by an elastomer. The aim was to minimise sensitivity of the output force with respect to the input magnetic field; this was achieved by varying the geometry and material properties. Finite element simulations determined the magnetic field and structural behaviour under load. Genetic programming produced phenomenological expressions describing these responses. Optimisation studies constrained by a measurable force and stable loading conditions were conducted; these produced Pareto sets of designs from which the optimal sensor characteristics were selected. The optimisation demonstrated a compromise between sensitivity and the measurable force, a fabricated version of the optimised sensor validated the improvements made using this methodology. The approach presented can be applied in general for optimising soft tactile sensor designs over a range of applications and sensing modes.

Cite as (BibTeX)

@article{boer-2017-design-optimisation-of-a,
  title={Design Optimisation of a Magnetic Field Based Soft Tactile Sensor},
  author={Gregory de Boer and Nicholas Raske and Hongbo Wang and Junwai Kow and Ali Alazmani and Mazdak Ghajari and Peter Culmer and Robert Hewson},
  journal={Sensors},
  year={2017},
  doi={10.3390/s17112539}
}