Plastic latching accelerometer based on bistable compliant mechanisms

This paper presents the design, fabrication, and testing of a miniature latching accelerometer that does not require electrical power. Latching is attained by using a bistable compliant mechanism that switches from one mechanical position to another when the force on the accelerometer exceeds a thre...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Smart materials and structures 2007-10, Vol.16 (5), p.1967-1972
Main Authors: Hansen, B J, Carron, C J, Jensen, B D, Hawkins, A R, Schultz, S M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Exact sciences and technology
Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications)
General equipment and techniques
Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy
Measurement and testing methods
Measurements common to several branches of physics and astronomy
Metrology, measurements and laboratory procedures
Physics
Servo and control equipment
robots
Solid mechanics
Structural and continuum mechanics
Velocity, acceleration and rotation
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Summary:This paper presents the design, fabrication, and testing of a miniature latching accelerometer that does not require electrical power. Latching is attained by using a bistable compliant mechanism that switches from one mechanical position to another when the force on the accelerometer exceeds a threshold value. Accelerometers were fabricated by laser cutting the compliant mechanism switch out of both ABS and Delrin plastic sheets. Packaging consisted of gluing the single compliant layer to a supporting substrate. The switching thresholds of the accelerometers were varied from 10g to 800g by varying the surface area of the free moving section between 100 and 500 mm2.
ISSN:0964-1726
1361-665X
DOI:10.1088/0964-1726/16/5/055