Monitoring loading in both normal and shear directions is essential for properly treating diabetic foot ulcers, which arise from abnormal loading on the bottoms of the feet. Current technologies do not offer an affordable device that measures both normal and shear forces. To address this need, a novel device was created, consisting of four magnets in silicone rubber directly above four Hall-effect sensors. Applied forces displace the magnets and change magnetic flux data read by the sensors, indicating the magnitude and direction of the force. The sensor module was tested under a normal force of 200 N, and a 29.7 N force applied at 45 degrees. The z-axis data increased with normal force applied, at a rate of 4 μT/N. For shear, the magnetic flux data for each axis trended in the same direction as the force applied on that axis. Two modules in series achieved an update frequency of 70 Hz. Overall, this device provides a proof-of-concept for relating displacement in magnetic fields to applied force in three dimensions

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Laovoravit, Tapanont David
• Stomberg, Nathan Aaron
• Lam, Brandon Lee

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042717-015431

Advisor

• Troy, Karen
• Onal, Cagdas

Year

• 2017

Date created

• 2017-04-27

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Robotics Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
• Interdisciplinary

Rights statement

• In Copyright