Research on a novel force sensor based on giant magnetostrictive material and its model

A novel magnetostrictive force sensor which can measure static force and dynamic force using giant magnetostrictive material rod as the sensitive element was studied. A special structure was proposed which was a stainless steel ring around the Hall sensor to improve the force measuring sensitivity. In view of the hysteresis nonlinearity of the giant magnetostrictive material and actual working process of the sensor, a model was established based on the combination of Jiles–Atherton model and magnetomechanical effect method. The unknown magnetic and magnetostrictive parameters in the model were identified by a hybrid algorithm of genetic algorithm and simulated annealing algorithm. Moreover, the numerical solution method and simulation process of the model were expounded in detail. The results showed that the force measuring sensitivity is about 6.14 times higher than that of the sensor without this special structure. The model can reveal the magnetization process mechanism clearly and describe the relationship between force input and electromagnetic output effectively.

Research highlights▶ A novel giant magnetostrictive force sensor which uses a GMM rod as the sensitive element is presented. The sensor can measure not only static force, but also the dynamic force. ▶ A special structure around Hall sensor with a stainless steel ring is proposed. The sensitivity is improved and is about 6.14 times higher than that of the sensor without a stainless steel ring. ▶ From the aspects of premagnetization and formal work process, a model for the sensor which can describe the hysteresis and the interaction of magnetic field and force is established through a combination of Jiles–Atherton model and magnetomechanical effect approach. It can reveal the process mechanism of magnetization and preferably characterize the output performance of the sensor.