Sensorless Shear-Force Measurement Mechanism

This mechanism supports compact force measurement in a mechanical setup. It uses a μDD motor to help achieve a small form factor while keeping motion stable and controllable.

• Overview
• Research Background
• μDD Motor Role
• Motor Used
• Reference
• Contact

(1) Overview

To address the need for a very compact mechanism, the research team built a mechanical dispenser concept using a latest μDD motor. The goal was to keep the structure small while maintaining stable motion control.

(2) Research background

Back pain is common among caregivers. In one report, 55.6% of caregivers who experience symptoms developed lower back pain within two years of starting care work. Tasks such as patient transfer and repositioning contribute to this problem.

In real care settings, staff often need to reposition patients regularly, for example once every four hours, to help reduce the risk of pressure ulcers. However, deciding the right level of care and the right amount of force is not easy without experience.

This mechanism aims to measure force for each individual. With that information, repositioning can be done in a way that helps prevent pressure ulcers. In the long term, the team expects that measuring shear force and pressure with feedback could support care automation that normally requires specialist knowledge.

(3) μDD motor role in this mechanism

Compact force measurement often requires a compact actuator. A μDD motor helps keep the mechanism small while providing stable rotation for the motion required in the setup. Hollow-shaft designs also help with routing and integration when space is limited.

(4) Motor used

Reference

Kubota Laboratory website: http://www.crl.epi.dendai.ac.jp/
Research overview: View here
User: Tokyo Denki University, Igarashi Laboratory

Contact

If you share your required size, bore requirement, torque, and motion profile, we will recommend a suitable μDD motor and integration approach for your mechanism.