Notes
Diaphragms or membranes as it is sometimes called, form the basic
structural element of MEMS pressure sensors. They are easy to
fabricate, offer good dynamic response and can be used over a wide
range of pressures. To improve sensitivity and linearity of a flat
diaphragm, the center portion of the membrane is often made thicker
so as to form a bossed diaphragm as shown in the figure. Such a
diaphragm would exhibit higher stresses for the same deflection or
lower deflection for the same stress levels. This makes the bossed
design more linear when compared to a flat diaphragm. Also the thin
annular area allows concentration of stress to improve the
sensitivity of the device. It is particularly useful in sensing low
pressure signals. The boss also provides over load protection. The
boss ratio 'dbos/dmem' should be greater than 0.15 and thickness
ratio 'tbos/thc' should be greater than six for the boss to be
effective.
This design interface can be used to determine the maximum stress and deflection of a bossed round diaphragm. In this analysis the outer perimeter of the diaphragm is held firmly and a uniform pressure is applied from top. The applied pressure will deflect the diaphragm till the elastic forces balance the pressure. The maximum displacement of the boss is calculated. The radial stress at the outer perimeter and inner perimeter near the boss are same but opposite in sign. The maximum strain corresponds to the maximum radial stress.
The plot shows the deflection of the bossed diaphragm under pressure. The X axis gives the position from the center towards the outer perimeter for the top fiber of the diaphragm. The deflection flattens off where the boss starts. Using the cross hair tool, the defection at any distance from the center can be calculated.