Flex Sensor Specification and its Applications
The Flex Sensor is variable flexible carbon resistor. As a variable printed resistor, the Flex Sensor achieves great form-factor on a thin flexible substrate. When the substrate is bent, the sensor produces a resistance output correlated to the bend radius—the smaller the radius, the higher the resistance value.
Flex sensors are in two sizes.
A. 2.2 inch ( Model: FS-L-0055 ).
B. 4.5 inch.
Although the sizes are different the basic function remains the same.
They are also divided based on resistance.
There are LOW resistance, MEDIUM resistance and HIGH resistance types. Choose the appropriate type depending on requirement.
Flex sensor is a basically a variable resistor whose terminal resistance increases when the sensor is bent. So this sensor resistance increases depends on surface linearity.
So it is usually used to sense the changes in linearity.
FLEX SENSOR WORKING DETAILS:
Flex sensor is a completely linear it will be having its nominal resistance. When it is bent 45º angle the this resistance increases to twice as before.
And when the bent is 90º the resistance could go as high as four times the nominal resistance.
So the resistance across the terminals rises linearly with bent angle.
So in a sense the Flex sensor converts flex angle to resistance.For convenience we convert this resistance into voltage.
Voltage Divider Circuit Diagram:
In this resistive network we have two resistances. One is constant resistance (R1) and other is variable resistance (RV1).
Vo is the voltage at midpoint of VOLTAGE DIVIDER circuit and is also the output voltage. Vo is also the voltage across the variable resistance (RV1).
So when the resistance value of RV1 is changed the output voltage Vo also changes. So we will have resistance change in voltage change with VOLTAGE DIVIDER circuit.
PIN CONFIGURATIONS:
Basically Flex sensor is a two terminal resistor type. So it is not a polarized terminals like diode.
PIN-1: Connected to positive of power supply.
PIN-2: Connected to ground.
SPECIFICATIONS.
1. Operating voltage of FLEX SENSOR: 0-5V.
2. Can operate on LOW voltages
3. Power rating: 1/2 Watt, 1 Watt (peak)
4. Life: 1 million
5. Operating temperature: -45ºC to +80ºC
6. Flat Resistance: 25K Ω
7. Resistance Tolerance: ±30%
8. Bend Resistance Range:/45K to 125K Ohms(depending on bend)
APPLICATIONS:
A. Automotive controls.
B. Medical devices.
C. Industrial controls.
D. Computer peripherals.
E. Fitness products.
F. Musical instruments.
G. Measuring devices.
H. Virtual reality games.
I. Consumer products.
J. Physical therapy.
FLEX SENSOR WITH LCD AND SERVO MOTOR CIRCUIT:
