Measuring Bend Angle using a Flex Sensor Circuit

Flex sensor is a small strip that changes resistance when we bend it.

When straight, resistance is low.

When bent, resistance becomes high.

Many projects use this sensor.

It is used in robots, gloves, gaming, medical tools and wearables.

Sensor works simple with more bend gives more resistance.

Flex Sensor Output Voltage Comparison Graph:

Circuit Working:

Parts List:

Flex sensor is like a resistor.

When we bend it, the material stretches.

Resistance goes up.

Microcontroller cannot read resistance directly.

So we use a voltage divider.

Flex sensor and a fixed resistor make a divider.

The divider gives changing voltage when sensor bends.

This voltage is easy to read by Arduino or meter.

How to Build:

For Measuring Bend Angle using a Flex Sensor Circuit follow the below steps:

• Take all the parts as shown in circuit diagram.
• Flex sensor pin 1 goes to 5V.
• Flex sensor pin 2 joins with one side of 15k resistor.
• Other side of resistor goes to ground.
• The join point gives output voltage.
• This output goes to multimeter positive or Arduino analog pin.
• Ground of meter or Arduino goes to ground.

Conclusion:

Flex sensor is simple to use.

When it bends, resistance changes.

With a voltage divider, we get a changing voltage.

This voltage shows how much bend happens.

It is cheap and very common in motion and gesture projects.

Good for beginners and useful in many electronics ideas.

References:

Flex sensor bending angle and the corresponding sensor resistance.