Flex Sensor

Flex Sensor

In stock

A flex sensor is a simple component whose electrical resistance increases the more it’s bent.

Think of it as a variable resistor controlled by physical bending. When it’s straight, resistance is low. When it’s bent, resistance goes up.

Function: To measure bending or flexing.
How it’s used: It’s typically connected to a microcontroller (like an Arduino) to translate the bend into a readable value.
Common Applications: Robotics (especially for fingers on a robotic hand), virtual reality gloves, and interactive toys.

Brands:

A flex sensor is a simple electronic component that changes its resistance when it is bent. It’s essentially a variable resistor whose resistance increases in proportion to the degree of bend.

How it Works 🤔

A flex sensor is typically constructed with a surface coated in a carbon-based resistive material. When the sensor is straight, the carbon particles are close together, resulting in a lower resistance. As the sensor is bent, the resistive material stretches, pulling the carbon particles further apart and increasing the electrical resistance.

This change in resistance can be measured by a microcontroller (like an Arduino) to determine how much the sensor is being bent.

Key Features

Variable Resistance: The core property is its ability to change resistance based on physical bending.
Durability: They are generally robust and can withstand many bend cycles.
Simple Interface: They are easy to use in a circuit, often in a simple voltage divider setup.
Directional Bending: Most common flex sensors are designed to be bent in one direction. Bending them in the opposite direction can cause damage.

Typical Specifications

Flat Resistance: The resistance when the sensor is straight (e.g., ~10k Ohms).
Bent Resistance: The resistance at a 90-degree bend (e.g., ~22k Ohms). The range can vary significantly between different models.
Power Rating: The maximum power the sensor can handle, typically very low (e.g., 0.5 Watts).

Common Applications 🦾

Flex sensors are popular in projects related to:

Robotics and Prosthetics: To sense the position of robotic fingers, arms, or joints.
Virtual Reality (VR) and Gaming: Used in data gloves to translate hand and finger movements into a virtual environment.
Medical Devices: For measuring joint movement in physical therapy or creating assistive devices.
Musical Instruments: To create unique electronic instruments where bending a component changes the sound.
Human-Computer Interaction: As an intuitive way to provide input to a computer or device.