Angular displacement measurement  - Flex Sensor - Low Cost Option

Compact and elegant membrane sensors provides cost effective solution for angular displacement measurement

Variohm EuroSensor has introduced a new low-cost angle displacement sensor from Spectra Symbol, the USA based leader in membrane sensing technology, that registers a resistance change depending on the amount of bend radius induced in the sensor. 

Currently used in applications as far-reaching as finger location for gaming gloves to displacement sensing in fitness equipment, the single-piece Flex Sensor provides a cost-competitive, compact and altogether elegant position sensing solution where a bending motion is applied to a device. At less than 0.5 mm thick and with footprint dimensions of 74 mm x 6.35 mm, the standard Flex Sensor has an active length of 55 mm and a nominal 25 kΩ resistance when in a flat position. Normally fixed by an integral self-adhesive backing to allow the sensor to bend freely through a typical angle of 90 degrees, the sensor's bend resistance increases in correlation to the bend angle to an upper value between 45 kΩ and 125 kΩ with excellent repeatability. Other versions of the Flex Sensor, with longer active length and application matched resistance values, are available on request. With added external control the resistive output can be arranged to provide a simple voltage divider with sensitivity adjustment or other output state features such as threshold switching. The thin membrane construction is both resilient and durable and can be used within a temperature range of -35ºC to +80ºC for an operational life rating of over 1 million movements. Variohm EuroSensor supplies the Flex Sensor along with a wide range of membrane-type linear position sensors from Spectra Symbol that includes contacting and non-contacting devices for stroke sensing of lengths of up to 1000 mm. 

The range is characterised by competitive cost, high performance and ease of installation for applications from medical devices to automotive.