DIY Bending Resistor
Surely those who are interested in electronics and microcontroller programming have heard about the bend sensor, which changes its resistance depending on the degree of its bend. Today I will talk about how you can make such a bend sensor (resistor) with your own hands .
When I needed such a sensor, the first thing I did was to go and find it on Ampere . But the price, 890 rubles per piece (this is the price for the 95mm long sensor) did not work for me and then a great idea came to my mind creating a sensor that will not be very different in principle from the purchased one, but will cost me much less. The principle of its operation is based on a photoresistor and a LED. The light from the LED will be supplied to the photoresistor through a silicone tube, and when it is bent, the light will fall in smaller quantities, and hence the resistance will change at the output of the photoresistor. With the help of such sensors you can create your own interesting projects. For example, with the help of 5 such sensors, it was not difficult for me to make my “sensory glove”.
')
For the manufacture of such a sensor, we need:
Consumables will cost you about 30 rubles. Prices may vary slightly depending on the store where you will buy components.
Such a sensor is going to be very simple. First you need to cut a piece of silicone tube of the length you need (the sensor works fine with a tube length in the range from 3 to 13 cm). Then, on one side, insert the photoresistor, and on the other side, the LED. Then wrap the tube, with the LED and photoresistor already inserted, with electrical tape, preferably black or heat shrink. After that, you need to solder the current-limiting resistor to the LED, and pull up to the photoresistor. Connecting it to the same Arduino, you just need to connect the photoresistor and the LED between 5V and ground (GND), through resistors, and read the readings in place of the soldering of the photoresistor and the pull-up resistor.
Pros:
Minuses:
For those who need / will be interested to see my video on the assembly of this sensor - specially recorded video:
And here is a link to the sketch for the Arduino IDE with an example of connecting the sensor to the Arduino UNO, uploaded to Google Drive.
I wish you all good luck and fresh ideas.
Idea
When I needed such a sensor, the first thing I did was to go and find it on Ampere . But the price, 890 rubles per piece (this is the price for the 95mm long sensor) did not work for me and then a great idea came to my mind creating a sensor that will not be very different in principle from the purchased one, but will cost me much less. The principle of its operation is based on a photoresistor and a LED. The light from the LED will be supplied to the photoresistor through a silicone tube, and when it is bent, the light will fall in smaller quantities, and hence the resistance will change at the output of the photoresistor. With the help of such sensors you can create your own interesting projects. For example, with the help of 5 such sensors, it was not difficult for me to make my “sensory glove”.
Required materials and their approximate cost
')
For the manufacture of such a sensor, we need:
- Photoresistor - 3p. (I ordered on ebay 50pcs. for 150r.)
- LED - 3p.
- Silicone tube from a catheter - 6p. (Sold in at the pharmacy)
- Black insulating tape / shrinking - 10p.
- Current limiting resistor (220 Ohm) - 2p.
- Pull-up resistor (10 kΩ) - 2p.
Consumables will cost you about 30 rubles. Prices may vary slightly depending on the store where you will buy components.
Assembly
Such a sensor is going to be very simple. First you need to cut a piece of silicone tube of the length you need (the sensor works fine with a tube length in the range from 3 to 13 cm). Then, on one side, insert the photoresistor, and on the other side, the LED. Then wrap the tube, with the LED and photoresistor already inserted, with electrical tape, preferably black or heat shrink. After that, you need to solder the current-limiting resistor to the LED, and pull up to the photoresistor. Connecting it to the same Arduino, you just need to connect the photoresistor and the LED between 5V and ground (GND), through resistors, and read the readings in place of the soldering of the photoresistor and the pull-up resistor.
Pros and cons of such a sensor
Pros:
- Low cost
- Simple assembly
- Good linear sensor readings
- Availability of consumables
Minuses:
- Poor mechanical resistance (often required to straighten the tube)
- The linearity of the sensor readings is still not perfect.
Conclusion
For those who need / will be interested to see my video on the assembly of this sensor - specially recorded video:
And here is a link to the sketch for the Arduino IDE with an example of connecting the sensor to the Arduino UNO, uploaded to Google Drive.
I wish you all good luck and fresh ideas.
Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/225111/
All Articles