A capacitive angular sensor with flexible digitated electrodes. Issue 4 (19th August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Krkljes, Damir B.; Vasiljević, Dragana; Stojanovic, Goran M.; Loughlin, Clive; Loughlin, Clive
• Is Part Of: Sensor review. Volume 34:Issue 4(2014)
• Publication Date: 2014-08-19
• Subjects: Sensor systems -- Periodicals; Detectors -- Industrial applications -- Periodicals; Engineering instruments -- Periodicals; 681.2
• DOI: 10.1108/SR-08-2012-683
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0260-2288

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec sec-type="purpose"> <title>Purpose</title> <p>This paper presents a prototype of а capacitive angular-position sensor which exploits advantages of flexible/printed electronics. The novelty of the sensor is that the capacitor structure is placed at the circumference of the rotor and stator, that it posses two channels (capacitor structures) electrically shifted for π/4 and that the rotor is common for both channels. The electrodes of the sensing capacitor are digitated, that way providing a triangular transfer function. </p> </sec> <sec sec-type="design|methodology|approach"> <title>Design/methodology/approach</title> <p>This sensor prototype consists of two flexible inkjet printed silver electrodes forming a cylindrical capacitor structure. One of them is wrapped around the stator and another wrapped around the rotor part of a simple mechanical platform used to precisely adjust the angular displacement.</p> </sec> <sec sec-type="findings"> <title>Findings</title> <p>The capacitance as a function of angular position was measured using an LCZ Meter and results are presented for a full turn measurement range. The experimental results are compared with analytical ones and very good agreement has been achieved.</p> </sec> <sec sec-type="originality|value"> <title>Originality/value</title> <p>The proposed capacitive sensor structure can be used as an absolute or an incremental encoder with different resolution and it can be applied in automotive industry or robotics.</p> </sec> </abstract>