Research on a Precision Calibration Model of a Flexible Strain Sensor Based on a Variable Section Cantilever Beam

• Published in: Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2023-05, Vol.23 (10), p.4778
• Main Authors: Wang, Qi, Cui, Jianjun, Tang, Yanhong, Pang, Liang, Chen, Kai, Zhang, Baowu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Boundary conditions; Calibration; calibration model; Cantilever beams; Deformation; Deviation; Electrons; flexible sensor; large deflection; Measurement; Measuring instruments; Sensors; strain; variable section cantilever beam
• ISSN: 1424-8220; 1424-8220
• DOI: 10.3390/s23104778

The flexible strain sensor's measuring range is usually over 5000 με, while the conventional variable section cantilever calibration model has a measuring range within 1000 με. In order to satisfy the calibration requirements of flexible strain sensors, a new measurement model was proposed to solve the inaccurate calculation problem of the theoretical strain value when the linear model of a variable section cantilever beam was applied to a large range. The nonlinear relationship between deflection and strain was established. The finite element analysis of a variable section cantilever beam with ANSYS shows that the linear model's relative deviation is as high as 6% at 5000 με, while the relative deviation of the nonlinear model is only 0.2%. The relative expansion uncertainty of the flexible resistance strain sensor is 0.365% (k = 2). Simulation and experimental results show that this method solves the imprecision of the theoretical model effectively and realizes the accurate calibration of a large range of strain sensors. The research results enrich the measurement models and calibration models for flexible strain sensors and contribute to the development of strain metering.