What is a Digital inclinometer?

A digital inclinometer is one of the angle meters used to measure angles, and uses a digital liquid crystal display for the display. Unlike analog, you can set an arbitrary position as a reference and measure the angle with respect to the reference. It enables high measurement accuracy and wide measurement range required for research and industrial use. Therefore, it is used for plumbing work, drainage work, construction work of steel structures, etc. There are two main types of angle measurement methods, one that utilizes MEMS technology and the other that utilizes the inclination of the electrolyte.

Application of Digital inclinometer

Cutting/construction site
Digital inclinometers are used to accurately measure the angle of the drill at the cutting site. Maintaining accurate angles prevents deviations in the cutting direction and enables safe and efficient work.
At construction sites, it is used to measure the angle of cranes. Accurate angle measurement ensures a safe working environment and allows you to easily measure horizontal and vertical steel frames and piping.

solar panel
It is used to measure the angle of solar panels and track the sun. This allows efficient charging.

Other uses
Digital inclinometers are used for horizontal and vertical adjustment when installing precision machinery, measuring instruments, and distribution boards. It is also used to measure robot arm angles.

In the medical field, it is used to measure the angle of rotating objects in CT and X-ray machines, and to position a patient's bed, helping to determine the exact location of a lesion.

Principle of digital inclinometer

MEMS method
Tilt sensors using MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) technology have electrodes placed inside a sealed chamber. There are fixed electrodes and movable electrodes, and the movable electrodes are supported by springs.
The capacitance when the sensor is horizontal is used as a reference, and when the position of the movable electrode changes due to tilting, the capacitance also changes. Calculate this change as an angle.

Electrolyte method
A tilt sensor using electrolyte technology has two pairs of electrodes attached to the bottom of a chamber, which is filled with an electrolyte. When a voltage is applied, a current flows, and by tilting the chamber, the liquid level changes and the current distribution field also changes.
The conductivity of the electrolyte is constant, and the resistance value fluctuates with changes in the liquid level. The electrolyte method has no moving parts, so it is highly durable, and the electrodes are protected by the electrolyte, so they do not corrode.

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