36. Piezo Sensor

This lesson uses: Arduino UNO R3 board, TinkerBlock TK59 Piezo-Ceramic Sensor module, jumper wires (or breadboard). Use analog input to read the piezo sensor; outcome: serial shows pressure/vibration value (0–1023); tapping or pressing increases the value.

1. Wiring

Connect TK59 Piezo-Ceramic Sensor to Arduino:

• GND → Arduino GND
• VCC → Arduino 5V
• SIGNAL → Arduino A0
• NC leave unconnected

2. New sketch

1. Arduino IDE: File → New (or Ctrl/Cmd + N) to create a blank sketch
2. Confirm board and port are selected (same as Lesson 01)
3. Type the code below into the default setup() and loop() yourself

3. Program structure

Same as last lesson: two fixed blocks setup() and loop().

• setup(): Start serial; runs once.
• loop(): Keep repeating “read analog value → print to serial → wait → repeat”.

Tap or press the piezo and the serial value will jump—upload and try.

4. Code to write

Type the code below into setup() and loop() (do not copy-paste; typing it yourself helps you remember):

// Piezo sensor on A0; pressure/vibration changes output voltage, ADC 0-1023
#define PIEZO_PIN A0

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  Serial.println("Piezo sensor program started");
}

void loop() {
  int val = analogRead(PIEZO_PIN);   // Read A0; more pressure/vibration = higher value
  Serial.print("Pressure: ");
  Serial.println(val);
  delay(100);   // Poll every 100 ms
}

Program notes

Overall idea: Piezo generates voltage when pressed or vibrated; the module conditions it and A0 reads it; higher value = stronger pressure/vibration. This lesson only prints the raw value; you can use it for thresholds or simple strength comparison.

5. Hands-on

1. After entering the code, click Verify (✓) to compile
2. Click Upload (→) to upload to the board
3. Open Serial Monitor (Tools → Serial Monitor, baud 9600)
4. Watch serial: current pressure value
5. Tap or press the sensor and see the value change

Expected result:

Serial monitor:

Piezo sensor program started
Pressure: 125
Pressure: 132
Pressure: 589
...

Tapping or pressing increases the value. As in the figure.

Note: TK96 Mechanical Key LED is different (key + LED); you can try it.

Proceed to Lesson 37.

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