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An engineering challenge - speeder related

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BadMouth:


--- Quote from: Le Chuck on September 06, 2012, 03:53:02 pm ---
--- Quote from: MacGyver on September 06, 2012, 03:46:14 pm ---Just magnets.  Really strong neo-magnets?  So when they are near, they join, but can be split by a normal strength person to use them independently.

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What's to stop them from catching during independent use?  Seems like a hiccup with that would mess with gameplay.  Maybe electromagnets... that way there would be no extra moving parts, but again, would have to be under current the whole time and could potentially burn out.

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I gave a fair amount of thought to using a magnetic AC compressor clutch for a 360/270 degree steering wheel project.  :P
  Plenty strong enough, but they pull a LOT of current.  I was also afraid that having that strong of a magnet near the monitor/computer/user might lead to other issues.

Attached is my entry for worst drawing in paint.
I left some stuff out to keep it from looking too complicated.
The actuator would attach to the right axle.  The point where it attaches to the middle part would slip, so it doesn't push the center part, but just allows the spring to move it.
There would be a plate on the end of the middle part keyed in such a way that the left axle could only go in when they are lined up.
If the axles have less than 90 degrees of rotation, this might not even be a problem as there would only be one point where the two square pieces could slip together.


Le Chuck:

Makes sense.  I was just looking at some 2"dia electromagnets.  At 12v the hold is over 200lbs.  Threaded for 1/4".  Wondering how simple it would be to just pop one of those $50 bad boys on the end of one axle and but up a steel plate on the end of the other.  Don't know if it would stand up to the rotational forces, it'll hold but will it stop spin?  For that matter I'm sure I can find some pin solenoids that could do the trick (like the one on ebay linked previously) but I still really like the idea of a connection that is not subject to active current in either state.  Still, an axle mounted solenoid interfacing with a bracket on the other axle is a lot easier to implement than a motor driven sliding plate system with bearing supported sleeves.  Yech.  Hrm.  Option 5 anyone?

Le Chuck:

Looking at locking solenoids now.  I'm more comfortable with power consumption in the independent handle config since it will be less used (SWRA only), plus if it fails it locks and everything is still functional (more or less)

Update - Need to find a source for bistable solenoids.  Only need current on fire and aren't spring loaded.  Pretty schnazzy.  So far I just have spec sheets and no prices.  Tentatively stoked but somewhat intimidated by the complete lack of pricing data. 

PL1:

Here's another possibility that is bistable, doesn't matter if the handles are aligned when the switch occurs, and uses a linear actuator with a short throw.

The left throttle collar (green) and right throttle collar (blue) both turn independently of each other around the throttle axle. (yellow)

The coupling collar (gray) fits over and turns with the right throttle collar.  It has a spring loaded pin that goes through the right throttle collar

The linear actuator (light blue) has a screw head (red) on the end that passes through the curved red slot shown in the side view. The screw head and actuator shaft are both too large to pass through the slot.  Use a small bushing (not shown) to protect the threads of the screw.  The actuator is mounted to the speeder body and does not move with the throttles.

When the actuator extends, it pushes the coupling collar forward.  If the pin is not aligned with the hole in the left throttle collar, the spring is compressed until the handles are placed in the same position and the pin pops into place.


Scott

Edit: Updated attachment for greater clarity.

Le Chuck:

That's a fairly elegant solution, and given that I only have 60 degrees of handlebar movement is more than adequate.  It will require more machining but could use a very small LA.  Rather than deal with the curved slot I'd probably just mount the LA to the axle and affix the collar bushing to the LA directly.  I'll be contacting Kuhnke Controls tomorrow to check on the door locker solenoid but if that's a bust I'll probably work on a variant of what you displayed. 

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