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mpm32:
I'm doing an LED project and I am trying to design a switch for it.
It will be a 2'x2' box 6" high with a plexi top. I ordered 5m smd5050 rgb flex led light strips.
I will install the light strips on a board and install that with the lights facing up into the box 1" below the plexi top.
Here's where the switch comes in; I want the lights to turn on when the box is stepped on.
I have thought of a couple of ideas.
- just mount an arcade button into the plexi and step on that to get the lights to turn on
- mount an arcade button switch or leaf switch inside and somehow make a rod the extends out of the bottom slightly that activates the switch once the box is stepped on. I'd like to go in this direction but the rod would need to hold up the weight of the box so it doesn't trigger until the box is stepped on. Springs and such would be used but I'm stuck on the implementation.
- make a switch out of some brass shim stock that I have.
Any other ideas?
yotsuya:
I like your way of thinking...
Le Chuck:
Seems to me you could browse a bunch of DIY DDR Pad builds and get a good take on what's doable.
http://blog.allthingsgeek.com/article/index/index/id/5/page/1#.UYnVzcrc92o
http://www.inventgeek.com/projects/dancepad1/OverView.aspx
Or just think about the last ten years of war news coverage and build a simple pressure plate like what is commonly found along the scenic roadways of the middle east. Two metal plates with an insulated spring separating them.
Ond:
Build your 2x2 box with a rebate around the inner edge the same depth as the plexi. Drill holes in the rebate near each each corner to accept a rubber grommet. The grommets sit slightly proud of the rebate by a small fraction of an inch. Then place the plexi into the 'frame' and use a very slight flex in the plexi itself to trigger thin contact strips (or micro switches) on at least two inside edges . Use at least two switches in parallel to ensure triggering regardless of foot placement.
Go a step further, Wire two or more Led "looms" to separate circuits i.e. one per switch and get different colors lighting up depending on where you stand! :P
Use a diffusing material (thick PVC) below the plexi to get a smooth, even diffusion of light.
This of course assumes the plexi is reasonably springy and will tolerate repeated (but a very small) amount of flex without cracking.
mpm32:
--- Quote from: yotsuya on May 07, 2013, 04:51:35 pm ---I like your way of thinking...
--- End quote ---
Very close - lol. I'm building ego boxes for my band.
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