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Topic starter
2020-08-11 9:33 pm
I have a Project in mind to use a joystick to control 3 linear actuators and speed control for a motor. The starting point for each function will be from the centre point of the Joystick. moving the joy stick to the left one actuator will move out, when I move the joystick to the centre the actuator will go back to starting position. even when the joystick is only being moved a fraction of travel the actuator has to mimic those movements. The same goes for back motion of the actuator. It should only move just as far as I move the joystick and back when moving towards centre position.
following function are needed. Joystick forward speed increases. Joystick Left from centre moves actuator to left And same for the right actuator. Same For the 3rd actuator, with the back motion from joystick, the 3rd actuator will move in and out.
My question is, can those functions be done with a analog joystick and a UNO.
travel for the linear actuators are very short, would I be better off Using strong servo motors.
your comments would be apriciated.
thanks
Fritz Peyerl
High River Alberta
Canada
2020-08-13 12:37 pm
What is the voltage input and current requirements for the actuators ?
What is the output of the joystick ?
Topic starter
2020-08-13 2:10 pm
Voltage Of the actuators will be 12volt and a max Amp will be 3 Am
out put of the Joystick is analog 10k resistor.
Fritz
2020-08-13 7:19 pm
So basically you move the joystick half way to maximum you want the actuator to move halfway to its max travel ?
When you let go of the joystick it returns to center (centre in your case), the actuator returns to it's initial
position ?
What is the output voltage of the joystick when fully engaged and the voltage when centered ?
And confirm for me how the actuator moves. Is their a inch/sec (cm/sec) spec'd out for it. So if 12v is applied for 1 seconds it moves 1 inch, 2 seconds 2 inches etc ... or something different.
Topic starter
2020-08-14 2:05 am
Hi, thanks again for your interest
you got the idea, from the joystick centre, moving forward will control speed of the motor, moving backwards the brake actuator or even only a servo motor will pull the brake caliber. Moving left and right the steering actuators will move in and out. One will push and the other one will pull and back to centre, when the joystick bounces back to centre. When the joystick is in centre position, the steering actuators will be half extended. The break actuators will be extended and when the joystick is pulled back, the actuator will retracted.
the movement of the actuators are not spec’d out yet.
I have to check on the voltage for the joystick.
I have to build a mock up and take some measurements.
i am right now at the planing stage and hope this project will work.
I am totally open to any suggestions and components.
you might wonder, what the project is. I am a volunteer with an organization which design and build equipment for physically and mentally challenged people at no charge.
At this moment, I converted a really good pedal trike to electric, but the girl is loosing muscle power and has a hard time steering and using the brakes.
she is very good handling her electric wheelchair and joy stick, but she wants to be out with her friends on bike trails and not sit in a wheelchair. That way she feels more like a normal child and gains independent.
Fritz
2020-08-14 2:52 am
I think I have a better idea now. So the forward position is speed , left and right controls turning left and right by some steering mechanism. And backwards controls braking. So I would need the output voltage of the joystick and what you are using for a motor controller and the type of motor. Also what you are using to stop the motor (what backwards on the joystick will actually controll)
So the forward of the joystick will output a voltage that can be read by the ADC and that can be mapped
to a frequency or voltage to control the speed of the motor.
I don't know what your using for turning so i'll need more info, but again it will be a conversion from voltage
to whatever your actuator needs.
So you will have to let me know what mechanics you plan on using to get the control electronics /software worked out.
Topic starter
2020-08-14 3:34 am
I will try to figure out all the components, I would like to use and I will send you a list.
i also will set up the joystick and check the voltages.
if we could get of this board and use our e mail, I can send you all the info and pictures of the trike and Show you how I will implement the steering.
it will take me a few days to figure out what actuators, I think I should get.
the Motor voltage is 36Volt and is a brushless Motor. I know I have to step down the Voltage to run the Actuators and electronic.
Fritz
fpeyerl@telus.net