Autovalve using the new PF Servo Motor

[alpin-ingenieur]

Hi there :)

since the first pictures and videos of the new PF servo motor are available on the net, I was thinking about its possibility to use it for a pneumatic autovalve. Previously I posted some ideas in the german Doktor Brick Community - and I don't want to keep it back from you :)

Just to remind you, as I wrote in my short introduction, I use the SR 3D Builder for developing my ideas and concepts due to a lack of time, money and bricks.

So here it is, my autovalve using the servo motor. Actually there are two versions, one of 9x3x7 LE (autovalve03) and one of 11x3x6 LE (LxWxH) (autovalve04). I chose a 1:3 gear ratio as I wanted to use the standard remote control which turns the servo only +/- 90°. With the gear reduction I won't stress the pneumatic switch too much

Many many thanks to The Mind from the Dr. Brick Community for testing and filming

The first images are v.03 with the servo attached upside down - the violet parts should symbolize the motor's connections.

autovalve03-01 von alpin-ingenieur

autovalve03-02 von alpin-ingenieur

autovalve03-03 von alpin-ingenieur

autovalve03-04 von alpin-ingenieur

autovalve03-05 von alpin-ingenieur

The last two images are for v.s04 where the motor is attached with its front face.

autovalve04-01 von alpin-ingenieur

autovalve04-02 von alpin-ingenieur

Thanks for watching :)

So long,

Boris

Edited July 3, 2012 by alpin-ingenieur

[DLuders]

@ alpin-ingenieur: Welcome to Eurobricks! I found your Doktor Brick Community topic (in the original German), and saw your pictures of your Lego Power Functions Autovalve there. I also saw The Mind's AVI video too, and his pictures of the Power Functions Servo Motor connected to your Autovalve design:

[alpin-ingenieur]

Yeah, The Mind did great testing on my ideas, I really appreciate his work!!!

His version is much smaller because he does not use any gear reduction. IMHO that's fine, when you use the big speed remote control where you can access certain positions (proportional use). In my case, I wanted to develop a design for its use with the standard remote control :)

Anyhow, there are a large number of possible solutions for autovalves. The more people are thinking of this, the better the result will be :)

So long

Boris

P.S.: thank you for the warm welcome :)

Edited July 3, 2012 by alpin-ingenieur

[timslegos]

Your design is very compact. I am a little disappointed at the huge size of the servo motor, but I will definitely use your idea!

tim

[alpin-ingenieur]

@timslegos: hey thank you, that's cool! Please let me know how it works - as in my head it's already doing its job pictures would be nice ;)

[Parax]

The first images are v.03 with the servo attached upside down - the violet parts should symbolize the motor's connections.

Does that 8 tooth fit there, isn't there a clearance issue?

P.

[alpin-ingenieur]

At the german Dr. Brick Community we discussed the same question - The Mind was pretty confident, that it should fit. Unfortunately I can't check it out by myself, as I don't have the servo motor on hand... May anyone with the servo please try this?

[efferman]

i have tried it a minute ago, and it doesnt fit

[alpin-ingenieur]

Thank you effe for testing!! I'll think about it tonight, maybe I write them guys at TLG

[ciken]

for the second auto valve you need to dismantel this part Electric RC Race Buggy Steering Unit

[SNIPE]

if the gap between two holes using a 24 tooth gear on one hole is 1L then an 8 tooth gear will work, if it is 0.5L then this could work

or else you can use a 24 tooth crown gear which is a tiny tiny bit smaller than a 24 tooth spur gear.

OR use a smaller gear instead of the 24 tooth and something like a 10 tooth double conical gear with that

[Alasdair Ryan]

for the second auto valve you need to dismantel this part Electric RC Race Buggy Steering Unit

Do those steering units return to center and can thay be powered by a 9v cable?

Edited July 4, 2012 by Alasdair Ryan

[SNIPE]

I think there is nothing wrong with using lego element parts, it is still lego and is needed to solve problems I don't know why lego purists are against it when it already is pure.

that steering unit part could be useful as I think something like an axle connector or bush can fit in the notch on the bottom, I had to double check here to see what it was, I thought it was a new part used in the new dirt crawler set or something.

Edited July 4, 2012 by SNIPE

[ciken]

Do those steering units return to center and can thay be powered by a 9v cable?

yes it has return to center bu tyou c'ant power it with te 9v cable you need this to use itElectric RC Race Buggy Battery/RC Receiver Unit with Auxiliary Output

[Philo]

Another version...

[Alasdair Ryan]

I think that need's be geared down a bit .It sounds like the motor is struggling,not a lot but i no not like the 'long flat noise' as you turn the valve.

[GuiliuG]

I don't see why it is struggling as the red beam is turn at 90°. BTW, very clever idea because it's very compact and don't need any gear !

[Philo]

I think the noise is normal, caused by servo regulation. Note also that I was using the proportional output of rechargeable battery box, so transitions are not steep and clean. Maybe I'll re-shoot the video using IR remote.

[kieran]

Looks good to me, just so big, not the design that is small and very well done but the motor its self. I can imagine the size of the finished model if it needed say 3 of these would be quite large

[AVCampos]

Still, it's a lot more compact and controllable than current solutions that use regular motors.

[allanp]

It also has the benefit of not stalling the motor.

[timslegos]

Beautifully compact design. This is much more compact than other versions and much more usable in MOC's.

tim

[dhc6twinotter]

I think I'm going to try to use the new servo motors for my forwarder project. I'll just have to see how much 3 of them will cost. I'm taking a road-trip for 4 months and won't be around my LEGO, so hopefully the motors will be available to purchase by the time I get back to my LEGO.