Hi
I hope someone can help me in my search for a very specific part - or maybe advise an alternative way to achieve the same with other means.
So, in short I am looking for a potentiometer with a center detent - but would like to have one that is spring loaded in both directions.
Meaning that if I turn to one side and release it I want it to snap back to the center detent. Naturally the same for the other side as well.
I have searched a lot but have not been able to find anything except spring loaded switches. But that is not what I am searching for.
Thinking old motorized tuners would use something like that.
Alternatively, if there is an easy way to create/attach a spring load mechanism - but remember working both directions then that would potentially
be even better if I that way was also able to adjust how strong the springs could be.
Hope someone has a great idea.
Thanks
I hope someone can help me in my search for a very specific part - or maybe advise an alternative way to achieve the same with other means.
So, in short I am looking for a potentiometer with a center detent - but would like to have one that is spring loaded in both directions.
Meaning that if I turn to one side and release it I want it to snap back to the center detent. Naturally the same for the other side as well.
I have searched a lot but have not been able to find anything except spring loaded switches. But that is not what I am searching for.
Thinking old motorized tuners would use something like that.
Alternatively, if there is an easy way to create/attach a spring load mechanism - but remember working both directions then that would potentially
be even better if I that way was also able to adjust how strong the springs could be.
Hope someone has a great idea.
Thanks
The spring would probably need to be longer than drawn to avoid a big change of spring tension when rotating the pot.
By changing the upper spring holding point you can adjust the spring tension.
Make sure to add pot axle bearings to counteract the spring load, otherwise the pot mechanism will quickly wear out.
By changing the upper spring holding point you can adjust the spring tension.
Make sure to add pot axle bearings to counteract the spring load, otherwise the pot mechanism will quickly wear out.
Thank you - but must ask, does a metal "attachment device" exist that can be mounted to the potentiometers peg?
Or do I have to create one ?
Also, I assume that I would need to use a pot with a metal peg. Now ALPS makes them but are way overkill for my
application. Any recommendations to brands that uses metal pegs/rod or whatever the twist thing is called.
The plastic ones would not hold up over time with the stress - at least my guess.
Or do I have to create one ?
Also, I assume that I would need to use a pot with a metal peg. Now ALPS makes them but are way overkill for my
application. Any recommendations to brands that uses metal pegs/rod or whatever the twist thing is called.
The plastic ones would not hold up over time with the stress - at least my guess.
What's the application for this?
EDIT: Only asking because it sounds like a classic "XY-problem" 🙂 https://sketchplanations.com/the-xy-problem
EDIT: Only asking because it sounds like a classic "XY-problem" 🙂 https://sketchplanations.com/the-xy-problem
That spring will work but there's room for improvement. The main problem I see is that the spring is the weakest the closest it is to the middle position and maybe too strong at the ends of the pot twist. It would be quite an improvement to give the spring arm a counterpart at 180°, turn it 90° and let both arms have a spring each in the same direction. The arm which goes towards the spring will not get any tension (spring max relaxed) but the other arm/spring will.
Application: Tiller. For flight simulator together with some sort of USB controller - Arduino or something likewise
Ah, okay. If you're using a microcontroller, then there's a much more elegant solution than a pot. Why don't you use a light hole disk and a light barrier (like the old computer mice with the ball), that got a lot less wear and tear and much more freedom for any springs or mechanics.
My first thought where two springs - each pulling in opposite direction mounted at a 45-90 degree angle - something close to that.
Simply to avoid a sluggish center but I assumed a ready made solution could also exist and be a lot better than a 3D printed box with
springs - hence my question.
Simply to avoid a sluggish center but I assumed a ready made solution could also exist and be a lot better than a 3D printed box with
springs - hence my question.
light hole disk and a light barrier? How would I get the return to center function? Would a HAL sensor then not be better?
Only issue is that I have zero experience with rotary encoders - guessing it is much like a pot but would need to read up on it.
Especially when using with Arduino module and coding it..
Especially when using with Arduino module and coding it..
definitely.
I just remembered analog radio control transmitter control levers, connetced to a pot. those would do exactly what you want.
have a look:
https://www.amazon.de/Analoger-Joystick-Potentiometer-Controller-Steuerung/dp/B08H8MTGBH
or do a google search for "analog joystick".
Thanks - but to me it looks like a joystick. How do you rotate it? Just like a twist function? Not sure it would be ideal, but will search for the analog radio control lever and see if I find something.. Alternatively - maybe it would be easier finding a joystick with twist function and strip it..
Well, it's cheaper if you just take a mouse with a wheel.. ..and we're at the light barrier again 😀
back in the 90ties a dutch company emerged that built a large digital desk around a motorized rotary encoder. The motor , on the same shaft as the encoder was programmed to behave at choice.1 turn and the endstops were just the motor driven at maximum force. also indents were programmable. so all pots had the same hardware, but the software determined thier behaviour. I believe they sold a desk to a german radio station. I was difficult to find a motor that had enough torque without the gears and backlash.
That's not an issue of the torque, they either have implemented a slipping clutch (way easier than it sounds) or just installed a mechanical stop. Neither is expensive nor difficult.
they also could implement 3 turn pots, or any amount of turns. the concept was extremely flexible. the motor had so much torque that that it felt like an endstop.