Need help with actuating a design.

[xxguitarist]

Hi all, here is a prototype. This is a pop-up gauge pod for a car, and I need some assistance in making it work!
I'm open to gas springs, torsional springs, rotary dampers, servos, linear actuators ETC. Though I prefer for the system to be self-locking at the raised and lowered positions. If not, I can use a push-to-release latch.

Here is a video of the movement. Essentially, it pivots around the back.
The space around it is limited, so I cannot mount an actuator far down on the back section of the non-moving frame to generate the moment I'd like to.
Bounce some ideas off of me.

 

[eromlignod]

How do you want to initiate the pop up? Manually (push to open, push to close; toggle in and out)? Electrically (button or automatic control)?

Don
Kansas City

 

[jistre]

What would be nice here is a couple of gas springs like you would see on the rear glass of an SUV paired with a push-to-close/push-to-open catch that is robust enough to hold against the springs and durable enough to not fall apart.

Then, you push on the top of it to disengage the catch and the gas springs smoothly pivot the cluster up. When you're ready to close it, you just push on the top of the cluster and pivot it back down into the push-to-close latch.

 

[xxguitarist]

I may see if I can make an L bracket to give a better angle of leverage than I'd come up with before.. not sure if I have space.
I agree that gas springs would be nice, and that was my original idea, but now I'm tending towards a linear actuator with a switch.
Have any sources for small relatively inexpensive linear actuators? Something in the scale of 2-3 inches fully extended?

 

[jistre]

To finish this off, all I'll say about electric actuation is that it's one more bit of complexity to go wrong and one more drain on the electrical system of the vehicle. If it works, and it's elegant, though, go for it!

 

[eromlignod]

Have you taken a look at how they actuate hidden headlights? It might give you some ideas.

I'm thinking you need to use a cheap stepper motor and either a screw mechanism or a spring-loaded rack and pinion. You just need to produce some pulses with a chopper drive based on time. There shouldn't be any need for feedback.

Don
Kansas City

 

[TheTick]

Servo motor and crank arm and you're there. That, or a motor and rack-and-pinion. Don't make it more complicated than necessary.

There is plenty of precedent for manual pop-up stuff like this.

 

[xxguitarist]

I'm leaning towards a 2 bar linkage, one attached to the servo, then an arm which is attached to the lid.

Need some help with a simple toggle-style control for the servo, though. Should I head over to the EE section, or does anyone here have some suggestions there?

 

[kenre]

I have seen some popup headlights/covers that are vacuum operated.

Theres another idea for u , plenty of vaccuum units in climate controls.

http://www.retallickeng.com.au

Was told it couldnt be done, so
i went and did it!

 

[HEC]

Links and cam with a latch at each end of the movement would be an option. Using a cam would aleviate the problems of over run for the motor and reduce control requirements. Looks interesting though, let us know what you finally end up with.

Mark Hutton