Determining the direction of rotation of a wheel

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around designing a system to determine the direction of rotation of a wheel, specifically focusing on sensor solutions that do not rely on a flywheel. Participants explore various sensor types and methods for detecting rotation direction.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests using Hall effect sensors with quadrature output but notes the requirement for an encoder wheel or flywheel teeth, which may not be suitable for their application.
  • Another participant proposes a method using an S-R flip flop and Hall switches activated by a magnet attached to the wheel, suggesting that the duration the LED remains lit could indicate the direction of rotation.
  • A different participant expresses uncertainty about how the proposed sensor would function without a clear understanding of what it would be sensing.
  • Another idea is introduced involving an optical mouse, which could potentially detect movement by interpreting the motion of a surface beneath it, suggesting a stationary mouse on a moving surface could provide directional output.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple competing views and methods for determining the direction of rotation, with no consensus on a single solution or approach. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the most effective method.

Contextual Notes

Participants express concerns about the suitability of certain sensors for their specific applications, highlighting limitations related to the absence of a flywheel and the need for robust solutions. There are also uncertainties regarding the functionality of proposed methods.

MattNew
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Homework Statement



Hello All.
I am trying to design a system to determine the direction of rotation of a wheel.
I do not have access to a flywheel but only the wheels inner face.
Can anyone please recommend a sesnor or soultion to help me?
Many thanks

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I have found a few hall effect sesnors with a quadrature output, which I should be able to use but unfortunatley they all seem to require like an encoder wheel or flywheel teeth. There are some ICs that do this but nothing that is roust enough for my application.
 
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There is a possible way of doing this easily. I haven't tried it (I just thought of it), but it seems like it would work.

Make a S-R flip flop and put a LED on the Q output of it.

Glue a strong magnet to the wheel.

Have two Hall switches near each other and near the magnet when it passes. Only one Hall switch should turn on at a time.

Connect one Hall switch to the SET input and one to the RESET input of the S-R flipflop.

Whenever the magnet passes the SET Hall switch, the LED lights up. When it passes the RESET Hall switch, the light goes out.

Now, if you turn the wheel one way, the light will turn on and the wheel will rotate nearly all the way around before it goes out. If you turn it the other way, the light will come on briefly but only stay on for a short time until the magnet reaches the RESET Hall switch and this turns the LED off.
So, the lamp will be almost fully lit in one direction of the motor and almost fully off in the other direction.
 
Hello vk6kro, and many thanks for you reply!

You are right in what you are saying.
I am using a PIC on the back end of this so I think if i had the 2 quadrature outouts from the sensor then I can interpret them ok.
Its just that this sensor is primarily a speed sensor based on a flywheel, and I am not sure it will suit just having access to a metallic stud or magnet

Please see link for closest switch I could find
http://sensing.honeywell.com/index.cfm/ci_id/146644/la_id/1/document/1/re_id/0
BY using the lead/lag of these 2 waveforms I shoud be able to determine rotation.
 
I'm not sure how that would work. What would the sensor be sensing?

I had another idea. An optical mouse can tell if it is being moved up or down on a surface. So what if the surface was moving and the mouse was stationary?
The mouse would give outputs as if it was moving.
 

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