Help -- Linear to rotary motion, cw and ccw direction

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenge of converting linear motion from actuators into rotary motion for a vehicle project, specifically focusing on achieving both clockwise (CW) and counterclockwise (CCW) wheel movement based on control signals. The scope includes practical applications and mechanical design considerations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a project involving a vehicle that uses linear actuators powered by compressed air, expressing difficulty in achieving bidirectional rotary motion for the wheels.
  • Another participant suggests using a rotary air motor as a simpler alternative to achieve the desired motion.
  • A different participant proposes investigating mechanisms used in old steam locomotives for converting linear motion to rotary motion, indicating potential applicability to the current project.
  • One participant raises concerns about the feasibility of using a single linear actuator, noting the possibility of it getting stuck at a dead center, while also endorsing the previous suggestion about steam locomotive mechanisms.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the best approach to achieve the desired motion, with no consensus reached on a specific mechanism or solution. Multiple competing ideas are presented without resolution.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully explored the assumptions behind their proposed solutions, and there may be unresolved technical details regarding the mechanisms discussed.

Fphy91
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Hello,im doing a home project. I have an idea to make a venchile which will move back and forward as well as turn. Its something that i will be able to control with control device,if i press forward it goes forward etc. The thing is that i want to make it with linear actuators,cylinders(compressed air as power source). I haven't been succesfull with transforming linear motion to rotary so that my wheels can move clockwise(CW) and counter clockwise(CCW),i only mannaged to make it rotate in one way when i give input signal. I need a mechanism to switch beetween cw and ccw motion depending on signal given by device i hold in my hands. If u have any ideas how the mechanism should look like post here drawing or something to help this project become alive. Thanks!
 
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Why can't you use a rotary air motor? Makes things much simpler.
 
Fphy91 said:
Hello,im doing a home project. I have an idea to make a venchile which will move back and forward as well as turn. Its something that i will be able to control with control device,if i press forward it goes forward etc. The thing is that i want to make it with linear actuators,cylinders(compressed air as power source). I haven't been succesfull with transforming linear motion to rotary so that my wheels can move clockwise(CW) and counter clockwise(CCW),i only mannaged to make it rotate in one way when i give input signal. I need a mechanism to switch beetween cw and ccw motion depending on signal given by device i hold in my hands. If u have any ideas how the mechanism should look like post here drawing or something to help this project become alive. Thanks!

Welcome to the PF.

How did the old steam railroad locomotives change between forward and backward motion (I don't know the answer, but it seems applicable to your project). If you find out, can you just use a mechanism like they used on those old steam-powered locomotives to convert from piston back-and-forth motion to turning the wheels?
 
It seems difficult to achieve with just one linear actuator; it may stop at a dead centre and get stuck. Billy-joule's suggestion seems a good approach.
 

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