Mechanical device trigger with variable time delay (100-500ms)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the design of a mechanical device that triggers a delay mechanism without the use of electricity. Participants explore various concepts for achieving a precise and adjustable delay time of 100-500 milliseconds, focusing on mechanical solutions and the feasibility of different mechanisms.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes a device that triggers a delay when a button is fully pressed, using gravity and a steel ball mechanism to achieve precision in timing.
  • Another participant mentions existing adjustable spring buttons used in drag racing, suggesting that similar mechanisms could be adapted for the proposed device.
  • A reference to dashpot timers is provided, indicating potential mechanical solutions for timing mechanisms.
  • Questions are raised about the reset mechanism for the device, including its requirements and importance.
  • A brief mention of a pendulum is made, possibly as an alternative timing mechanism, but lacks further elaboration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various ideas and approaches, but no consensus is reached on a specific design or mechanism. Multiple competing views and suggestions remain present throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully defined the assumptions regarding the reset mechanism or the specific requirements for precision. The discussion includes various mechanical concepts that may depend on further clarification of definitions and parameters.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in mechanical engineering, device design, or those exploring non-electrical timing mechanisms may find this discussion relevant.

tommy7
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device.png

This device, if it or something similar exists at all, needs to be completely mechanical without ANY electricity and be really precise and strong (to last a long time).
  1. Press a button in order to trigger the start of the delay time. It must start only when the button is fully pressed down (or at a very precise and predictable moment in time)
  2. The delay mechanism, whatever it is, will do its thing for the set amount of delay time after which it will popup the button/plate in 3.
  3. The plate pops out
  4. Fully extended (the time it takes for the plate to be fully extended from fully pressed in, should always be the same)
The delay could be set using screws, a lever, a spring, a ball for gravity or whatever, but it needs to be set very precisely. If set to X, the delay time should always be X. Times must not be off more than +/- 5%.

Is there even a thing like this...? if not, how would one devise a device like this?

When thinking about different solutions for the variable delay time mechanism, which really is at the heart of the device, I'm thinking that gravity would be the most precise way of achieving the same delay even after thousands of runs.

Like this:

device2.png


  1. Press the button which at the bottom has a magnet (in red) charged so that it will repel the steel sphere (in blue)
  2. When the button is fully depressed, the magnet will release the steel ball which "hangs" in the black ceiling by a weaker magnet than that of the red repelling force). The black ceiling is variable in height in order to change the delay time.
  3. The plate pops out after time X + the time it takes to push the black piston down fully into the tube
  4. Fully extended plate
Now, this device also needs to have some kind of rewind mechanism. Haven't figured that out yet. But if the popup plate could be pushed in fully to reset the device that would be enough.

Ideas, thoughts?
 
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Drag racers have a time adjustable spring button for trans brakes. Shim quantity dictates the time delay. Not sure if it will fit your requirements, though. A similar mechanism could be built with different weights, shims, and springs and accomplish something similar.

Slow reacting button.
Adjustment shims for the above button.

The above switches are electrical, but you may get some ideas based on how they work.

Can you tell us what you mean by "a magnet charged so that it will repel the steel sphere"?
 
tommy7 said:
This device, if it or something similar exists at all, needs to be completely mechanical without ANY electricity and be really precise and strong (to last a long time).
How do you reset it? What are the reset mechanism requirements? Why are those requirements important? :smile:

Oh, and Welcome to PhysicsForums. :smile:
 
Pendulum.
 

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