Build this Joystick!
Now available:
Sheet metal parts
Introduction. The instruction includes 2 variants of the joystick; with and without display. The version without display is of course
cheaper and more easy to build. There are also options on the appearance, the top sheet metal plate is available in three variants.
A detailed description of mechanics, electrics, function and programming will be found further down.
Here is first a brief description:
This is a joystick based on accelerometers. The principle is to use the earth gravity field to monitor the position of the hand controls.
To cancel out the effect of tilting the whole box a third accelerometer is attached to the box. The signal from this is subtracted from the
accelerometers attached to the controls.
Film. Here is a film sequence showing some action with the joystick!
Data is gathered by the use of two 8 channel ad converters. The process is controlled with means of the Parallax propeller
microprocessor.
Here is an inside view, the control seen from below. One card is dismounted. The two accelerometers hung on controls are seen
(small cards with print X,Y,Z on them).
Rubber bands are used to position the control sticks in neutral position. They are held by 2 free standing columns and a sheet
metal part.
Another view. The ad-converters are seen in the middle, just above battery holder.
Bill of materials. The last column indicates if the item is needed for the simple version.
Box Hammond HD 107X167X65mm 1594EBK 1 13$ * Accelerometer Polulo/Memsic Break out board MMA7260QT 3 13$ * AD-converter Microchip 8 channel MCP3208-CI/P 2 6.50$ * IC holder 16 pin DIL 2 * Protoboard Parallax #32212 1 25$ * Display Parallax 4 X 20 characters #27979 1 Extension cable Parallax 3 part 805-00012 5 or 8 3$ 5 p.c. Resistor 180 Ohm 1 * Resistor 2.2k 2 * Resistor 10k 2 * Resistor 22k X 8 SIL package 2 0.50$ Resistor 22k 2 LED Typical 10-30mA 1 1$ * Diode Low voltage drop typical 1V switch diode 1 0.30$ Capacitor 0.1uF 2 0.50$ * Wire Typical jump wire kit * Battery holder 3 X AAA batteries 1 1.50$ * Battery holder 2 X AA batteries 2 1.50$ Switch Taiway On-off-on 1-3 5$ 1 p.c. Switch Taiway On-off-on 2 pole. 1 5$ Switch Taiway (On)-off-(on) 5 5$ Connector 4 wire 1 XXX * Ball joint ASKUBAL 22mm G 10 2 11$ *
Item
Make
Info
Designation
Amount
Ca price
Simple
This is totally about 190$ for the full version. Out of this price the two ball joints represents more than 22$. If you want to try to
reduce this look around and you may find something else with the same function, maybe some surplus material from other area
(car stock, mc etc).
The box is very nice being a heavy duty type so it has nice thick walls. But it actually is a little to small. You have to be very careful
to get everything into it. So a somewhat bigger box would be beautiful. The best had been the same type of box but bigger.
However this is the biggest model of that type. I have made a sheet metal kit that will fit in the box. Of course the kit can also be
used for a bigger box.
Detailed descriptions:
Electrics Mechanics Function and code.
The device has been tested several times with the submarine in a lake. It performs pretty well and gives good control of the submarine.
I wish You good luck building this joystick!
Johan