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From: hbg6@citek.mcdphx.mot.com
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Subject: Re:ideas for inclination sensors
Message-ID: <13845@mcdphx.phx.mcd.mot.com>
Date: 18 Oct 90 17:45:06 GMT
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Organization: Motorola Microcomputer Division, Tempe, Az.
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References:<3717@media-lab.MEDIA.MIT.EDU> <107247@convex.convex.com>
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In article <107247@convex.convex.com> jjensen@convex.UUCP (James Jensen) writes:
>In article <3717@media-lab.MEDIA.MIT.EDU> fredm@media-lab.MEDIA.MIT.EDU (Fred Martin) writes:
>>robots must do is climb an inclinated plane.  Thus, I'm soliciting
>>all of you robot hackers for ideas on inclination sensors.
>
>How about some strain gauges with weights on them?
>
I guess that if you had a weight, hanging from two strain gauges, on two
links running at 45 degrees from the weight to the gauges it would work.
The ratio of the two gauge readings would indicate inclination. I think
you could even resolve 360 degrees using rigid links.

       =======           ======= gauges
       []     \         /     []
               \       /
                \links/
                 \   /
                +-----+
                |     | weight
                |     |
                +-----+

Can you get strain guages sensitive enough that you could use a very
light weight? I would think that acceleration with a relatively heavy
weight could destroy the strain guage. (I guess I'l have to get out the
Omega strain guage book :-) )

John

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reply to 'from' address; hbg6@citek.mcdphx.mot.com
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Someday my sysadm will decide this is a 'real' problem. :-)
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All opinions expressed are mine and not Motorolas, their loss.
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