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Canopy Latched Sensor

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jdubner(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 8:24 am Post subject: Canopy Latched Sensor

I'm looking for a better way to implement the canopy unlatched warning

system on a Long-EZ.  The standard method is to use a small microswitch

that responds to "canopy latched".  (This is not the same as "canopy

closed", which would be easy enough to implement but I want a "latched"

indication.)



Here's an illustration of the standard system:

http://users.lewiston.com/hth/jd/CanopyLockMicroswitch.jpg



When the canopy locking handle is pushed forward (left in the image) far

enough to latch the canopy locking mechanism, the head of the screw on

the handle (at the right in the image) fits in the hole on the latch and

actives the microswitch through its (specially bent) lever.



I'm not happy with the microswitch as it doesn't hold up well under use

and wonder if any Aeroelectric Connection readers can come up with a

better idea.  I've searched for optical interrupters but can't find one

with a gap large enough for the head of the relatively large #10 screw.

 I'm not familiar with any specific reflective-type optical sensors but

I'm guessing that would be the way to go.



Any ideas?



Thanks,

Joe

Long-EZ 821RP

Lewiston, ID

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BigD(at)DaveMorris.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 10:28 am Post subject: Canopy Latched Sensor

Any two pieces of metal touching constitutes a switch.  You don't 

have to add a microswitch to the contraption to make it work.  When 

the screw on the handle touches the metal strip, you've got contact.



Dave Morris

At 11:21 AM 4/27/2006, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  



I'm looking for a better way to implement the canopy unlatched warning

system on a Long-EZ.  The standard method is to use a small microswitch

that responds to "canopy latched".  (This is not the same as "canopy

closed", which would be easy enough to implement but I want a "latched"

indication.)



Here's an illustration of the standard system:

http://users.lewiston.com/hth/jd/CanopyLockMicroswitch.jpg



When the canopy locking handle is pushed forward (left in the image) far

enough to latch the canopy locking mechanism, the head of the screw on

the handle (at the right in the image) fits in the hole on the latch and

actives the microswitch through its (specially bent) lever.



I'm not happy with the microswitch as it doesn't hold up well under use

and wonder if any Aeroelectric Connection readers can come up with a

better idea.  I've searched for optical interrupters but can't find one

with a gap large enough for the head of the relatively large #10 screw.

  I'm not familiar with any specific reflective-type optical sensors but

I'm guessing that would be the way to go.



Any ideas?



Thanks,

Joe

Long-EZ 821RP

Lewiston, ID

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brian

Joined: 02 Jan 2006
Posts: 643
Location: Sacramento, California, USA

Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 2:00 pm Post subject: Canopy Latched Sensor

On Apr 27, 2006, at 9:21 AM, Joe Dubner wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 <jdubner(at)yahoo.com>



 I'm looking for a better way to implement the canopy unlatched warning

 system on a Long-EZ.


	


What about a small magnet and a magnetic reed switch. You can get  

them as window and door sensors from your local burglar alarm  

company. They probably have them at Radio Shack too.

Brian Lloyd                         361 Catterline Way

brian-yak AT lloyd DOT com          Folsom, CA 95630

+1.916.367.2131 (voice)             +1.270.912.0788 (fax)



I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things . . .

 Antoine de Saint-Exupry

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_________________
Brian Lloyd
brian-yak at lloyd dot com
+1.916.367.2131 (voice) +1.270.912.0788 (fax)

I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things . . .
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

jdubner(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 2:22 pm Post subject: Canopy Latched Sensor

Thanks, Dave but the metal-to-metal contact isn't reliable.  The screw

head fits loosely inside the hole in the latch and the screw's grip

doesn't necessarily make solid contact with the edge of the .020" SS

latch.  And there's no pressure on the "contacts".



Still looking for an optical solution ...



--

Joe



On 27-Apr-06 11:21 Dave Morris "BigD" wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 Any two pieces of metal touching constitutes a switch.  You don't 

 have to add a microswitch to the contraption to make it work.  When 

 the screw on the handle touches the metal strip, you've got contact.

 

 Dave Morris

 

 

 At 11:21 AM 4/27/2006, you wrote:

>

>

>I'm looking for a better way to implement the canopy unlatched warning

>system on a Long-EZ.  The standard method is to use a small microswitch

>that responds to "canopy latched".  (This is not the same as "canopy

>closed", which would be easy enough to implement but I want a "latched"

>indication.)

>

>Here's an illustration of the standard system:

>http://users.lewiston.com/hth/jd/CanopyLockMicroswitch.jpg

>

>When the canopy locking handle is pushed forward (left in the image) far

>enough to latch the canopy locking mechanism, the head of the screw on

>the handle (at the right in the image) fits in the hole on the latch and

>actives the microswitch through its (specially bent) lever.

>

>I'm not happy with the microswitch as it doesn't hold up well under use

>and wonder if any Aeroelectric Connection readers can come up with a

>better idea.  I've searched for optical interrupters but can't find one

>with a gap large enough for the head of the relatively large #10 screw.

>  I'm not familiar with any specific reflective-type optical sensors but

>I'm guessing that would be the way to go.

>

>Any ideas?

>

>Thanks,

>Joe

>Long-EZ 821RP

>Lewiston, ID

>

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john(at)ballofshame.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 6:59 pm Post subject: Canopy Latched Sensor

An optical solution for this is difficult because the screw head won't 

protrude out enough.  I could probably rig something up but I don't 

think it would be very reliable at all.



A Hall effect sensor might work.  You'd have to find a way to get the 

magnet into the screw head somehow.  There are other ways to do it.  

Once again, though, with vibration I don't think this would be very 

reliable.  It would take some work, anyhow, but this is better than 

rigging something up with LED's and photodiodes I think.  One thing 

that might work is the put the magnet on the lever part and the sensor 

near the edge of the latch.  Since the whole latch moves up when it 

latches (i.e. they're a little closer to each other when the screw's in the 

hole than when it's not) you may be able to tune it reliably like this.  I 

dunno.



Honestly, I would just use a switch.  That microswitch setup looks 

pretty flaky.  Personally I would make a leaf switch out of two thin 

pieces of metal seperated by a small plastic washer.  They're bent 

towards each other slightly.  Bolt goes in, leafs touch, and presto.  

Simple, light and reliable.  In 5 or 10 years when some surface 

corrosion (or whatever) makes the switch not work anymore, replace it 

with another $ 0.10 worth of metal (or do it every annual if you like).

just my $.02



-John Coloccia

On 27 Apr 2006 at 9:21, Joe Dubner wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 I'm looking for a better way to implement the canopy unlatched warning

 system on a Long-EZ.  The standard method is to use a small microswitch

 that responds to "canopy latched".  (This is not the same as "canopy

 closed", which would be easy enough to implement but I want a "latched"

 indication.)

 

 Here's an illustration of the standard system:

 http://users.lewiston.com/hth/jd/CanopyLockMicroswitch.jpg

 

 When the canopy locking handle is pushed forward (left in the image) far

 enough to latch the canopy locking mechanism, the head of the screw on

 the handle (at the right in the image) fits in the hole on the latch and

 actives the microswitch through its (specially bent) lever.

 

 I'm not happy with the microswitch as it doesn't hold up well under use

 and wonder if any Aeroelectric Connection readers can come up with a

 better idea.  I've searched for optical interrupters but can't find one

 with a gap large enough for the head of the relatively large #10 screw.

  I'm not familiar with any specific reflective-type optical sensors but

 I'm guessing that would be the way to go.

 

 Any ideas?

 

 Thanks,

 Joe

 Long-EZ 821RP

 Lewiston, ID

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Neal.George(at)maxwell.af
Guest

Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 4:50 am Post subject: Canopy Latched Sensor

Joe - 



Twist the end of the stainless strap 90-degrees and mount the optical

sensor around the end.

The screw head will push it out of the gate to break the optical path.



Neal

334-953-4137

RV-7 N8ZG wiring Z13-8

Still looking for an optical solution ...



--

Joe

 	  Quote: 	
		  >

>I'm looking for a better way to implement the canopy unlatched warning


	


 	  Quote: 	
		  >system on a Long-EZ.  The standard method is to use a small 

>microswitch that responds to "canopy latched".  (This is not the same 

>as "canopy closed", which would be easy enough to implement but I want

a "latched"
	


 	  Quote: 	
		  >indication.)

>

>Here's an illustration of the standard system:

>http://users.lewiston.com/hth/jd/CanopyLockMicroswitch.jpg

>

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