Automatic Charge Station (ACS)

Dutch · #1 02-07-2003, 08:54 PM

OOOOOOOOOOOK here is my first attempt at an Automatic Charge Station (ACS). What I did was solder tabs on the end of some wire and stuffed the other ends in with the battery. I then ran them out the back window and double taped the tab's to the rear of the car. (see pic) Then I took a block of balsa wood and drilled 2 holes with the same spacing as the tabs on the car. Then took some screws and ran them through the holes and wired them to a charge pad on an extra controler. Then I pinned the whole mess down to a puzzle mat and added guides so when I back the car in the tabs on the car would align with the with screws in the balsa block. It works kind of but I can't get real good contact so it only charges a little, But hey it's a proto-type. Anyone have ideas on how to make better contact ???

Canadian Bit · #2 02-07-2003, 09:00 PM

That's a good idea. Maybe try it from the bottom so you drive on to it and make it like a pit. That would make it easier to run very long endurance races.

Dutch · #3 02-07-2003, 09:10 PM

That was kind of the idea I want to make a bank or 4 of these and use them as a pit. If I come from the bottom you would have to stop dead on target to charge. I guess if you over run it you can back-up. My way you turn out and back-in to the pit. I am still thinking

But I'm sure someone on here can run with this idea.

Vyrus · #4 02-07-2003, 09:25 PM

The idea and prototype are very good. Of course the terminals need to be more secure and discreet, but I definitely give you credit for the idea! If you could only mass product that design, I would buy one in a heartbeat.

-Cyrus

Canadian Bit · #5 02-07-2003, 09:30 PM

No, I mean when you pull into your pit it charges the bit.

Dutch · #6 02-07-2003, 09:40 PM

Here is what I had in mind

sipsap · #7 02-07-2003, 09:40 PM

you could use magnets to keep the cars on the charger for a better contact
im pretty sure current will flow through them if not maybe you could use springs.

Dutch · #8 02-07-2003, 09:47 PM

Quote:

you could use magnets to keep the cars on the charger for a better contact
im pretty sure current will flow through them if not maybe you could use springs.

I know you can see them in the pic but there are springs on the screws.

The Magnet Idea might work :-) tape a steering magnet on the back and use a coil in the station that activates when you start to charge and then de-activate's when done

Canadian Bit · #9 02-07-2003, 09:54 PM

Oh, thats even better than what I was thinking.

sipsap · #10 02-07-2003, 10:45 PM

how about a magnet then a spring the magnet would pull the car against the spring which would deliver the current and the spring would also keep the car far enough away from the magnets that it would be able to pull away when charging was complete so it would go post magnet spring car contact point
I may try this myself

Dutch · #11 02-07-2003, 11:01 PM

Quote:

how about a magnet then a spring the magnet would pull the car against the spring which would deliver the current and the spring would also keep the car far enough away from the magnets that it would be able to pull away when charging was complete so it would go post magnet spring car contact point

All I know is you need really good CONTACT to get a good charge. I'm going to try a few more ideas, My goal is to make some kinda of adapter that you can put on ANY car (Bit, Zip ect...). but that's a long way off.

and as for Bit's idea mmmmm I'm thinking about that to, but trying to make contact with those 2 little hole on the bottom of car would really take some doing but I think it could be done.

Namuna · #12 02-08-2003, 12:14 PM

First, let's move this over...

Namuna · #13 02-08-2003, 12:23 PM

Now, a couple of thoughts...

- How about using gravity to help make better contact? Like build a small decline into the charging contacts. The magnets are a decent idea too, but they could interfere with charging for one and you'd have to play with different strengths (too strong and the car can't pull out)

- Another idea is using a 'V' for the pit lanes going to the charger...Like a funnel, that way you don't have to be exact when backing up (we all know how easy it is to be EXACT with a Bit right?

)

Dutch · #14 02-08-2003, 02:18 PM

First let me say that I am honored to have my idea move to "Bit Science"

I started thinking about this friday afternoon at work and made the quick and ugly proto type last night. I thought I throw it out for more ideas from the poster on this board and I have not been disapointed. I knew you guys would come up something.

Thanks to all

Here is a pic of the new car contacts. there ulgy but they work

Dutch · #15 02-08-2003, 02:19 PM

I knew them 2 holes on the bottom of the car were good for something