Subject:
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Re: automating switching rails
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.trains
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Date:
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Mon, 5 Mar 2001 08:03:46 GMT
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Viewed:
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1455 times
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Hi
Could you show me the instruction of your motorized switch point if you don't mind?
Br
Zhengrong
Ed McGlynn wrote:
> In lugnet.trains, Ed McGlynn writes:
> > In lugnet.trains, Scott Arthur writes:
> > >
> > > > > Does the train trip the RCX? If so, how?
> > > > >
> > > > > Scott A
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Scott -
> > > >
> > > > Surely I left out a lot of detail regarding the RCX!
> > > > The RCX is running the train around a circuit in a loop, with inputs from • touch
> > > > and light sensors to determine train passage and location. Randomized • counters
> > > > keep the program from repeating at a predictable point, so it's cool to just
> > > > sit back and watch the RCX control a train around a loop, throw a switch, • back
> > > > into a siding, pick up a car, bring it out, repeat, and drop the car off on
> > > > another siding. I've really got to get more details about this on the
> > > > website...ah, time...
> > > >
> > > > Ed
> > >
> > > OK. You've got my attention now. I'm very interested. How does the train trip
> > > the touch sensor? (Please don't say it rams into it).
> > >
> > > Scott A
> >
> > ;^)
> >
> > OK - I won't say it!
> > Slam-o-rama, but it's not as bad as it sounds. The RCX ramps down the engine
> > speed when it's backing down a siding, until it clicks on a car and bumps into
> > a buffer that's got a touch sensor embedded within. I tried mounting the • touch
> > sensor in parallel to the track so it could trip it as it brushed by, but it
> > didn't look like a railyard type of instrument. You expect a buffer at the • end
> > of a siding, so why not make it smart with a touch sensor? The car that the
> > engine picks up is already touching the buffer, so a gentle nudge is all it
> > takes. After the touch sensor sends an binary change of state back to the • RCX,
> > The RCX stops the engine, pause a bit (gives the LEGO train figs time to • reset
> > the brakes), and ramp up the output to the track from the RCX to have the
> > engine and car pull out from the siding and onto the main line again...
> >
> > I'll spend some time on this this weekend and post more details, pictures, RCX
> > code, whatever I can.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Ed
>
> I've posted a listing of the RCX program I use to control a 9v train around a
> closed loop. It's an example of what's possible, but it's simplified. I left
> out the uncoupler logic and hardware for now, as it's not passed the test of my
> 4yr old and 7yr old sons. If it doesn't hold up, they won't play with it or
> enjoy it, so I've got to beef it up a bit. The uncoupler is meant to go near
> the end of the siding you'll see in this picture:
> http://www.geocities.com/ejmcglynn/lego/RCX_Train_Loop/backing_down_siding.jpg
>
> ...about where the engine is located at the time of the photograph.
>
> Here's a closeup of the heart of the setup - the automated switching shed:
> http://www.geocities.com/ejmcglynn/lego/RCX_Train_Loop/switch_house_with_light_
> sensor.jpg
>
> The light sensor is used to watch for the passing of the train and iterate a
> counter. After a preset number of passes, the RCX logic initiates a halt to
> the engine, switches the points, and backs it down the siding to pick up the
> waiting car. In the full version of the program, the uncoupler operates every
> other cycle so the engine picks it up once, runs around the main line loop a
> bunch of times, then returns the car to the siding, where the uncoupler
> activates - leaving it behind to be loaded, serviced, etc. The next pass will
> pick it up, and so on. I put on another touch sensor to manually initiate the
> backing routine. The kids get impatient, and want action at the touch of a
> button some times. Kids are cool that way. :^)
>
> Here's a layout of the RCX code is use in this example:
> http://www.geocities.com/ejmcglynn/lego/RCX_Train_Loop/rcx_train_loop.html
>
> Each column represents a column of code in the Mindstorms programming
> environment. I really need to put this into NQC to allow more flexibility...
> Anyway, there's also a Track Designer layout of this Train Loop example, and
> another overall picture of the layout.
>
> The point of all this was to generate a working automated layout for a train
> show I was doing - and hope to do again next year - in Binghamton, NY. I
> wanted to have a chance to talk to folks that stopped by my table instead of
> operating the controls, switches, motors, accessories, etc. It unleashes me
> from the controls so I can mingle and check out other layouts and ideas. So
> far, no other LEGO at this show, but I'm stirring the pot. The layout I use
> there is more complicated, yet simple enough to fit on a 3'x8' table. It's a
> lot of fun, and I encourage anyone to get a table or two at a small local club
> show and chat it up. Be prepared to be ignored by the establishment!
>
> Other pictures I've got handy at the moment...
> Buffer sensor (cheap and dirty version):
> http://www.geocities.com/ejmcglynn/lego/RCX_Train_Loop/buffer_sensor.jpg
>
> Pulling the car out of the siding and onto the main line:
> http://www.geocities.com/ejmcglynn/lego/RCX_Train_Loop/pulling_out_of_siding.jp
> g
>
> If you have any questions, please ask!
>
> Ed
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | Re: automating switching rails
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| (...) touch (...) end (...) RCX, (...) reset (...) I've posted a listing of the RCX program I use to control a 9v train around a closed loop. It's an example of what's possible, but it's simplified. I left out the uncoupler logic and hardware for (...) (25 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.trains)
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