Are there any simple (i.e. cheap) sensors that, along with some uC intelligence, determine that someone is shaking it? I seem to remember a sensor a while back that had a little steel ball inside it along with several wires. A simple program could then be written to figure out when a “shake” occurred.
Anyone have ideas? I’m looking for small and low cost.
Thanks,
-Frank
Holland, PA
A small spring. My kids have countless toys that operate this way, alot of the time they have 2 springs, 1 either side of the board.
How low cost? Accelerometers are pretty cheap nowadays.
A piezo element with a weight on is another possible.
fuzzoli:
A simple program could then be written to figure out when a “shake” occurred.Anyone have ideas? I’m looking for small and low cost.
Low cost? Depends on your budget but they do exactly what you require. The first link is to the SQ-SEN-200 and similar the second link is to an algorithm to help determine the level of activity that you wish to detect.
The Signalquest devices are small, easy to use, and have a current draw less than 1uA. They are a few bucks a piece though. I have used dozens of them and they are reliable.
Ron
dez.ellis:
fuzzoli:
A simple program could then be written to figure out when a “shake” occurred.Anyone have ideas? I’m looking for small and low cost.
Low cost? Depends on your budget but they do exactly what you require. The first link is to the SQ-SEN-200 and similar the second link is to an algorithm to help determine the level of activity that you wish to detect.
Expanding on what Philipf said…
I would imagine a spring from a ballpoint pen on a metal rod, with a spacer between the rod and the spring so that when the spring shakes, you make a connection…also look at some pinball “knock sensors” or “tilt sensors” for good electromechanical ideas. I have seen the spring and rod setup in a couple kids toys before, and they’re fairly reliable.