We have a sports training product under development and need help with the electronic part. The idea is to have a sensor that detects when a person is within 2 to 3 feet and then send a signal to a small electric motor. Is there a sensor on the market that would do this or that we could modify fairly easily???
Within 2 to 3 feet of the sensor. The idea is to detect when a player is a few feet in front of the sensor then send a signal causing a small motor to react ie... move a foam arm in one direction.
LOL, and the sensor is where? Read your original post and realize that we have no idea what you're talking about. "A sports training product" - what the heck is that supposed to be?
The sensor is mounted 3 feet high on a stationary foam dummy. When a player moves in front of the dummy (sensor) a signal (voltage) is sent to a small electrical motor causing the dummy to react ie.. raise arm etc...
Surely it is quite obvious what test4echo is asking even without a dummy!
The proximity of an object/person or with movement can be detected and made to function just like this person asked their are many cct's worldwide that could be implemented.
Okay. What would you recommend far the motor? I have checked out servos and stepper motors but we only need to move a lever in one direction and stop (when signal is true) and then back to starting point when signal is false.
Your choice of motors depends on a lot of things, most importantly the load they'd have to pull. Forget about servos or steppers, they need tons of additional driving circuitry.
Load wont be much. Just needs to move a lightweight foam tube (pool noodle) about a foot or if that wont work just rotate a rod the foam is attached to about 25 degrees. What type of motor would be best and how hard would it be to interface to the sensor?
Well, since we're in season, I suggest you go to a Halloween store. You'll find a whole bunch of motion/proximity activated skeletons and other creepy dudes that wave at you or jump out or nod or whatever. Basically you'll get your entire project on a silver plate; all you need then is to make some cosmetic changes and you're done. Happy training.