Wire_to_Wire
New Member
I hope to emulate via an electronic timer switch an effect that is achieved mechanically on a pinball playfield.
To whit:
A rolling ball amusement device such as a pinball game comprises a frame carrying a playfield, and a ball-actuated switch carried with the playfield. The switch comprises a switch body which is movably and typically pivotably connected with a variable-position actuator wire to operate the switch in a manner which is dependent upon the position of the wire. A slot is defined in the playfield, with the actuator wire defining an arc section which is free of angled corners projecting upwardly through the slot. A rolling ball can depress the arc section to actuate the switch with essentially no "hang-up", whether or not the rolling ball approaches the actuator wire from a longitudinal or a lateral direction. Also, a spring urges the actuator wire upwardly out of the depressed position so that the actuator wire only occupies its depressed position when pressed into it by a rolling ball. [https://www.google.ca/patents/US5393059]
Essentially, a rolling ball is able to activate a switch for as long as it presses on the actuator wire. It follows that the longer the physical length of actuator wire (rising through the routing of the playfield) the longer the length of time the rolling ball is able to exert influence on the switch.
Rather than having to recreate this analog methodology, I would like to be able to fabricate a design which uses only a uniform trigger (albeit similarly mechanical), but, either via the completion or interruption of current to the switch, produces adjustable/ determinable lengths of current flow. I imagine that between 1 to 10 seconds would be sufficient. (Imagine, if you will, that the electronic 'Scoreboard' totes/runs up lesser or greater 'scores' on the basis of the duration of current flow from any given triggered switch.)
Apologies for the wordy approach. Further questioning welcomed and profuse thanks in advance for any and all advice.
Cheers!
To whit:
A rolling ball amusement device such as a pinball game comprises a frame carrying a playfield, and a ball-actuated switch carried with the playfield. The switch comprises a switch body which is movably and typically pivotably connected with a variable-position actuator wire to operate the switch in a manner which is dependent upon the position of the wire. A slot is defined in the playfield, with the actuator wire defining an arc section which is free of angled corners projecting upwardly through the slot. A rolling ball can depress the arc section to actuate the switch with essentially no "hang-up", whether or not the rolling ball approaches the actuator wire from a longitudinal or a lateral direction. Also, a spring urges the actuator wire upwardly out of the depressed position so that the actuator wire only occupies its depressed position when pressed into it by a rolling ball. [https://www.google.ca/patents/US5393059]
Essentially, a rolling ball is able to activate a switch for as long as it presses on the actuator wire. It follows that the longer the physical length of actuator wire (rising through the routing of the playfield) the longer the length of time the rolling ball is able to exert influence on the switch.
Rather than having to recreate this analog methodology, I would like to be able to fabricate a design which uses only a uniform trigger (albeit similarly mechanical), but, either via the completion or interruption of current to the switch, produces adjustable/ determinable lengths of current flow. I imagine that between 1 to 10 seconds would be sufficient. (Imagine, if you will, that the electronic 'Scoreboard' totes/runs up lesser or greater 'scores' on the basis of the duration of current flow from any given triggered switch.)
Apologies for the wordy approach. Further questioning welcomed and profuse thanks in advance for any and all advice.
Cheers!