multi output gearbox

[Choops]

I am in the planning stages of making my 8285 tow truck set fully remote controlled.

Going to us an xl motor for driving and an m motor for steering.

I would like to create a gear box which can direct the power from one m motor to the 4 different functions.

this gearbox will be shifter by another m motor.

This will make the truck fully functional with only two remotes.

Any ideas on the gearbox would be appreciated. I will post a pic of my idea soon.

Steve

[Sariel]

What you mean is a distribution gearbox which was present in many official Lego sets, for instance in the 8480 or 8258. Why don't you check instructions?

[Choops]

the trick will be to shift the gearbox with only one motor.

[efferman]

how many fuctions do you want? maybe you could use the 8043 gearbox system.

[Pauger]

how many fuctions do you want? maybe you could use the 8043 gearbox system.

I would like to create a gear box which can direct the power from one m motor to the 4 different functions.

this gearbox will be shifter by another m motor.

I don't think this is possible with less than 3 motors.

[efferman]

he needs in minimum 3 motors.

one to powering the funtions, 1 for steering, and one to switch between the functions. if he would switch with the steering motor, he would switch the functions with every steering. in my humbly opinion this is no option for a fully remote truck.

[allanp]

I would suggest using a gearbox similar to 8480, using one motor to power the functions and another to switch between the four functions using cams.

Here is one from brickshelf built by Hi-Lift that is similar to ones I have built.

http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=379174

Edited October 24, 2010 by allanp

[dhc6twinotter]

I am in the planning stages of making my 8285 tow truck set fully remote controlled.

Going to us an xl motor for driving and an m motor for steering.

I would like to create a gear box which can direct the power from one m motor to the 4 different functions.

this gearbox will be shifter by another m motor.

This will make the truck fully functional with only two remotes.

Any ideas on the gearbox would be appreciated. I will post a pic of my idea soon.

Steve

Steve, how many motors total are you trying to use? If I understand correctly, you will be using 2 remotes and 4 motors; an XL motor for drive, an m motor for steering, and two m motors for your gearbox.

Are you trying to control 6 functions with your gearbox?

Edited October 23, 2010 by dhc6twinotter

[Choops]

4 motors is correct.

one for drive one for steering one to switch the gearbox one for powering the functions thru the gearbox.

[Choops]

Here is what I am thinking for the gearbox.

Steve

[Blakbird]

Forget the gearbox, tell us about the process you used to create that animation!

[jantjeuh]

Haha, first question that popped into my mind as well

[CP5670]

That is a clever idea, but in practice it may be difficult to ensure that both rings are never engaged at the same time (even partially). It seems like that could happen when the switching motor in certain positions.

I think the most flexible approach for doing this is the "sliding axle" type of gearbox, as seen in 8865 (it works a lot better with double bevel gears though, which didn't exist back then). You can in principle have an unlimited number of functions from two motors this way. There are also many variations of that concept possible, such as the mechanism in 8082.

[Pauger]

You should use the new smooth axle joiners inside the driving rings.

[grohl]

I do not think this is gonna work without NXT. The idea is really nice, but PF motors are not capable of turning 90 degrees and then stopping. If I understood that well, this is what you need.

[jovel]

I think the most flexible approach for doing this is the "sliding axle" type of gearbox, as seen in 8865

I don't know how it's done in that set, but when saw this topic yesterday, I decide to try something myself.

It uses a sliding wormgear to switch between the functions:

[Milan]

I don't know how it's done in that set, but when saw this topic yesterday, I decide to try something myself.

It uses a sliding wormgear to switch between the functions:

This looks amazing. Is it strong enough, is the friction issue when you turn it by a hand?

[GuiliuG]

I have still had a similar idea :

[jantjeuh]

I don't know how it's done in that set, but when saw this topic yesterday, I decide to try something myself.

It uses a sliding wormgear to switch between the functions:

Very clever! I'm gonna steal this

[Tobbe Arnesson]

It uses a sliding wormgear to switch between the functions:

Cool!