Motorized Flip-Up Screen Ideas?

**DryBear** · 10-21-2005, 07:09 PM

I'm considering hacking up the middle of my dashboard to fit a flip-up monitor similar to this:

However, I would also like for it to be a bit stealthy, and have it flip down when not in use, similar to this simple diagram:

The vertical line would be the screen, with the diagonal line being a custom panel fabricated from fiberglass or something. The screen would be hinged at the top and connected to the cover panelat the top edge of the screen. When it flips down, the botom of the screen slides back as the panel goes down, so that the back of the screen goes flush against the top cover when closed. Hopefully I explained that clearly enough.

On top of that, I would like it to be motorized.

I imagine that the bottom of the screen would have to be connected to some sort of railing to alow it to slide back.

Has anyone seen something similar to this idea? What would I need to motorize it?

FYI the function of the screen would be stuff SatNav/OBD/eManage screen.

**bcohen5055** · 10-23-2005, 01:39 AM

put some kind of liniar actuator on the track to push the screen up, or possibly the mororized assembly from a scanner or printer, that would do the job i think

**arebelspy** · 10-23-2005, 01:46 AM

You should search on how Bugbyte did his.

His site: http://www.dellabarba.com/ibug/

-arebelspy

**Bugbyte** · 10-23-2005, 01:47 AM

Check my website in my signature. I have a home made motorized flip up. It doesn't flip up exactly like you want but the same principles and hardware apply.

Edit: Thanks arebelspy!

**arebelspy** · 10-23-2005, 01:52 AM

Originally Posted by Bugbyte

Edit: Thanks arebelspy!

np. It is a great install, one that should be shared!

-arebelspy

**Bugbyte** · 10-23-2005, 02:27 AM

Here's two ideas for options on how to do it. The first is your plan. You'll have to fabricate a channel and guide for it. I showed it as a wheel that runs in a channel but you could use a keyboard guide or whatever works.

Also, I showed it with the tracks running slightly uphill in the side view. That's because I think the most force will be applied on first motion when opening it. Otherwise the linear actuator will just crush the screen from the bottom or will rip off the hinging at the top.

Option two is simpler and lays the screen flat on its back, fixing it with a single pivot point. The lid lays flat on top of that. At the pivot a gear is attached to torque open the screen. It's driven by a worm gear to prevent slippage and make the screen stable when pushing on the touchscreen when it is open.

Of course, an option if you have space, is to use a linear actuator to slide the screen vertically up from inside the dash. Ooooh....cooool.

**DryBear** · 10-31-2005, 03:30 AM

Hey, thanks for the suggestions - I actually like the iBug solution a whole lot better - a lot more simple and elegant.

**fatejd** · 01-06-2006, 02:50 PM

I've been looking into doing the same thing, but from what you've said on your website, BugByte, your servo doesn't seem to work the way you want it to (maybe you've fixed it by now). Basically, what I want to do is have the screen open when the car starts and close when it is turned off. A linear actuator sounds like a good solution if you could get it to run at both those times, and if you could find one small enough for this application. I'd be interested if some one could find one small enough (I've looked)...

**Bugbyte** · 01-06-2006, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by fatejd

I've been looking into doing the same thing, but from what you've said on your website, BugByte, your servo doesn't seem to work the way you want it to (maybe you've fixed it by now).

You're right. First, when you start the car, the servo "kicks" the enclosure slightly. Second, the PC has to be running to control it, which is overkill although it is cool to use voice control to make it open and close.

Because I don't use a linear actuator, I'm working on using a Basic STAMP controller so I can push a button and open and close it.

They do make 6" linear actuators but they run around $100. (search on terms "linear actuator" to find threads on this) I would agree that it is a good solution and if my system ever breaks, I'd probably replace it with something like that.

edit: Here's the link to the actuators. They're $99. Looks like there's a $60 controller for the actuator too that can be set to operate on ignition.