Up/Down screen motion...

**juve021** · 07-12-2006, 10:39 AM

This may belong in a different discussion but.....

Hi all, tyring to upgrade my current setup by motorizing my Tview so that it can move up/down. More specifically, it would pop up and then go down into the top of the dash like the stock volvo navigation does. I've gotten some suggestions using a power antenna to do this but the space is very limited under the center channel speaker grill. I probably have like 6.75" to play with, if that. Anyone have any ideas? Oh and here's a pic of the stock setup...

**Puffanug** · 07-12-2006, 12:17 PM

Linear actuators or gear drive? Seems like those are the two most popular ways to automate things. Some people use power antennas also for light automation tasks...

**Bugbyte** · 07-12-2006, 12:46 PM

Search on terms "flip up" or "linear actuator" or "servo" or "fold screen". You'll find a number of threads on this. I have a homemade fold out mechanism for my screen. You may want to take a look at the link in my sig to see the hardware I used, even though it isn't a vertical movement.

I'd look at some sort of scissors jack underneath or attached to the back of the screen housing.

[Edit: How does Volvo do this? Maybe you could adapt their system to your screen]

**Shadow** · 07-12-2006, 01:12 PM

Use roller bearing drawer slides and power antennas, cheap and effective.

**juve021** · 07-12-2006, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by Shadow

Use roller bearing drawer slides and power antennas, cheap and effective.

can you elaborate on this design? thanks

**juve021** · 07-12-2006, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by Bugbyte

Search on terms "flip up" or "linear actuator" or "servo" or "fold screen". You'll find a number of threads on this. I have a homemade fold out mechanism for my screen. You may want to take a look at the link in my sig to see the hardware I used, even though it isn't a vertical movement.

I'd look at some sort of scissors jack underneath or attached to the back of the screen housing.

[Edit: How does Volvo do this? Maybe you could adapt their system to your screen]

bug...yeah I actually have seen your install and think its very sweet. I also have a servo and usb servo controller but I'm kinda stuck as to how to get the servo to move the screen linearly up/down like 6-7 inches or so. You mentioned a scissor jack...that might actually work..do you have any suggestions to go the scissor route?

**Specimen** · 07-12-2006, 01:22 PM

Like what bugbyte said, a scissor jack might be the way to go with a horizontal linear actuator to move the jack up and down. This will make your mechanism compact when your screen is down taking up less room. If your familiar with these jacks your actuator will be in the center.

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There are other ways to do it too.

**Shadow** · 07-12-2006, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by juve021

can you elaborate on this design? thanks

You attach the drawer slides to the car and the screen the same way you would attach them to a drawer and a cabinet. Then you make a little push part you attach to the drawer slide to where it won't be seen when the screen is up. Then you arrange the power antenna so it pushes on the push part to make the screen go up. Gravity takes care of the down but the power antenna's retraction keeps it from slamming down.

You could also make the dash part hinged with a little "hand" coming out that part of the moving assembly could grab and pull it shut once it gets low enough.

**turbocad6** · 07-12-2006, 01:45 PM

to me, you will need to sort the track & sliders before finalizing the motorization part of it... the motorization won't hold the screen, you need to get that set up first... a slide track on each side maybe, this can be done with small ball roller tracks, or as simple as a grove with a matching tonge, but you want minimal friction & to eliminate the urge for it to cock sideways.. etc... once you have this thing siding up & down securely, then you can plan how to motorize it.. that's the approach I would use...

**Wiredwrx** · 07-12-2006, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by turbocad6

to me, you will need to sort the track & sliders before finalizing the motorization part of it... the motorization won't hold the screen, you need to get that set up first... a slide track on each side maybe, this can be done with small ball roller tracks, or as simple as a grove with a matching tonge, but you want minimal friction & to eliminate the urge for it to cock sideways.. etc... once you have this thing siding up & down securely, then you can plan how to motorize it.. that's the approach I would use...

I am not sure about servos, but stepper motors do have holding torque. If you use a scissor jack, and a stepper motor, you would be golden. With drawer track (check out the PTFE lined one here http://www.mcmaster.com/ctlg/DisplCt...RelatedCtlgPgs) you might be able to use a stepper motor that moves along the tracks. If you need more help, I should be able to come up with a rudimentary drawing for you.

Michael