Motorized Door To Cover The Lilliput LCD

**Xtreme2k2** · 07-20-2004, 11:54 AM

I hope this is the right section to put this in, since it has to do with a possible input/output device for the carputer.

Anyway...

I took apart an old cd drive, and I'm going to mount it under the console.

So when the carputer turns off, the door closes and hides the LCD, and the same with went it turns on (it will open to show the LCD)

I'm not sure what type of circuit/controller card I need tho. Any help?

Heres some pics of the drive as it is now (havent cut it down yet):

the red and white wire are to the motor, and the other three are to that switch thing on the gear (center wire makes connection with the wires to the sides of it when it is fully open or fully closed)

I was also wondering if I could get one that is controlled via a serial or usb connection, so when the computer starts up/shuts down, I could have the program throw a command at it to open/close the door.

any suggestions are greatly appreciated, thanks!

**kiltjim** · 07-20-2004, 12:27 PM

Search the forums, because I don't have the right number off the top of my head, but you could use the serial port to trigger an external board. I can't remember which pin, but one of the serial pins goes high when you turn on the computer. You could have some sort of hardware controlled board that flips a relay to trigger the motor when it sees the pin, then reverses polarity when the pin goes low.

Other than that, you might be able to use the one VB program that can be found on here that controls a relay board. It might be pretty slow, however, since you would have to have the program running at startup, and autmatically turn the one relay on for a given amount of time, all before you would be able to see your screen.

I hope this helps.

**MatthijsNL** · 07-20-2004, 04:53 PM

Why won't you do it with an relais?
When the power supply turns of, a relais falls off, you let a current flow through the NO of the relais, and the door will close.
You'll need an other relais for opening.
If you're interested, but you don't know how to do it, i'll draw a sceme for you.
I think that's a way more easy way!

I'm sorry to say, but i'm gonna use that idea to!

I think it's great!
An old CD-Rom drive!

**4u2n** · 07-20-2004, 05:10 PM

I hope this diagram can help you

if you + on A and - on B the motor run one way
and if you shift it it run another way

to stop the motor the A and B should be equl

**Xtreme2k2** · 07-20-2004, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by MatthijsNL

Why won't you do it with an relais?
When the power supply turns of, a relais falls off, you let a current flow through the NO of the relais, and the door will close.
You'll need an other relais for opening.
If you're interested, but you don't know how to do it, i'll draw a sceme for you.
I think that's a way more easy way!

I'm sorry to say, but i'm gonna use that idea to!

I think it's great!
An old CD-Rom drive!

That'd be awesome if you could draw up a scheme for me. I'm still new to all this, but I'm learning as I go

Cool idea eh? What better way to re-use an old cd drive

Originally Posted by 4u2n

I hope this diagram can help you

if you + on A and - on B the motor run one way
and if you shift it it run another way

to stop the motor the A and B should be equl

ah, thanks for the diagram, I'll see what I can do with it

**brooksware2000** · 07-20-2004, 06:39 PM

4u2n schematic should work, it is a H-bridge circuit. The only problem is limiting the range of motion for how long the motor runs to close and open. You could do it with SPST switches setup to limit open and close range of motion. You'd have to write code to operate the motors using the parallel port and read the switches as input to stop the motors from rotating when they have reached their limit. If you know how to program microcontrollers such as PICs or the Basic Stamp then you could use 4u2n's circuit and switches with ease. PM me and maybe I could whip something up.

Remember, using 4u2n's schematic will require heatsinks on the tip31 and tip32 transisters

**4u2n** · 07-21-2004, 12:01 AM

Originally Posted by brooksware2000

Remember, using 4u2n's schematic will require heatsinks on the tip31 and tip32 transisters

It not need heatsinks on tip31 and tip 32, the time and the power to open this type of door do not need more power 1-3 sec

the transisters can handel this small headt.

**brooksware2000** · 07-21-2004, 12:55 AM

Originally Posted by 4u2n

It not need heatsinks on tip31 and tip 32, the time and the power to open this type of door do not need more power 1-3 sec

the transisters can handel this small headt.

Yeah, I suppose you're right about that one. Guess I was thinkin about the wrong kinda application for long term use instead of a few seconds or so.

**MatthijsNL** · 07-21-2004, 05:48 AM

[quote]how long the motor runs to close and open.[quote/]
That problem is solved by the microswitches insede the cd-rom.
I'll draw a sceme for that when I have a little more time available.
Tomorow or tonight.

I don't think we need the sceme by 4u2n.
I've got a circuit in mind wich needs only one relais.
(If I understand the meanings of the wires comming out of the cd-rom corectly)

**MatthijsNL** · 07-21-2004, 06:05 AM

I've got the sceam ready.
Can someone tell me how to acces the photo upload section of this site?
I really don't have the time now to search.
If i don't hear anyting i'll serch the section myself, but than I can post my drawing tomorow...