Steering Wheel Mounted Accelerator Button 1

[Backerthebiker]

Hello Everyone,

I'm working with a highschool team, building an electric race car for competition this spring. We want to improve our accelerator button in the car, and we're looking for ideas how to do this. The button is a simple on/off button, and needs to be mounted on the steering wheel.

The current steering wheel is shaped like a U, and the button is on the top of the right hand side of the U. So you push the button down to power the car. This isn't very ergonomic, and after awhile your thumb goes numb, so we're looking for something more natural to hold in for long periods of time.

I just stumbled across this place, and thought it looked like there might be some good ideas out there. If anyone can point me to some better ideas for steering wheel-mounted buttons, I would appreciate it! Thanks in-advance for any help!

 

[NormPeterson]

Maybe a trigger style of switch. Or maybe work up a normally off switch with a light spring built directly into the handgrip and needing only a gentle squeeze to be switched 'on'.

But I am wondering why you wouldn't want this so-called 'accelerator button' to have more resolution than all the way on or all the way off.


Norm

 

[GregLocock]

Look at Scalextric (slot car) hand controllers. Your thumb is being confused, applying pressure in the rotational mode of the wheel. So you need a softly sprung trigger behind either or both sides of the wheel.

Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

 

[NormPeterson]

I think something like this would be even easier to maintain in the 'on' position for extended lengths of time. Seriously, you aren't even aware of its presence. Just use it to trigger a NO microswitch instead of operating a mechanical interlock mechanism.

http://www.mustang6g.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=1479&pictureid=9373

Norm

 

[Backerthebiker]

Thanks for the replies, guys! I'll look into these thoughts!

To answer Norm's question - This is our first year in the competition, so we're trying to keep the design fairly simple. We decided not to pursue a variable drive for the motor, in the interest of simplicity, efficiency, and reliability. It is an efficiency race, and any additional electronics have the potential to reduce that efficiency. I'll look into these handgun switches, and see if I think we can incorporate one.

Greg, thanks for the idea. I was thinking something very similar - just have to find something I can incorporate into a steering wheel. I'll do some searching on the subject.

 

[pmrobert]

PTT buttons for aircraft are meant to be mounted on yokes and, appropriately placed, may suffice for your purposes. See Link for various examples.