Hello Everyone,
I'm in need of some help with basic automotive stuff. I'm the lone Computer Engineering student mixed in with a whole slue of Mech Es....
I was hoping someone out there could explain to me how a shift indicator light works. What sensors are needed, what the conditions are when the gear needs to be shifted (up or down), etc... Essentially we just want an LED (or some other light) to come on when the driver needs to shift gears.
Any help would be appreciated...
Thanks, Mike
Since you already have a "staff" of MEs make them do most of the "systems" work.
Like: When should you shift? (Hint: it would be a combination of engine speed, the throtle position, manifold vacuum, and some "rules" that would combine these to for final decision.
Once you have that you work with then to design/buy the necessary sensors, wire them up to your favorite one ship uProcessor and provide a means for the uP to drive your LED.
One of the fun things about using a uP rathen than some clever circuit design is to permit you to, perhaps, design additional functions. You might add a drive shaft speed input and then provide a means of recording selected data. You could add some "user" inputs to change the shift point for maximum economy or maximum acceleration.
It sounds like a fun project and the neat thing is that the EE would be in CONTROL.
Report back you progress. I bet a few of use would be interested.
(Yeah, I know that Detrot has already "done this." So what? It's still sounds like a fun project.)
>Thanks for your response, John. It brings another question of mine to mind...
I'm not entirely familiar with microcontrollers yet as I haven't even begun to delve into those classes. What kind of microcontroller should I look for? I know I need FLASH memory and an internal oscillator would be nice...but with all these options like which serial bus to use, do I want a built in A/D and what not...it gets confusing...ideally this same microcontroller will be used as a tachometer as well....so I need to sink roughly 15 LEDs worth of current (~300mA), preferably more.... Is there a site that will explain all the terminology used in uController specs?
Thanks, Mike
PS: If you're interested in this project, check out
Off hand, I would get a catalog or two and find someting that is programmed in BASIC (I think there is a line called the BASIC STAMP).
There is a part catalog wose name slips my mind but SOMEONE on your facutly will have catalogs of the varous suppliers.
Since you are only making ONE, you want the cheapest one that can be re-programmed with minimum total cost. One of your instructors might already have played around with one of a series and he might even loan you a processor "for the duration."
we use a basic stamp programmed chip at our school
Seems like a reasonable choice.
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