Motorized gadget: step #5

       So I got to the part of fixing iPhone to the motorized vent.

      This was quite a challenge because the phone has to be placed in perfect center or otherwise the system won't be able to rotate. Secondly to fixate screws and nuts, you have to be jeweller (that's why I used rivets instead).

So first I attached some aluminum ribs so I would be able to attach iPhone cover to the moving part.

        Next I drilled holes in the iPhone cover, that would match the holes on the aluminum ribs beneath. 

After riveting iPhone cover to the aluminum ribs, I had to ensure that vent system can rotate 180 degrees. It couldn't... That's why there are several unnecessary holes in the iPhone cover. :)

        So this works for now as you can see in the video below:

 Unfortunately there are additional problems that I have to solve. 

1. How to connect iPhone wires so that they would allow to move the center part.

2. How to disguise the vent so that it when iPhone can be seen, no other stuff is visible (like the center axis).

Motorized gadget: step #4

       In the previous blog posts I got trough with the main problems in circuits that control servo.

If you missed them:
Step #1: Voltage limiter from 12 to 5 V
Step #2: NE555 timer for servo control
Step #3: Problem solving with oscilloscope

      With the circuits working I had to proceed with the next phase - integration in the car panel.

      So the idea is to use the center console air vents from my car. Since I don't use these vents, I decided to sacrifice them in the name of my project.

      I took out the center part witch consisted of three separate parts. The best thing with these vents is that they are cylindrical, so they can be rolled 180 degrees. 

      At first I took the vent system apart:

        I had to modify these vents, so they could turn fully around. With a bit of pliers, knife and drill I got rid of small things that didn't allow the vents to move around.