I would like to build an adjustable bed for my appartment.
I would like to get a little help with selection of the hardware as I haven't worked with Arduino before.
If you don't want to click on a link this is what I really need.
I would like to have an Arduino board that would allow me to control 4 Linear actuators using a mechanical up and down buttons and as well Android App over the BLE. They should open and close in the same interval(Same length).
I know that The Ble part doesn't make a lot of sense but I would take it mostly as a learning experience as I d like to enter the world of IOT.
In the docs there is example for linear actuator. If you know about company that would offer good quality ones and is based in EU please share it too.
My background: I work as a software developer, developing android apps which communicates with IOT devices.
Check the force needed from the actuators. Be aware of the situation that You might be sitting on a corner of the bed, loading on actuator a lot.
No motors run exactly the same so some kind of syncronization might be wanted. Buying for rotary encoders looks costly but would do the job.
I can understand, as a software developer, you want to start with the solution first and then the mechanical design later. The reality is you MUST begin the design knowing the Exact forces needed to make your project move. Without that information, you CANNOT know the basic requirements for the linear actuators.
Once you know the forces, you can select actuators that will give the needed motion and power.
Once you know that, you can select the actuator controller boards that can handle the power.
Once you know that you can design the power supply needed for the project.
Once you know all this you can select the Arduino necessary to control the project.
Railroader:
Check the force needed from the actuators. Be aware of the situation that You might be sitting on a corner of the bed, loading on actuator a lot.
No motors run exactly the same so some kind of syncronization might be wanted. Buying for rotary encoders looks costly but would do the job.
Thanks for going over my stuff. If I feel like Its a problem I might create few positions like Top and Bottom and add some mechanical rests to prevent overloading.
I will look into rotary encoders. Thanks for great tips!
Paul_KD7HB:
I can understand, as a software developer, you want to start with the solution first and then the mechanical design later. The reality is you MUST begin the design knowing the Exact forces needed to make your project move. Without that information, you CANNOT know the basic requirements for the linear actuators.
Once you know the forces, you can select actuators that will give the needed motion and power.
Once you know that, you can select the actuator controller boards that can handle the power.
Once you know that you can design the power supply needed for the project.
Once you know all this you can select the Arduino necessary to control the project.
Paul
Beautiful Paul
I see what you are saying. I will finish the design of how I want it to look, then Calulate how heavy the wood and mattress going to be.
Thank you for your help
there is no reason you cannot play around somewhat.
4 LED's with fade.
bluetooth from your android could have them fade up and down.
when it comes to the motors, that process is as Paul_KD7HD outlined, but in reality, you will use some device to control the motor. be it a relay, and FET, some soft of motor driver or some on-board circuitry.
like the power seats in my car, command a move and it moves till it hits a stop. then it can only go the other way.
some cars have pre-sets. you push 1 for your preferred seating, or press 2 for your wife's preferred seating.
for that, you would need some sort of positional feedback. but, most projects get the main things first, then features are added as needed or as time allows.
