Button having several button states

Using Arduino Programming Questions
#1

Hi everyone, I am fairly new to arduino and I have little to no experience with coding. I’ve tried to read tutorials but certain aspects of it are hard to understand in such a short time. I can sort of follow how the code’s output can be, but I get lost so easily.

Basically I have 2 linear actuators set up each with their own HY-SRF05 UltraSonic Sensors and I’m trying to use 3 buttons to change the height as well as remember the set height. If I click the top button, the actuator moves up, if I click the bottom button, the actuator moves down, if I keep the center button pressed for more than a second, the arduino remembers the height, and if I click the center button once, the height gets adjusted to the remembered height. If I click the center button again and the height is equal to the remembered height, it returns to the lowest height setting.

I hope that logic isn’t too confusing, but in reality it’s very simple. I have the top and bottom buttons physically hooked up to relays to drive the actuators, but my problem is using the center button to remember a height and change its height automatically based on the longevity of the press.

As for the code, I’ve downloaded a library to read heights in real time and print them to the serial monitor, I just don’t know how to maneuver the code in order to work with the data and to work in certain situations. Thank you

#2

Show us a good schematic of your circuit.
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Give links to components.
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#3

I have the top and bottom buttons physically hooked up to relays to drive the actuators

Indirectly through the Arduino I hope?
If the switches are directly connected to the relays then that is totally half baked IMHO.

#4

The code in this link illustrates different button click types

...R

#5

pcbbc:
Indirectly through the Arduino I hope?
If the switches are directly connected to the relays then that is totally half baked IMHO.

I have output pins from the arduino wired to the inputs of the relays. I also have buttons going to each respective input on the relay to do a manual lift and drop. If I click the button, 5V runs to the input and activates the relay. I hope that clears things up a bit

Robin2:
The code in this link illustrates different button click types

…R

I’ve taken a look at the code provided. Thank you for doing that. I don’t quite follow the logic, but I changed around the pin values and it somewhat works with the relays that I have set up.

Below is the code that simply regulates both actuators making sure that they both maintain the same height. I want to include button states that once pressed and held for like 3 seconds, then it would remember the value. When I click the button then it would recall the remembered state and change the value of the height. If I wanted to overwrite the remembered value, then I should be able to, but I don’t know how to remember serial monitor values and to manipulate them in the code. Sorry i’m very new to coding and it’s very hard to follow when you don’t have a trained mind like yours’

#include <NewPing.h>

#define RightTrigger 13 //Right Actuator UltraSonic Sensor Trigger Pin
#define RightEcho 12 //Right Actuator UltraSonic Sensor Echo Pin
#define MaxHeight 10000 //Maximum Distance for UltraSonic Sensor
#define LeftTrigger 7 //Left Actuator UltraSonic Sensor Trigger Pin
#define LeftEcho 8 //Left Actuator UltraSonic Sensor Echo Pin


NewPing sonar1(RightTrigger, RightEcho, MaxHeight);
NewPing sonar2(LeftTrigger, LeftEcho, MaxHeight);

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  pinMode (4, OUTPUT);
  pinMode (2, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  delay(50);
  Serial.print("Ping1: ");
  Serial.print(sonar1.ping_cm());
  Serial.println("cm");
  delay(50);
  Serial.print("Ping2: ");
  Serial.print(sonar2.ping_cm());
  Serial.println("cm");

  if (sonar1.ping_cm() == sonar2.ping_cm()) {
    digitalWrite(4, LOW);
    digitalWrite(2, LOW);
  }

  else if (sonar1.ping_cm() > sonar2.ping_cm()) {
    digitalWrite(4, HIGH);

  }

  else if (sonar1.ping_cm() < sonar2.ping_cm()) {
    digitalWrite(2, HIGH);
  }

  else {
    digitalWrite(4, LOW);
    digitalWrite(2, LOW);
  }

}
#6

r0haan:
I have output pins from the arduino wired to the inputs of the relays. I also have buttons going to each respective input on the relay to do a manual lift and drop. If I click the button, 5V runs to the input and activates the relay. I hope that clears things up a bit

Nope (well, not to me anyway); I diagram would though.

#7

A legible, notated drawing/schematic is half the battle. Doesn't have to professional looking, hand-drawn is fine. some symbols

#8

1039×966 84.9 KB

I'm pretty sure I included everything. I hope it clears things up.

#9

Yep, you’ve got the switches wired directly to the relays controlling your actuators.
Arduino should sit between all switches and relays.
There should be no direct interaction between switch and relay/actuator.
Trying to make a digital control system and other way is crazy.

#10