I'm wondering if anyone has any design ideas to help me out. I'm looking for a way for one object to detatch from another object on command without using much power.
Electromagnets come to mind but use far too much power (its battery operated and may be days or weeks before it needs to detatch). I also want to rule out options which involve combustion due to fire risk, it'll be left unattended.
It has to be quite a strong method that can withstand strong wind/movement.
Thanks Bob. I forgot to mention, space is a massive consideration too, you're right servo is probably the most likely option but if you/anyone has any other ideas beyond that i'd be keen to hear!
If you use a servo to pull a pin out of a connector of some kind via a thin wire then the servo could be mounted remotely from the connector which may help ease the space problem
A toggle mechanism that can be tripped by a servo or solenoid? Toggles can hold quite strongly yet be released with relatively small force. Think of standing on one straight leg and someone (unfriendly) taps the back of your knee...
Permanent magnets to hold the things together then a coil around them so that when you energise the coils the magnetic field from the coil is the opposite way to the permanent magnets and counters the permanent magnets so they release.
You are using terms like 'strong' 'far too much power' 'space is a massive consideration' 'strong method' 'strong wind/movement' etc.
No doubt as, I presume, you know the project you have an understanding of the context of those terms, forum members however should not have to waste time guessing .......
