I was looking into servos and I need some help choosing the proper one. I need a servo that has complete 180 degree motion but it's going to get hit by dogs a lot so it needs to hold it's position against a good deal of force. My biggest problem with this however is the fact that it needs to be tiny. I was thinking I might have to go with a locking gear system what do you recommend.
I am attempting to make self adjusting weave poles like these:
The problem is dogs will be hitting them constantly and there is very little room for these servos. Especially with the fact that they will have to be operated using rechargeable batteries. In order to ensure that they are properly adjustable, they need to hold shape. Also I am designing a GUI that will allow them to be remote controlled so they can be set to different angles depending on the dogs skill level. Anyone have some ideas?
Best Answer
I would approach this as a mechanical problem, not a servo-selection problem. Design a mechanism which can take a hit and keep the servo isolated, then you only need a normally rated servo (one that can move the object, rather than being strong enough to cut a dog in half).
I would look at adding some spring, rubber, a cush-drive, overload or slip clutch (or dog clutch, ha ha!), or just slack in the mechanism to allow the movement/impact.
Personally I'd look closely at other actuation methods, for example small pneumatic cylinders are easily actuated with solenoid valves and a £5 12v car tyre inflator can provide enough air, and being pneumatic they will take having their pistons moved by force and return naturally to where they're set.