Hello, I am looking for a very simple and inexpencive infrared-switch circuit to build with kids.
It only needs to switch on/off, no decoding required.
The kids shall recieve a construction kit and manual. The aim is to build a boat out of styrofoam, wood and of course the electronics.
To use just one channel/function I thought of using a Counter IC such as the 4017, so they could switch both motors on, and then switch to left/right/off.
here is a small sketch, think of the lights as motors.
**broken link removed**
The IR-reciever diodes I tried using where just too daylight-sensetive, so I stumbled across the TSOP modules. I am not happy with it since using it is a bit too advanced for kids (and also for me, I am also a electronics beginner, but I am allways looking for fun experiments)... But i had no better idea yet.
I have searched on this forum but have not found any project thats easy enough. Also in other german forums I have posted in no one had a easy idea or sggested microcontrollers; While I find the attiny pretty cool its just too complicated (I am talking preschool to 3rd grade here....)
Maybee someone here has a better & easier Idea, but the best shot I got so far is the idea to use a TSOP IR Reciever module. As far as I understand the datasheet, it will output "1"/"on" when no valid IR Signal hits it.
When a 38 KHz (or whatever TSOP it is) signal hits the TSOP, it will output a sequence of on and offs, the RC5-Signal of the pressed key.
My idea now was to invert the signal and "smoothen" it.
The result would be that at no signal the output would be "0"/"off", and the "0101011" sequence would be a somewhat "on" signal.
**broken link removed**
Here is a simplified shematic of the setup.
The thing at the left represents the TSOP, and is a simple switch in the circuit:
**broken link removed**
I once read that a transistor can be used to invert the signal instead of a inverter-IC, I hope this would work in a real circuit like that. It allready has more parts then I wish it would have. :-(
Here is the link to the source and the java simulator:
https://www.nottoxic.com/wapcc/ae/aqua/ir-rx.htm
Here is a old graphic when i had the idea, its wrong but I drew the parts, so its probably more understandable then the above shematic where i used wires to outline tsop and 4017:
**broken link removed**
(Kondensator is german and means Capacitor, sorry.)
I know there are ready-to-use IR-Recievers out there, but building a small circuit would be fun for the kids, and also buying kits would be too expensive.
I have not checked into the datasheet, but maybee the 4017 is too "slow" for the pulses anyway? Or will it switch on every rc5-bit?
Also, another idea would be to use a 36 and 38KHz Remote, two tspo modules, so the motors could be switched independently, ... and directly through transistors, since the fast on/off would not matter that much? Though building a remote then instead of using two different tv remotes would be better i guess. Unfortunaly I read that the tsop will not respond to a "empty" 38/36KHz Signal produced by a IR LED and a 555? Does anyone know more about this?
I apreceate any help. I experimented a bit with a TSOP, but managed to fry it ;-) So I decided to ask for professional guidance first.
It only needs to switch on/off, no decoding required.
The kids shall recieve a construction kit and manual. The aim is to build a boat out of styrofoam, wood and of course the electronics.
To use just one channel/function I thought of using a Counter IC such as the 4017, so they could switch both motors on, and then switch to left/right/off.
here is a small sketch, think of the lights as motors.
**broken link removed**
The IR-reciever diodes I tried using where just too daylight-sensetive, so I stumbled across the TSOP modules. I am not happy with it since using it is a bit too advanced for kids (and also for me, I am also a electronics beginner, but I am allways looking for fun experiments)... But i had no better idea yet.
I have searched on this forum but have not found any project thats easy enough. Also in other german forums I have posted in no one had a easy idea or sggested microcontrollers; While I find the attiny pretty cool its just too complicated (I am talking preschool to 3rd grade here....)
Maybee someone here has a better & easier Idea, but the best shot I got so far is the idea to use a TSOP IR Reciever module. As far as I understand the datasheet, it will output "1"/"on" when no valid IR Signal hits it.
When a 38 KHz (or whatever TSOP it is) signal hits the TSOP, it will output a sequence of on and offs, the RC5-Signal of the pressed key.
My idea now was to invert the signal and "smoothen" it.
The result would be that at no signal the output would be "0"/"off", and the "0101011" sequence would be a somewhat "on" signal.
**broken link removed**
Here is a simplified shematic of the setup.
The thing at the left represents the TSOP, and is a simple switch in the circuit:
**broken link removed**
I once read that a transistor can be used to invert the signal instead of a inverter-IC, I hope this would work in a real circuit like that. It allready has more parts then I wish it would have. :-(
Here is the link to the source and the java simulator:
https://www.nottoxic.com/wapcc/ae/aqua/ir-rx.htm
Here is a old graphic when i had the idea, its wrong but I drew the parts, so its probably more understandable then the above shematic where i used wires to outline tsop and 4017:
**broken link removed**
(Kondensator is german and means Capacitor, sorry.)
I know there are ready-to-use IR-Recievers out there, but building a small circuit would be fun for the kids, and also buying kits would be too expensive.
I have not checked into the datasheet, but maybee the 4017 is too "slow" for the pulses anyway? Or will it switch on every rc5-bit?
Also, another idea would be to use a 36 and 38KHz Remote, two tspo modules, so the motors could be switched independently, ... and directly through transistors, since the fast on/off would not matter that much? Though building a remote then instead of using two different tv remotes would be better i guess. Unfortunaly I read that the tsop will not respond to a "empty" 38/36KHz Signal produced by a IR LED and a 555? Does anyone know more about this?
I apreceate any help. I experimented a bit with a TSOP, but managed to fry it ;-) So I decided to ask for professional guidance first.