WIP - RacingMat's closed circuit Gseat

@RacingMat
Have you run across any Arduino sketches that can use the serial output of Game Engine and output a signal to drive a relay board which in turn switches my air air valves on and off??
Thanks...

To be honest I'm skeptical about using this approach since air bags have a finite inflation size. I hope I'm proved incorrect though.

How will this improve control exactly? You're monitoring the internal pot but it appears still using the servos built it electronics to move the motor.

I'm really interested to see how this works out and how effective the simulation feels. One of my concerns about my JoyRider type simulator is it is rather dangerous, so this would be a good solution if it works well.

have a look in the FAQ about GameDash

https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/gamedash-settings-tips-and-tricks.21/category

driving a relay is extra simple: you change 1 digital pin (here pin 10) from low to high


you should open a dedicated thread to get more specific help

Yes, that's right. I count on the bucket seat suited to my body size. Normally I won't be too far away.

It harder to setup a PID based on a guessed position.
With a simple servo, there is no way to tell where it is actually.
I keep the built in electronic to give orders to the servo (it's convenient) but I use the internal pot to know where it is, how close it's from limits...

I agree, this design is elegant in terms of concealment and security. No moving parts around the seat, no chain, no gears...

This project looks like it's going to be quite epic in the end. I recently been exploring xxpelle's project and found (as you do mention) that while it works very well for small changes given that there is some pressure once you quickly change direction or there is a large shift in force the airflow becomes restricted on 5mm tubing so i will change mine to 10mm or even 20mm. This could be negated with a system (piston) that also pulls the air out but it would probably add a lot to the cost and complexity to have pistons instead of the clamps. My current workaround is to hot glue part of the bladders to the top and bottom of the clamps so they do have some push/pull but that does come at a cost for the range of the bladder. Im actually going to do a combination of flaps and bladders so i can get the best of both worlds.

Btw, where did you find the larger 27x13 (or larger if you got) something bladders? I finally found some but they got cancelled due to shipping issues to Norway

pump Wedge
here https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32714250956.html
and here https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32858748520.html

or
Arm Blood Pressure Cuff Belt for Blood Pressure Tonometer Large Length 48cm
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001083786066.html
or look for Sphygmomanometer

I installed 4 wedges under the seat cover (taped with double-face adhesive tape):
2 on the external face of thighs
2 against the flotting ribs (but not activated yet).

I really like it! Will finalize the setup and shoot pictures and vid
Sustained effects are superbly given back.
I'd advice to use the largest wedges to increase the contact surface.
At start, it just requires to manually pump up the system to come to contact (so it's easily adaptable for different drivers).
I'm thinking about using the pump of a sphygmomanometer + pressure sensor to automatize the initialization


FYI, I've given up the PID with pressure sensor in the loop (too much delay).

I have been planning to do air bladders, inwill use gearmotors and a cam and the smc3 program.

How do you configure simtools how many motors ? One for each airbag ?

Is it possible to use one motor for 2 bags ie left turn right bag, right turn left bag etc

Makes me wonder if i could use the motors already on my 6dof to compress the bags

If i place them in the right location might be able to use the motion of the sim to do the work

@Gadget999 I have been working on an airbag system for what seems like a long time...
And I spent (wasted) way too much money on it...
But that is the way you learn I guess.
The one thing I am convinced of is the seat can make your project much easier..
I picked up a Kirkey 16800 Seat and the matching cover.
I love the seat / hate the price...

I went with an air compressor and solenoid valves..
Although the motion is not linear it does have lots of power and is fast.
Properly adjusting the turn on points with my diy control circuit and Game engine produces a pretty good feel...

has anyone considered using a pressure sensor for pid control - but measuring the pressure in the bag not on the surface ?

I am thinking it could work pretty good - you could even use a potentiometer to adjust the pressure

I purchased a 30psi sensor from Amazon but never used it.
I never figured out how to use it in a circuit.
I just bought pressure regulators that went up to 30 psi which is the limit of most of the Wedge Bags.

I am pretty sure you just replace the potentiometer with a pressure/map sensor - the pid loop will regulate now with pressure instead of distance

I tried this
https://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/wip-racingmats-closed-circuit-gseat.14071/#post-189254

but as you will see in posts below, the tube diameter is too small and the delay between motor and bladder makes PID nearly impossible for high reactivity

Hi Matt

did you scope the output of the sensor ?
do you think the delay was in the pid loop ?
could the sensor be fitted next to the compression bladder rather than inline in the pipework ?
did the sensor you use have any damping - (some of them have internal restrictors to keep the output smooth)