On Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:27:43 +0000
Jonathan Gazeley <jonathan.gazeley(a)bristol.ac.uk> wrote:
On 04/03/10 10:20, James Morris wrote:
On Thu, March 4, 2010 09:48, Jonathan Gazeley
wrote:
1. A sensor that can measure my cadence. A simple
magnet switch that
triggers once a revolution won't be enough to measure the cadence with
sufficient resolution, since my cadence is usually between 50 and 80
rpm. I would probably need to mount multiple magnets spaced equally
around the chainwheel and have a single sensor on the frame. Then I have
to get it to supply this information to my control program.
Cycle computers which measure cadence work with a single magnet on the
crank and can measure cadence in that range and above. I think the fastest
RPM I ever got was (only a vague memory) around 120 (maybe?) when I was
being silly trying to see how fast I could pedal.
Yes - I have a cycle computer that can measure cadence. However, I
typically pedal between 60 and 90 rpm which means my reading would only
be available for sampling every 0.7 - 1.0s. It would work, but in the
space of one second my cadence can vary a lot if I'm accelerating so the
sound of the rising revs would be jumpy.
Also, if I suddenly stopped pedalling, it might take up to a second for
the sampler to register and kill the engine noise. I don't think it
would be a very satisfactory experience, which is why I was thinking of
mounting 10 or so magnets around the chainwheel, to be able to sample
the cadence every 0.1s.
Instead of directly trying to measure RPM, measure milliseconds per
rev. then invert it. Once you have your first reading, then start to
average over 2/3 revs. gives you a pretty fast responding figure with a
simple setup.
Also, use a short range photocell on the spokes (say 50mm). Easy to
mount, reliable results with minimal effort. As these can usually
respond up to 10-30kHz you won't have to worry about pedalling too
fast :)
--
Will J Godfrey
http://www.musically.me.uk
Say you have a poem and I have a tune.
Exchange them and we can both have a poem, a tune, and a song.