Re: Globe motor backdrive!!
 

We are using a bolt attached thru the winch drum.
This bolt is stopped by a metal bar which is actuated by a servo and tensioned by a spring.

Here we go.
Before applying power (speed) to our winch motor, programmatically we move a servo which moves the steel bar out of the way of the bolt. The steel bar is tensioned with a spring. When the speed is set to neutral the servo returns to it's start position and the bar blocks the bolt in the winch drum.

If we are still winching when the game is done, the spring tension pulls the bar back against the winch drum effectively doing the same thing.

Now for getting down.
We send the command (toggle switch) to the robot to winch down.
Motor actually winches up for 5 loops or about a 10th of a second rotating the winch drum bolt away from the bar ( .1 seconds is the time required by the servo to rotate from one extreme to the other). Servo pulls the bar out of the way and then we set the winch speed to unwind. It works extremely well.

Phil

Re: Globe motor backdrive!!
 

Yep ! Sailboats use "stop blocks" or cleats which allow line to pass through one way, but not the other unless unlocked. Very simple. :D

Re: Globe motor backdrive!!
 

Cleats. What a great idea!

Re: Globe motor backdrive!!
 

<<Cleats. What a great idea!>>

We used one for our F-P powered lift. Th ecleat only failed when the rope was shreaded to the inner nylon by a faulty eyehook.

Very light weight too!

Re: Globe motor backdrive!!
 

We had the same problem with the Van Door motor. I knew it would be a problem. We used gas springs. (those things that keep the hatch up in a SUV or station wagon)
Point the arm at its max angle (in our case its straight up) and use that as the slack point (no pressure on the gas spring) attach one point on the arm itself and the other end on the arm support. As the arm lowers it compresses the gas spring (i.e. spring puts a force upward) if you balance it out correctly the arm should sit where ever its positioned and only move because the motor puts power on it.

Hope taht helps