Okay so I am a complete noob when it comes to circuits and anything electrical but for a college project I need to incorporate electronics.
The project is based off Dynamic Mechanisms, basically using gears, pulleys, cams etc. to make a project become a playable scene. Therefore my circuit needs to be perfect for my project to work. Once I start operating the scene I cannot have any room for error.
But here is my issue...
I have a basic light bulb circuit which is operated by a push button switch. When this switch is turned on the light source then activates a light activated sound module which plays a song.
However this switch is activated by an involute cam (snail like gear) , when this gear is at its highest altitude it will operate the switch. however by the time the gear comes back around to turn off the switch the song is only a third of the way through.
I was wondering is there a push button switch that will allow you to hit it 3 times and on the 4th it will turn the circuit off? so the gear hits the switch and the circuit goes on and then when the gear hits the switch again the circuit stays on until the switch is activated 4 times?
Probably a stupid question but I have been looking for switches online and I am in over my head. Thanks for any help.

 

Is the push button a momentary switch?
Meaning, "you" push it, light comes On, you release it and light goes Off.

 

Is the push button a momentary switch?
Meaning, "you" push it, light comes On, you release it and light goes Off.

hi shteii01 , no the light source must remain on for the sound module to operate.. so it wouldnt be a momentary switch.. I was also wondering would there be a push button switch similiar to a toggle switch that controls different circuits..
kind of like a device with different intensitys, one which has maybe three circuits of different resistance?.

 

hi shteii01 , no the light source must remain on for the sound module to operate.. so it wouldnt be a momentary switch.. I was also wondering would there be a push button switch similiar to a toggle switch that controls different circuits..
kind of like a device with different intensitys, one which has maybe three circuits of different resistance?.

Here is interesting one: http://www.digikey.com/product-sear...=1&stock=1&quantity=0&ptm=0&fid=0&pageSize=25

First push, line A is On.
Second push, lines A and B are On.
Third push, line B is On.
Fourth push, all lines are Off.

What you could do is wire lines A and B together. This way if A is On, B is Off, light is On; if A and B are On, light is On; if A is Off, B is On, light is On; if A and B are Off, light is Off. I would probably put a capacitor in parallel with the light so that when switch is switching and there is momentary Off condition, the capacitor would provide power to the light.

This seems to work for what you are asking, 3 pushes and light is On, fourth push and light is Off.

 

+1 on push switch.

Four methods come to mind:
Ratchet/sequence relay
IC counter (solid state solution)
Industrial preset counter
Three speed fan switch

What power levels?
How many cycles must it last?
How much force and throw of actuator cam?

Pictures will help.

 

Thanks for everyones help.. I have contacted many stores in my area and they dont have any switch similar to this and they said that the ic counters would be my way forward..

one last question however.. After you mentioned a capacitor I started thinking.. Would it be possible to have a circuit which, when the switch is on the light bulb would emit light and also charge a capacitor.. then when the switch is off the capacitor would operate the bulb.. So when operationg the scene, the light bulb would remain on always and only turn off when you stop operating the scene (when the switch is off)?.

 

Is the timing consistent, such that a simple "delay off" will work?

If yes, how many seconds?

Picture?
"an involute cam (snail like gear)"
Add a 4-1 gear?

 

Thanks for everyones help.. I have contacted many stores in my area and they dont have any switch similar to this and they said that the ic counters would be my way forward..

one last question however.. After you mentioned a capacitor I started thinking.. Would it be possible to have a circuit which, when the switch is on the light bulb would emit light and also charge a capacitor.. then when the switch is off the capacitor would operate the bulb.. So when operationg the scene, the light bulb would remain on always and only turn off when you stop operating the scene (when the switch is off)?.

Capacitor IS NOT a battery.
When we want something on for seconds and longer, we use battery.

When we want something on for milliseconds or less, we use capacitor.