How many lights do you want(Just one?) I'm stuck on the light tree concept?)Is there an LED that lights up wh0en the ball tosser starts its sequence?On the ball tosser itself?
Have you ever play with a CDS cell?( They used to be known as an electric eye or LDR (Light dependent resistor)I there is a light as I have asked it can be used to trigger the tight tree. You may notice I am a graphical type of person.

 

So, what if we light them all up, then turn them off in a sequence? Would that be easier? I attached a gif.

There isn’t a light now, in fact, the more I listen to it the more I think there is t even a beep. It might just be the mechanism starting.

 

The current design as I have envisioned would use the first LED to start the sequencer. I am a huge believer in KISS

 

If the idea is to focus your's dog's attention on the ball, then I think your first light pattern that draws his focus toward a point, where the lights moved toward the exit port in a traveling pattern, would be more effective.

If there is a constant time delay between when a ball is placed in the chute and when it is fired, then maybe you can tap into the switch that is visible in the chute and use that signal to start the light sequence.

ak

 

The fist light is going to be my sync point it start s the Johnson counter sequence.

 

@CaptStephan we are going to have a bit of a private conversation so I can assess you skills. I does neither of u any good if I blithely assume you know what the heck I an taking abou I would be glad to PM my phone number what electronic construction style are you most comfortable , for example?

...Prototyping Electronic Circuits

 

I was thinking of using a breadboard that I have (working on some other little projects too) and then maybe getting a small board and soldering it all up once it is working like we want.

I think I agree with @AnalogKid on the light sequence after thinking about it for a bit. The idea here is to move the focus from the drop point to the launch point.

 

Final sequence in the gif below. Starts empty, ball drop, sequence start with confirmation lights, next set goes and so on until ball launch.

 

Maybe start with a beam break, IR LED & IR transistor, 555 2 sec. pulser, 4022 or 4017 counter, driver, ULN2004 etc. , & 5 groups of LEDs.
Ball breaks the beam resetting counter which releases 555 & count begins; first =4 LED on 2nd 3 LED on, 3rd
= 2 LEDs, 4th = 2 LEDs, 5th + 1 LED, & 6th + 555 reset which freezes operation with no LEDs on ??
I eliminated 5 ANDs.

 

I started with a CD4093 Quad Schmitt NAND gate for the oscillator and control logic, but an unused section of the 2004 does everything. Pulling the 4017 reset input high and then low starts the sequence. With these component values the lights move at 1 second per step. Decrease R1 to increase the step rate. As above, the first light step on about 50% longer than the other steps.

Missing is whatever it takes to have the machine trigger the circuit.

ak

 

Here is what I had in mind in post # 29. Might be able to mount a lever type Micro Sw. in throat of ball recipitcal
instead of IR beam breaker.

 

My thought was the elecric eye responding tothe yellow LED. However some experimentation will be needed to see if the idea is practical

 

Bernard, I think your reset polarity is inverted. When the ball breaks the beam, the 4017 reset input will be pulled low by R2. Once the ball has passed, the beam will re-establish, pulling R2 high and holding the 4017 in reset.

ak

 

I like the microswitch idea in #29, but it requires a narrow range of ball diameters.

TS: Does this device work with a wide range of ball sizes, or is it designed for only one size?

ak

 

it is intended for a specific diameter. Mini tennis balls only. There is a switch in the throat that is tripped to start the throwing sequence.

 

If you can get to those wires, then we can work with whatever the signal is.

Also, do you have a feel for the time delay between when the ball trips the switch and when it is ejected?

ak

 

Thanks AK, for the catch. My scratch pad was right, I just can't copy.
The Cap. said 3 sec & watching the videos that seem about right.
That would be great if the switch were ref. to +9 or ground. Is there room inside the container for a circuit board ?

 

That would be great if the switch were ref. to +9 or ground.

Either way, I've got a spare 2004 section to adjust the logic polarity.

ak

 

Can you get photocell Capt Stephan? Trey change the resistance in light.You can attach one to a meter and see if it responds to the main yellow LED, This is what I meant by some experimentation required.

 

I could get a photo cell, but see attached video first. 23F outside, so working inside today!