sparky/gadget whizzes.. little help pls?

[skelstar]

Looks cool. The only thing I can think of is that the further the plate moves up, the shallower the angle and the more force is required to pull the plate up.

[NhuanH]

you really don't do any work for [Insert Anonymous Telco here] do ya?

[skelstar]

I may have read the diagram wrong. Is the plate the thin black line bit? I assumed it was inside the holder the whole time.

[bugjuice]

you really don't do any work for [Insert my balls here] do ya?

yeah I do.. fukhoff.. I'm making myself look busy by doing this

I may have read the diagram wrong. Is the plate the thin black line bit? I assumed it was inside the holder the whole time.

yeah, you've got it right. The black line is meant to be the plate. The bottom of the plate pulling up when closed is the bit I need to think a bit harder on. The plate would be attached at the top and bottom, no real need for a frame of any sort. Was thinking of some sort of gear that kicks in when the plate is half way or more, to push the bottom up and hold it there

[skelstar]

Still reckon there could be issues. What about the plate being sprung? ie the plate would spring closed given the chance but there would be a little 'plunger' that would stop it until your 'switch' pulled the plunger out of the way and the plate would spring up *viola*. You would then have to stop to put the plate back down .

[bugjuice]

cos that wouldn't be as cool as the plate sliding away like this..
nap.. I've set the brief for myself, now I must forefill..
thanx all the same tho

[Ixion]

I think you're making it unnecessarily difficult by moving/swinging the plate. Plus inviting Mr Plod to examine the plate and ask "Wot's all this 'ere, then, attached to yer number plate.".

The only requirement is to conceal the number. Why not just have a hinged cover that is normally held up under the tail (at right angles to the plate). Release a little catch (just a trip wire will do) and the cover falls down under its own weight , covering the plate. Nothing at all attached to the plate to attract suspicion, the cover is normally concealed up under the tail (paint it the same colour as the bike and it'll be almost invisible) , and very simple and little to go wrong.

Not of course that I would ever condone making such a device. But I understand that this is a purely hypothetical exercise.


cover (in up position)
hinge
o---------------
|
| plate
|

:when the cover is unclipped it falls down covering teh palte


o
| | cover concealing plate
| |
| |
| |

[bugjuice]

I see what you're saying with that.
But I'm not making this to run from the cops or whatever. It's purely 'bling' stuff, cos I'm bored and want to try it out. If anyone wants to stop me and question it, then feel free. I haven't got anything to hide

With your design, to uncover the plate, I'd have to stop and reset it, wouldn't I? Plus the cover would obstruct the tail light while it's up and flap around when it's down..

[Ixion]

I see what you're saying with that.
But I'm not making this to run from the cops or whatever. It's purely 'bling' stuff, cos I'm bored and want to try it out. If anyone wants to stop me and question it, then feel free. I haven't got anything to hide

With your design, to uncover the plate, I'd have to stop and reset it, wouldn't I? Plus the cover would obstruct the tail light while it's up and flap around when it's down..

Ah , if it's not in the interests of "anonomity" then, yes, the deficiences become more manifest. You would indeed have to stop and reset it , and it would bounce against the plate (don't think it would flap , but it would bump ). Don't think it would obscure the light though, depends on how your tail is designed.

Such issues are of less import in the purpose which I conjectured. (ie, just hiding your number fast)

[avgas]

anyone remember those corrugated plastic pictures that change when you tilt them?

if you use that idea you can reduce the time it takes to make the number plate vanish, or even better change at the touch of a button

it might be a little pricey though.

Its funny as i have an electrical background....but i thought i read through and see if someone see's the same solution as me.
If you put something on the plate that difracts the light, it would effectively reflect any camera flash, but the plate would still be visiable through the thin layer. Something like the lense pattern of an OHP would do the trick.
This is what they currently use on all those 'super fast' cars around the show.
As for the PWM concept into a stepped motor.....would you have suffiecnt torque for limited size? Why not have a mechanical locking arm running off a 12v DC motor, as this would make the work of the plate returning to a stand still possition easier at high speeds.
If it doesnt need to come back a high speeds, set up a simple bistable solenoid latch. As u dont need the driving power of CPLD or Micro to work as a simple switch.

[pyrocam]

what. you guys havent learnt to ride with your foot over the plate yet?

edit:
or even better
a hinge at the top
and a sting that comes out near your handlebars. pull and it goes up.