Do we have any electrical engineers on the board?

[CJ]

I'm needing some help with a project I'm working on. Essentially I'm building a simple counter circuit to count product moving through a chute. Originally I was going to use a simple mechanical microswitch, however it is not accurate enough. So, I purchased an infrared sensor. the issue is infrared sensors generally measure beam complete, and not beam break. I need a simple circuit to invert the logic so it will send a 12v dc signal when the Beam is broken. I have a modified schematic of a counter, however I'm using a different counter which is contained on a single PCB, so I would have to modify the signal on a separate board. Anyone familiar enough with this that could lend some help?

Here is a modified circuit:



Needless to say, I'm a little out of my depth here.

[slow99]

We had one. Most eventually came to the conclusion that he was a huge douche. JKD assured everyone that he wasn't really an asshole or a douche, he was just SOOOOOOOOO out there intelligent that mere board members couldn't understand the depths of his genius. A thread got personal about his significant other and he never came back.


Best of luck. I know we have a few engineers of varying disciplines, not sure if any of them are electrical engineers. The user name Bernie Mosfet does imply that he is one, however, maybe try him.

[Nash B.]

We had one. Most eventually came to the conclusion that he was a huge douche. JKD assured everyone that he wasn't really an asshole or a douche, he was just SOOOOOOOOO out there intelligent that mere board members couldn't understand the depths of his genius. A thread got personal about his significant other and he never came back.

Ah, sweet memories.

[Tremor14]

I'll forward this thread to an EE at work tomorrow, he's a car guy, but a good christian dude, i'd be afraid to link him to this site.

[Denny]

PM svo855

[zora04]

Use a relay

[Denny]

LOL @ someone tagging at the same time as me. JINX!

[KBScobravert]

+

[Ruffdaddy]

+

Holy shit this is funny as hell

[Ruffdaddy]

CJ, can you not just subtract 1 from your total count?

[CJ]

CJ, can you not just subtract 1 from your total count?

I'm not sure what you mean?

The counter circuit was designed to increment the counter with each press of a button, physically making a connection. With the IR beam, I need to count when the connection is interrupted. I need to add a transistor to invert the logic. The sensor is a photodiode and phototransistor pair.

[Buick355]

I'm not sure what you mean?

The counter circuit was designed to increment the counter with each press of a button, physically making a connection. With the IR beam, I need to count when the connection is interrupted. I need to add a transistor to invert the logic. The sensor is a photodiode and phototransistor pair.

Since the counter counts when the beam is complete, When the beam is broken it will again become complete. So just subtract the first complete.


Worst explanation ever, lol

[Ruffdaddy]

I'm not sure what you mean?

The counter circuit was designed to increment the counter with each press of a button, physically making a connection. With the IR beam, I need to count when the connection is interrupted. I need to add a transistor to invert the logic. The sensor is a photodiode and phototransistor pair.

Ahh I see. I thought you had a photo gate counter prepackaged, and the concern was that it was counting in the normally closed position figuratively speaking.

I don't know enough to modify that circuit, I would probably just lift an arduino design from the internet.

Good luck, I thought MOSFET was an EE.

Edit: not sure if he posts much though.

[BoostedD1]

could you use a reed switch or an opto for your application?!

[YALE]

Will an Arduino instructable help?

http://www.instructables.com/id/IR-laser-person-counter/

or

http://www.instructables.com/id/1-4-Digit-Arduino-Counter/

PM Snatch Napkin, or call/text Adam. One of them will know how to wire up what you want done.