Timing Devices Essay, Research Paper
The construction of the timing device was very simpleThe circuit was constructed,
as any other circuit would be involving a lot of minuet
soldering. However there was a size limit that I had to work to. The circuit
itself with all the components including a nine-volt battery had to fit into
the waterproof box earlier acquired. This meant that the PCB for the circuit
was created in the shape of the box to give maximal room for the components. I
firstly photocopied the layout of the box and then created the PCB based on
this shape. However the box only measured a height of 25mm, length of 55mm and
width of 48mm. This created the problem of running the tracks of the PCB very
closely together resulting in the breaking of them the first time around.
However a second attempt and a lot of effort later resulted in a successful
circuit.The first problem I had with the box was that the mounting
heads and inner walls in the box had to be removed to create as large an area
inside as possible. With this done I then had to drill holes of the appropriate
size and placing for the LED?s and two switches.With the circuit completed the components were all sealed
in their places and the last thing to do before the box could be closed was to
interface the stopwatch. This was a very detailed job. On the opening of the
stopwatch I found that there were two connecters upon where I needed to solder
the wires. They were the original connectors for the activation of the
stopwatch and needed bending back and exposing before they could be soldered.
However this was done and so the wires were slid down the plastic tubing and
into the electronic box.The box was finally closed and screwed down tight into its
waterproof seal by four extra long screws that were part of the mounting design.
With the screws exposed I cut out two cross beams measuring; 52mm by 100mm by
1mm. These crossbars then helped install the box to the chosen position behind
the brake lever under the handlebars. It was Held in place by some wing nuts,
which help in the removal and adjustment of the whole fitting. The watch was
last to find its way onto the handlebars having only to be attached like it
would on that of a wrist.?