Here are several sensors built into Lego bricks. Each has its own features, is
manufacured to a professional standard and, if necessary, they can be custom-made.
These examples are built 3 and 4 Lego 'units' high. They are designed for use
with the Lego Mindstorms RCX with which they are 100% compatible, although they
could probably be used in conjunction with any Lego electric system.
I have used them in trains, self-righting robots and in position sensing.
The first example is a tilt sensor built into a 2x4 Lego brick. It is 4 Lego 'units'
tall. The orientation of the sensor on a model depends on its purpose and dictates
whether the output is open or closed. It can be mounted such that when the model is
in one way up, the output is "closed" (the RCX sees this as a pressed touch sensor).
If the model turns upside-down, for example, the output would be "open" (like an
unpressed touch sensor).
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In this orientation the tilt sensor looks to the RCX just like a touch sensor which is being pressed.
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In this orientation the tilt sensor looks to the RCX just like a touch sensor which is not being pressed.
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The second example is a magnet sensor built into a 2x4 Lego brick. It is 3 Lego 'units'
tall. The sensor can be positioned on a model so that a magnet (such as the ones supplied
with Lego trains) passing close to it will activate it. The sensor is sensitive to these
magnets to a distance of a little more than 1 Lego 'unit' away and is more easily activated
by a more powerful magnet.
When there are no magnets near the sensor, the output is "closed" (the RCX sees this as a
unpressed touch sensor). When a magnet is brought close to the sensor, the output closes
(like a pressed touch sensor).
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These units are neither manufactured, nor endorsed by the Lego group.
Since 25-Jul-2001
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