Stormworks: Build and Rescue

Stormworks: Build and Rescue

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RPS Automatic Transmission for up to 7 forward gears with reverse and clutch v4
   
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Vehicles: Air, Sea, Land, Mechanical
Microcontrollers: Microcontroller
Tags: v1.0.26
File Size
Posted
Updated
107.747 KB
Mar 5, 2020 @ 7:44am
Jan 3, 2021 @ 7:40pm
4 Change Notes ( view )

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RPS Automatic Transmission for up to 7 forward gears with reverse and clutch v4

Description
TLDR: Read first paragraph and maybe property config section if you have issues.

IMPORTANT: ALL GEARBOXES NEED THE TOP RATIO TO BE 1:1 FOR THIS TO WORK, THE BOTTOM RATIO SHOULD BE THE DESIRED RATIO FOR THE INTENDED GEAR. This is my first microcontroller that will "shift gears" automatically, for up to 7 forward gearbox configs, and a reverse gearbox config. The throttle, engine starters, and clutch are all required to be connected to this controller for it to work smoothly. It will also do overheat management, if you want. All of this is configurable through the properties on the controller. It will take a little tweaking of shift points for ideal operation, but once setup it is quite nice. Since it handles the clutch too, all you have to do is hit to toggle button to turn everything on and move your throttle up to move. A throttle position lower than your min threshold property (check controller options) will cause the RPS to drop low enough to engage the clutch, which will allow you to idle without issue. Your physical throttle should be set to 0 min and 100 max.

Please rate!

NOTES:

- Throttle input can now come from an actual throttle or W/S seat input! Plus, negative throttle engages reverse! No more need for a reverse toggle button!

- For large machines to use reverse well, you may need two gearboxes, both connected to the reverse node, since there is only a 1:1 ratio for reverse, put one in 1:-1 and a second for 1:3 or something to keep it from engaging clutch because of low rps. Basically making it 1:-3 to move heavy ships.

I'm working on a "possible" complicated model that doesn't require configuration, when I have the time. I have a theory in my mind but I haven't gotten it to work yet.

UPDATE: I've done some additional testing with each engine type, and multiple engines. I suggest starting with finding what Up Shift Point best suits your build. You can do this by reading RPS and see what feels right. Also, start with minor gear ratio increases in each gearbox and slowly increase them until you stop gaining speed. My next iteration will do the shift points automatically using a torque meter, meaning there will be no need to configure it anymore.

The good news is that once this is configured, it does seem to be very consistent. Just takes a bit of tinkering.

///////////////////////////////////////////////
///// PROPERTY CONFIG /////
///////////////////////////////////////////////

Up Shift Point: Set the RPS trigger for it to switch to next gear ratio "up shift" during acceleration. This will disengage the previous gearbox, which is why all top ratios need to be 1:1. I usually start around 15 and tweak from there.

Down Shift Point: RPS to switch back to previous ratio "down shift" during deceleration. I usually start around 8. You want this higher than the RPS Clutch Setting or the clutch will start the engage,

Temp Threshold (OPTIONAL - You do NOT have to use this): At this temp, clutch engages and engine changes throttle position to match "Throttle Min" until temp is below threshold again. I usually start at 100. (probably updating soon to wait until like 20 less before engaging again, or something like a timer. Not sure yet how I'm going to improve this)

Total Forward Gears: How many gearboxes configs for forward movement (min 1, max 7). This is needed to tell the controller to not attempting shifting into a "gear" you don't have.

RPS Clutch Setting: If physical throttle lever is above 0 and the RPS is below this setting, the clutch is engaged at a percentage of this (RPS divided by this setting) so that the lower RPS goes, the more the clutch is engaged to prevent stalling. Start around 6 or 7 and tweak from there.

Throttle Min - Engine idle throttle position when physical throttle is set to 0. I use 0.10 for Small Engine, 0.10 for Medium, and 0.08 for Large usually. This will prevent a 0 throttle from shutting off the engine. Since the clutch will be engaged, the vehicle will just idle. You can then power it off with the start switch.

HELP: Please leave a comment and I'll assist.

///////////////////////////////////////////////
////////// CHANGE LOG ///////////
///////////////////////////////////////////////

v1 - Release

v2 - Ability to accept W/S seat input as optional throttle
- Throttle in a (-) position now engages reverse
- Reverse input now removed

v3 - Fixed reverse also engaging first

v4 - Optional Reverse Toggle Button Input
41 Comments
Nekron Nov 19, 2024 @ 6:11pm 
This seems to be limiting the RPS of my engine. What part would be limiting it? I know Im replying so late to this, lmao
OmniBeast  [author] Feb 22, 2021 @ 7:16pm 
Also working on a 4 gear version, that will be slightly smaller.
OmniBeast  [author] Jan 31, 2021 @ 11:36am 
Working on temp threshold improvement next. Also trying to figure out a way to make the config dynamic and not needed to be configured.
OmniBeast  [author] Jan 5, 2021 @ 1:21pm 
If anyone has any ideas on improvements or cool features, please post them here.
OmniBeast  [author] Jan 5, 2021 @ 1:21pm 
happy to hear it!
MikeHuynh Jan 5, 2021 @ 12:29pm 
work wonderfully
OmniBeast  [author] Jan 3, 2021 @ 7:41pm 
Done! V4 now uploaded. It includes an optional Reverse Toggle.
OmniBeast  [author] Jan 3, 2021 @ 7:29pm 
I'll get it uploaded asap. Give me a bit to double check everything.
MikeHuynh Jan 2, 2021 @ 1:35pm 
When will the v4 going to be available ?
OmniBeast  [author] Nov 18, 2020 @ 3:56pm 
I got v4 working, i plan to upload soon. If someone wants it before I upload, please reply here.