Download
Share
Print this page
  1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. Variobot Manuals
  4. Robotics
  5. varikabi
  6. Manual

Variobot varikabi Manual

Variable robot kit with 12 astounding functions
Hide thumbs Also See for varikabi:

Advertisement

Quick Links

Advertisement

loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the varikabi and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Related Manuals for Variobot varikabi

Summary of Contents for Variobot varikabi

  • Page 2 Safety Instructions for Parents and Children Attention! Please keep away A short-circuit of the battery must be from children under 3 years. avoided, because it can cause overheating Danger of suffocation by of the cables and an explosion of the swallowing small parts.
  • Page 3 General Information All circuits presented in this manual have The intended use is described in this been developed, checked and tested with manual. In the event of any other use or the utmost possible care. Nevertheless, modification of the product, you are the only mistakes cannot be completely excluded.
  • Page 4 - Follow dark or light lines electronics. You will certainly have fun and variety with varikabi for a long time. - Track or move objects Varikabi's "muscles" are two motors, his - Search, track or circle light "brain cells"...

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Content 1) Assembly 2) Functions varikabi is available in the seven colors red, The experimentation manual explains the blue, green, neon green, yellow, pink and twelve functions of varikabi. It will show black. Regardless of the color variant, there you how to build the appropriate circuits, are seven different animal models to...
  • Page 6 1) Assembly What you need • 9 V block battery or 9 V battery • pliers and side cutters • black duct tape (for varikabi FT) • about one hour time...
  • Page 7 The seven varikabi models...
  • Page 8 The components...

  • Page 9: Varikabi As A Dog

    Dog...

  • Page 17: Varikabi As A Sea Lion

    Sea Lion...

  • Page 23: Varikabi As A Frog

    Frog...

  • Page 29: Varikabi As A Bird

    Bird...

  • Page 35: Varikabi As A Giraffe

    Giraffe...

  • Page 43: Varikabi As A Mouse

    Mouse...

  • Page 51: Varikabi As A Beetle

    Beetle...

  • Page 60: Varikabi - Fischertechnik

    - Fischertechnik...
  • Page 61 The components...
  • Page 66 2) Circuits and Functions The different circuit variants allow varikabi twelve functions. The circuits and features of the functions are described below in detail. varikabi stands still varikabi drives slowly varikabi drives fast...
  • Page 67 If varikabi is supposed to follow or avoid a When using these light sources, a structure on the ground, make sure that the sufficiently strong illumination must therefore be provided.
  • Page 68 10 mm and shorten them to a numbers 1 to 9. length of approx. 15 mm. Then put the resistor in the center of the breadboard. The fifth row in the middle is concealed at varikabi with the black cable tie and is not needed.
  • Page 69 Transistors Since varikabi's drive motors require a much higher current than the sensors can supply, amplifiers are needed. A transistor is a simple three-terminal electronic amplifier. To make sure that the gain is sufficiently high, so-called Darlington transistors are used, which already contain two series-connected transistors.
  • Page 70 Sensors varikabi compares the brightness at its three sensors. Depending on how the so-called phototransistors are aligned, varikabi perceives impressions of the ground, in front or above itself. A phototransistor (FT) can be imagined essentially as a variable resistor whose resistance decreases as the brightness increases.
  • Page 71 With the distance between the outer two sensors you can adjust the accuracy with which varikabi is supposed to drive on the line. Ideally, they are a little off the line. If they are too close to the line, varikabi will permanently adjust the direction and drive serpentines.
  • Page 72 With the distance between the outer two sensors you can adjust the accuracy with which varikabi is supposed to drive on the line. To make varikabi stop at the end of a line (on a dark background), direct the center sensor further down than the two lateral sensors.
  • Page 73 The more light hits the outer and the less the center sensor, the sooner varikabi will come to a standstill. This ratio can also be adjusted with the inclination of the center sensor.
  • Page 74 However, if they are both directed to the object, varikabi will not be able to stop in front of it. Use the tilt angle of the center sensor to adjust the distance to the object being tracked.
  • Page 75 Adjust the angle of inclination of the middle sensor so that it is only slightly over the object. If the middle sensor points too steeply upwards, varikabi remains constantly in motion and can only be stopped by a shadow from above.
  • Page 76 • Overcomes an obstacle course Circuit: Light Follower/ Acceleration Mode In order for varikabi to reliably avoid obstacles, these must be darker than the ground. Align the lateral sensors about 45° to the side and slightly to the ground. The further the sensors are directed downwards, the closer varikabi will approach obstacles before swerving.
  • Page 77 For varikabi to recognize the edge of the table well, the optimum angle of inclination of the two lateral sensors must be found. Caution: If you hold your hand above varikabi, it will only drive straight ahead without paying attention to its surrounding.
  • Page 78 Adjust the inclination of the two lateral sensors in the way that varikabi will turn at the edge in time. Adjust the tilt angle of the middle sensor in the way that varikabi will always keep moving on the dark surface but stops on a light surface.
  • Page 79 However, be careful not to wear clothes with dark sleeves, otherwise varikabi would prefer to follow the shadow of your arm. When you hold your hand over varikabi, it stops. Then slowly move your hand forwards or sideways so that varikabi can follow it.
  • Page 80 Circuit: Light Follower / Braking Mode For this experiment you need a dark room and a lamp about 30 to 100 cm above varikabi. Ideally, you can also move the lamp. However, a flashlight is not very suitable because of its focus.
  • Page 81 Circuit: Light Follower/ Acceleration Mode For this experiment you need a dark environment and a lamp about 30 to 100 cm above varikabi. A flashlight is not suitable because of its strong focus. If you place varikabi on the ground in some distance from the lamp, it will quickly approach the light.
  • Page 82 With the inclination of the sensors you set when varikabi will turn back each time. The two side sensors must always be directed slightly further backwards than the center sensor.
  • Page 83 Note: Plug the blue wires into rows 1, 4, 6 and 9 varikabi's eye-LEDs will only light up at according to the illustration. high speed or at standstill. This means  Acceleration mode:...
  • Page 84 Acceleration Mode Breaking Mode...
  • Page 85 Connection of the Motors varikabi moves with the help of two The following diagram shows how the particularly slow and quiet DC motors. With cables are to be mounted in the rows + 2 8 the black rubber caps varikabi therefore –.
  • Page 86 Light Follower Shadow Follower Caution: The red cables are crossed connected!
  • Page 87 Power Supply In order to put varikabi into operation, the Then insert the contacts of the battery cable outer two rows of the breadboard now to the positions on the breadboard indicated have to be supplied with power. below. To avoid a short circuit between the...
  • Page 88 Fault Diagnosis Problem Possible Reasons varikabi does not move at all. • The left and right sensors are connected with the wrong polarity. • A battery cable is not inserted correctly in the breadboard or the battery clip is not on the 9V battery.
  • Page 89 • One or both LEDs are inserted with the wrong polarity. varikabi gets stuck on the ground. • varikabi is not placed well or too uneven on the cable ties. • The surface is too bumpy for varikabi. If none of these causes apply to your problem, check carefully that all components are installed as described in the construction plan.
  • Page 90 3) Operating Principle Depending on how the sensors are connected to the transistors and which motor is driven by which transistor, there are four basic control and circuit variants, which are shown on the following pages. • Acceleration mode / Shadow Follower •...
  • Page 91 Circuit: Acceleration Mode/ Shadow Follower +9 V...
  • Page 92 Circuit: Acceleration Mode/ Light Follower +9 V...
  • Page 93 Circuit: Braking Mode/ Shadow Follower +9 V...
  • Page 94 Circuit: Braking Mode/ Light Follower +9 V...
  • Page 95 A Darlington transistor consists of two transistors connected in series and requires about U =1.4 V instead of 0.7 V to switch through. To ensure that the motors react to the sensor signals in opposite directions, varikabi uses a complementary pair of transistors: one PNP transistor for T...
  • Page 96 There are three different basic circuits with a transistor. varikabi uses the so-called collector circuit. It is called collector circuit because the collector (C) is connected to a constant voltage (battery).
  • Page 97 The Sensors varikabi's phototransistors (FT) are similar in design to a transistor. The collector (C) is on the plus side and the emitter (E) is on the minus side. Instead of a basic connection, however, they have a light-sensitive area.