Unbalanced weight scale...or what to call it

[Low-Q]

Take a look at the pictures below. The construction is simple... Anyone seen a similar idea before?

[Cloxxki]

Original idea, thanks for sharing!

Possibly show stopper I see:
When A1 hits Y, the load it off the can. B is pulling the can up, nothing makes it flip as the drawing is implying it will. So, A1 will rest on Y, A2 will remain high, no weight shift.

Nothing stops you from drawing in a linkage of sorts which directs the tilt of the can, to make tilt is possible. Then the next reason why it won't work will need to be thought up :-)

Original thinking will eventually bring succes!

[Low-Q]

That was my thought too @Cloxxki. But I had some hopes that the kinetic energy in the weight B was able to let the arm swing a bit further so the can could flip... I will make a practical try - should be possible

Vidar

[winner]

That was my thought too @Cloxxki. But I had some hopes that the kinetic energy in the weight B was able to let the arm swing a bit further so the can could flip... I will make a practical try - should be possible

Vidar

Low-Q, did you ever make a build of this with linkages? Has anyone else tried?

[mscoffman]

@winner

o...This is simple enough to try in Phun, the free Physics Simulator.
Just Google "Phun" to learn more. This should give you approximate
dimensions.

o...You may want to make central points X and Y wheels and give them
bearings, so that they slide/roll easily on the top and bottom of the box.

o...This isn't necessarily doable in Phun, but you may want to give the
axle of the box - hysteresis, meaning memory, so the box doesn't rock
until it is time to hit the X and Y limits. Hysteresis helps prevent a system
from coming into balance and stopping. Walter the Yog Guy came up
with a good idea of using a small permanent magnet DC motor as a
generator then using a switch to lock and unlock the rotor. This is
configuration is not exactly energy loss free, but it would be adjustable.

:S:MarkSCoffman