Working QTC forward clicky prototype finally achieved!!!!!!!!!!!!

[shao.fu.tzer]

Some of you may or may not know this, but I've been working on a reliable infinitely variable QTC forward clicky switch for awhile now. Mostly dreaming and thinking with just a bit of actual tinkering...

Well the good news...

I HAD just officially created a working prototype of the switch which I sought to invent. It would gradually ramp in brightness until clicked on - at which I predict it was only at 60% compression - not giving me full output.

What makes this breakthrough important (to me at least) is that the design is completely battery-independent. It doesn't matter how long of a cell you use because the mechanism and QTC pill are isolated from the negative contact.

I was so excited that I ran around the house showing my fiancee and daughter - I was stoked to say the least... and instead of videotaping it, I decided that I just needed to adjust the size of a few internal parts to get full compression, thus full output when clicked on fully. So I ripped the switch apart and threw the guts into the huge pile of custom machined guts from previous efforts and those unused. Big mistake! My next effort was simply a constant on affair (too much compression) and the one after that (which was actually pretty cool) was a switch that you could twist the tailcap to adjust the compression, then activate the clicky to have it come on in that mode...

Doh! Anyway, I had to share that because I'm really excited right now... I'm close...
Very, very close... Will keep you all updated! Thanks for reading!!!! :D

Shao

 

[Mattaus]

I'm a noob so can you explain what "QTC" means, and in this context what "Forward" means? I understand this is a switch with a built in driver? Infinitely variable brightness is something I really like so if you do get something working and it's what I think it is then I'd be interested...if they were for sale of course lol.

 

[Toohotruk]

:popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:

 

[badtziscool]

Subscribed!!! Can't wait to see this.

 

[euroken]

I'll take it! :D

 

[shao.fu.tzer]

I'm a noob so can you explain what "QTC" means, and in this context what "Forward" means? I understand this is a switch with a built in driver? Infinitely variable brightness is something I really like so if you do get something working and it's what I think it is then I'd be interested...if they were for sale of course lol.

Quantum tunneling composite... a near perfect insulator in its uncompressed state and a near perfect conductor when compressed... from Peratech:


"The potential for the QTC material to transition from an insulator to a conductor (i.e. change its electrical property) is influenced by how much deformation the material is experiencing as a result of the applied mechanical pressure.
QTC can be used to produce low profile, low cost, pressure activated switches or sensors that display variable resistance with applied force and return to a quiescent state when the force is removed. The difference between a QTC switch and a QTC sensor is arguably only the speed and amount of physical input required to achieve the required switching point or resistance range."



Forward as in a momentary switch... do a search...

Subscribed!!! Can't wait to see this.

Didn't have time to work on it today. I'm dedicating a few hours to it tomorrow! Hopefully I'll get it right this time!

I'll take it! :D

I'll let you know when they're ready! I want to do extensive testing before releasing and they'll probably come in Surefire E and C sized switches - probably a direct screw in like a McClicky.

 

[Burgess]

Subscribed ! ! !

:popcorn:
_

 

[gunga]

Cool, can't wait...

 

[Mattaus]

Forward as in a momentary switch... do a search...

Oh OK. I know what momentary switches are. Just never heard it referred to as 'forward' before. Might show my newness to flash lights.

 

[euroken]

Updates? :D

 

[CheepSteal]

If this could give my M61W a low mode on my favourite Surefire and was quite durable and reliable, it would be a freaking awesome feat!

 

[shao.fu.tzer]

Updates? :D

Now that my daughter has started school again I'll have REAL time to dedicate to this project.. I just dropped her off at school and I'm about to bust out the parts box and get back to it... I've been thinking a lot about the design and how to improve it... Updates still forthcomine!!!

If this could give my M61W a low mode on my favourite Surefire and was quite durable and reliable, it would be a freaking awesome feat!

Durable and reliable - I wouldn't release a switch that didn't match up to either of those adjectives... Once I come up with a final design, I plan on playing with it constantly over the period of a couple of months at least to test its durability and reliability. The final design will probably incorporate a wave spring and electrically conductive epoxy. If I can get the compression ratio perfect, I expect the service life of 1,000,000 compressions to be plausible. If I make it right, everything else in the switch will wear out before the QTC pill does. Just wait people!!!! I'm on the verge of a great thing here!

Shao

 

[euroken]

Oh I'm waitin'!!!!!

 

[Viper715]

I'll take two! If you need it "field" tested let me know and I'll put it through it's paces on duty.

 

[beach honda]

shao, you mad scientist you!

 

[kramer5150]

sounds interesting... I have a SF-G2, modded with a rev-clicky that I have been wanting to do the QTC treatment. If I can get a fwd-clicky too that would be a GREAT upgrade.

 

[Burgess]

:thumbsup:


:popcorn:
_

 

[emu124]

Sounds very interesting. :thumbsup:
Wondering how much current can this QTC handle? :shrug:
I only use them in small AAA / AA lights so far.

 

[shao.fu.tzer]

I'll take two! If you need it "field" tested let me know and I'll put it through it's paces on duty.

I will definitely need field testers and will contact you when the project reaches that point! Thanks!

shao, you mad scientist you!

More visionary than scientist! If I were more of a scientist, it would be done already! :D

sounds interesting... I have a SF-G2, modded with a rev-clicky that I have been wanting to do the QTC treatment. If I can get a fwd-clicky too that would be a GREAT upgrade.

I'll share a secret here because I don't really care about being first, I just want to further the hobby - I'm starting with a reverse clicky mechanism to make the forward clicky QTC switch!!!!

Sounds very interesting. :thumbsup:
Wondering how much current can this QTC handle? :shrug:
I only use them in small AAA / AA lights so far.

The QTC itself- supposedly 10A but I might keep it @ 9A Max... I have a feeling other parts of the switch would fail before the QTC does... I'm going to have to test with a ~9A SST-90 light (which I don't own) until I can build a carriage that won't melt at higher currents. If successful, I may also try to release a 20A or even 30A version, using multiple pills.

My woman has had the past two days off which is rare so I haven't had a chance to get into the shop. I even feel guilty sitting here at the computer typing this! I need to go curl up with her on the bed, veg on some boob tube and turn my brain off for a minute... or at least try!!! :D

Thanks to everyone for your support! I fully expect to have a satisfactory and consistent working model within the next two weeks.

 

[euroken]

Wonder if you can make this work with the FETTIE switches :devil: It's a reverse clicky no?