The Original Idea
Many off-road car enthusiasts are familiar with the inexpensive plastic clinometers available online. These devices operate mechanically, using weights at the bottom to swivel and move a display, which makes them more of a novelty than a precise measuring tool. In contrast, I aimed to develop a similar-looking device that genuinely functions, employing electronics to achieve greater accuracy.
The Original
The original device utilized a mechanical pendulum method to gauge the vehicle's angle. However, this method had significant drawbacks: it was poorly calibrated, responded excessively to vehicle acceleration, and exhibited considerable play in the direction perpendicular to its face.
The Prototype
I devised a solution using an Arduino Uno, which was powered by the same cord that previously lit the old mechanical clinometer. The Arduino interfaced with an electronic accelerometer and gyroscope, along with a passive buzzer. Wires extended from the Arduino to the original clinometer's casing. At that time, lacking access to my 3D printer and many tools, I resorted to fitting the stepper motors into the old casing using a wood block shaped with a Dremel. Additionally, I used cardboard for the rotating faces. This setup was rather rudimentary and served primarily as a proof of concept to test the functionality in the vehicle.
Test Results
The trial run of my modified clinometer exceeded my expectations. Initially, I observed that the angles were accurately represented in both direction and magnitude. However, the visual representation on the faceplates was too subtle, so I adjusted the system to exaggerate the angles for better visibility. The primary challenge I encountered stemmed from using an Arduino: its continuous code loop meant that integrating a beeper, which would sound at various speeds based on the angle, inadvertently slowed down the loop. This delay caused the motors to react slightly later than the actual change in the vehicle's angle.