CCProbe Connector Problem

Problems with the SmartWheel and Force Probe

Hello TEEMSS teachers! *Important cautionary note!

We've had several reports of the jacks on the SmartWheels and Force Probes breaking.  The jacks are small black plastic elements that the cables plug into.

Obviously we will need to redesign this connection to make it more durable.  The SmartWheels and Force Probes are prototypes and we will fix these problems the next time they are manufactured.

In the meantime *please* be as careful and gentle as possible with the cable connections. Tell your students they must insert the cables gently, not push too hard, and avoid bending them or pulling on the cables. When they attach the SmartWheels to meter sticks, it would be good to tape the cables (loosely) to the meter sticks so that they are less likely to be pulled sideways.

We are investigating some quick fixes to strengthen the connection for the existing probes. We hope to get to nearby schools and make these reinforcing changes. We may be able to repair some of the SmartWheels that are already broken.

We also have some reports of the SmartWheel wheels (the plastic CDs) cracking. Again: we will improve in the future, but for now, encourage your students to be gentle!

Thank you for your cooperation. Such is the world of prototypes.

Preliminary Fix

Wednesday April 10, 2002, Stephen Bannasch:

I am testing a simple fix pictured below to make the connector on the Force Probe and SmartWheel much stronger.

I am using a nylon washer with an inner diameter of 0.200" and a thickness of 0.062" as a collar around the nose of the connector and then using general purpose hot melt glue to form a mass around the connector and on the circuit board side of the washer.  The probes still work, the internal spring contacts in the connector still work and it seems much stronger.