Spider switch design

[Rhinozherous]

Hello! 

I often wondered why the yellow lock switch for locking the canopy after closing (called spider switch) looks like this. 

Alltough I use track-ir I was not able to look far enough below to see whats going on with its arms when closed. (dont know if the canopy is modeled down to this detail). 

Didnt find any technical drawings of this part or how it works. 

Thank you. 

[Frederf]

The vertical leg makes sure the canopy actuator switch is forced closed. The 45 leg actuates some sort of cam-button, possibly the inflatable seal. I don't know what the horizontal leg does, possibly just to keep fingers away from the cam. The lever itself also actuates a mechanical lock.

[Ricardo_Mokrzycki]

[Deano87]

Ontop of what Frederf has mentioned, the Spider also physically impedes the throttle from being able to get into afterburner. Which was one of the first things I noticed when I got into a real F-16 for the first time. I'm not sure if its totally by design, or just a happy coincidence, but the top of the Range/Uncage knob will strike the spider if you try and go into AB.

Edited October 31, 2021 by Deano87

[Rhinozherous]

Thank you guys! 

[Falconeer]

The spider has 5 functions:

 

- It will force the internal canopy switch in neutral position and lock it

- ensuring a positive canopy latch lock in conjuction with the locking cam

- It controls the canopy seal regulator

- It de-energizes the external canopy switch (preventing operation from the outside) 

- It extinquishes the canopy warning light together with the 2 forward hook warning switches 

 

Edited October 31, 2021 by Falconeer

[Aronis]

 

I just need to wire it in and code the Arduino. 

 

Mike