How to connect seven-segment indicators?

Question

Arduino

Hello ! I am currently working on an autopilot panel project for a flight simulator. I want to do something like this: I

ordered 19 seven-segment indicators, but, for obvious reasons, I can’t connect everything to the microcontroller. I know about shift registers, but I don’t quite understand the principle of operation, the purpose of some pins. Can you clearly explain how they work, and how best to organize the connection of such a number of displays? Maybe some other shift registers, not 74HC595, or the correct combination of 74HC595?

Answer 1

I do not quite understand the principle of operation, the purpose of some pins

The focus of shift registers in relation to such displays is that our vision is inertial.
Those. if we switch digits with a high frequency (I mean separate single-digit indicators), then our eyes do not notice that only one of several digits is lit at a time.
Here inside is essentially a simple counter on RS flip-flops (simplified):
To connect so many displays you will have to use multiplexing .
You can combine your displays (single-digit) into groups, even if they are not connected (by output values), and then programmatically control the display.
Personally, I would implement this using i2c drivers for seven-segment displays .
The advantage of such a solution is simplicity, each display (not a digit) has its own address, you write a value to this address and get it on the desired display.
At the same time, in addition to power, you have only two SDA and SCL lines (for all devices at once).
I2C
Shift register
Multiplexing
Dynamic indication
PS I'm not a pro in this business, but I was fond of electronics as a child.

Answer 2

something like this , but even better

Answer 3

one register for each digit. they use 3 outputs data, strobe and record. Data output - connected in a chain (from the second register to the first from the first to the microcontroller). Strobe (Clock) - pulses - for each data bit change - each byte has 8 pulses (in parallel for all microcircuits). Recording (Latch) - a pulse to write the transmitted state to the outputs - one pulse to display the transmitted information (in parallel for all microcircuits).