Motor Quantity

 

Objectives:

  • Perform test runs with different numbers of motors to collect data. (2 Maximum)
  • Analyze collected data to find the optimal number of motors.
  • Be able to quantitatively support why the selected number of motors is best.

Run 1

Code:

reverse(4);         // Reverses all motors

 celerate(4,0,25,3);      //Accelerates all motors from start to 25% in 3 seconds

 goFor(3);             // Runs for 3 seconds

 motorSpeed(4,20);     // Sets motor speed for all motors to 20%

 goFor(2);            // Runs for 2 seconds

 reverse(4);         // Reverses all motors

 motorSpeed(4,25);    // Sets motor speed for all motors to 25%

 goFor(2);          // Runs for 2 seconds

 brake(4);          // Brakes all motors

 

Plots:

Distance vs Power

Here it is shown that the AEV with two motors traveled about two meters more than the AEV with one motor .

Time vs. Power

By attaching 2 motors to the AEV rather than one, the power output is doubled.

Run 2

Code:

 reverse(4);     //Reverses all motors

 celerate(4,0,50,3);      // Accelerates all motors from start to 50% in 3 seconds

 goFor(1);      // Runs for 1 second

 motorSpeed(4,30);    // Sets motor speed of all motors to 30%

 goFor(2);          // Runs for 2 seconds

 reverse(4);      // Reverses all motors

 motorSpeed(4,60);      // Sets motor speed of all motors to 60 %

 goFor(2);      // Runs for 2 seconds

 brake(4);      //  Brakes all motors

Plots: 

Distance vs Power

Here it is shown that by having two motors rather than one, the distance traveled by the AEV is almost doubled.

Time vs. Power

By having two motors rather than the power output is also doubled during the same time intervals. For example between seconds 4 – 5.5 the power output for one motor is 4.11 Watts, but when using 2 motors the power output is 8.22.

              

One Motor Setup                                             Two Motor Setup

Conclusions: 

~ By assembling two motors rather than one to the AEV, it provides for a more favorable power output and increases distance traveled in the same time interval.