After familiarizing with the different AEV components through the sample AEV, the group began the Engineering Design Process to create a design fit for their approach to the MCR.
The group began individualized brainstorming through the Preliminary R&D. After an initial team design was created, further experimentations through the Advanced R&D confirmed the most energy efficient propeller and motor configurations, and method of braking. Two semi-final designs were tested during the first Performance Test, and one design was chosen for further development. Completion of the second Performance Test led the group to the final AEV design.
Individual Designs:
See Creative Design Thinking for individual AEV designs from each team member.
Team Design:
The team used Concept Screening and Scoring to qualitatively compare the different AEV designs and decided on the team design.
Before moving on to the Advanced R&D experimentation, the team noticed the inefficiency of the original propellers and switched to the control propellers used during the Propeller Configurations Test. The original “L”-shaped arm was also switched for the “T”-shaped due the design being extremely back heavy.
Final Two Designs:
The team decided the final two designs for Performance Test 1 using the results from the Propeller Configurations and Motor Configuration tests:
- Best propeller configuration: grey propeller with 45 degree angled up wings
- Best motor configuration: both motors facing towards the back
Upon further observations, the original elongated design was tossed for adding to the design’s instability.
At the conclusion of the Advanced R&D, the team have created two semi-final designs. The consideration of a lighter design being more energy efficient was utilized for the second design (no wings). The servo arm was also integrated into both designs as a manual break.
No wings vs. With Wings
During the preparation period for the second Performance Test, the two designs were tested against each other.
Final AEV Design:
Comparing the Power vs. Time and Power vs. Distance of both designs, the more energy efficient design was the lighter one with no wings. However, the design with wings was chosen due to it satisfying the team’s approach to the MCR. One of the team’s focus is created the most energy efficient vehicle, but safety of the design takes precedence.
So despite having more thrusts per joule, the design with wings had more stable stops and were not at risk of falling off the monorail.
In order to further satisfy the safety criteria, for the Final Performance Test runs, the team added coins (3 nickels and 1 penny at the front; 5 nickels on the left wing) to increase the front-to-back and side-to-side balance.
After months of continuous R&D, the Team J’s final AEV design is:
Cost: $171,161
Weight: 332 g (with the battery)
