Preliminary R&D

(AEV Distance sensor)

Above is the picture of the AEV distance sensor (two red rectangles). This tools helps to calculate the distance that the AEV travels by having the one AEV wheel on the other side with reflective parts. The circumference of the circle can be calculated to make it linear and relate that to one full revolution (means the AEV will travel the same linear distance as one full wheel revolution). Using the wheel circumference and some basic calculations, a code can be written that specifies how long the user wants the AEV to travel.

The Arduino Code

The Arduino code given above is just a base code that was used to test the sensors along with testing to see the AEV fully function initially. This code also allowed us to graph how the AEV uses power vs. distance, and power vs. time, which can be seen in graphs “Power vs. Distance” and “Power vs. Time”.

Fig (1)

The object is a solid works visualization of the sample AEV that was used to test the preliminary R&D. The design was thought to be basic with not many pros or cons.

Fig (2)

The given design (figure 1) originally built was changed to a more efficient AEV (figure 2). The team decided amongst a couple designs to a dome structure around the control board, completely closing it off with a few excerpts of some wires and a hole to push the start button. The propellers are placed in the center under the dome on either side to be more efficient for both moving forward and backward. The arm is placed in the center to have an even distribution of weight. The dome shape was decided as the final format of the AEV, due to movements forward and backward, it would be most efficient.

Power Vs. Distance Plot

The graph shows the power used in watts compared to the distance that the AEV travels. The code used in the graph can be found above, “The Arduino Code”.

Power Vs. Time Plot

The graph shows the power used in watts compared to the time that the AEV travels. The code used in the graph can be found above, “The Arduino Code”.