Creative Design Thinking
The point of this lab is to learn techniques used for creative design thinking, become familiar with obstacles to creativity and components in the AEV kits, learn the basics of orthographic drawings and brainstorm on individual AEV concept sketches.
Individual Concept Sketches:
Explanations Behind Sketches:
Jessica Lyon: The AEV design I chose to go with is in an effort to minimize the materials used in order to save money while also using enough materials for the AEV to function properly and efficiently. I used the base of a 2.5”x7.5” rectangle base, with the batter on the bottom, the arduino on the top, and the L shape arm connected to the rectangular base right behind the arduino. In addition to these items, I decided to add two trapezoid pieces to the rectangular base at an angle with one motor connected to each trapezoidal piece in efforts to minimize materials and have good efficiency of moving the AEV across the track. With the trapezoid pieces at an angle, I believe the AEV will be more aerodynamic and create less air resistance. The L shape arm then has the wheels and the reflectance sensors attached to it which will allow the AEV to move across the track while the reflectance sensors (which are connected to the arduino) take in data of how far the AEV travels across the track. While drawing this design, I made sure to leave space for the passengers to sit on the left and right sides of the arduino and made sure that both sides of the AEV are symmetrical with most of the weight in the center (L arm, battery, and arduino) so it will not fall of the track or be more heavily weighted relative to one side of the AEV.
Jalen Mundy: The AEV design is rather on the large side, consisting of a simplistic design with no outside purchased materials or 3-D printed parts. Due to its already high mass adding these items was deemed to be extremely inefficient. The vehicle is made up of a T-shaped piece of plastic its dimensions being 7.5″ by 5.5″, t-shaped arm, two propellers and two trapezoidal pieces to lower the amount of air resistance and prevent the AEV from experiencing heavy drag. The AEV design is balanced evenly on the sides but more weight being towards the back where the propellers are generating the most force. The large width was to ensure the vehicles cargo area. This design was more in thought of utilizing all the time available and to save money on parts and keep the cost low.
Madison Geiger: This AEV design was imagined with simplicity and a low budget in mind. The simplicity of the design allows for one to add or remove extra materials or 3D-printed pieces if necessary, which is integral in keeping the unit adaptable and easy to develop as new problems may arise. The additions of the trapezoidal pieces on the bottom of the AEV alongside a rectangular piece are intended to act as a suspension for the battery of the AEV, which will clear space at the top of the AEV and create more room to transport the “people”. Two wheels were chosen to be attached to the L-shaped arm atop the AEV in order to help support and balance the vehicle while on the track, as while empty much of the weight on the vehicle are placed toward the back. Attached to the T-shaped panel that serves as the main support of the AEV were two slightly smaller rectangles, which allow for more surface area on the top of the AEV for potential travelers that may need to be accomadated, as well as allow for room to move the Arduino if necessary during the development process.
Malik Kamagate: This AEV design aims to make speed a top priority. The build is relatively simple, using an X-shaped body and using three trapezoids for aerodynamic purposes. The positives of this build is it does not require any outside purchase materials or 3-D printed parts, the build also utilizes the all space on its body that way no space becomes unnecessary mass. As stated before, this AEV use three trapezoidal parts, this was done to increase aerodynamics and reduces drag as the AEV travels the track. Since the length of the AEV is 8”, an L-shaped arm with two wheels is used that way the AEV is supported throughout its run on the track and maintains a steady balance. The negatives of this an AEV build of this type is that it suffers from not enough space to carry large cargo. The build may carry small items and reach the destination quickly but this also means that more trips will have to be made back and forth. The weight of the AEV is relatively light and it is also evenly distributed , to increase its overall speed and performance.
Team Concept Sketch:
Explanation Behind Team Concept Sketch:
The engineering team decided upon the above sketch as the final design. The vehicle has a lighter design resulting in a low estimated weight however this doesn’t impact the efficiency of the design. The design has two trapezoids on either side at an angle to improve drag resistance as well as reducing the amount of air resistance the AEV encounters. Also another benefit of a lighter design as well is the reduced cost.
Updated Final Design 2/28/18
This updated design is intended to increase the balance of the AEV on the track. The center of the mass moving towards the middle improves the connection while picking up the caboose. We angled the right trapezoids up to increase lift making the AEV more aerodynamic. Made within solidworks.
Sketch of Final Desgin
The final AEV design has a height of 5.966 CM, width of 10.541 CM and depth of 7.500 CM. Made within solidworks.