A-Team Design
This design is our final team concept design. The team decided to adopt the general shape of the AEV from design F with a few modifications. We opted to use a T-shaped base plate that will allow for an easier pendulum shape that other designs had. The team also chose to mount the battery and Arduino controller low on opposite sides of the same piece of plastic in order to add to balance. The propellers were also arranged in a way such that the each motor feeds air to the other, resulting in higher AEV and air speeds. This design will allow for high speed of travel ,stability, and aerodynamics while maintaining a low weight.
From the concept screening and scoring, this design had a high score in all four criteria. This is due to the fact that the majority of the weight in this design is focused toward the bottom of the AEV. This makes the AEV very stable, safe and aerodynamic. The fact that there is no shell closing off the components adds to the high maintenance score.
B
Designed with aerodynamics in mind, this concept focuses heavily on shaping the outer pieces of the AEV. The battery and Arduino are located on the central cross beam keeping the majority of the weight just forward of the suspended arm and the Arduino unit as far away from the outer edges as possible. The motors are placed on the further out than the arduino and battery maintaining the weight distribution and providing the space needed for it them to propel the AEV.
From the concept screening and scoring, this design has a high air flow and safety rating. This design also had a low score in both stability and maintinence. These ratings were due to the fact that this design has an aerodynamic front and back shell, but is off center from the side, making it very unbalanced.
C
This design focuses on making the smallest AEV possible while maintaining aerodynamics. This was done by placing the Arduino Controller on the opposite side of the same base as the battery. The propellers were also placed as close to the center of the AEV as possible. There is also an aerodynamic shell surrounding the entire AEV.
From the concept screening and scoring, this design has a high score in airflow, stability and safety. This design did not have a very high score for the maintenance because of the plastic shell surrounding the majority of the AEV.
D
This design was centered around aerodynamics and balanced weight distribution. The battery is located in the front of the vehicle to offset the weight from the Arduino and the motors in the rear. The shell was designed to be sleek, ad aerodynamic while protecting the electrical components inside. The motors are equally spaced from each other in order to keep the balanced design with the magnet/bracket connector in between them to pull the cart behind it.
From the concept screening and scoring, this design had a high score in air flow, stability, and safety. This design had a very low score in maintenance. This is due to the fact that the design is has a very balanced and aerodynamic shape.
E
This design was based off a modern day plane or bullet train. It has a tubular body with wings and a window design in the front for viewing. This design went for more heavier approach with more stability at the bottom and aerodynamics in total. This design covers the whole arduino body and has a slot to slide the body on and off from the anchor holding it on the track. The motors are set equally on either side of the back side of the body.
The rating on this design gave the air flow and safety aspect a high score. It excelled in the aerodynamics for the team concept design. However, the design made it more difficult for maintenance in the end. Also, the stability allowed the design to sway too much.
F
Designed around a slim and sleek model, this design uses a vertical approach by mounting everything in a straight line. The battery and Arduino are mounted on opposite sides to help keep the vehicle balanced while preventing cluttered spaces on a single side of the vehicle. The motors are mounted in a straight line to ensure they perform at peak capacity by feeding each other air and low enough not to push on the train cart. The extended bracket on the front and back allow for an easy attachment of a train to either side and a guarantee that the Arduino will not be within 2 inches of magnets.
From the concept screening and scoring, this design had high scores in all of the criteria observed. This is because this design is very stable, aerodynamic, safe, and has no shell for easy maintenance.