Evolution of Design

The E-AEV will be designed by trying to maximize efficiency. Multiple tests between different objects, speeds, materials, etc. were performed to complete this task. Between the many labs, the E-AEV has changed many times and many different designs have been implemented.

  • 2 Propellers in the Sky Design – This was the initial idea. It gave the AEV more of an aerodynamic aspect. However, there were problems with this design, so parts not included in the AEV kit were brainstormed as to make the AEV more efficient. The components, such as the reflective sensor, were not the most efficient way to make the AEV.
 
  • Pulley System Design – Propellers are inherently inefficient, so a pulley mechanism was implemented. The pulley mechanism will connect the track wheels and a single motor. The motor will be mounted on the top of the AEV to drive the wheels. This design will be more efficient because the power will be directly transferred to the wheels. Only one motor will operate the AEV so that it will use less energy and there will be some weight reduction because there is only one motor.

  • Gear Drive Design – There were many problems with the Pulley system, the main one being that the rubberband would not stay on the wheels, so this design was scrapped. However, with the propellers being inefficient, improvements could still be made. The Gear Drive design was then born. With this, two gears are implemented, one connected directly to the motor and the other to one of the wheels. Both gears with mesh so that the gear being powered by the motor will move the second gear causing the wheel to move. With data provided in the Data Analysis Tool, it was concluded that this design is much more efficient that the previous design, as it takes a lot less power to run.

  • Final design of the AEV (Gear drive design) –  After enough testing and improvising our model AEV, A new prototype design was created. Some of the issues that were observed from the previous design, that includes slight plays of angle present on the wheels when the AEV was on the track, Mounting and testing the ultrasonic sensors to give more accuracy as well as precision to the movements of the AEV and reducing the size and unnecessary extensions of the frames,  inspired the team to work and improvise the AEV. The wheels were reinforced with flat washers, an artificial cardboard mount was built specially to mount the sensors on to the wheel accurately and the final deisgn size and mass was reduced with smaller frame parts. When carrying out the final performance test, The AEV showed positive results in increased efficiency from 13 Joules in 21.11 seconds to 8.553 in 60 seconds, The Aev Data provided by the analysis tool can be observed under Data Analysis Tool.

 

Image 1 shows the new AEV model attaching to a load on the track.

 

Image 2 shows Washers added to reinforce any angle plays on the wheel.

 

(image 1)                                                        (image 2)