Lab 2 – Sensors
The function of the reflectance sensors is to measure the distance the Aev travels on the track. These sensors are important in completing the MCR because the objective of the Aev is to safely travel from between two points. The distance the AEV travels along that journey is required to ensure the AEV stops and accelerates at the correct intervals.
Lab 4 – Designs (Individual)
Designs:
This design is based off a fast and aerodynamic airplane because the AEV and paper airplane is approximately the same scale.
This design was chosen because it’s a simple structure, that is linearly aerodynamic. By being a rectangular prism with two open ends on the front and back there won’t be much air resistance, and structurally it will be able to hold everything inside of it. The wheels will be directly on the motor so it will move farther in the same amount of power than the propellers would.
For this design, an almost triangular tip would be made, and fashion it like a cone to the front of the AEV. This would promote aerodynamics of the AEV moving forward. The arm and the propellers would still be used similarly to that of the sample design.
We came up with this design trying to implement a way to have the motors attached directly to the wheels (using a custom part). The issue with one of the individual designs was that there was no way to get it on the track as the wheels were enclosed, this solves that problem by having a second arm support the motors and the wheels are on the outside of the other arm. There is also a large base to provide room for the Arduino Nano, the battery, and a magnet once we receive it.
AR&D Re-Design (Final)
With the addition of Ben to the group, he figured out a way to reduce the weight of our AEV while still run on direct drive. A new model has been designed to be optimally light as to increase our energy efficiency. A very minimalist base was created to hold the battery and the metal strip to attach the caboose to. The arduino was able to be mounted on the side of the arm, with the battery acting as a counterweight. A normal wheel was used to get recordings from the reluctance sensor while a custom wheel was powered directly from the motor. A rubber band was wrapped around this wheel to provide extra friction.
