Motor Configuration

A motor configuration test was done to determine the most efficient orientation of the motors. During the test the motors were fixed in normal orientation as well as angled in and out and a code was ran, designed to test the distance the AEV traveled. Using the Data Analysis Tool, the three runs were plotted in a Power v. Distance graph and examined. The orientation that traveled the furthest was deemed to be the most efficient.

According to the graph, when the motors were angled the AEV traveled further. At approximately 9 meters the AEV’s motors reverse and start moving the AEV in the opposite direction. This section is where the biggest discrepancies lie. The motors being angled out took the AEV further in the reverse direction. Given that the forward distance of the Angled In and Angled Out runs was so similar, it was determined that the Angled Out motors was the more efficient option. Future designs will utilize the motors facing an outward angle, since the AEV will be traveling in a reverse direction for a longer distance than the test code.

The three orientations are shown below

 

The design shown below was the one found to be most efficient.

 

Motor Configuration Code
celerate(4,0,40,3);
celerate(4,40,0,3);
reverse(4);
celerate(4,0,40,3);
celerate(4,40,0,3);
brake(4)