To: Professor Jolanta Janiszewska
From: Matt, Marcus, Nick
Subject: AEV Lab 1
Date: January 27, 2016
Introduction
The subsequent memo describes the result of an experiment pertaining to the design process of the Advanced Energy Vehicle (AEV), in which familiarity was developed with the aforementioned Vehicle’s components, and assumptions of future design requirements were made upon completion of said experiment. In gaining familiarity with the AEV, design interpretation programs integrated into the design process were introduced and used to bring about the final result.
After some discussion, three individual designs were conceived in an attempt to preemptively solve the issues foreseen in discussion associated with the AEV. A final design, being a combination of the three individual designs, was also developed to be built upon as future complications may arise.
Individual Design 1 – Matt
When studying this design, two major characteristics are clear: a large part of the intricacies of the AEV are found beneath the main chassis, and an aerodynamic body blocking a majority of the aforementioned intricacies. The main motivation for both of these design characteristics is centered around the propellers. In an attempt to provide the propellers with laminar flow to increase the thrust provided by them, they were placed beneath the main chassis of the AEV, where the flow is less mechanically turbulent. As a result of this, the battery and ACS both had to be placed in an optimal position in regards to their own effectiveness in being able to reach the components necessary for them to control, as well as to produce a center of gravity conducive to overall stability. This called for the battery to be placed between the chassis and the motor strut, which thus led to the introduction of the aerodynamic body found to surround the majority of the AEV’s components. In including this body, drag is kept to a minimum beneath the chassis, and less interrupted airflow can therefore be provided to the propellers.
Materials
1 x (L-Shape Arm) – $3.00
2 x (Wheels) – $15.00
1 x (2.5 x 7.5 Rectangle) – $2.00
2 x (1 x 3 Rectangle) – $2.00
1 x (2 x 6 Rectangle) – $2.00
2 x (Battery Support) – $2.00
10 x (Angle Bracket) – $8.40
2 x (Motor Clamp) – $1.18
2 x (Propeller) – $0.90
1 x (Lithium Polymer Battery) – UNK
2 x (Electric Motor) – $19.98
1 x (Count Sensor) – $2.00
1 x (Sensor Wire) – $2.00
1 x (Servo Motor) – $2.00
1 x (Arduino) – $100.00
1 x (Aerodynamic Body [3D printed]) – UNK
Total Estimated Cost = $162.46
Individual Design 2 – Marcus
This design was created after searching images and designs that were very aerodynamic. The aerodynamic body was the most important aspect of it. The front of the AEV is smaller than the rest of the body to try to maximize the aerodynamic quality of the vehicle. This allows for it to cut through the air and push it aside, minimizing drag.
When brainstorming to come up with ideas, there were some things that were thought about such as how aerodynamic the shape would be, if a similar design has been used in the past and was successful at minimizing drag, and how big custom pieces would be. Due to time constraints, it would be nearly impossible to 3-D print the entire thing, so that had to be kept in mind.
The materials used for this design will be mostly supplies that are given in class, such as l shape, wheels, arduino, and batteries. However, the 3-D printer must be used in order to create the front piece as well as some of the body. The pieces given wouldn’t make a very aerodynamic shaped, so a custom made piece will help the increase its efficiency.
Materials Needed:
L-Shape Arm – 1 – $3
Wheel – 2 – $15
Battery Supports – 2 – $2
Propellers – 2 – $0.90
Servo Motor – 1 – $2
Sensor Wire – 1 – $2
Count Sensor – 1 – $2
Electric Motors – 2 – $19.98
Arduino – 1 – $100
(Aerodynamic Body [3D printed]) – 1 – UNK
Aerodynamic front (3d printed)- 1 – UNK
2.5 x 7.5 Rectangle – 1 – $2.00
2 x 6 Rectangle – 1 – $2.00
Lithium Battery – 1 – UNK
Total Cost: $ 150.88
Individual Design 3 – Nick
The main features of this design are that it was designed while looking at certain jets that are known for being aerodynamic. This will reduce the drag on the AEV and allow it to glide across the track in a much smoother fashion. The cart is to deliver cargo to a set location at the end of the track, and be as energy-efficient about it as possible, so reducing the drag will aid in the energy that is saved.
The brainstorming that went into coming up with this idea consisted of the group putting together pieces that were available for use and refining an idea to come up with something that could potentially work in the end. It was not difficult to come up with a number of rough ideas, however it will likely be harder to keep refining these ideas until the group gets to a place where the efficiency is at a maximum.
The materials that will be used in this mainly consist of the provided plastics and screws, however the shell that will cover the AEV and make it more aerodynamic will need to be manufactured using a 3D printer that is provided in the lab room. It can either be printed in one part or printed in multiple parts before being put together with glue or some other adhesive.
Materials Needed:
T-Shape – 1 – $2
X-Shape – 1 – $2
L-Shape Arm – 1 – $3
T-Shape Arm – 1 – $3
Wheel – 2 – $15
Battery Supports – 2 – $2
Propellers – 2 – $0.90
Servo Motor – 1 – $2
Sensor Wire – 1 – $2
Count Sensor – 1 – $2
Electric Motors – 2 – $19.98
Arduino – 1 – $100
(Aerodynamic Body [3D printed]) – 1 – UNK
2.5 x 7.5 Rectangle – 1 – $2.00
1 x 3 Rectangle – 2 – $2.00
2 x 6 Rectangle – 1 – $2.00
Lithium Battery – 1 – UNK
Total Cost: $159.88
Team Design
Each of the group member’s designs were slightly different from each other. It was mainly in shape, however, so the materials that were decided on stayed pretty much the same. This team design is a combination of the strongest parts of each individual design to hopefully create an AEV that is able to perform the tasks better than any of the individual machines would be able to. Some individual designs had little flaws that could be easily fixed by putting part of a different drawing into it in order to cover a gap or conceal some of the less aerodynamic areas of the AEV.
The propellers that will be used with the AEV will be determined by looking at the propeller lab data from Engineering 1181. Looking at this data will allow for the group to estimate which propellers will be best at optimizing the airflow vs. power used.
It was decided that the more complex materials would be 3D printed using the 3D printer that is in the lab and the base, along with the motors, would be constructed from the provided materials.
When brainstorming to come up with ideas, there were some things that were thought about such as how aerodynamic the shape would be, if a similar design has been used in the past and was successful at minimizing drag, and how big custom pieces would be. Due to time constraints, it would be nearly impossible to 3-D print the entire thing, so that had to be kept in mind.
In order to brainstorm potential ideas, the group used the lab day on the 20th to fiddle around with the leftover parts from the demo AEV after the AEV had been constructed. This allowed for the group to see how certain parts could be fitted together snugly and still provide room for the cargo, battery, and Arduino controller.
Materials Needed:
T-Shape – 1 – $2
L-Shape Arm – 1 – $3
T-Shape Arm – 1 – $3
Wheel – 2 – $15
Battery Supports – 2 – $2
Propellers – 2 – $0.90
Servo Motor – 1 – $2
Sensor Wire – 1 – $2
Count Sensor – 1 – $2
Electric Motors – 2 – $19.98
Arduino – 1 – $100
Aerodynamic Body [3D printed] – 1 – UNK
2.5 x 7.5 Rectangle – 1 – $2.00
1 x 3 Rectangle – 2 – $2.00
2 x 6 Rectangle – 1 – $2.00
Lithium Battery – 1 – UNK
Conclusion
The lab and final design heretofore delineated, as well as each individual design, were resultant of the tasks performed during the lab time, and directly resulted from the discussion had therein considering the AEV. The design created stems from considerations in each individual design, and has been designed to incorporate unique concepts found in each individual design, particularly in maximizing space while using the least amount of material, thereby creating the most effective AEV possible.