Individual AEV Concept Sketches
Design #1- Ravi Patel:
The rectangular, narrow design aims to provide for a smoother ride along with the trapezoidal front bumper and side rails to help carry a heavier load of passengers. The design may be on the heavier side, so it may not be the quickest way to transport passengers and it may cost more based on the materials necessary.
Design #2- Josh Martens:
This concept represents a very bare design. Lack of extra components helps reduce weight. The design also allows much space for additions, of parts or otherwise, as there is open space on the body of the AEV.
Design #3- Donald Millard:
This design was intended to utilize both a front and back facing motor with a wind breaker on either side of the AEV reducing air resistance that would resist the movement. Propellers would work in opposite directions one pushing the vehicle along the track while the other pulled, ideally this would optimize the movement capabilities. The design however, encounters one problem, that being there is no location for the caboose to attach.
Design #4- Alex Azeez:
The propellers are placed below the frame of the AEV to provide minimal interference and loss of power. This also improves safety the overall design keeping the blades away from the interior. The guardrail placed around the frame also works to improve safety eliminating the risk of cargo and/or occupants sliding out. Finally, the angular front helps to improve the overall aerodynamic design of the AEV by reducing air resistance against the front face.
Design #5- Team Design:
The design of the AEV was customized with a split propeller, having two propellers on opposite sides would keep the center of mass under the rail. This design would have to be made extremely light to make up for the fact that only one propeller is applying force to the system. The design also calls for 3D printings of two aerodynamic cover pieces to cover the battery and the Arduino.
After evaluating the above designs, it was determined that the two designs that will be carried forward through the design process are designs #1 (Ravi’s) and #5 (the team design).
Reflectance Sensor:
Used to determine how far the AEV should move on the rail based on the reflective tape on the wheels above the AEV. Every time the reflective tape passes by the sensor the code ticks one mark and continues for a determined amount of marks.
