Division R AEV Designs

AEV Design update 2/28/18

Above is the newest iteration of our AEV. The L bracket arm was swapped out for the T arm for stability and a mounting piece was added for servo testing as a brake. As the servo bracket takes up more room than usual on the AEV the Arduino board was moved to the bottom.

 

Reflectance Sensors

The reflectance sensors are for detecting the reflectance strip on the wheel. These are used in combination to sense how far the AEV has traveled and in turn, how far it has to go.

 

Concept Sketches

AEV Concept Design by Anne-Marie Crawmer

 

Pros:

-the weight of the AEV will prevent excess swinging, ensuring all cargo and passengers arrive safely

-the front foil of the AEV will add extra protection to cargo

-the width of the motors will provide extra stabilization by lowering the AEV’s center of gravity

Cons:

-extra weight will require more energy

-length to width ratio may result in difficulty accelerating up inclined track

Why this design would be successful: While the weight of the AEV may increase energy costs, the safety features prevent any risk of unsafe practices, and will therefore avoid safety penalties.

 

AEV Concept Design by Alex Ulry

Pros:

  • Looks like an Imperial Star Destroyer from Star Wars.
  • Aerodynamic

Cons:

  • Fragile tip
  • Can’t support many people

Why this design would be successful: The coolness factor of it looking like a Star Destroyer adds +10 speed, duh.

AEV Concept Design by Sara Neumeister

Pros:

  • Light weight allows AEV to move faster and more efficiently
  • Compact design avoiding unneeded materials
  • Uses less energy

Cons:

  • Quality of ride on track variable
  • Weight not evenly distributed, having more weight in front

Why this design would be successful: I designed this with light weight and speed in mind. More passengers on a more often schedule I believe would be optimal for this project.

AEV Concept Design by Jack Smith

Pros:

  • Light weight
  • Minimal materials used
  • Relocated arduino allows maximum passenger capacity
  • Ability to use larger battery for less common recharges
  • Uses less energy overall

Cons:

  • Light weight means less comfortable ride
  • no windscreen

Why this design would be successful: This design was made with the intent of carrying the most passengers with the least amount of materials. The low cost of manufacturing and high carrying capacity maximizes the value of the cart.

Team Concept Sketch

The team decided to combine ideas. We used the aerodynamic windscreen of Alex’s design, but cut it down for weight. Then we relocated the arduino underneath the cart for maximum passenger/cargo carrying area and hid the battery in front of the cart so it can be expanded with ease. Additionally, we moved the motors closer to the craft to minimize the front footprint of the craft. As it is, the craft is front-heavy, however, once passengers/cargo is loaded, we believe the balancing will sort itself out.