DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.
DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

Senior Project

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

What? We will be modifying an existing platform to be used as a personal transportation vehicle. The vehicle will be designed to suit the needs of the short to medium transportation. We will be focusing on limiting the costs of the vehicle to give it a better marketing potential. The design is not designed to replace any current form of transportation but, to fill a gap between macro and micro transportation.

Who Cares? Anyone that has reservations about investing in electric transportation, but still need a cheap alternative to long distance vehicles being used for short distances. Anyone interested in cheap short distance travel.

Timing. We have already begun researching hub motors that could be used to power an electric vehicle. By September 23rd we will have a finalized motor choice that we can then use to modify any existing chassis to accommodate the drivetrain. Once everything has been finalized we will design any additional modifications needed to the chassis to suit our needs and begin initial assembling the following week September 26th. Additional details will follow based on availability of everything.

 

Teamwork Plan.

Collin – Will mainly focus on the control systems of the motors and auxiliary systems. Including but not limited to steering, lighting, signals, voltage regulation.

Patrick – Will focus on the physical fabrication and modifications to the chassis, including but not limited to, installation of the motors, installation of the controls, fabrication and modifications of frame, and personal effects.

James – Will focus on the final design, as well as fabrication and modifications. Including but not limited to CAD designs, installation of motors, and modifications to the chassis as needed.

 

Main projects.

The drive system-Electric hub motors

The control system-Operator control/Interface

Energy storage-Batteries/Charging abilities

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.
DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.
DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.
DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

The original design designated by the group before us was intended to be single rear wheel driven with a rack and pinion steering system in the front. We saw this design as a limitation when specifying exactly what this vehicles intended use would be. We took a cue from similarly sized vehicles of different purposes. We saw the need for high maneuverability without compromising the stability of the vehicle. We settled on a front wheel drive system. The system would utilize two completely independent drive wheels. Each wheel would be independently controlled by the operator, this would allow one wheel to be completely stopped while the other continued to turn, and this would decrease the size of the turning circle when driving on sidewalks (Picture). Along with the ability to have a very tight turning radius, there is the ability to have a zero degree turning circle. The other option for drive is to turn one wheel forward, while simultaneously turning the opposite wheel in reverse. We saw this drive system as superior to any other available currently for personal transportation vehicles. This design would allow our marketing to be much larger than otherwise. We have a vehicle that operates normally like a small car or ATV while at the same time can turn about completely within its own foot print.

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.