Week 15: Preparing Presentation #3

This week the first set of teams presented to us their sub-groups progress. We are preparing our final presentation in the meantime trying to figure out what force the linear actuator will experience when the boogies accelerate at our max assumed value. Also, new FEA in the linkage system reveals that the lowest safety factor is in the horizontal links shown below in figure 1 with a safety factor of 1.69.

Figure 1. Horizontal links and the stress with safety factor of 1.69

Week 13: Evaluating our new prototype

Our new prototype on Solidworks requires us to perform new FEA and to find the force that the linear actuator will have to exert on the worst case scenario. However, our team suggested we research more into the active components needed to make this approach work first. I needed to do personal research to report back for a discussion with my group members on how to power and control the linear actuator. I found that as an option to control the linear actuator we will need a gyroscope, Arduino, motor driver, and a battery with a battery charger and possible an accelerometer. Fortunately, Dr. Furman had a motor driver that he can let us use for our project, which will allow us to operate the linear actuator from an external power source such as the battery.   

Week 12: New CAD Model

The new CAD model of the suspension unit makes the vertical distance reduce by 6 inches, which is good for practical applications of the suspension unit. I worked with Colin and Joshua in helping direct some of the decisions of the form and research for actual parts that we can buy from McMaster website so that the construction on CAD can be realistic when it comes to building the physical prototype. Below is the new CAD model of our new design as seen in figure 1.

Figure1. Vertical dampening unit is the center link like in the old design

The linear actuator is in place in a position where we are able to achieve a range of 19 degrees in inclination and 24 degrees in declination, which is acceptable for our target goal of at least a 17-degree range from the horizontal. 

Week 11: New iteration on the CAD Model

One of the comments that we received from our presentation number 2, is that the vertical length of the suspension unit might me too large. Which is because of the frame is on top of the vertical dampening unit when it does not have to be necessarily like this. My team and I realized that it is true as seen below in figure 1.

Figure 1. Frame on top of the Vertical Dampening unit

My group and I then went back to the drawing board to come up with a different form that will still encompass the same function. After, long thinking sessions, I came up with the idea to make the vertical dampening unit part of the center link in the frame. To do this, we would have to add some attachment points that could be welded on and make the frame double sided on each side of the vertical dampening unit. This will essentially make the total vertical length of the suspension the length of the vertical dampening unit, which should reduce it by 6 inches. 

We will continue with this new design concept on CAD