Preliminary Design of a Robot :: Robotics

Preliminary DesignThough my prototype serves the same function as the issue version entrust, theproduction version will visually be a totally different robot. While testing my robot, I identifiednumerous problems the design of my prototype that could non easily have been fixed. To fixthese problems, completely new materials will be required as well. Since it is likely that myrobot would be used by modify people(most probably with poor motor control), it is necessarythat the robot is durable, and safe to use. The outer shell will be made out of aluminum, since itis a relatively send off and cheap metal. It is important that the robot weighs as little as possible, soit does not require large motors, which will increase the cost and overall size of it of the robot. Sincealuminum often has sharp edges, the robot will be covered in padding to reduce the risk of injuryfrom operation, and act as a shock absorber if the robot is struck by an object or dropped.The other, more obvious di fference will be that the real version of my robot willbe controlled by a circuit board, instead of an RCX control brick. This will allow the use ofmany different sensors and motors, and surprisingly will also be considerably cheaper. The otherimportant difference is that the real version of my robot will write using a robotic arm instead ofmoving as whole. However, the robot will still be able to move for convenience. Just like theRCX, it will have computer connectivity, except that it will have a wired connection for higherspeed and lower cost.Materials and Prototype DesignParts ListMany standard Lego parts3 Motors8, 16, 24, and 40-tooth gearsOne fleck Sensor1 RCX1 Black Crayola MarkerMy robot is divided into 3 basic parts (not including the RCX brick). Below the RCX,brick, I have the standard cycles/second structure with the standard gear configuration. There are eighttoothgears on both motors, connected to the wheels with forty-tooth gears for maximum torque.I have also used t he standard medium-sized, monotone tires in the front since they perform well.However, there are no rear wheels Instead, the back of my robot is supported by bare forty-toothgears, which has caused no problems. The reason why I have this odd wheel setup is because Ioriginally built legs for my robot, but switched to wheels after finding that the legs hadextremely little traction.The second, and most involved part of my robot is the marker-lowering mechanism.This mechanism is comprised of a motor, a very large set of gears, and a platform that slides on