PowPowPowerWheels

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Goal: To build the fastest, most raceable Power Wheels Ever!

Specific Requirements

  • Speed not important
  • Maneuverability is important
    • Mechanical issue
      • Turning radius
      • Sway
      • Suspension
  • Acceleration (torque) is important
    • Electrical issue
      • Battery properties
      • Power stage properties
      • Losses
    • Motor issue
      • Peak torque, rated torque, stall torque
      • Kt
    • Mechanics issue
      • Static/breakaway friction
      • Load inertia
      • Drivetrain/gear ratio
  • Reliability
    • Overheating issues
      • Heat Limiting
    • Motor issues
      • Saturation
      • Demagnetization
    • Burnouts (not enough traction)
      • Traction Control
      • Controlled acceleration ramp or velocity profile
      • Tires

Rules

  • $500 limit (enforced by a $100 buyout clause)
  • Rubber "knobby" tires
    • ATV or Lawnmower wheels
  • 36V power source _max_


Master ToDo

(cross off when each finished)

  1. Get rules from the organizers and post link here ( Pumping Station: One, i3 Detroit, ??? )
  2. We do not have to participate in both events, but you can't win the series title unless you do
    1. First event is in Kansas City in June
    2. Next event is at Maker Faire Detroit in July
  3. Get confirmation from HackPGH members for which dates they can attend
    1. Maybe attending
      1. Ed
      2. MattS
      3. Mandy
      4. Jeff
      5. Sayan
      6. Jon (Detroit, not KC)
      7. ??? add yourself ???
    2. Confirmed attending
      1. ??? add yourself ???
  4. Get on race mailing list and try to make sure the rules don't get lame
    1. Jim has said Ed "on the list" but it doesn't seem to actually exist so far
  5. Build Chassis for Easy Car
    1. Frame - going to buy mostly complete gokart off craigslist ($50)
    2. Rear end - needs to be redone for electric drive
    3. Front end - already on frame
    4. Chassis (plastic Powerwheel shell)
      1. build a proper seat
  6. Build electronics for Easy Car
    1. Motor
    2. Controller
    3. Batteries
    4. Battery chargers
  7. Build Chassis for Hard Car
    1. Frame
    2. Rear end
    3. Front end
    4. Chassis (plastic Powerwheels shell)
  8. Build Electronics for Hard Car
    1. Motor
    2. Controller
    3. Batteries
    4. Battery chargers
    5. Traction Controller
  9. Build software for Hard Car
    1. Motor drive
      1. Forward/reverse
      2. Braking (possibly regenerative)
      3. Current limitation/chopper
    2. Velocity control
    3. Profile generation
    4. Traction control
    5. "UI"
    6. Telemetry client/server
  10. Test Car(s) extensively for reliability

Hardware

Issues to Resolve

  • Welder
  • Frame Type
  • Power System
  • Motion
    • Motors
    • Steering
  • Wheels

Software

Issues to Resolve

  • Motor Control
  • Power Limits
  • Tracking and Sensors

Links

Ideas!

Put your great ideas and brainstorming down here!

  • swivel seat that allows driver to adjust his position and the center of weight of the car
  • traction control
  • four wheel drive with independent hub motors
  • traditional brakes in the front wheels in case for when rear motor electric braking fails :)
  • home brew high power electric motor controller - MOSFETs!
  • battery monitoring - panel meters, low battery lights for driver
  • temperature monitoring / shutdown - prevent motor from being damaged; automatically reduce max throttle
  • suspension modifications to support the ~150lb driver and ~50lb battery
  • headlights and tail lights - bling
  • heads up display for the driver - instead of panel meters
  • wireless telemetry for the pit crew
  • regenerative braking to extend battery life