DEWBOT VI Drive Train

DEWBOT VI will utilize a multi-mode

Pivot Assembly

, 4-wheel pivot drive-train. Each wheel will be independently driven and steered. If we do this well (from both a mechanical and programming perspective), we should have an extraordinarily maneuverable robot and one well-suited to this year’s BREAKAWAY competition. Pivot Drive was selected for:

• Its superior maneuverability. This should be especially valuable in aligning with soccer balls and with the goal.
• Safety while crossing the bump. A 6wd robot would tilt over further during the climb and would also experience two tipping points. The second of these (coming off the flat top of the bump) will put the robot at a considerable tipping risk unless center of mass (CoM) is very low.

DEWBOT VI is able to safely cross the bump and also drive through the tunnel. For both of these actions, the robot will need to drive in its long (x) axis direction. Chassis orientation is important for us in BREAKAWAY. The robot will not be capable of driving along the top of the bump.

Pivots

Pivots are co-axially driven and can be rotated infinitely. All (4) pivots are identical.

Pivot bodies are machined 6061 aluminum. Machining was graciously provided by Wamac, Inc., a Downingtown Area Robotics sponsor.

(3) thrust bearings are used in each pivot to bear rotating axial loads (including one bearing the robot’s weight). (2) roller bearings and (6) ball bearing races are used to bear each pivot’s rotating radial loads.

Drive

Maximum robot speed on flat grade should be about 9.8 ft/s. There is no gear shift. Drive reduction of 8.3:1 is achieved without a gearbox, using chains & sprockets instead. This makes an unusual noise.

Steering

Pivot angles will be measured using magnetic absolute encoders which actually measure the steering motor drive angle, but since drive and driven sprockets are both 15T, this should provide accurate angle values.

Chassis

Wheelbase is 28” (x) x 21.5” (y). CoM is 9” above grade and centered between the four wheels.

Chassis frame is welded aluminum. Pivot mount plates are riveted to the frame using steel rivets with steel back-up washers.

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