Marching Band Mobile Platform (The Bandmobile)

The Vandal Marching band is well-known for their rousing halftime shows that bolster school spirit and provide memorable entertainment at sporting events as well as other activities. This project continues a multi-year collaboration with the College of Engineering in creating awe-inspiring technological platforms and innovations that add an extra level of intrigue to their performances. This year’s updates include four independent omni-wheels with next-generation lithium battery energy storage and robust power electronics/controls. The final platform should be easily reconfigurable for multiple instrument and lighting set-ups.

=General Problem Definition=

Background
Previous iterations of this project include the following:

Specifications
=Subsystems=

Drivetrain
See a design of the drive train on the right: The platform contains two pairs of identical wheels, one pair of which uses the L-shaped block seen in the design, while the other uses the simple rectangular block also seen.

Overview & Requirements


The battery box is the containment device for the power of the platform. It holds each battery cell in place, so they are not knocked around and damaged. It also ensures that all the batteries are in contact with one another, which will create a steady voltage and battery stress across all cells. The whole box must be functional as well as aesthetic as it will be on the deck and visible.

The battery directly interacts with the Battery Monitoring System (BMS), but it also influences the entire platform's functionality. The battery is controlled by the BMS, and power runs to the motor controller and motor; at the same time, the battery provides power for the BMS and micro-controller. Physically the battery box is located on the top of the platform.

Development
We were planning to use completely new batteries--selected by the Spring-Fall electrical team--so the containment device had to be completely different as well. We were originally going to be spot welding all the batteries which would make a nice compact block (Version 1, below).

This idea was thrown out the window when the team building the battery realized that the spot welder that they bought could not actually spot weld the material being used. This called for a compression fit, which is considered inferior. Thus, in the second iteration, we created individual cylindrical tubes that attached each group of cells in parallel to account for the Amp-hours (Ah) needed. Then each cylindrical block would be connected in series to get to the desired voltage. Prototypes were made (Versions 2-4), but during the finalization process we realized it was much too big and expensive to continue.

This led to yet another iteration which is not yet complete. We will be looking into an option using a 3-inch tube and figuring out how get constant pressure on each battery.

=Project Learning=

=Final Design=

=Validation=

Please find our live Validation Plan here.

=Team Members=

=Additional Documentation=

Project Schedule

Please find our live Gantt Chart here.

Presentations

Design Review 1 (10-11-2020 08:30)

Snapshot 1 (13-10-2020 15:30)

Upcoming: Snapshot 2 (04-12-2020 08:30)