Battery operated omnidirectional platform

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Sponsors Electrical and Computer Engineering Department
Team Name Battery Operated Omnidirectional Platform
Duration Spring 2021 - Fall 2021
Faculty Adviser Dr.Law
Mentors Dr.Law and Dr.Hess
Client Dr.Hess
Team Members
  • Blaine Porter
  • John Mackesy
  • Taylor Leavey
  • Qihang Liu

The goal of this project was to work with a mechanical engineering team to create a mobile RC platform for the University of Idaho Marching Band during the band’s performances.

Problem Definition[edit | edit source]

The Battery Operated Omnidirectional Platform is a continuation of the project called Band on the Run from last year. Our goal is to create a mobile platform that can be used to carry various instruments and personnel. The platform will be remotely controlled by a wireless controller and powered by rechargeable batteries.

Background[edit | edit source]

The University of Idaho Marching Band (also known as the Voice of Idaho) has over a one-hundred years of history. With hundreds of outstanding students, the band provides excellent performances for the University of Idaho sports programs and school events. In 2011, Dr. Edwin Odom, from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Dr. Daniel Bukvich, professor of Percussion and Music Theory, started a project to design a mobile drum set to be used during performances by the University Band, which came to be known as the Band-Beesten. This year we're improving on and finishing a new mobile platform which will be much more modular, thus allowing a greater degree of artistic freedom for the Sound of Idaho.

Deliverables[edit | edit source]

Battery operated omnidirectional platform project should operate under these specififications:

  • Controlled remotely over a distance of 100 meters
  • Powered by lithium based cells
  • Have a total payload of 800lbs
  • Provide continuous movement and operation for 15 to 20 minutes
  • Translate and rotate independently from 2 different reference perspectives
  • Maintain multiple modes of safety and redundancy measures to prevent malfunction or harm to riders
  • Designed with environmental, global, social, and economic factors as constraints per ABET requirements

Design Considerations[edit | edit source]

Overview[edit | edit source]

Through the comprehensive consideration of the design specification of the platform, we conclude that the platform needs the following basic requirements:

  • System control
  • Energy storage
  • Electric motors
  • Remote communications
  • System Control[edit | edit source]

    System control is an important part of the electronic system of the platform, especially the microcontroller used in the main computing unit of the system control, which includes sensors and energy storage.

    Sensors[edit | edit source]

    The sensors we are using in this project will allow us to get information such as speed, temperature, current, and voltage. By using encoders, accelerometers, and thermistors, we can ensure safe operation of the platform.

    Energy Storage[edit | edit source]

    Because the platform needs to translate and articulate about the field whilst moving about 800 pounds, including its own weight, a lot of energy is needed to propel the platform. The use of lithium batteries ensured that a higher power density could be obtained, but to use lithium batteries requires the use of a battery management system (BMS).

    Considerations for choosing a BMS were:

  • the voltage
  • current
  • Battery Temp over use
  • Energy Management[edit | edit source]

    The lithium cells are managed using a battery management system (BMS) described in a later section of this page. Battery pack were made using LiFePO4 batteries. A "cell" is then constructed of 8 batteries in parallel. A full battery "pack" then was made from 8 of the "cells" placed in series. Our energy source mitigates many safety concerns associated with more traditional lithium ion chemistries.

    Electric Motors[edit | edit source]

    When considering a motor, we must consider torque ratings, speed ratings, current consumption, voltage and thermal characteristics in order to ensure the safety and capability of the platform.

    Motor Control[edit | edit source]

    With regard to motor controllers, we must consider their ability to control speed, torque and acceleration. Current and voltage are also important considerations, as the motor must withstand relatively large currents.

    Remote Communications[edit | edit source]

    In order to avoid interference with signals on the platform and to ensure signal integrity, the signal transmission distance had to also be considered. The typical distance considered is half of a football field (50 yards) to a maximum of the entire length (100 yards). In this manner we can ensure all possible variations of movement on a field are accounted for.

    Specifications[edit | edit source]

    Major Design Components[edit | edit source]

    Microcontroller

    ESP32

    Key Features

    • High Clock Speed - 240MHz 32 bit Dual Core Processor
    • WiFi/Bluetooth Availability
    • 34 Software Assigned General Purpose I/O Pins



    LiFePO4 cells

    A123 ANR26650m1-B

    Nomenclature

  • Battery[ies]: Individual 3.3 VDC LiFePO4 cells, pictured to the right
  • C Rate: Refers to charge/discharge properties. Obtained by dropping the “h” from “Ah” 1
  • Specifications

  • Max Continuous Discharge: 50A
  • Peak Discharge: 120A (10s)
  • Max Power Density: 2600W/Kg (23°C)
  • Cell Capacity : 2.5/2.4 Ah (@ 0.5C Rate, Nominal/ Min)
  • Mitigates safety concerns of traditional Li-ion chemistries
    • Less environmentally impactful
    • Improved recyclability
    • Wider temp stability range

    1 Ex) 1C charging current for 1 battery = 2.5A

    LiFePO4 Battery Packs

    Specifications

    • Battery Pack: Comprised of 8 Cells, made of 8 individual batteries themselves, pictured to the right.
      • Nominal Voltage: 26.4VDC (28.8 VDC Max)
      • Max Continuous Discharge: 400A
      • Peak Discharge: 960A (10s)
      • Pack Capacity : 20/19.2 Ah (Nom/Min)
    Battery Box Design.jpg

    Battery management system

    Roboteq BMS1040A

    Key Features

    • Power
      • Max Cell Pack Voltage: 40V
      • Max Number of Cells: 10
      • Max Load Current: 100A(continuous), 200A(5s peak)
      • Max Charge Current: 50A
    • Communication
      • RS485
      • USB
      • CAN bus
      • Proprietary PWM
    • I/O
      • Digital inputs: 1
      • Digital Outputs: 2
      • Temperature Sensors: 3
    • Mechanical
      • Conduction Plate Cooling
      • Dimensions: 145mm x 115mm x 23mm
      • Weight: 250g

    Motor Controllers

    Electromen EM 282 C

    Key Features

    • Power Range
      • Supply voltage: 10-50 VDC (Nominal)
      • Idle current typ 20 mA
      • Output Motor Current: 100 A (Continuous)Peak 200A (5s)
      • Braking Load Current: 50 A (continuous)Peak 100A (5s)
      • Current limit adjustable 1-200 A

    Motors

    AmpFlow E30-400-24-G

    Key Features

    • 2.1 Peak HP Motors
    • Nominal Voltage of 24 VDC
    • Features reduction ratio of 8.3 : 1
    • Output Stall Torque of 64 ft-lbs
    • Unloaded: 680 RPM and 3.2 A
    • Output stage further reduced by 3 : 1 sprockets, resulting in total Reduction Ratio of 24.78 : 1 and an Output Shaft Stall Torque of 192 ft-lbs
    • Omni-wheel’s diameter is 1 foot, thereby maximum unloaded speed of platform theoretically is 8.2 MPH;
    • Max wheel translational force = (192 ft-lbs/ 0.5 ft) = 394 lbs
    • Current rotary encoder sensors allow for 0.025 MPH resolution

    Project Learning[edit | edit source]

    Learning Goals

    • The reason for design
      • Systematic summary of the learned knowledge, improve the ability of comprehensive application. In the design  process, a systematic review and summary of the previous professional basic knowledge, professional knowledge, curriculum design and production practice.
      • Continue to learn new knowledge, gradually improve the knowledge structure, through theory and practice, improve the ability to solve practical problems.
      • Improved our teamwork and communication skills through weekly meetings, reports and discussions, through the exchange of information and ideas, help us to complete the project better.
      • Cultivate our comprehensive application of the basic theory and professional knowledge of the ability to solve engineering and technical problems.

      Final Design[edit | edit source]

      The platform consists of four omnidirectional wheels, each driven by an electric motor that is able to rotate and move easily across the field, carries approximately 800 pounds, runs for at least 15 to 20 minutes, and is remotely controlled by an RC controller and receives commands from sensors to receive information, and is powered by a lithium battery source. The lithium cells are managed using a battery management system.

      Additional Documentation[edit | edit source]

      Code

      https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xyedKqGsTjozy96BKvYeSZpPIHeirnee

      Meeting Minutes

      https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KGosfL3CM-6RcloYBeyTq2qicFHQb5os

      Design Review

      https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AKPyCWhBV05nmORdXEKZ9gJTPJg-qod6

      Budget

      https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/19DSChNGeVE9RLb3vltRxdsD86Fh2ls9S

      Team Members[edit | edit source]

      2021 Oppy's Last March Blaine Porter.jpg

      Name: Blaine Porter

      Major: Electrical Engineering

      Hometown: Rathdrum, ID

      Responsibilities:
      • Team Lead
      • Motors and Motor Controller Subsystems
      • LED Light Show Circuit Diagram

      Email: port9632@vandals.uidaho.edu or porterswelding@yahoo.com


      2021 Oppy's Last March JJ Mackesy.png

      Name: JJ Mackesy

      Major: Electrical Engineering

      Hometown: Post Falls, ID

      Responsibilities:
      • Controls System
      • Wiki Page Support

      Email: mack0923@vandals.uidaho.edu

      2021 Oppy's Last March Taylor Leavey.jpg

      Name: Taylor Leavey

      Major: Electrical Engineering

      Hometown: Clarkston, WA

      Responsibilities:
      • Battery Management System
      • Finances

      Email: leav8805@vandals.uidaho.edu

      2021 Oppy's Last March Qihang Liu.jpg

      Name: Qihang Liu (Prounounced as "chee-hong")

      Major: Electrical Engineering

      Hometown: Jiangsu Province, China

      Responsibilities:
      • Wiki Page
      • DFMEA and ABET

      Email: qiha4313@vandals.uidaho.edu