Testing
Testing for the Electrathon Vehicles turning radius was a very important test because it needed to turn within a 50 foot radius. In Hogue Hall the Electrathon vehicle was set up so that it could be pushed in a semi-circle of 50 feet. Using a tape measure and tape on the ground, a 50 foot line was made on the ground. The Electrathon vehicles wheels were then set on the inside of the tape and the wheels were turned 2 inches from lock position. The Electrathon Vehicle was then pushed via human push power at a slow walking pace. Once the Electrathon Vehicle touched back on the tape, the tape was marked. Then that mark was measured with a measuring tape. This push then measure was conducted three times. The results averaged a 37 foot radius that the Electrathon vehicle turned within. The reason that the results varied is because maintaining the 2 inches from lock on the vehicle was hard. Even though the vehicle was not at full lock position, it was well within the 50 foot radius that it needed to turn in. By doing this test it also shed light on possibly creating a stop for the wheels so that the can never go past a certain point. This very crucial because if the vehicle turns to full lock, it is nearly impossible to bring the wheel back the other direction.
Testing Procedure
Method/Approach:
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The resources for these tests were a tape measure, tape, spring scale, one additional person, and pencil and paper for recording. To measure the data for the first test the EV was turned 2 inches before lock and measured from the start point to the point across from it. Then the distance is measured from the start point to the end point and recorded on paper. The same was done for the second test.
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Test Procedure 1 Summary/overview:
The Electrathon vehicle needs to be able to turn within a 50 foot radius. The test outlined in this procedure will allow anyone to recreate the test by following the steps.
Specify time:
There isn’t a certain time limit involved in turning a vehicle.
Duration:
There isn’t a specified duration the vehicle needs to turn in.
Place:
An area of parking lot or wide area of flat land big enough for the vehicle to turn in.
Resources needed:
Electrathon Vehicle, Chalk, 50 foot long string/tape measure, a rod or steak in ground to use as center of semi-circle.
Specific actions to complete the test:
Step 1: Make a semi-circle using 50 foot tape measure/string and chalk.
Step 2: Draw a line going from one end of the semi-circle to the center of the circle.
Step 3: Start Electrathon vehicle behind the line made to the center of the circle.
Step 4: Attempt to turn vehicle via push power, within the chalked line made.
Step 5: Record if the Electrathon Vehicle could turn within the 50 foot radius.
Risk:
No risk involved in this type of test.
Safety:
This type of test is very safe.
Discussion:
This should be a very simple test to determine if the Electrathon Vehicle can turn in a 50 foot radius.
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Test Procedure 2 Summary/overview:
The Electrathon vehicle needs to be able to turn within a 50 foot radius. The test outlined in this procedure will allow anyone to recreate the test by following the steps.
Specify time:
There isn’t a certain time limit involved in turning a vehicle.
Duration:
There isn’t a specified duration the vehicle needs to turn in.
Place:
An area of parking lot or wide area of flat land big enough for the vehicle to turn in.
Resources needed:
Electrathon Vehicle, Chalk, 50 foot long string/tape measure, a rod or steak in ground to use as center of semi-circle.
Specific actions to complete the test:
Step 1: Make a semi-circle using 50 foot tape measure/string and chalk.
Step 2: Draw a line going from one end of the semi-circle to the center of the circle.
Step 3: Start Electrathon vehicle behind the line made to the center of the circle.
Step 4: Attempt to turn vehicle via push power, within the chalked line made.
Step 5: Record if the Electrathon Vehicle could turn within the 50 foot radius.
Risk:
No risk involved in this type of test.
Safety:
This type of test is very safe.
Discussion:
This should be a very simple test to determine if the Electrathon Vehicle can turn in a 50 foot radius.
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Deliverables:
The parameters were what was listed above, nothing was needed to calculate because it is a turning radius and weight requirement. The success for this would be that the vehicle could turn easily and effectively. The EV failed in this because it locks while turning fully to the left or right and is very hard to turn back. Part of the problem is initially the suspension was not set up properly for the vehicle to turn. This could be fixed by redoing the suspension and putting more thought into it in the beginning.
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Results Test 1:
Radius Turned Within 50 Ft Radius?
Test 1 38ft Yes
Test 2 36ft Yes
Test 3 37ft Yes
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Results Test 2:
Radius Turned Within 50 Ft Radius?
Test 1 36ft Yes
Test 2 38ft Yes
Test 3 37ft Yes
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This test was done in order to compare the analytical data to real life data. In this test a spring gauge was used in order to measure the amount of force the steering wheel needed to turn. A slow motion camera was used to see at what exact time the steering wheel turned, and what force correlated to that time. The maximum amount of force averaged over three different trials were around 67 lbs of force. When compared to the analytical data we are far off. The calculated data showed that it would only take 12.3 lbs of force to turn the wheel. That is about 445% error with my calculations. This was because assumptions were made about the wheel being perpendicular with the ground and the wheels being parallel to each other. As can be seen once again in this handwritten data sheet below.
Force Test
