designing, building and testing of mechanisms for...

Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Integrity-Reliability-Failure, Porto/Portugal 24-28 July 2016

Editors J.F. Silva Gomes and S.A. Meguid

Publ. INEGI/FEUP (2016)

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PAPER REF: 6373

DESIGNING, BUILDING AND TESTING OF MECHANISMS FOR

IMPROVED TRANSPORTATION MEANS

José Loureiro(*)

Polytechnic Institute of Guarda (IPG), ESTG-UTC-ET-DCP, Guarda, Portugal (*)Email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

To move vehicles with high safety and performance the author of this article investigated

ways to overcome the limitations of the processes in use in automobiles and airplanes. As a

result he discovered in 2009, the principle of propulsion without wheel driving, which

appointed by 0-WD, compared to R-WD, F-WD, and 4-WD automotive drivetrains.

The proposed system is safe and efficient because it allows developing forces for propulsion,

braking, steering and anti-skiding, without relying on the friction between braking parts nor of

the friction between tires and ground.

This article describes some mechanisms used by the author to demonstrate the viability of the

process, only in the field of wheeled propulsion but with free-wheels.

Keywords: Propulsion processes, zero-wheel-drive, 0-WD, safety in transportation.

INTRODUCTION

The 0-WD process can be applied to all vehicles on land, sea and air, without the need to

move fluids with propellers or jets , and also without losing mass to the environment.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The first 0-WD vehicle was tested in 2010. The setup is shown in Fig. 1 and in Fig.2 can be

seen the maximum displacement to the right (5,7 cm) but, at the end of swinging, the vehicle

stops 1,97 cm to the right of the starting line.

Fig. 1 - First 0-WD prototype (setup for test in October 2010)

Topic_H: Mechanical Design and Prototyping

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Fig. 2 - Maximum displacement (5,7 cm) to the right in the start.

Fig. 3 - Final displacement (1,97 cm) to the right when the mass swing ends.

Fig. 4 shows the second mechanism used (2011). An electric motor with an eccentric roller

were added to move the mass and the swinging platform.

Fig. 4 - Second 0-WD propulsion system (March 2011)

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Table 1 shows the specifications of this second 0-WD vehicle.

Table 1 - Main specifications of the second 0-WD prototype

Quantity SI unit Value

Bar length = radius of circular translation m 0,077

Maximum rotation angle from vertical (degree) 40

Mass of the vehicle without masses kg 2,383

Mass of loads used in the platform tests kg 1,185

Electric engine power (approximate value) W 200

Fig. 5 shows two blue marks, 0,8m apart, for vehicle speed measurement performed with two

speeds allowed by the gearbox (300 and 600 rpm).

Fig. 5 - Second 0-WD speed testing (2011)

Table 2 presents the results of speed testing.

Table 2 - Speed results

Speed tests Value (m/s) Value (m/h)

1) with 300 rpm 0,028 100,8

2) with 600 rpm 0,034 122,4

In Fig.6 is illustrated the assembly of the main parts manufactured and purchased for the third

mechanism developed by the author (2012).


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Fig. 6 - Mechanism for the third 0-WD vehicle (2012)

The operating principle of this mechanism proposed by the author is to move two linear

guides coupled to a rod which is actuated by rotating disks with two bearings (up and down

but at 90º for double operation) that push the bar always in a straight line and in only one

direction, irrespective of the direction of drive motor rotation. To continue operation the bar

have to be moved by gravity, with springs, or by other processes.

This mechanism, a rotary drive, can be very useful for applications requiring perfectly linear

actuating force with the advantage of not producing irregular wear of the guides in the radial

direction, what happens in rod-crank systems when receiving circular actuation to produce

linear movement.

Fig. 7 shows the 0-WD mechanism installed in a cart, with rubber wheels, ready for testing.

Fig. 7 - Testing the third 0-WD vehicle (2012)

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Fig. 8 shows the 0-WD mechanism installed in a steel chassis with rollers.

Fig. 8 - Other testing configuration of the third 0-WD vehicle (2012)

The tests have shown that different 0-WD mechanisms installed in the prototypes have

performed well although with reduced values of propulsion force due to the scaled-down

models that were built for economic reasons.

In future work will be explored other functions, besides the propulsion, and in larger vehicles.

There are also plans to extend application of the 0 -WD system, to enhance the security of

transport and the possibility of travelling independent of weather conditions.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The author gratefully acknowledge the funding by Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino

Superior, FCT, Portugal, UDI-IPG, and also, the support of students and ESTG technicians

Abreu and Batista.

REFERENCES

[1]-Targ S. Curso Teórico-Prático de Mecânica-1ª Ed. L. da Silva Ed. Porto, 1976, p. 372-

378.

[2]-Meriam J. L. Dinâmica-2ª Ed. LTC, Rio Janeiro, 1994, p. 258-488.

[3]-Hibbeler R. C. Engineering Mechanics-Dynamics 8 th Edition, Prentice Hall, 1998, p.74-

381

[4]-Serway R.A. Jewett J.W.J. Physics for Scientists and Engineers-6th Edition. Thomson,

2004 p. 252-361.


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[5]-Ghaderi H. et al. Power and Propulsion Systems Design for an Autonomous Omni-

directional Mobile Robot. IEEE, 2008.

[6]-Vartholomeos P. Papadopoulos E. Analysis and Experiments on the Force capabilities of

Centripetal-Force-Actuated Microrobotic Platforms. IEEE Transactions on Robotics, Vol.24,

Nº3, June 2008.

[7]-Wane S. Hongnian Yu. Cart propulsion using a revolving pendulum. IEEE International

Conference on Networking, Sensing and Control. Okayama, Japan, March 26-29, 2009.

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