Project Proposal

Members and Pertinent Skills:

Scott Garfield  - AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Welding, Machining

Tyler Broder - Solidworks, Machining

Enkhjin Baasandorj - AutoCAD, Design, and Machining

Matthew Menezes- Design and General Fabrication

Dale Franklin - Design and Machining

Responsibilities:

Scott Garfield - Team Lead, Critical Path Schedule

Tyler Broder - Hardware Research

Enkhjin Baasandorj - Budgeting, Ordering Parts & Materials

Matthew- Controls Research

Dale Franklin - Meeting Minutes

*All CAD/Design, and fabrication work will be a collaborative effort of the group.

Proposal Narrative:

Due to the many axes of excitation in transportation, our suspension system needs to be able to adapt to a variety of situations, and satisfy the following key points:

1. The suspension system must isolate any vibration in the vertical axis due to the bogie wheels rolling against the overhead track. Vibration can come from irregularities in the track such as seams and transitions or unevenness in the rail construction.
2. The suspension system must allow for the cabin to tilt front to back and stay level with the ground when ascending or descending rail grades of assumed 17 degree angles. At the same time, the suspension system must stop the cabin from swaying front to back when it experiences an abrupt start or stop.
3. The suspension system must allow for the cabin to remain parallel with the ground and even with the platform when at a station, as well as counteracting the load/passenger weight to keep the cabin entrance same level as the platform. This will ensure easy access to the wheelchair users.
4. Since these conditions require that the suspension system be active, the suspension system must have sensors monitoring the motion and the track of the system, as well as a control system to interpret its current state and make the appropriate adjustments.

Sketches:

FIgure 1 : Basic design of the active suspension system, utilizing air suspension

Figure 2: Cantilever suspension approach.

Figure 3: Possible leveling design.

FIGURE 5: Alternative suspension design

FIGURE 6: Vertical Suspension Concept #1

FIGURE 7: Vertical Suspension Concept #2

Critical Path Schedule:

9/16 - preliminary ideas for design of suspension

9/30  - finalize direction of design

10/14 - Finish 3D Model Draft

10/21 - Have materials and parts selected

10/28 - Final Draft of 3D Model

11/4 - Order materials and Parts

*Schedule past this point will be dependant on arrival of materials

Budget:

Dampers: $200

Misc. parts*: $300

Actuators/Sensors: $500

*including: materials to build the structure, airbags to elevate and lower the cabin