LifeTrac Requirements: Difference between revisions
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[[LifeTrac 6]] is our latest release of the tractor, from which we define further requirements based on our learnings: | [[LifeTrac 6]] is our latest release of the tractor, from which we define further requirements based on our learnings: | ||
#Skid steering | #'''Uses modular wheel units''' | ||
#'''Uses modular power units.''' Standard operation involves using 1-4 Power Cube 7's. | |||
#'''Weight scalability'''. May be scaled in 1 ton increments by adding weigh-down units. M | |||
#'''Articulated Steering'''. Skid steering or steering column is depracated as non-generalizable to both large-scale wheeled and tracked machines. See notes on Steering below. | |||
#'''Drive torque scalability.''' Modular Geardown opiton. Design needs to allow for a geardown module to be placed adjacent to the modular wheel unit, for added power | |||
#'''Interchangeable wheels.''' Various wheels may be used, from rubber to metal to tracks, of varying sizes. | |||
#'''Interchangeable forearms.''' To allow for heavy (1 ton and up) front implememnts, forearms may be replaced - to accommodate bucket, bulldozer blade, backhoe, 6' trencher - to name a few. | |||
#'''Modular tubing quick attach plate.''' allows for both fingers and holes to be used as mounting mechanisms for implements. | |||
#''' | |||
=Discussion= | =Discussion= | ||
#'''Steering''' - The steering column is an industry standard way to achieve steering and will be used in high-speed OSE vehicles such as MicroCar and Tractor - above 45 mph. | #'''Steering''' - The steering column is an industry standard way to achieve steering and will be used in high-speed OSE vehicles such as MicroCar and Tractor - above 45 mph. The steering column is a complex way to achieve steering, and is not necessary for gross devices such as slow-moving tractors. Further, the steering column is not applicable to/interchangeable between both tracked and wheeled machines, and it is difficult to build a modular steering column that can fit many machines. (Principle of Multipurpose Flexibility). The most robust, and fully scalable route to low-speed steering is articulation. In the limit of deka-ton wheeled machines, skid steering is not feasible, unless expensive shaft mounting is used such as in industry-standard bulldozers. For the OSE case, we are sticking to non-machined shafts which rely on low axial thrust to prevent axial slippage of the shafts within bearings - where axial thrust is minimized via articulation. In the articulated steering case, OSE proposes that clamping only, combined with standard off-shelf 4-bolt flange bearings - is a route to simple wheel mounting. This allows such shafts to be maintained or replaced in the field without the need for machining - such that this technology can be maintained in areas far removed from industrial supply chains. | ||
Revision as of 17:58, 10 August 2014
LifeTrac 6 is our latest release of the tractor, from which we define further requirements based on our learnings:
- Uses modular wheel units
- Uses modular power units. Standard operation involves using 1-4 Power Cube 7's.
- Weight scalability. May be scaled in 1 ton increments by adding weigh-down units. M
- Articulated Steering. Skid steering or steering column is depracated as non-generalizable to both large-scale wheeled and tracked machines. See notes on Steering below.
- Drive torque scalability. Modular Geardown opiton. Design needs to allow for a geardown module to be placed adjacent to the modular wheel unit, for added power
- Interchangeable wheels. Various wheels may be used, from rubber to metal to tracks, of varying sizes.
- Interchangeable forearms. To allow for heavy (1 ton and up) front implememnts, forearms may be replaced - to accommodate bucket, bulldozer blade, backhoe, 6' trencher - to name a few.
- Modular tubing quick attach plate. allows for both fingers and holes to be used as mounting mechanisms for implements.
Discussion
- Steering - The steering column is an industry standard way to achieve steering and will be used in high-speed OSE vehicles such as MicroCar and Tractor - above 45 mph. The steering column is a complex way to achieve steering, and is not necessary for gross devices such as slow-moving tractors. Further, the steering column is not applicable to/interchangeable between both tracked and wheeled machines, and it is difficult to build a modular steering column that can fit many machines. (Principle of Multipurpose Flexibility). The most robust, and fully scalable route to low-speed steering is articulation. In the limit of deka-ton wheeled machines, skid steering is not feasible, unless expensive shaft mounting is used such as in industry-standard bulldozers. For the OSE case, we are sticking to non-machined shafts which rely on low axial thrust to prevent axial slippage of the shafts within bearings - where axial thrust is minimized via articulation. In the articulated steering case, OSE proposes that clamping only, combined with standard off-shelf 4-bolt flange bearings - is a route to simple wheel mounting. This allows such shafts to be maintained or replaced in the field without the need for machining - such that this technology can be maintained in areas far removed from industrial supply chains.