Michael ch skateboard

A prototype for A Self-riding Skateboard for ECC student moving from Jackson Hall to  RJ-106
Aim

Building an electronically-riden skateboard to ride the student from Jackson hall to RJ-106. The prototype will only have one route then will be developed by the future depending on the available funds.

Deadline

March,2019.

Equipment

Skateboard (decks, wheels) (3), electric motors, microprocessors, batteries, command interface.

Skills

1-Time project management within a specific deadline.

2- Learning how to use different equipment such as multimeters, soldiering guns, circuitboards.

3- Learning to measure a mechanical and electrical characteristics.

4- Using  programming skills to guide the skateboard to the track.

5- Learning to organize the mathematical calculations and to build a professional presentation for the final project paper.

11/19/18 motor and net weight of the skateboard

1- Before buying the motor, power calculations has to be done to determine the min. power of  the motor.

The power of the motor: 1- net weight ( added parts, motor, rider) 2- velocity 3- inclines ( route drawings).

12/12/18 I did some research and it seems that an easy and strong way to power the wheels is with a drill. The drill already has a built in gear box that allows for a lot of power but still spins fast enough for the board to move at a reasonable speed. If we were to use two drill assemblies, one for each driving wheel, we would be able to steer the skateboard. This would also be a good solution for the batteries, as drills come with batteries strong enough to run for a couple hours.

2- boards without wheels. https://www.ebay.com/itm/5-Assorted-Pro-Skateboard-Decks-Size-8-0-Lot-of-5-blank-Stained-Grip-REFLEX/132311232685?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131003132420%26meid%3D529ac55ac93f4af29821d7afbacc5639%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dag%26sd%3D142506564822%26itm%3D132311232685&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851 ( I changed to the colorful decks)

3- micro-controller ( arduino).

12/12/18 I found an old arduino that i have and I am experimenting with how we would drive our motors.

4- Qcad https://qcad.org/en/download

11/25/18 Qcad works

12/12/18 I have a very simple layout of how I want the skateboard to look. Rather than using Qcad I will be posting a drawing on some graph paper when I have it finished.

5- wheels:

12/12/18 Most skateboards turn when you lean one way or the other, but I have found a way to prevent this so that only the motors will be able to turn the skateboard.

buying 3 motor and 5 together.

Skateboard Links

Deck: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Blank-Complete-Skateboard-Stained-BLACK-7-75-Skateboards-Ready-to-ride-New/252504247630?epid=17010486654&hash=item3aca6d0d4e:g:68sAAOSwi0RX0Pag:rk:1:pf:0

Led for turn: https://www.ebay.com/itm/150pcs-3mm-5mm-LED-Light-White-Red-Green-Yellow-Assorted-Emitting-Diode-DIY-Set/391368927437?hash=item5b1f67e8cd:g:U5sAAOSwCypWpsoN:rk:1:pf:0

Microcontroler: https://store.arduino.cc/usa/arduino-uno-rev3

Motor & batteries: https://www.amazon.com/BLACK-DECKER-LDX120C-Lithium-Driver/dp/B005NNF0YU/ref=sr_1_3?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1549390395&sr=1-3&keywords=drill

Wheel attachment: https://www.amazon.com/Degree-Adapter-Screwdriver-Flexible-Extension/dp/B07D12ZWT1/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1549390430&sr=8-1&keywords=drill+right+angle+extension+flexible

Maybe it is easier to list them in a table. here is an example :

The quantities for 3 skateboards, ordering extra is always better than shortage.

First prototype of working skateboard

LED turn signals wired and function with power from arduino. the drill was removed from its casing and the motor and transmission were tied directly to the board to hold it in place. Drill angle extensions were then used to get power from the motor to the wheel. This setup had to be changed, as the motor kept separating from the gear box and the drill angle extensions were too weak for the power of the motor and kept breaking

The second prototype has the motor and gears in the original drill housing to keep the motor from separating from the transmission. A flexible drill extension was then used to transfer power from the drill to the wheel, and copper tubing was placed around the drill extension to keep it from moving around while riding the board. A ratcheting device was also added to the drive train to act as a clutch, to allow the skateboard to keep moving freely even when the motor is not moving. The board is controlled by a small button on the top of the board, which functions like a pedal for the rider to control the speed.

Completing the written part:

1- starting at the highest speed. conservation of momentum, taking some measurements for the highest speed for the skateboard then calculating the reaction on the rider.

2- The ARDUINO capabilities that will improve the skateboard riding on the track.

3- Future improvement.

After the first successful test of the board, it made it from RJ to Thompson hall without any issues. On the way back the drive cable broke, which will need to be replaced with something more robust in the future. The arduino is programmed as of right now with a timer to turn on the turn signals after a certain amount of time has passed. This will also need to be updated in the future with a system that is more reliable. I have wired in a switch on the back of the board, which gives power to the arduino to start running the program for the turn signals. When the switched is closed, the signals will blink 3 times, then start the timer for the first turn. Originally I was going to power the arduino with the drill battery, but I found that it would be easier and more reliable to use a portable phone charger with a built in USB port. I will add pictures of the board setup and a copy of the program flashed to the arduino.

Code:

void setup {

pinMode(7, OUTPUT); //RIGHT ARROW

pinMode(6, OUTPUT); //LEFT ARROW

}

void loop {

digitalWrite(7, HIGH);

digitalWrite(6, HIGH);

delay(300);

digitalWrite(7, LOW);

digitalWrite(6, LOW);

delay(300);

digitalWrite(7, HIGH);

digitalWrite(6, HIGH);

delay(300);

digitalWrite(7, LOW);

digitalWrite(6, LOW);

delay(300);

digitalWrite(7, HIGH);

digitalWrite(6, HIGH);

delay(300);

digitalWrite(7, LOW);

digitalWrite(6, LOW);

delay(30000);         //Delay to first turn in ms

digitalWrite(7, HIGH);//Turn on right signal

delay(5000);

digitalWrite(7, LOW);  //Turn off right signal

delay(180000);

digitalWrite(6, HIGH);//Turn on left signal

delay(5000);

digitalWrite(6, LOW);//Turn off left signal

delay(30000);

digitalWrite(7, HIGH);

delay(5000);

digitalWrite(7, LOW);

delay(30000);

digitalWrite(6, HIGH);

delay(5000);

digitalWrite(6, LOW);

delay(120000);

digitalWrite(7, HIGH);

delay(5000);

digitalWrite(7, LOW);

delay(120000); //End of track

}