Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz
The bell was not legal in 2010. And there is no way anyone can convince me it's a custom circuit. The bell meets none of the criteria below that would make it allowed.
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Remember that in 2010, the electric motor/acutator rules specified what was allowed (in terms of motors), what was not allowed (in terms of motors and solenoids), and
was silent about all other types of electric actuators. The 2010 rule stated neither prohibition nor permission, and thus, per standard practice, it could be used if it also conformed to all other rules. I don't think we would disagree that—at least since the demise of the additional hardware list about a decade ago—teams can use parts that are not mentioned, provided they comply with all rules.
(For everyone else following along, be warned that the rule is different in 2012, because it directly addresses all actuators.)
And if not a custom circuit, what is it? It's a part which is legally connected to the robot electrical system (assume it runs through a Spike), but which is not specified in any official drawings/manuals. It affects no output devices nor power pathways, interferes with no other robots and is a COTS item. It's the same as an LED ring light in that respect.
Besides, other than the safety rules addressed below, what 2010 rules would you use to regulate this bell if it was neither a prohibited actuator, nor a custom circuit?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz
And in all likelihood I would also rule it illegal under R02.
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The applicability of 2010's <R02B> (and I guess <R03A>) would depend on the implementation. It could be a factor if the bell was operating at or above its design voltage, and was unmuffled. Then again, if a team used a 24 V bell at 12 V, or stuffed a rag in the bell as a muffler, or just used the actuator part without the bell, it could easily conform to <R02B>.