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Unread 01-08-2005, 03:07
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NoodleKnight NoodleKnight is offline
24 Hours of LeMons?
FRC #0100 (WHS&CHS Robotics)
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Re: CVT, which teams are planning on using them for next year?

mechanicalbrain that's what I've been saying. You basically let the computer handle the CVT's shifting, but in case of a system failure or emergency, you'd have the option of a manual override.

Stonefan5271138, sure using your robots "turbo" option was relatively easy -- team 100 had it on previous robots as well -- due to the fact that you only needed to press a button, just two variables, on or off. Your brain can probably subconciously detect when you need that extra power boost or when you don't. With a two speed transmission it's almost the same, except instead of having a program-limited speed, it's now mechanically limited.
Like what Cory said before, once you start having more than two speeds, like a 4 speed transmission, it gets a lot harder for the driver to keep his/her attention on the competition while trying to get the right gear ratios. Sure with driver practice, one could almost master the system, but for some teams, practice time is cut short due to some unexpected situation.
Now, with a infinite amount of gears, getting the right ratio's will be an even bigger challenge. Sure you could just designate set ratios to n-number of buttons, but that pretty much defeats the purpose of a CVT with an endless amount of reduction ratio's, unless you plan on pushing many buttons for many different gear ratios, which would be kind of funny. (You could have your second driver do it, haha)
So, I'll say it again, CVT's should be autonomously controlled. Set it and forget it -- if the shifting program has a flaw, have a programmer fix it. Design the hardware to last for at least one more competition than your team registered for. And I never (at least didn't mean to) mentioned anything about ruling-out a manual override option. its always good to have a manual override -- It's why the field has a big red button to stop your robot in case something bad happens (although I heard on the 2005 field it didn't exactaly work).
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WHS/CHS Robotics - Team 100 (2003-2006):
2006- Delphi's Driving Tommorow's Technology @ Davis | Imagery Award @ SVR | 2004- SVR Finalists (w/ 691 and 1280)| 2003- Delphi's Driving Tommorow's Technology @ Sac