How can we drive on this new floor?

[Zyck_titan]

So here's my basic Idea for anyone who was following, Use a fan or such to provide thrust downward, or basically a (much) lower pressure area underneath the bot, the result (hopefully) would be more weight force downwards, making up for that lost weight force from the low traction, I'm not entirely sure exactly how to implement, and I'm not bothering to run the math on how much airflow is required to make up even say 200 lbs, but something like this might be sufficient,

any thoughts?

[gorrilla]

Originally Posted by Zyck_titan

So here's my basic Idea for anyone who was following, Use a fan or such to provide thrust downward, or basically a (much) lower pressure area underneath the bot, the result (hopefully) would be more weight force downwards, making up for that lost weight force from the low traction, I'm not entirely sure exactly how to implement, and I'm not bothering to run the math on how much airflow is required to make up even say 200 lbs, but something like this might be sufficient,

any thoughts?

the rules specify that the Rover Wheels are the only thing allowed to provide "traction"

[Zyck_titan]

Originally Posted by gorrilla

the rules specify that the Rover Wheels are the only thing allowed to provide "traction"

But the Fan is not providing traction, it's providing a weight force, making up for the lost 5/6 of weight

[pinkanese]

Originally Posted by Zyck_titan

So here's my basic Idea for anyone who was following, Use a fan or such to provide thrust downward, or basically a (much) lower pressure area underneath the bot, the result (hopefully) would be more weight force downwards, making up for that lost weight force from the low traction, I'm not entirely sure exactly how to implement, and I'm not bothering to run the math on how much airflow is required to make up even say 200 lbs, but something like this might be sufficient,

any thoughts?

I have one, the fan in the link draws 8a of current and the hardware we have can only take 3/4a. Also I am thinking that there is little way of creating enough force to hold the robot to the Crater. One of my team mates did the math and estimated that you will need to move over 900 cubic feet of air per minute . It might very well be possible to use a fan to create more downforce, I know it has been done in racing, but the question is going to be one of how much weight can you spare to add it in, how much room do you have for it, and more importantly can you spare that mush energy from your system to power it and all the other essential items.

[gburlison]

Originally Posted by pinkanese

I have one, the fan in the link draws 8a of current and the hardware we have can only take 3/4a. Also I am thinking that there is little way of creating enough force to hold the robot to the Crater. One of my team mates did the math and estimated that you will need to move over 900 cubic feet of air per minute . It might very well be possible to use a fan to create more downforce, I know it has been done in racing, but the question is going to be one of how much weight can you spare to add it in, how much room do you have for it, and more importantly can you spare that mush energy from your system to power it and all the other essential items.

Many teams used 4 CIMS for their drivetrain in past competitions. It seems that 2 CIMS would be sufficient to drive the wheels this year. How much more traction would you get from 2 CIMS driving fans? what if the fans were used for purplusion instead? i.e. like an airboat.

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by gburlison

Many teams used 4 CIMS for their drivetrain in past competitions. It seems that 2 CIMS would be sufficient to drive the wheels this year. How much more traction would you get from 2 CIMS driving fans? what if the fans were used for purplusion instead? i.e. like an airboat.

hahaha, I do love these propulsion ideas.

But i think that teams are making this much tougher for themselves by not looking at what by some people has been described and explained to me as simple physics. Why make it harder on yourself by making that hypothetical propulsion robot? Think of the new challenges you create for yourself. A part of engineering, as what I've been taught by my grandfather, is not only creating solutions, but moving closer to the obstacles at hand, and not creating new ones for yourself.

Sure propulsion would be innovative in an FRC robot, sure it'd be tons of fun, but look at the new challenges you're bringing up for your own team. How would this effect the physics of you carrying the trailer? When you turn, the inertia of that trailer will lead you into a corner with propulsion. A hybrid of propulsion and wheels is almost useless even if it is deemed allowed (which by the "no other traction on the field allowed" part of the rules can't be done anyway).

Ranting aside, my point is just for teams to think more clearly in their ideas. I'm not an engineer so I'm not saying you even have to listen to me or consider my advice, just don't create new obstacles for yourselves.

Originally Posted by sdcantrell56

So does anyone want to chime in about using these wheels as omniwheels. Would it even be possible. I am feeling slightly lost since all of my preseason designs involved mega-traction and multi-speed high torque transmissions

Yup Sean, it looks possible. I've gone over the CoF with a lot of people and depending on the orientation of your wheels, you could in theory do a Kiwi type holonomic drive. I'd rather test it out though.