Senior Design Projects - Fall 2023 Showcase

"1) Project Objectives

a) Intro

i) Brushless DC motors have become a widely used motor in many applications, ranging from robotics to electric vehicles. However, the process of creating a controller for the motor is a complex one, as it must be able to handle a wide range of variables and ensure optimal performance. This statement aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the process of creating a brushless DC motor controller.

b) Objectives

i) The motor controller system should be able to work with 3-Phase Pulse Width Modulation (PWM).

ii) The motor controller unit should not overheat and start to melt the printed circuit board (PCB).

iii) The motor controller system should allow for the Arduino (brain) to talk with the motor (signal) to regulate the speed at which the motor spins.

iv) The motor controller system should properly regulate the voltage and power consumption so that it doesn’t melt or destroy other components.

v) The motor controller system shouldn’t cause any kind of arcing (electrical surge) when fully connected in a circuit.

c) End Statement

i) Brushless DC motors have become a widely used motor in many applications, ranging from robotics to electric vehicles. However, the process of creating a controller for the motor is a complex one, as it must be able to handle a wide range of variables and ensure optimal performance. This statement aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the process of creating a brushless DC motor controller.

2) Constraints

a) Intro

i) When designing a brushless DC motor controller, it is crucial to take into account the numerous constraints that must be met. These constraints, which include size, weight, responsiveness, accuracy, heat dissipation, and cost, play a critical role in ensuring that the controller meets the desired performance, efficiency, and budget requirements. This statement aims to highlight the importance of considering these constraints when creating a brushless DC motor controller.

b) Constraint

i) The Motor Controller unit operating temperature cannot go above 150° degrees Celsius.

ii) The price for the Motor controller shouldn’t be more than 250 dollars for a set of five (5).

iii) The voltage for the Motor Controller should be no more than 36 volts (V) max when choosing a battery.

c) End Statement

i) It is essential to consider all the constraints when designing a brushless DC motor controller, as they can greatly affect the performance, efficiency, and cost of the final product. By understanding the limitations and working to find innovative solutions, it is possible to create a controller that meets the demands of the application while staying within the specified constraints. 

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Tensegrity robots are flexible, lightweight structures that utilize cables to balance compressive and tensile forces. With their unique combination of rigid and tension elements, offer remarkable adaptability and versatility in various applications. However, there is a need to address several challenges, particularly in making tensegrity robots accessible to a wider audience. These challenges include the complexity of assembly and the lack of user-friendly control software. The TenseBot seeks to tackle these issues head-on. These problems hinder the adoption and exploration of tensegrity robots in various domains, including research, education, and DIY robotics. By addressing these challenges, we aim to making tensegrity-based robots more accessible to a wider audience and stimulating innovation and experimentation. 

As automation accelerates, people are increasingly interested in micro-nano electronic products. To address cost and efficiency issues, our team upgraded the plasma generator power supply in the 3D printer.The team decided to use "front rectifier filter circuit + full-bridge inverter circuit + booster transformer" in the power supply design to achieve an adjustable output of 1.2KV amplitude and 30kHZ under 120V, 60Hz input conditions.

"The simple electric model car based on STM32 is a kind of intelligent robot which can realize autonomous movement and control by programming. It uses STM32 series microcontrollers as the control core, with various sensors and actuators, to achieve autonomous control and motion functions.

This simple electric model car can sense the environment through a variety of sensors, such as infrared sensors, ultrasonic sensors, photoelectric sensors, etc., can obtain surrounding information through these sensors and make corresponding actions. At the same time, the simple electric model car can also communicate with the remote device through the wireless communication module to achieve remote control and data transmission.

The STM32F103RCT6 serves as the core of the simple electric model car, featuring essential modules such as the ultrasonic obstacle avoidance module, infrared tracking module, Bluetooth module, and OLED display module. The ultrasonic module enables precise distance measurement for effective obstacle avoidance. The infrared tracking module detects black lines on the ground, facilitating simple electric model car movement along designated paths. Utilizing the Bluetooth module, users can remotely control and set parameters for the simple electric model car via a mobile app. The OLED display module provides real-time information display, including running status, distance, and battery level, enhancing user interaction.

In addition to enriching our understanding of the principles of electronic systems design, this project has become a crucible for honing teamwork, problem-solving acumen, and practical skills. As we look to the future, identifying opportunities for algorithmic optimization, integrating various sensors, and exploring real-world applications emerge as promising avenues to enhance the capabilities of developed systems. This course not only empowers us with the basics, but also instills a proactive mindset and fosters a commitment to continuous learning and practical application."