Machine Control Design - Elevator
Machine Control Design - Elevator
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A residential elevator prototype was created to serve three floors, featuring three buttons and LED indicators on each floor, with a safety mechanism to return the elevator to the ground floor after inactivity. Design changes included switching from a toothed gear to a cable winder for efficiency and adding sliders to prevent swaying, though issues with weight distribution and slider resistance were noted.
A residential elevator prototype was created to serve three floors, featuring three buttons and LED indicators on each floor, with a safety mechanism to return the elevator to the ground floor after inactivity. Design changes included switching from a toothed gear to a cable winder for efficiency and adding sliders to prevent swaying, though issues with weight distribution and slider resistance were noted.
Prototype Sketch
Prototype Sketch
The sketch is the initial outline for the prototype. The image demonstrates the location of all the required components, such as the switch and LED lights. The motor near the top of the sketch would have the function of turning the gear attached to it. The gear would be attached to the elevator by a cable, meaning that depending on the direction in which the gear turns, the elevator moves up or down. The sketch also displays how the LED lights would be placed above the switches. The outline further explains where each wire would be placed and in which port.
The elevator works independent of the combinations using the three switches and LED lights to indicate the location of the elevator. There is also a safety mechanism installed in the programming which ensures that the elevator returns to the ground floor after a period of nonuse.
Front side of Elevator
Back side of Elevator
Changes:
In the initial sketch, a gear is shown to be attached to the motor. The toothed gear would have had the purpose of pulling the elevator to each floor and bringing it back down. The gear, however, was changed to be a cable winder because it would be more effective. While the gear would have done the job, it would have been harder to work with because it would have become tangled from the two cords which would have been needed. Overall, a cable winder seemed like a better option. As well, the final prototype consists of sliders that are not in the initial sketch. Without the sliders, the elevator would swing from side to side because it would only rely on the cable pulling it up.
Remaining Flaws:
The prototype consists of more weight in the back, which means that it tips back a little when the switches are pressed. This can easily be fixed, though by moving the prototype to the middle of the baseplate rather than keeping it toward the back. In addition, there is some resistance in the sliders when the elevator moves up. Most resistance occurs when the cable is skewed on the bar to which the cable is connected. This can be avoided if the cable is maintained in the middle of the bar, keeping it perpendicular to the cable winder.
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