2015:Electrical Controls Subteam

Design

Driver #1's side of controls will be able to slide to the right and cover the laptop. This provides for narrow controls for transport. This will have a lock to is doesn't accidentally slide apart during transport.

The intent is to have a simple release mechanism.

Handles on each end for carrying.

2 joysticks for driver #1

• Y-axis: move robot forward/backwards
• X-axis: move robot left/right
• trigger: shift?
• button 2: lower center wheel

1 joystick for driver #2

• Y-axis: move lower grip up/down; controls speed of movement
• trigger: pulled means lower grips are closed (if needed, flip broken switch which means click trigger to close)
• trigger: released means lower grips are open (if needed. flip broken switch which means click button 2 to open)
• button 4: close upper grips
• button 5: open upper grips
• button 3: possibly use for 'level 3' preset, so tote is high enough to put on top of 2 totes created by human player
• button 6 (or 8): pull RC grabber back in
• button 7 (or 9): release RC grabber to get can
• button 6/7: could be used for presets (means 8/9 used for RC grabber)

N broken switches

1 3-way toggle for autonomous

• up: a pre-picked auto-mode
• center: no auto
• down: use auto-mode that is selected on SmartDashboard

Future Use

• 3-way toggle for future use (maybe picking which driver opens/closes grips)
• TBD

Laptop for Dashboard

To do

Not yet started

• Find data sheets and parts: 3 position switches, broken switches, handles
• Sheet metal drawings for boxes
• Lights?

Determine which board to use for the joystick interface

• Cypress is mostly a USB-Serial and PSoC test board, it doesn't really have what we need.
• LaunchPad has digital and analog inputs. There are built-in pull down resistors, so wiring switches will be easy. There are sample programs including joysticks already setup to use with the Dashboard; the source code is available so it can be modified. Also, form factor is much better for using the contorls.
  • http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/MSP430_LaunchPad_Operator_Interface_for_FIRST_Robotics_Competition?DCMP=univ-en&HQS=robotics-FRClaunchpad

Research latching mechanism

• Use something similar to a gate latch
  • http://www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-National-Hardware-Zinc-Plated-Outswinging-Gate-Latch-CD1261-1-2-Gate-Latch-2C/203591026?ds_e_ad_type=pla&cm_mmc=Shopping%7CBase&gclid=CjwKEAiA28ilBRCy5cXrgtfTxTISJABgX7E2dVh_2c0KxLVal1dg6Fl1nUaeNEKBNmqDRJEnTZeTpxoCRLnw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
  • http://gatelatchusa.com/101400-gate_latch.html
  • Latch_example.jpg ‎
• Pin/bolt attached to movable part/left section
• create a latch similar to: http://penfieldrobotics.com/wiki/images/5/53/Lock_and_Pin_%28paint%29.png
• one latch mounted to front of fixed section and one latch at the back
• run a u-shpaed bar from latch to latch (under the secondary controls)
• have access to bar via a hole through the secondary controls lid
• gas shock is TBD

Ethernet port location

• The option below needs to pulled from both sides, but we want to be able to pull from one side only
  • http://www.cables4computer.com/Ziplinq/Networking_Networking_Retractable_CAT6_Gigabit_Network_Cable.html

Power cable

• The options below need to pulled from both sides, but we want to be able to pull from one side only.
  • http://www.cables4computer.com/Power_Products/USA_Cables_Retractable_PC_Power_Cable_(Bulk_Only).html
  • http://www.cables4computer.com/Ziplinq/Cables_Ziplinqs_Retractable_AC_Power_Extension_Cord_5_Ft.html
  • http://www.parts4pc.com/Computer_Accessories/Cables_Power-products-and-Cables_Retractable_PC_Power_Cable.html
• Our only remaining idea is to use the retractable cord mechanism from the iron and insert our own cords (ethernet, power). 
  • http://www.amazon.com/HAMILTON-14210R-Non-Stick-Clothes-Retractable/dp/B004FRX6ZU
• If we were to proceed with the iron idea we would need:
  • 2 irons (one for ethernet, one for power)
  • a power cord
  • a flat ethernet cable
  • a way to release the cord and allow it to retract

Meeting Minutes

1/6

(Chris, Mr. Byers)

• discussed preliminary options

1/7

(Chris, Mr. Byers)

• discussed preliminary options

1/8

(Chris, Mr. Byers, Eric, David M.)

• selected overall concept (sliding controls)

1/10

  (Gunnar, Alyssa, Andrew, Eric, Mr. Byers, David M.)

• inventoried parts we have
• determined controls we thought were needed
• went over desires from strategy team
• Home Depot shopping run
• met with Elliot to select secondary controls
• created wiki page
• created todo list 

1/11

(Alyssa, Andrew, Mr. Byers)

• investigated latch options
• investigated retractabled cords
• selected board for controls

1/13

(Chris, Eric, Mr. Byers, Gunnar, Andrew, Alyssa, Dave, Frank)

• Chris worked on the main base and assembly 
• Gunner worked on the very complicated drawer slides
• Alyssa and Andrew worked on the Aux panel
• Eric found a gas shock that will fit our needs 
• Attended integration meeting rom 6:30 to 7:00