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

1/10 (Gunner, Alyssa, Andrew, Eric, Mr. Byers, Dave)

  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