Electric Cart Performance Analysis - Article Example

Electric Cart Performance Analysis Electric Cart Performance Analysis Introduction In designing an electronic cart, there are several aspects that should be looked at to make the cart efficient while performing its task. In this article, several design considerations have been looked at when designing an electric cart. An electric cart such as the one ones used in golf courses is an electronic vehicle used to transport users and their equipment around the premises. Like for this case, the electric cart to be designed is meant to move a load over a distance of five meters. Designed to meet the user needs, the cart is meant to offer several comfort and safety features. For instance, the fact the cart is built low to the ground gives it a low center of gravity (COG), preventing any possibility of spills whenever they move along uneven terrain. Just as many electric carts, the proposed cart shall have its movable battery chargers (Westbrook, 2001). The cart can also have a remote feature whereby the operator needs not to be on the cart to make it move. The cart can also have a modified holder that can hold items minus letting the off the cart. An enclosed rooftop that may prevent the operator from being rained is also very necessary. There are several considerations that should be put in place to ensure that the main objective of the cart is achieved; this may entail but not limited to the forces acting on system components, torque transmission through the power train, geometry based designs calculations, electronic specifications, and deep analysis of the proposed solution. There are several science laws that have been considered while coming up with the cart design. Materials used The frames of the cart shall be made of steel plates, tubing, and rods. The body is made of sheet aluminum or sheet steel to make it light while it holds items. Other components are incorporated such as the tires made out of rubber (Fletcher, 2012). Seat cushion consisting of foam cushion enclosed in vinyl. Steering mechanisms, built of metal, motors, batteries, brakes, suspensions, transaxles, electrical cables, and drive trains among others. Types of forces actin on the system The following diagram illustrates some of the forces that are acting on the cart while stationary or while moving; Just like the forces acting on a moving car, the forces acting on the cart are drug and thrust as well as similar forces that act on a stationary cart. Drag is the force known for air resistance – a form of air resistance – pushing against the front of the cart while it is on motion. Thrust is the known force responsible for pushing the cart forward. Thrust originally generates from the main engine turning the wheels. Wheel tyres push backward against the surface as they attempt to turn round, resulting to an equal and opposite force responsible for pushing the car forward. The cart t tyres must possess enough grips – a high friction – to prevent sliding on the surface that it moves along. In order to achieve maximum performance, the force existing between the tyre and the given surface should be maximized minus reducing the introducing excess wheel slip. Having surface, there is a maximum friction Ff = µsFN In case the forces of drag and thrust are not equal at one point, the resulting forces are not balanced and the cart will accelerate. The cart will move faster in case thrust is greater than drag, and becomes slower in case the drag is greater than the thrust. The forward force acting on the cart is the same as the backward force acting on the system not unless an imbalanced outward force is used which will make the cart stop moving. Torque transmission Usually, electric motors maintain a wider power range as compared to internal combustion engine. The type of torque they have is flatter, but their efficiency graph curve is away from flat. A transmission system with a torque amplification features is necessary for an IC engine based cart as at minimum rpm, similar engines develop exceptionally low torques which are insufficient to start a machine from rest. Nevertheless, this is not the case when it comes to a DC motor powered cart whereby the motor essentially generates a high torque while at rest and delivers maximum power over a given range of speed which can be fine within the operational requirement of the cart. As a rule, electric motors are much higher when it comes to efficiency and make their peak torque exactly from a given stop as well as over a much broader rpm range; this implies that many electric carts conversions may do very well with a minor, lighter transmission composition. Additionally, most can do better with a single forward speed reduction gear box (Bricker, Black, & Cottrell, 2013). As well, brushless AC and all DC motors conversion do not require a reverse gear while transmitting as they can effortlessly turn the motor in the reverse way to back up the cart. DC series electric motors are well known for their high torque volume from a standstill point of view. To achieve the necessary torque required, the following calculation can be made; Torque calculation Ƭ = F * D where F is the force applied and D the perpendicular distance Geometry calculations The calculus of geometrical characteristic is very necessary, being closely related to calculus of displacements (Chan, & Chau, 2001). Creating a shape that is geometry oriented is helpful as it is beneficial in calculating some variables without others. Speed calculation of motor The equation that can be used to determine the top speed of the cart motor may be as follows; multiply the rpm of the motor by the cart’s tire radius in inches. Obtain this number then divide it by golf cart’s gear ratio times the standard give factor of 168. This gives the top speed of the golf art in miles per hour. For the purpose of speed, the tyres may be enlarged if at all is necessary. Electric circuit One of the most important facts to have in mind while calculating electric circuits is that “all power is supplied by a given source and the power is absorbed by circuit components” (Larminie, & Lowry, 2013). Since there is power supplied and power absorbed, there must be a sign convention that helps in tracking which way the current flow. As a result of the law of conservation of energy, the power that is to be supplied to a circuit must be equal to the absorbed power by the circuit elements. Significance Such a system is essential especially in designing carts that may be used in golf courses and even airports. With the help of infrared, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi, such devices may be controlled by the use of remote systems even without human being intervention. Bibliography LARMINIE, J., & LOWRY, J. (2013). Electric vehicle technology explained. Hoboken, N.J., Wiley. WESTBROOK, M. H. (2001). The electric and hybrid electric car. Warrendale, Society of Automotive Engineers. FLETCHER, S. (2012). Bottled lightning: superbatteries, electric cars, and the new lithium economy. New York, Hill and Wang BRICKER, K. S., BLACK, R., & COTTRELL, S. (2013). Sustainable tourism & the millennium development goals: effecting positive change. Burlington, MA, Jones & Bartlett Learning. FOGELBERG, H. (2000). Electrifying visions: the technopolitics of electric cars in California and Sweden during the 1990s. Göteborg, Section for Science and Technology Studies, [Avd. för humanteknologi], Univ. CHAN, C. C., & CHAU, K. T. (2001). Modern electric vehicle technology. New York, Oxford University Press. Read More