Steering for custom kite buggy

Hi Skye,

Ambitious and brave - kudos.

Another control idea is to use voice recognition. You could use a module such as EasyVR to recognize between 28 an 56 commands. For example, you could have the numbers from 0 - 10 represent fixed wheel angles so you can specify 11 different steering positions just by speaking one number. If needed, you could have finer increments by using "Plus" and "Minus" commands to make smaller incremental steering adjustments. Or you could have other commands for larger incremental changes - such as "Left" and "Right". So "Left Left" would change the steering 2 steps to the left.

I don't know if you are planning on having brakes, but there should be enough command capability for extra functions like that.

It might be fun to swap things around and try using your hands for steering and your voice for kite control.

You would need a pretty good microphone, well shielded from wind noise, but it would probably still be more comfortable than a bite sensor.

Doug

I like the idea of voice control but I think I actually want to go with a sip and puff system which is how people without arm movement control their wheelchairs. Thanks for the info!

Does anybody have ideas about types of actuators that could be used to steer the wheels? The linear actuators I have been looking at don't look fast enough or strong enough. I was going to try to use a 12v system.

Hi Skye,

I have used Actus Manufacturing line of ERC linear actuators - they are good up to about 60 pounds.

AEI actuators will get you up to 200 pounds or even 1000 pounds.

These can be quite costly.

Your best bet is to check for 12 V linear actuators on EBAY.

Doug

I need something capable of 160lbs of force, 3" of travel and a speed of 1.5"/second. Everything I see on ebay has a speed of .5"/second which is a little too slow. If 12v isnt enough juice for this we can make a custom battery. Also because this will be used for steering it is very important that the actuator return to neutral or a specified point in the travel of the actuator. Does this require a special type of linear actuator? I imagine the actuator would have to have the ability to know where it is in relation to itself for this to work.

Perhaps you could use a slow actuator with excess load capability combined with a speed multiplier linkage.

If you take this actuator:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/5-31-STROKE-1000-LBS-12-VOLTS-DC-LINEAR-ACTUATOR-5-1680-6-/270917042700?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f13ea020c&_uhb=1

And use a 3 to 1 lever - the other end of the lever will go 3 times faster than the end of the actuator with 1/3 the force - so the output will go over 1.5"/s and still supply over 160 pounds.

An auto return function can be part of the motor controller, but it will need a position sensor for feedback.

It is also possible to use dual pre-loaded springs that only act on half the travel to return steering to neutral, but you need a stronger actuator to overcome the springs and a bit more mechanical complexity. (The springs need internal stops, so they can't push beyond the center position) Note that some gear boxes can't be turned by pushing the actuator - only by turning the motor - you need to check the datasheet if you want to use spring return.

Well the problem with that is weight. It doesnt specify on the ebay ad but but i has to be crazy heavy considering the rod is 1.125" in diameter. I want to keep this thing as light as possible. If actuators exist like the one I specified I would pay more to have them. And for steering I think a position sensor would be better as I would like to be able to easily tweak the neutral position of the wheels.

Well the problem with that is weight. It doesnt specify on the ebay ad but but i has to be crazy heavy considering the rod is 1.125" in diameter. I want to keep this thing as light as possible. If actuators exist like the one I specified I would pay more to have them. And for steering I think a position sensor would be better as I would like to be able to easily tweak the neutral position of the wheels.