University of Hawai'i Parcel Services
Structure
Top-Level Requirements
Object number
1.2.0-1
The vehicle shall withstand 30 mph winds and rainy weather.
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Object number
1.1.0-2
The vehicle shall have the ability to traverse ADA wheelchair ramps.
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Object number
1.4.0-1
The vehicle shall carry a payload of at least 300 lbs.
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Object number 1.4.0-2
The cargo area shall be easily accessible for placing and removing cargo.
Design Concepts
Space Frame
Aluminum 6061-T6
*Current Manufactured Design
The space frame was chosen for its strength and ability to withstand loads from any point. The central part of the frame was designed to be rectangular to maximize the space for the payload and other subsystems. The designed frame divides the central part into two portions, which gives 12,000 in3 for the payload and 5,000 in3 for the other subsystems. Flat Aluminum plates with â…› inch thickness will be used as the base support for those areas. The flat plates will be attached to the frame with hex nuts and bolts. Additional support was designed in areas where there are higher stresses. The front and back of the frame are curved for safety reasons and to make the structure visually pleasing.
The frame will be formed with 6061-T6 Aluminum square tubing. Square tubing will be used in the central area of the structure, where there is the highest stress due to the payload and weight of the other subsystems. Square tubing will be 1 inch with â…› inch thickness. Square tubing will be used to support the straight beams of the frame where it will mostly be subjected to axial forces and bending moments. Square tubing is preferred over round tubing because it is stronger. The amount of beams were based on its ability to withstand loads, while keeping the frame as light as possible. It is desired that less material is used to decrease the cost. Aluminum was selected for its light weight, low cost, and its resistance to corrosion. Although Aluminum is weaker than the other considerations, it is still strong enough for the frame that was designed. Aluminum tubing is also readily available in a local Home Depot.
Fairing
The fairing will cover all open areas and act as the external layer of protection. The frame will be protected with fairing that is made from fiberglass cloth and epoxy resin. is primarily used to avoid straight edges and surfaces. The curved surfaces are desired for safety reasons. To attach the fiberglass panels to the frame hex nuts and bolts will be used. Fiberglass is comparable to the other options for its strength to cost ratio. The fiberglass will also be purchased locally from Home Depot.
Fiberglass
Door Access
The access for the structure will consist of two gas struts, that will support the movement of the door, and the door itself. The frame of the access will be made of the same material for the rest of the frame, Aluminum 6061-T6. The material of the fairing for the door will also be made of the same material as the rest of the vehicle, fiberglass. The door is shaped like an 'L" to allow easy access to the cabin from either the top or the side of the vehicle. The door will also be locked to deter any thieves from stealing any cargo it may be transporting.
Butterfly Door
Bumper
The bumper will act as an external layer of protection for the AEVS. The bumper will be manufactured from the same Aluminum 6061-T6 tubing and a rubber neck hose that will encompass the whole vehicle. The rubber hose will be equipped with tactile sensors to detect if the bumper hits anything while in drive. The bumper will be attached to the frame with clamps that will be made. When mounted to the frame the rubber will be 6 inches off the ground.
Tactile Bumper
Overall Description
The structure has four components that will be integrated into each other: the frame, door, fairing, and bumper. Several designs were created and several materials were researched for all components. The frame will act as the storage of the vehicle designed to hold the payload, and the power train and electronics subsystems. The door will act as the security layer to ensure that only the customer will be able to access the payload. The fairing will act as an layer of protection from the weather such as the rain and wind. Finally the bumper will act as protection both for the people walking around and for the vehicle not to crash into anything. All of these components will work together to create a working vehicle.
Meet The Team
Shaun Kim
Structure Lead
Rhianne Suemoto
Structure Member
Nicole Teixeira
Structure Member
Monica Zaha
Structure Member