10/5-10/12

During this week, some changes in our design took place. I began redesigning our steering system as a meeting with Bengt pointed out the flaws of our current system. The previous steering system contains two different motors working independent of each other. It was said to cause many problems as there is a higher chance for the system to fail. If one motor fails, the entire bogie will fall from the rails thus predicting or preventing any failure with two motors is very difficult. The new system consists of only one motor. The second motors task will be replaced by a pulley system connected to the main motor. The pulleys will be placed accordingly to fit the limited space in the bogie. We will be using a two face timing belt as when the top steering linkage rotates clockwise, the bottom steering linkage will be rotating counterclockwise. Thus a complex pulley system is necessary. I have yet to finalize the length of the links, radius of the pulleys and length of the timing belt as it the space for the other components is yet defined. During this week a finalized design for the new steering system will be made.