Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Mechanics and Construction => Mechanics and Construction => Topic started by: harpo on November 12, 2011, 09:30:25 PM

Title: Steering with 1 motor
Post by: harpo on November 12, 2011, 09:30:25 PM

Hello and welcome to my post XD

To my problem..
I have a very limited budget for my project and i only have 1 motor.
Is there any way I effectively steer with only 1 motor? (cheaply mind you)
I have 4 wheels and a frame that has yet to be built.
Thanks -setra   

Title: Re: Steering with 1 motor
Post by: rbtying on November 13, 2011, 12:40:40 AM

You can steer and not move, or move and not steer. Pick one.

(To make it simple, a motor only rotates about a single axis, so there's no way to get two independently controlled degrees of freedom)

How large is your budget, and what is the goal of your project? Chances are there's a motor that you could buy that is cheap enough, or that you can salvage the parts from something lying around your home.

Title: Re: Steering with 1 motor
Post by: harpo on November 13, 2011, 04:27:38 PM

well I'm building a semi large robot and I got the motor from one of those big scooters that you sit on. seeing as I cant find a equivalent and even if I did I would not be able to afford it I
was wondering breaking right or left wheel to steer would be effective. If so what is a good cheap way to break a wheel with about a 1 1/2 foot diameter (50$ max)
Thanks -Setra

Title: Re: Steering with 1 motor
Post by: Soeren on November 13, 2011, 05:23:25 PM

Hi,

Quote from: harpo on November 13, 2011, 04:27:38 PM

was wondering breaking right or left wheel to steer would be effective. If so what is a good cheap way to break a wheel with about a 1 1/2 foot diameter (50$ max)

A good cheap way to break it would be to hit it a few times with a sledge hammer  :D

If, on the other hand, you would rather brake it, it wouldn't be smart, if you drive two wheels from the same motor (as this would slow both sides down), but magnetic clutches could be used to disengage the motor power on the side you wanna turn to.

If you just use the motor you have for drive, you can use a smaller motor for steering, if you abandon differential drive/steering.

Title: Re: Steering with 1 motor
Post by: harpo on November 13, 2011, 06:06:50 PM

(I think you may have misunderstood my idea. In my idea the back wheels would be the drive wheels and the front would have the separate brakes on them.)

Would you be willing to better explain the magnetic clutch route?

Thanks -Setra
(PS. sorry about my spelling its not my strong suit :( )