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RC BAJA: SUSPENSION AND STEERING
Testing
The RC Baja project's testing aims to test how well the car has done in competition. The competition has been designed to test and evaluate whether the vehicle has met all design requirements stated. The different types of tests are solemn, drag, and Baja timed races. The RC will also be evaluated on the ability to climb inclines, top speed, and the drop test.
The max wheel angle test
The test for the steering angle can be completed anywhere with a flat surface like a table but it was completed at the Fluke lab in Hogue. This test aims to test the ability to turn for the RC car.
The test for steering angle gave some great results even with it not technically passing. With a requirement of a 45-degree wheel angle, the four trials completed only produced a passing test for one of the trials. The equations used to find the prediction were simple geometric calculations and equations. The four trials resulted in a 43-, 42-, 45-, and 43-degree wheel angle. The third trial that resulted in a wheel angle of 45 degrees is believed only to have passed because of the servo mount breaking during that test.
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The ground clearance test
The test for chassis-to-ground clearance is done by placing a weight on top of the RC car and measuring the clearance between the chassis and the floor. Once this is done the entire car should be lifted up to reset the suspension system and tested again for more trials.
The test for chassis clearance did significantly better than was predicted or required. The predicted value was a clearance of one inch and every one of the trials ended up passing by half an inch. The clearance was believed to have passed by an additional half inch because of resistances in the suspension system that were not accounted for as well as the resistance in ground material because the test was done on carpet.
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The receiver distance test
This test was for the distance of the connectivity between the transmitter and the receiver. This test was done by setting the car down and walking away from it while turning the wheels to tell if it is still connected. Once the wheels stop turning that means that it is no longer connected and measurements will be taken for how long that distance.
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