IEEE SoutheastCon Robot

Designed, modeled, and assembled a 10×10 inch chassis compactly housing 4 DC motors and other necessary electronics using mostly VEX metal parts. The chassis was designed to maximize internal space while maintaining the strict 12×12×12 inch size constraints. This formed the foundation for all other components and mechanisms, allowing for efficient integration of the bridge deployment system, thruster pickup, and block manipulators.

Designed, modeled, and assembled a bridge and bridge deployment system to cross a 7-inch wide, 2-inch descending gap. The bridge and bridge placement device were 3D printed. The placement device featured an embedded gear driven by a 360-degree servo and a pinion. The deployment mechanism used a keyhole-like slot on the bridge, which allowed the servo horn attached to the bridge placement device to release it when turned.

Designed, modeled, and assembled a device to pick up small cylindrical game pieces. This was done using a 4-bar linkage that, when not deployed, was securely housed within the chassis, and then utilized a parallel 4-bar motion to deploy out of the frame and onto the thrusters. The linkage crank needed to be driven by a 3-to-1 gear ratio to account for low servo torque, so another embedded 3D printed gear was used.

The main thruster holders being driven by the linkage system was essentially a rectangular prism with an array of 3 cylindrical cutouts, flaring out at the bottom to guide intake. Mounted next to each thruster hole was a small servo with a custom servo horn which would hold the thrusters in place once actuated.

I did not design the original small blocks intake; however, I was tasked with helping refine it and ensure that it fits within the 12×12×12 inch constraints. I added a mechanism that allows it to fold up into the chassis, as well as remaking and shielding the rubber band holders to improve reliability and durability during competition.