Wheel Forces Calculations

By Anthony Dunigan

Back of the envelope calculations for wheels and electronic slip differential.

Table of Contents

Requirements

Level 2 Requirements

In order for the project to move forward in our Level 2 requirements numbers 8 and 9. We need to gather calculations based on our 6 in (0.0762m)  wheel diamater.

Constants and Variables

r = radius (m), m = mass (kg), g = acceleration of gravity (m/s2), u = dynamic friction coefficient, uo = static coefficient, F = normal force(N), Fpw = normal force per wheel(N), FNet = net force or tangential force(N), Fstatic = static friction force(N), Fdynamic = dynamic friction force or when the wheel slips(N), T = torque(N*m), M = motor torque(N*m), Ff = friction force(N), I = current (Amps), V = voltage (Volts), Pout = Output power of motor (W), Pin = input power of motor;

Calculations

m = 22kg; g = 9.8 m/s2 ; u = 0.725 (rubber on concrete); uo = 1 to 4 or 2 (rubber on concrete); M = 0.339 N*m, I = 1.96 A, Pout = 9.3 W ,  at max efficiency; M = 1.13 when stalled.

F = m*g = 22kg *9.8 m/s2 = 215.6 Newtons (N), Fpw = F/6 = 35.93 N;

For the wheels to be balanced, static friction force must fulfill this inequations:

Fstatic  ≤ uo * Fpw =  (2) *35.933 N = 71.866 N;

If the static friction is unable to balance the system, then the static friction becomes dynamic friction and that’s when the wheel slips. The dynamic friction equation is:

 

Fdynamic  = u * Fpw = 0.725 * 35.933 = 26.05 N;

For the wheel to avoid any slip, the friction force which is dependent upon the motor torque (M) should satisfy the equation below:

 

Ff = M/R  ≤ uo * Fpw

Ff = 0.339 (N*m)/0.0762(m) = 4.45 N

 

So the  force acting on the wheels must not be greater or equal to the friction force of the motor.

 

Sources

http://e-collection.library.ethz.ch/eserv/eth:8200/eth-8200-01.pdf

http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2006/MatthewMichaels.shtml

http://simplemotor.com/calculations/

http://www.ebay.com/itm/24V-50rpm-Metal-Gear-DC-Geared-Motor-Reduction-Turbo-Worm-Gear-Motor-/321731427255

http://www.tsinymotor.com/cn/Products/wolunjiansudianji/2014/0619/118.html