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Prop Powered Vehihicle safty??? — Parallax Forums

Prop Powered Vehihicle safty???

davidsaundersdavidsaunders Posts: 1,559
edited 2011-06-27 09:22 in Propeller 1
Is there a way that some accelerometers, a prop and some servos could be configured to prevent the operator of a 2 wheeled motor vehicle from over correcting when breaking and swerving? What data would be required to figure out if this is plausible.

I am pulling an all nighter as i just had an accident on my scooter and I need to be sure that I did not 'hit my head'. It seems a good way to spend this extra time to try to figure out a way to use the prop to prevent the reason that I am up all night.

Comments

  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2011-06-26 04:07
    Using a home-made system in a safety-critical application like that is a stupid thing to do!
  • davidsaundersdavidsaunders Posts: 1,559
    edited 2011-06-26 04:32
    How can it be worse than the current? Now I am going to have to go to the hospital, as I have an injury. I am not saying anything that could possibly cause a loss of control, even if it malfunctions.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2011-06-26 04:38
    It would invalidate your insurance, for one thing. If you happened to have an accident, and someone else was injured, you'd have a hell of a job proving that your system wasn't to blame, and could be liable for a very large sum in compensation and a possible prison sentence. It isn't worth the risk.
  • atlstangatlstang Posts: 20
    edited 2011-06-26 08:54
    Legalities aside there is to many variables to consider for an active system to work safely. Road conditions vary way to much (sandy, wet, dry, ice). For a scooter just a simple driver change or low tire can invalidate the entire system and cause unwanted operation. If you could do that, the dynamic portions would be the next part and extremely hard to predict reliably.

    A lot of it is just the inherent dangers and limited things you can do on a 2 wheeled system. But there could be some passive things, such as a warning light or specific conditions to cut spark if that would help.

    If you wanted something like a warning light. The accelerometer would be easiest if you could overcome any tilting and vibrations that would hinder performance. You could produce a typical g-g diagram while driving and approximate limits for your light. Although if its swerving and braking the quick dynamic/impulse situations probably wont matter.
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    edited 2011-06-27 07:42
    It's as good a way to commit suicide as any I guess. But how to be sure you don't take anyone else out with you?
    I am not saying anything that could possibly cause a loss of control, even if it malfunctions.
    But you did exactly that:
    ...prevent the operator of a 2 wheeled motor vehicle from over correcting when breaking and swerving?
    That implies that when the rider applies the breaks to hard the system is going to back them off automatically. As in the normal understanding of ABS. That implies that there is a strong likely hood of a software or hardware fault causing the brakes to fail.

    My experience of ABS on a Citroen BX19GTi is that the one and only time I needed it the damn thing immediately lit up a yellow failure lamp and did not function as advertized. No damage done but it seems that if a major auto builder can't get it right then I'm not about to try it myself.

    A better idea would be to trade in the scooter for something a bit more stable. I like the look of those retro style Triumph Bonnevilles:)

    Hope the bump on the head is not to bad.
  • davidsaundersdavidsaunders Posts: 1,559
    edited 2011-06-27 09:22
    I have abandoned this exercise.
    heater wrote:
    Hope the bump on the head is not to bad.
    Head is no problem. New knee injury is a 'pain in the leg' as well as a 'pain in the Gluteus'. :)
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