Project
| # | Title | Team Members | TA | Documents | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Obstacle Detecting and Derailment Avoiding Model Train |
Jordi Pakey-Rodriguez Prithvi Garimalla Susan Chen |
Jacob Bryan | design_document0.pdf final_paper0.pdf presentation0.pptx proposal0.pdf |
|
| Susan Chen (schen123) Jordi Pakey-Rodriguez (pakeyro2) Prithvi Garimalla (garimll2) Problem statement: Model trains are quite pricey and can be damaged quite easily if the person operating it is careless. For example, objects that get moved onto the track go undetected and can cause the train to be damaged or derailed. Derailment can also occur when the train is moving at high speeds and encounters a curved track. Proposed solution: In order to detect objects in front of the train, a time of flight sensor will be used to detect the distance of the obstacle from the train. To detect speed limit, we will use IR receivers on the train and IR beacons on the tracks to convey speed information. These speed limit “signs” will be placed before curves to tell the trains what a safe speed is to pass over the curve. These solutions can be discretely integrated into existing track components so as to maintain the aesthetics of the set. Requirements: Obstacle Detection - Time of flight sensors use a very small laser to measure the time it takes for the light to bounce back. These sensors have a very narrow sensing field of view for accurate sensing of obstacles. Given the distance from the obstacle, the train will know how long it will take to come to a complete stop before it collides with the object. Speed Limits & Derailment Prevention - To create our speed limit signs, we will place IR receivers on the bottom of the train to read IR beacons on the tracks. The IR beacons will transmit information in the form of a modulated signal which will correlate to a certain speed. There are only 128 different speeds according to the National Model Railroad Association standard, which leaves room to convey other information such as train position. Constraints: We are designing this to fit on at minimum an HO scale train and tracks. Using a bridge rectifier allows it to be compatible will all standard off-the-shelf methods of track power. All the sensors we add as well as the circuits we build should be concealed so as not to affect the scale look of the models. Uniqueness: Our goal is to transform existing model trains into autonomous vehicles capable of responding to controls and reacting to the environment. Existing products are not capable of object avoidance, are usually specific to one or a few proprietary models, and are often quite expensive. Previous Posts: https://courses.engr.illinois.edu/ece445/pace/view-topic.asp?id=14316 https://courses.engr.illinois.edu/ece445/pace/view-topic.asp?id=13987 https://courses.engr.illinois.edu/ece445/pace/view-topic.asp?id=13497 https://courses.engr.illinois.edu/ece445/pace/view-topic.asp?id=13472 |
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