TrikeBot - VEX Robotics Chassis

Chassis for a one motor, one servo, three-wheeled, remote controlled vehicle using VEX EDR components.

I would only suggest printing version two. Version one is only included for insight into my design process.

This project was my first attempt to completely replace VEX metal structural components with 3D printed plastic. I was teaching myself how to use SketchUp Make.

In order to make it a manageable project, timewise, I chose to focus on using a single motor for acceleration, and a single servo for steering. For control, I chose to use a no-brainer with an older-style controller.

Version one featured an enclosed chamber for the battery, and had the steering wheel at a perpendicular angle. It functioned, but steering was quite difficult and shaky.

After a little research on motorcycle steering wheel physics, I learned about rake, and added a third piece between the impulse and steering portions to add an angle to improve steering.

After a little testing, I decided to also shift the weight of the battery forward. It also seemed useful to add a gear between the servo and the steering wheel to help center it while it's in its resting state and to allow the distance of the wheel from the steering section to be adjustable.

So I wound up creating a version two of both the impulse and steering sections.