Results
The outcome of the design concept approach for the electrical system calls for a reliable solid state modular printer circuit board that can easily be accessed, maintained, and is expandable to meet the demands of future design team requirements. Simplicity of design will be facilitated by the use of common laboratory connectors wherever possible. Lightweight materials are emphasized for project performace considerations.
The modular concept of circuit board architecture is facilitated by the placement of rails, made of extruded aluminum channel, onto the chassis uprights directly behind the cockpit (see Figure 3 below). These rails are
Figure 3 - Circuit Board Rail Locations
used as guides to slide the printed circuit board in and out of the chassis connectors. andFigure 4 below depicts the location of the main printed circuit board composed of all the previously procured parts from past team efforts.
Figure 4 - Printed Circuit Board in Place
Simplicity of design will be facilitated by the use of common laboratory connectors (see Figure 5) wherever possible and high current connectors used on today’s industrial electric forklifts. Lightweight materials are emphasized for overall project performance considerations.
Figure 5 - Low & High Current PCB Connectors
(Photograph courtesy of Anderson Power Products www.andersonpower.com)
Simplicity of design builds reliability into the design while modular design principles make all aspects of maintenance, expandability and access possible. Furthermore, the manufacturing process will be completely documented to enable uniformity of replacement circuit boards, ease of troubleshooting, and repeatability of performance.