What kind of motors do I need in order to make a personal transporter ?.

[Johanx2]

Hi. I have planned making a simple personal transporter device for my nephew. I will simple attach four or maybe three shopping cart wheels into a wooden circular base. The objective is to make a simple transportation base where you can travel standing. I have planned to use two 24 volts dc motors, two so you will be able to make turns, while moving ? I don't think so, since I won't use any controller than some manual switches because I have no idea how to do that, anyway I just want something pretty basic but with huge functionality, I will also want to experience a ride on that thing, and I am about 180 pounds, not fat, just a little muscular because of training with damned chin-ups :wink: the power is not a problem, I will use two of those 12v lead acid batteries of 7amps, so there will be option to feed a pair of decent DC motors. My problem is about the rpm of the motors, which ones should I buy ? considering that the wheels will be about the size of a shopping cart (about 8 inches) and the motor will transfer its energy by making direct contact with the wheel (in the outer side of the wheel, not in the center, I will put a 0.5" thing on the stick of the motor, so it will make a proper contact with the wheel). As you can notice, we now have a pulley system, just like a bicycle with the chain in position of high torque but slow speed. Well now my main question, is it very important the rpm of a motor for this task ? or it does not really mater since the motors are going to work on a high load demand (because they will need to move about 200 pounds) so maybe it wont be noticeable using a 1000 rpm or a 10 000 rpm. Does anybody here can tell me something about this ? And sorry if my English was not so crystal clear. I am still an English student. :-o

 

[BradtheRad]

For ideas, take a look at mechanisms on powered wheelchairs, and small motor bikes.

If your motor has a 1 inch diameter drive shaft, and it spins 60 rpm, then you will travel 3.14 inches per second.

You'll need some way to make the motor press against the wheel. Possibly heavy-duty springs. It will be easier to construct if you do not try to both power and steer via the same wheels.

 

[Johanx2]

Hey guys, does anybody know what's this called in English ? it's just a flat piece of metal (iron or aluminum). Doing on it the proper holes, you can attach it to two surfaces, one parallel and one perpendicular. I think that something like this can be useful to hold scooter wheels into a board. You are going to need two L for each wheel, so i am just wondering if homedepot sells something like this.

 

[jpanhalt]

It is simply called, "angle."

https://www.speedymetals.com/c-8210-angle.aspx

Unequal angle has legs that are different lengths. In steel, there are standard dimensions that you choose from. The same goes for aluminum, but the sizes are different.

John

 

[jpsganesh]

If u use Brushed DC motor go for Geared DC motor or use external gear to reduced speed and increased torque. Some geared DC motor drives load directly means u can connect wheel directly with this geared motor shaft. But u need to check for 180 pounds.
Other better option go for BLDC motor. Very high torque at low speed itself. It needs driver but no need of gear and can connect ur load directly. ex: ebike, solowheel, monowheel, uniwheel etc.