A toggle switch will be integrated to allow the bobsleigh driver to turn the gyroscopic device on and off. The use of a switch will save battery usage as well as to give feedback that the device is working in the first place. The button will, therefore, light up when in use, and flash when the batteries are in need of replacement.
Chosen for it's universal compatibility, it's low cost and low weight, SD cards are a suitable component for recording and storing the information gathered from each training run. The SD card (with information) can be further used and evaluated within other devices, such as computers, PDAs or smart phones.
An SD card slot is the port necessary for the SD card to fit into the device. A simple push-in/push-out click mechanism holds the SD card within the port.
Lithium-ion coin cell batteries are cheap, light and rechargeable. These batteries are a great way to maintain a product's function for hours on end.
MEMS techniques allow both electronic circuits and mechanical devices to be manufactured on a single silicon chip. With the use of a processor, the information gathered through the MEMS gyroscope will allow the position of the device to be calculated within 3-D space. With this information, the driver will be assisted in the aim of improving performance and the consistency of the results.
The handle concepts are a two-part design. The handles feed the bobsleigh driver with the results taken from the MEMS gyroscope, but the gyroscopes, along with the other major components, are housed within a HUB, fixed within the bobsleigh itself.
Since bobsleighs are currently controlled with two rings, pulled each way to move the bobsleigh higher or lower on the track, these handles are the most basic starting point for development.
As the bobsleigh moves down the track, the rings will light up, indicating that they need to be pulled to move the bobsleigh into an optimum route. The information is sent to the handles through the leads, which are fed through the pulley steering system. The brushed aluminium rings are also very lightweight.
The second handle concept has been developed to incorporate a transparent silicon grip, to add stability and sensitivity to the driver's control. The lights shine through the silicon grip to indicate which direction the bobsleigh should be running.
The third handle concept was inspired by horse riding stirrups. In the aim of increasing the aesthetics of the handle, leather has been introduced as the main handle band. The connections and the grip have been maintained as brushed aluminium. Instead of the indication light shining in an arc around the hand, the light has been fixed atop the handle, to give maximum visibility,
The fourth handle concept introduces a change entirely in material choice. Carbon fiber has been selected as a strong, lightweight material for the main body of the handle. The white internal grips have replaces silicon with memory foam to reduce the stresses on the hand of the driver, in the aim to increase comfort. The green indication light remains on the top of the handle.
Handle concept five utilizes the same materials as the previous design but the form and interaction with the handle has changed completely. Inspired by a boat oar, the hand fits much more comfortably and securely around the handle. Added pads of memory foam increase comfort and grip on the handle.
Taken inspiration from a quick-shift gearbox, handle concept six is permanently fixed to the inside of the bobsleigh. The handles are pulled at the top of the stalks and pivot at the fixed base. These handles have a much higher sensitivity allowing a higher level of controllability of the bobsleigh. The main base of the handle is manufactured out of fiberglass, integrated when the bobsleigh is manufactured.
The main HUB is the second part of the handle concepts. It is directly mounted into the base of the bobsleigh, between the driver and the steering pulleys. The HUB features all of the internal components necessary to calculate the bobsleigh's position within 3-D space, as it makes a run down a track. By permanently fixing the components to the bobsleigh, instrumental error is reduced and the gyroscopes are protected from harm. In order to use the HUB, an SD card must be inserted and the toggle switch must be placed to the "ON" position. The signal light will show to confirm the gyroscopes are active.
The cowling concepts are also two-part designs. Each design features an indicator design, located on the cowling of the bobsleigh, with information fed from a HUB located somewhere inside the bobsleigh. The first cowling concept was inspired by car side indicators. The fiberglass indicator is molded into the nose of the bobsleigh with a green light facing the driver. The indicator light allows the driver to know when to pull the handles. If the indicator lights up then the bobsleigh must be moved to get an optimum route.
The second cowling concept reduces drag and weight by introducing a more aerodynamic thinner form. This design features a small bracket on the wires, to hold the wires to the top of the inside of bobsleigh body, decreasing wear on them.
The third and final cowling concept is a compromise on form from concept one and two. Cowling concept three features a slim and sleek form, following the contours of the bobsleigh front. The light is now much larger, facing the driver, to communicate more effectively. The design features the same small bracket to support the wires, but a mounting bracket has also been introduced. The indicators are mounted to the bobsleigh's cowling through a carbon fiber pressure plate, situated under the indicator. In order to fix the indicator, the wing nut must be tightened, forcing the plate into the wall of the bobsleigh, securing the indicator firmly in place. An aluminium cylindrical support has also been added to give the wires better protection.
The main hub controller is located within the nose of the bobsleigh. The MEMS gyroscopes can be activated inserting an SD card and switching the toggle switch to the "ON" position. A visor has also been introduced to protect the main hub controller as well as maintaining aerodynamic flow. This visor pivots on the spindles, allowing easy access. The lead is directly linked to the indicators.
The rear bumper concept design has two parts. The first part is the device itself, which is mounted into the rear bumper, and the second part is the visor within the helmet of the driver. In order to turn the device on, the visor must be lifted, SD card inserted and the toggle switch switched to the "ON" position.
The device is mounted into the bobsleigh after it has been inserted into the "skin" section. The "skin" section houses the device, which has been molded directly into the bobsleigh. This allows the device to be removed for calibration, maintenance as well as being able to change the batteries.
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Gyro-Aid - Gyroscopic Bobsleigh Navigation Training System
The aim of this project was to integrate gyroscopic sensors into the Olympic sport of the bobsleigh. A need was found and the main focus for the project was to aid the team's performance, improving the consistency of their training runs. Careful considerations were taken towards function, user-interaction, weight as well as target product cost.