Calculate turning angle - 2 wheels car

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the turning angle of a model car with two wheels driven by independent motors, focusing on the relationship between wheel speeds and turning dynamics. Participants explore theoretical approaches to determine the turning angle and the necessary wheel velocities for specific turning angles without direct measurement of the radius during operation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks a function to calculate the turning angle based on the difference in speeds of the two wheels.
  • Another participant suggests that the radius of the turn may be a more useful measure than the turning angle, providing a formula relating wheel speeds to the radius of the turn.
  • A different participant expresses the challenge of measuring the radius while the car is in motion and asks how to determine the required wheel speeds for a specific turning angle, such as 30 degrees.
  • One response indicates that specifying a desired radius allows for the calculation of the necessary wheel speed ratio to achieve that radius without needing to measure it directly.
  • There is a question about the methods used to measure or control wheel positions or speeds, mentioning potential technologies like shaft encoders or stepper motors.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best approach to calculate the turning angle or the necessary wheel speeds, with multiple competing views and methods presented throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants express limitations in measuring certain parameters while the car is in motion, and there are unresolved aspects regarding the specific calculations needed for different turning angles.

alona1
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i am looking for a function for calculating the turning angle, using the difference between two wheels speed.

i have a model car , with 2 engines and 2 wheels, without steering.

thanks.
 
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Welcome to PF.
What do you mean by turning angle? Maybe the radius r, of the curve measured from the midpoint of the car to the centre of the arc would be a better measure. If the car has a width w, with half width being h=w/2, then the radii of the two wheel tracks about the centre of the turn will be r–h and r+h. The relative speeds of the two wheels, u and v, will be proportional to the ratio of the radii.
u/v = (r-h) / (r+h) which I think will give you something like r = h * (u+v) / (u-v)
The sign of r should give you the direction of the turn.
 
Thanks.
I can't measure the radius r while the car is driving. I know the width W between both wheels and can control the velocities of the wheels.
Is there opportunity to know the angle of the curve by these? For example, for turning 30 degrees what velocities will be needed in each wheel?
 
You do not need to measure the radius. You specify the radius you require, then compute the ratio of the wheel speeds needed to achieve that radius.

If you know the radius you can work out the distance you must travel to change direction by say 30°. Circumference = 2 Pi r,
therefore the distance needed to turn 30° is d = 2 π r * 30 / 360.
 
Are you programming a boe-bot?
 
How do you measure or control the wheel position or rates. Shaft encoders, stepper motors?
 

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