DC electric motor for manufacturing cart

[Stelz00]

Hi,

I'm new to the engineering world and am trying to select a motor for an application I am designing. I am trying to motorize a cart that weighs about 500 pounds and carries loads of up to 2000 pounds. The wheels on the cart are only 6 inches in diameter. Due to the enclosed facilites where this cart is used, the motor needs to be DC electric as to not give off any fumes. I am looking at trying to incorporate a "self-propelled" lawnmower type of system. In this case the motor would have to go about 800 rpms and some kind of belt drive would be used. I was just wondering if there was a motor out there that would pull such a heavy thing. The cart is 25 1/4" by 30 1/4". Any help about this or where to start my search would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Stelz00

 

[Barry1961]

If you could give the speed of cart and the type of surface it will be traveling on it would help. Also any other factors such as stopping accuracy, stopping on a slope, ect..
Is this going to be battery powered or can it follow a track?

Barry1961

 

[Stelz00]

I would like the cart to go between 3 and 5 mph so that someone could walk behind it. The surface the cart would be traveling on is a concrete laminate floor that is a bit uneven. The cart would be battery powered as it is used in different areas of the facility. It would be nice to have a stopping accuracy of about +/- 2 feet. Also, I need a reversible motor.

 

[Barry1961]

With a co-efficient of friction (wheel)of .05, 2500lb, a 10 degree slope and a 90% efficient drive train you would need about 9HP to go 5 mph. If this sounds about right I would go with a 15hp motor for getting out of holes and braking.

As a rule you want your motor spinning at top speed at the carts top speed. A gear reduction may help your design and improve response by reducing the reflected inertia.

I think Briggs and Stratton make "golf cart" motors and controls named E-Tek. If you already have some electric vechicals,(lift trucks), you may want to use the same voltage/batteries. If this is in house only you may be able to find a used drive at a fork lift repair shop.

5 mph sounds fast to me, but I am old and fat.

Barry1961

 

[sreid]

If a purchased solution is a possibility, check out DJ Products

http://www.djproducts.com

 

[Stelz00]

Thanks for your responses. The information was very helpful. I now have a starting point. Thanks again!

Stelz00

 

[unclesyd]

Here is an interesting website for an in the wheel electric motor.

http://www.greenspeed.us/wavecrest_electric_motor.htm