skorupa's Lego Solar-Powered Motorized Insect

[DLuders]

On his Brickshelf gallery, skorupa posted 11 pictures of his Motorized Insect Powered by a Lego solar panel:

[telecasterman]

Looks like a fun bug! I'm a bit surprised though that the solar panel could generate enough juice for it to actually walk. Is there a video of it somewhere?

[Silcantar]

If I'm not mistaken, the solar panel produces 3 volts, which would make the motor run at 1/3 normal speed (I think). Add to that 1/24 gearing. I imagine this is a rather slow-moving bug. That may be the price of solar power, though.

[Lasse D]

I'm pretty sure the solar panel does not produce enough power to make the motor run. I'll be happy to be proven wrong.

[DLuders]

One could substitute the new Lego W979667 Solar Panel instead. According to its description on LegoEducation.us , "The LEGO® Solar Panel provides sufficient power to operate the LEGO Energy Meter and motors. It delivers 5V, 4mA in direct light from a 60W incandescent bulb positioned 25 cm from the solar panel (2000 lux)." It's Part 9667 on Bricklink.

On Philo's "LEGO® 9V Technic Motors Compared Characteristics" webpage, one can see that the old-style 71427 9V motor has a no-load current of 3.5 milliAmps, and can operate at ~200 rpm at 5 volts.

The key may be to place the Insect-Bot in FULL SUNLIGHT, which would allow it to generate more current than a mere 60-Watt incandescent light bulb placed 25 cm away (2000 lux). In this Wikipedia article about "Lux", full daylight (not direct sun) has a brightness of 10,000-25,000 lux, and direct sunlight has 32,000-130,000 lux.

On this TechnicBRICKS post, the catalog for the new Solar Panel adds that it can deliver "...5V, 20mA in direct light from a 60W incandescent bulb positioned 8cm from the panel (>10.000 lux)." So, even more current can be available in full daylight outdoors.

Here's a short

by Sparky1701 that shows a "Lego Solar-Powered Robot" operating via a flashlight (torch) indoors. Two old-type (3V) Solar Cells operate two motors for steering ability. "It's a very easy build--each LEGO solar panel is connected to a separate LEGO motor. Each motor has an independant driving wheel. When there's more light on one panel, the motor conencted to it drives faster--therefore the vehicle turns:"

Edited July 4, 2011 by DLuders

[Lasse D]

Great analysis DLuders. Now we just need a video

[DLuders]

Here is the Polish-to-English translation of the original LUGPol post, where he wrote:

"Quite recently I bought a solar Lego and I wanted to use it in a project. Renewable energy is immediately associated theme of something that is natural - so he had to be a beast. I thought why not try something that walks?....Rolling mechanism is very easy, consisting of: 7x 24z [seven 24-tooth gears], 2x 8z [two 8-tooth gears], and 1x worm gear. Its effect can be seen in the pictures / video. It is powered by a mini-motor with a ratio 1:24.

"Solar panel provides only 3V, so insect is very slow. The turtle will overtake him:) Speed ​​20 cm / minute is staggering. The best moves are on the flat, not too slippery surfaces."

Here is the YouTube video by skorupa/ skorupa2009:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8yURX6qMJU

Edited July 4, 2011 by DLuders

[Lasse D]

Wow! It actually works!

Sure it is slow, but it could walk around outside in the hot weather :)

Now we just need a solar powered Braitenberg robot which doesn't need assistance when it gets stuck.

[Jurgen Krooshoop]

I like this one, I'm fascinated by the concept of a battery-free-bug !!

[telecasterman]

So he is slow. But the video looks like it was shot indoors. In bright sunlight he'd probably go quite a bit quicker. Cool.