Plug and play with a QoV model: A research based learning approach

An application that allows and encourages the Research-Based Learning (RBL) was developed. This facilitates students the interaction with a real prototype under the Plug & Play approach. Students with minimal knowledge of hardware, low-level programming, signal processing or control design, intuitively could discover and build your knowledge based on a generic guide. The system is based on instructional design for the student to: establish a link between theory and practical solutions, internalize the knowledge, exploit critical thinking, and high motivation by the intellectual challenge of solving a real problem. The experimental platform includes a prototype scale (1:5) Quarter of Vehicle (QoV) model with an Electro-Rheological damper that represents a vehicle semi-active suspension system. The QoV model is equipped with several sensors for measuring: the positions on the motor base, the suspended mass and between the rim and the sprung mass, the acceleration in the tire and the sprung mass, and the damper force of the system. An Human Machine Interface talks with a DSpace data acquisition card that communicates with the sensors/actuators system and works directly with Matlab/Simulink. Early results have been found more efficient teaching-learning for several reasons: (1) students concentrate efforts on the learning objective (minimum programming), (2) a real scale prototype is available, (3) students can share their designs seamlessly and reuse software accelerating , and (5) high motivation because the research and easy use of the system.