Mousetrap Racer

Mousetrap Racer

Design and develop a mousetrap-powered vehicle aimed at traveling independently and completing specified tasks such as maximizing distance or accuracy in reaching a designated area. The project emphasizes precise design, material selection, and understanding the conversion of potential energy stored in the mousetrap spring into kinetic energy that propels the vehicle, while minimizing energy losses due to friction and other factors.

The racer must be constructed using predefined materials, with strict rules on modifications and fabrication. The design process involves creating alternatives, selecting the optimal solution based on performance criteria, and documenting the process through drawings, testing results, and a comprehensive report. The final goal is to produce a stable, accurate vehicle capable of consistent performance, evaluated through both distance traveled and precision in stopping within the target area. An oral presentation complements the final report, highlighting the design evolution, testing, and team participation.

Paper For Above instruction

The development of a mousetrap racer involves integrating principles of physics, engineering design, and material science. The core concept harnesses potential energy stored in a wound mousetrap spring, which is then converted into kinetic energy to power the vehicle. Achieving a balance between energy efficiency, stability, and accuracy requires careful consideration of materials, design strategies, and assembly techniques.

The primary objective of this project is to create a vehicle capable of traveling a specified distance or staying within a designated area upon release, while maximizing performance consistency and accuracy. The project demands a well-structured approach, starting with thorough background research into existing mousetrap racers, understanding their power mechanisms, and exploring diverse design solutions. The literature indicates a variety of methods for converting mousetrap energy, such as direct linkage to wheels, lever arms, or gear systems, with each approach influencing power output and control differently (Aden, 2012; Ideas-Inspire, 2016).

The initial phase involves conceptualizing multiple alternative designs, considering practical constraints such as material availability and ease of assembly. For example, one potential design employs all wooden wheels for traction and stability, while another explores a hybrid using lightweight materials to optimize speed. These options are sketched and evaluated regarding stability, energy transfer efficiency, and ease of construction. The rejected designs typically involve issues like inadequate traction or excessive weight, impairing performance.

The final design emphasizes a lightweight, stable structure with appropriate traction, utilizing materials such as wooden wheels, corrugated cardboard bases, and steel axles. The mousetrap is affixed to the base, with the snapper arm connected via fishing line to the rear axle. Winding the mousetrap stores torsional potential energy, which, upon release, converts into rotational motion of the wheels, propelling the vehicle forward. The linkage is carefully set to achieve consistent energy transfer, with the number of windings calibrated through iterative testing.

Throughout the process, preliminary tests are conducted to measure distance traveled per wind cycle, the effect of varying the winding degree, and the impact of different lever arm lengths. These experiments reveal that increasing the number of windings generally enhances travel distance but diminishes energy efficiency over repeated trials due to frictional losses and mousetrap spring fatigue. Notably, more windings also introduce greater variability, emphasizing the importance of standardized winding procedures to ensure accuracy.

The design incorporates a stable chassis with aligned axles to prevent lateral drift, maintaining consistency in the vehicle's path. The choice of wooden wheels over lighter alternatives like CDs stems from the need for increased traction and stability, critical for precise stops in the target area. The wheels are mounted on steel axles, with paper clips used to secure and adjust wheel alignment, reducing wobble and ensuring smooth rotation.

In terms of energy transfer, minimizing friction at the wheel-axle interface is essential. Using a steel rod for the rear axle, which is thinner and smoother than a plastic or wooden alternative, reduces rotational resistance. The fishing line, wrapped tightly around the axle, propagates the rotational force from the mousetrap's snapper arm, with the tension calibrated so that the line is fully stretched without overstressing the spring or the line itself.

Testing reveals a critical tradeoff: winding the mousetrap more increases initial velocity and travel distance but risks energy losses due to slippage and spring fatigue. Repeated trials at different winding angles enable the team to identify the optimal balance, ensuring reproducibility and accuracy in subsequent runs. The impact of lever arm length, varying the distance from the pivot point to the line attachment, is also explored. Longer lever arms amplify the torque exerted on the wheel but can slow the initial acceleration, influencing the overall efficiency.

The project's success hinges on meticulous assembly, precise calibration, and thorough documentation. The final report details each design iteration, supported by CAD drawings from AutoCAD and SolidWorks that illustrate subassemblies and overall configurations. The report highlights the rationale behind chosen materials, the challenges encountered, and the solutions implemented to enhance performance and accuracy.

Lastly, the team’s participation is documented, emphasizing individual contributions to design sketches, construction, testing, and presentation preparation. The oral presentation synthesizes the project's insights, demonstrating how iterative testing and design refinement contributed to the final vehicle's performance. Clear, professional communication paired with visual aids underscores the technical understanding and collaborative effort involved in realizing the mousetrap racer.

References

• Aden, J. (2012). Mousetrap Cars: Propulsion. Ideas-Inspire. Retrieved from https://ideas-inspire.com
• Design Project 2: Mouse Trap Powered Vehicle. (n.d.). Instructables. Retrieved from https://www.instructables.com
• Mukul Talaty, PhD. (Original assignment source) - Adapted format.
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