Mousetrap Car Project

Intro to Mechanical Eng - Project Description:

The objective of this design project is to build a vehicle that is powered only by the energy stored in the torsion spring of a single mousetrap supplied to your group. The principal design goals/constraints are:

1. Your vehicle is to travel a forward distance of 5 feet from the starting line and then travel up the hill climb ramp. The objective is to travel the furthest distance up the ramp.

2. The performance of each vehicle will be quantified by measuring the distance the furthest back edge of the vehicle reaches up the ramp.

3. The vehicle must remain within the course path and ramp (3 ft wide) for the entirety of the run until the vehicle reaches its maximum height.

4. The vehicle must be able to change the mousetrap easily, if requested by the instructor or TA before a race.

Other Restrictions:

1. The only power source allowed is the mouse trap’s torsion spring. Energy stored in other elastic elements, or obtained from a change in attitude of the vehicle’s center of mass, must be negligible.

2. Disassembly of the mousetrap or modifications to the trap are not allowed. The mousetrap must be an integral part of the vehicle and travel with it from start to finish.

3. The weight of the vehicle must not exceed 5 lb. and fit completely within a 2’ x 2’ x 2’ box at the start of each round of competition.

4. The vehicles must be durable and designed to be reusable.

5. Tape cannot be used as a fastener.

6. Lubricants can be used only to reduce friction within your vehicle, on bearings, or other moving parts. They cannot drip onto, or contaminate, the floor.

7. Your vehicle cannot mar or damage the surface of the course.