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For the first project in MMAE 432, we were tasked with designing and building a device that would pushed or pulled by one person (the driver) such that the rider does not touch the ground. The device would be used in a dodge ball game against the other lab session. Teams were incentivized to create their devices out of paper products, foam core board, and insulation by 30x weight multiplier for non-paper products. The heaviest device would have their driver blind folded.
Introduction
Chariot Cart Model
Functional Requirements
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Hold a 90kg (200 Lb) rider
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Be able to move in grass and snow
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Move by push or pull
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Cost less than 60$
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Made of 3-10 individual components
Concept Generation
Description
The above pictures show the ideas that were brainstormed for designs that we had in mind. One big difference between all designs was the number of wheels. There were designs ranging from 6 wheels to have no wheels as the bottom designs shows the driver pulling a sled that is shielded. As a team we came to a decision that the design should be have two wheels to have an easy 360 degrees turn and for the drivers choice to pull or push.
Prototyping and Construction
Description
The Chariot prototype was constructed with eight vertical insulation boards glued together. Vertical because the insulation had high compressive strength but low tensile strength. There were also cuts in the insulation made by the manufacturer that would not be a problem if the insulation was in compression. We cut out four holes through all the layers for the card board tubes. One for the handle, one for the wheel shaft, and two for additional support.
Analysis
Description
We wanted the wheels to move independently of each other so each wheel was attached to its own axle that went half way through the body. The axles were inside a card board shaft of a slight larger diameter. The Chariot could move with no hindrances until the tenth iteration of testing. After nine times of unloading and loading the chariot, the axials started to dig into the base. Eventually the insulation-insulation friction became so high we could only pull the device backwards.
We threw out the segmented axle idea and settled for a stationary axle that the wheels would move around. To reduce friction between the cardboard axle and the insulation wheels, we covered the axle with packing tape.
Final Product
We passed 415 of our functional requirements. The only requirement we did not pass was the cost. We bought three insulation board for 70$ and other supplies for manufacturing it for $30 pushing our total cost approximately to $100, $40 over budget. The cart weighed 7.7 kg and was made entirely of card board and insulation.
Description
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