Zero impact vehicle that needs to travel 9 through 12 m

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around designing a self-propelled vehicle that must stop as close as possible to a wall located between 9 to 12 meters away. The vehicle must adhere to specific constraints, including the prohibition of electrical, chemical, or nuclear components.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants suggest various mechanical solutions such as rubber bands, spring weights, and gear mechanisms to control the stopping distance. Some propose using a sensing mechanism to detect the wall, including ideas like bouncing an air jet off the wall or using a hovercraft-like device. Questions arise regarding the need for calibration and the potential existence of a time limit for the vehicle's operation.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active with multiple ideas being explored regarding the vehicle's design and stopping mechanism. Some participants are questioning the assumptions about the rules and the need for sensing the wall, while others are offering suggestions for mechanical solutions. There is no explicit consensus yet, and further clarification from the original poster is anticipated.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the implications of the rules outlined in the provided PDF, particularly regarding the modifications that may affect the vehicle's design and functionality. There is uncertainty about whether the distance to the wall is known at the start of the vehicle's operation.

Physicsdood99
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Homework Statement


the vehicle needs to stop as close to a wall that is located anywhere from 9 to 12 m away. (The distance is not given exactly) The vehicle must be self propelled and has other specifications located here http://www.njaapt.org/PhysicsOlympics/2011-2012/EVENT%205%20-%20Zero%20Impact%20Vehicle.pdf . There can be no electrical components or chemical/ nuclear.



Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


rubber bands, spring weights, pulleys, mechanical launcher, mouse trap
 
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Physicsdood99 said:

Homework Statement


the vehicle needs to stop as close to a wall that is located anywhere from 9 to 12 m away. (The distance is not given exactly) The vehicle must be self propelled and has other specifications located here http://www.njaapt.org/PhysicsOlympics/2011-2012/EVENT%205%20-%20Zero%20Impact%20Vehicle.pdf . There can be no electrical components or chemical/ nuclear.

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


rubber bands, spring weights, pulleys, mechanical launcher, mouse trap
My suggestion would be to use a gear mechanism driven by a spring. Set it up so that when the gear stops the wheels stop immediately. Then all you have to do is calibrate the gear-wheel ratio and configure it so that when the wheels have turned 8000/2∏r times (where r is the radius of the wheels in mm.) the gear stops and the wheels stop. Just a suggestion.

AM
 
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The attempt at a solution does not address the stopping mechanism.
 
I assume this bit is a modification of the rules given in the pdf to make it harder...

the vehicle needs to stop as close to a wall that is located anywhere from 9 to 12 m away. (The distance is not given exactly)

That means some way of sensing the wall is required.

Not sure how to implement it but... what about bouncing an air jet off the wall so it operates a trigger stopping the wheels. I'm thinking something like a small hover craft turned on it's side mounted on an arm in front of the vehicle. As it approaches the wall it hovers say 5mm from the wall. The vehicle keeps moving until the angle of the arm trips the brake. Final score 5mm, perhaps less :-)
 
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Is there a time limit? If so you may need to go fast for say 8.5m and then really slowly until the wall is detected.
 
CWatters said:
I assume this bit is a modification of the rules given in the pdf to make it harder...

That means some way of sensing the wall is required.
Perhaps the OP can clarify this. When you start the car do you know how far the wall is? If you will know this, then all you have to do is have a calibrating mechanism so you can set it for different stopping distances.

AM