Golf Ball Cart

The goal was to design a vehicle that would be powered by the energy derived from a golf ball dropped from one meter above the vehicle. There were several technical and material constraints placed upon the project. The chassis could not permanently attach to the wheels, and the car must re-settable (it must be able to withstand multiple golf ball drops in a row without having to be adjusted). Additionally, only very specific materials were allowed, at specified quantities.

This project was used to explore the design process, beginning with identifying a problem statement, brainstorming solutions, and finally prototyping and testing various ideas. Our vehicle travelled the furthest out of all groups and was eventually stopped by a wall. Pictures and video below.

Methods + Machines Used:
Functional Decomposition– in order to divide and organize the main constraints and areas of focus
Morphological Charts – used to brainstorm performance solutions within constraints
Pugh Charts – to rate solution strategies using criteria such as weight, complexity and friction created

Final sketch and design details.

Steam bending of tongue depressors.

Front view.

Side view.

Internal straw chassis.

Detail of wheel attachment.

Predicted sweet spot.