Need help with elastic/ballon vehicle project

[Hyperfluxe]

I need to design a a vehicle using only elastics and/or balloons as a source of energy, and the cost of the overall material must not exceed $20. Now, I am not asking you guys to do the work for me, but I need ideas because there is a catch. The vehicle must do a hairpin turn at a certain point: here is the figure of the path.

The vehicle needs to perform a full 180 degree turn between zone 1 and 2, but I just can't figure out how...any ideas or hints would be appreciated. This might not be the right forum for this, if so please let me know. Cheers.

 

[danielu13]

Are there any other requirements for the other zones? And this would be a land vehicle, correct?

 

[Hyperfluxe]

No other requirements and yes it's a land zone, on a table.

 

[danielu13]

I would try wrapping the elastic around an axle, and find the point at which the car will be at the turning point. At this point in the elastic have a way for the force provided by the elastic switch directions to a steering system, and then back to the original direction. I'm trying to think of how you could do this mechanically, but haven't figured out an easy way to do it yet. I've thought of a system of gears, with which at one period of one of the gears, it would change the direction of the force and then revert to the original direction. This seems like it may be complicated. You could also use an electromagnet and a capacitor that is charged by the motion of the elastic and is triggered when it reached a certain charge, which would be the point of the turn, but that would be even more complicated. Just a couple ideas.

 

[Nickie]

I am happy to help you with your elastic/balloon vehicle project. Designing a vehicle using only elastics and balloons as a source of energy can be a challenging but fun task. I understand that you are looking for ideas and hints to help you achieve a hairpin turn at a specific point in your vehicle's path.

Firstly, it is important to understand the basic principles of elasticity and how it can be used to power a vehicle. Elastic potential energy is stored in the stretched elastic bands and can be converted into kinetic energy to move the vehicle. The key is to find the right balance between the elasticity of the bands and the weight of the vehicle.

One potential idea for your vehicle design could be to use two sets of elastic bands, one set on each side of the vehicle. These bands can be stretched in opposite directions to create a twisting force, which can help the vehicle make the hairpin turn. You can also experiment with different lengths and strengths of the elastic bands to find the optimal combination for your vehicle.

Another idea could be to use balloons as a source of propulsion. By inflating the balloons and then releasing them, you can create a burst of energy that can help the vehicle turn. You can also try attaching the balloons to different parts of the vehicle to see which configuration works best for the hairpin turn.

In addition to these ideas, it is important to consider the design and weight distribution of your vehicle. A lighter and more aerodynamic design can help the vehicle turn more easily. You can also try adding small wheels or rollers to the bottom of your vehicle to reduce friction and improve its movement.

I hope these suggestions have given you some ideas to work with. Remember to keep experimenting and tweaking your design until you find the perfect solution. Good luck with your project!