Project Materials

Materials included in pre-ordered package:

• Balsa Wood - 2 
• Gears of various sizes
• Solar Panel - 1
• Alligator Clips -2
• Pitsco GT-F Wheels - 2
• Pitsco GT-R Wheels - 2
• Screw Eyes - 2
• Wide Rubber-bands - 2
• No. 14 Rubber-bands - 2
• Plastic Gear Front - 1
• Steel Axles - 2
• Nylon Spacers
• No. 280 Motor

Additional Materials:

   -Still deciding on what material to hold down the 

    aluminum soda can during the race

   -Motor Mount:

          *idea to create a divot in the wood underneath the 

            motor to act as a cradle to the motor

          *1 side of the motor connected to the gear box and 

            the other side linked to an external attachment mechanism

Project Deliverables

The group will have a vehicle that is both aerodynamic and lightweight. The vehicle will also be powered by a solar panel giving the motor power. 

Project Budget

Price of solar car kit- $57.00
Miscellaneous(Projected)- $20.00

Problem Overview

The group must design and construct a vehicle to compete in the Philadelphia Junior Solar Sprint Open Division. The group is to build the vehicle using a Ray Catcher Sprint Kit, and can only have light adsorbed from the solar panel power the motor of the vehicle. 

Project Schedule

• Week 3- Prototype Pro-Engineer Design of the vehicle. Also have the measurements of the structure.
• Week 4- Final Pro-Engineer Design for vehicle. 
• Week 5- Begin body construction for the chassis.
• Week 6- Construct the gear box and begin motor testing. Make connections from the solar panel to the motor.
• Week 7- Finish construction of the vehicle.
• Week 8- Test the vehicle. Final adjustments.
• Week 9- Compete in the Philadelphia Junior Solar Sprint Open Division 

Possible chassis design

Design Goal

The groups goal is to design a car that can attract the most amount of light, therefore giving it a lot of power. They also want to design a car using the least amount of weight possible and be the most aerodynamic. The group wants to win their division.

Design Constraints

• The vehicle must be safe for contestants and spectators.
• The vehicle must fit withing the following dimensions: 30 centimeters (cm) x 60cm x 30cm.
• Sunlight will be the only power source for the vehicle. No batteries are permitted.
• Any energy-enhancing devices, like mirrors must be attached to the vehicle.
• The vehicle must be steered by the guide wire using one or more eyelets affixed to  the vehicle.
• The car must have a chassis that is three-dimensional. Teams will not be allowed to bolt axles and wheels of the car directly to the solar module.

Project Group Members

Evan Bensch
erb57@drexel.edu
Mechanical Engineering
Project Responsibilities:
         Electrical and Wiring Component Creation

Tzu-Hsuan Fang
tf352@drexel.edu
Chemical Engineering
Project Responsibilities:
          Computer Design
           Put the team on his back

Colin Lord
cel83@drexel.edu
Chemical Engineering
Project Responsibilities:
          Blogger Maintenance

Anthony Mack
amm493@drexel.edu
Mechanical Engineering
Project Responsibilities:
          Transmission and Gear-Box Construction
           Pro-Engineer Chassis Prototype Design

Melissa Zorij
mjz44@drexel.edu
Biomedical Engineering
Project Responsibilities:
         Structure and Frame Design
         Creative Design

Advisor(s)
Dr. Kevin Scoles
scoleskj@drexel.edu
College of Engineering