Mousetrap project

Institution Affiliated

Course title Submission Date

Group Members

1.

2.

3.

4.

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Abstract
Mechanics locomotives are essentially established through gearing systems that enable the

transfer of mechanical energy from one gear to another. After participating in last year’s design

competition, we decided to regroup to make a comeback in this year’s competition and we

agreed to work on the design and fabrication of a mousetrap. Having gained experience in the

working mechanisms of robotic cars, we embarked on improving the performance efficiency of

the mousetrap by introducing changes to its material design. The main area of improvement and

modification included alignment of the car to increase the distance value and quick snap on the

bail that had to hinder the gearing mechanism. Upon completion and testing, the design proves

that the changes and modifications were worth the time and effort as it functioned effectively.

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Table of Contents
Abstract............................................................................................................................................ii
List of figures..................................................................................................................................iv
Project background..........................................................................................................................5
Aim and objective........................................................................................................................6
Design Criteria.................................................................................................................................6
The Mousetrap Project.....................................................................................................................7
2. Team Management......................................................................................................................9
2.1 Team members.......................................................................................................................9
Team Name............................................................................................................................10
Team Objective......................................................................................................................10
Team mission Statement........................................................................................................11
Team Structure.......................................................................................................................11
4. Design Inspiration & Initial Concept.........................................................................................12
Design and Creativity............................................................................................................12
Prototype Testing and results.........................................................................................................13
Safe Engineering............................................................................................................................14
Final Design & Preliminary Drawing............................................................................................14
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................16
References......................................................................................................................................17

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List of figures
Figure 1: Mousetrap car...................................................................................................................6
Figure 2: Sample Mousetrap car leaver arm....................................................................................7
Figure 3: Lesser rotational inertia....................................................................................................7
Figure 4: Greater rotational inertia..................................................................................................8
Figure 5: Comparison of rotational inertia......................................................................................8
Figure 6: Team structure and roles................................................................................................10
Figure 7: Sliding and axle design..................................................................................................14
Figure 8: final rendered design......................................................................................................14

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Project background
The mousetrap project operates in a similar principle as automobiles. Automobiles are locomoted

by propulsion, a form conversion of stored energy either in fuel or electricity to produce motion.

One of the most commonly used modes of propulsion in locomotives is through the conversion

of stored chemical energy in fuels to cause motion. The conversion is affected within the internal

combustion engines where the oxygen mixes with the fuel to produce rotational motion to effect

locomotion (Kaspar, and Vielhaber, 2019). The same principle applies to small radio-controlled

cars that use battery power to produce motion. The chemical energy stored in these batteries is

converted into electricity that eventually drives an electric motor to instigate motion within the

car. Over the years, the industry has evolved which has led to the introduction of hybrid cars.

Hybrid cars achieve locomotion by combing these two methods; fuels and batteries (Cetin, and

Balta, 2017). Fuels are used to provide motion when more power is required and batteries are

used when less power is required for the motion.

Typical mousetrap chassis (Shively et al. 2018)

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Aim and objective

Objectives: The objective of this project is to...

a) Design a mousetrap car that will travel a maximum speed/acceleration over a 5-meter race.

b) Demonstrate an understanding of the physics principles incorporated in the design

Design Criteria
The design of the proposed mousetrap trolley was completed in CAD engineering software and

its fabrication was done within the campus engineering workshop. Design and fabrication of the

mousetrap considered different engineering parameters such as compactness, weight, speed,

length, strength, sustainability, and economic impact. Since mousetrap comprises systems with

multiple subsystems, the alignment of components has to be arranged in a manner that all the

components are compatible for the project to achieve its design intent on the weight and power

transfer. After design and testing, key elements of the design require optimization to maximize

the performance. The systems of the design include; transmission system that includes strings

wrapped around the axle and the extension rods. The propulsion system is made up of suspension

springs. The control and guidance system made up of a steering subsystem (Lin, et al. 2021).

Most importantly is the alignment of the axle and wheels to ensure that the mousetrap continues

in a straight motion.

These design parameters are further classified as in the table below

Design Criteria Wish or Demand W/D

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The mousetrap projects
A typical locomotive that utilizes mousetrap as its source of its propulsion system is as shown in

figure 1. In the construction of a mousetrap vehicle, the string is connected to the lever arm of

the mousetrap while other end is connected to the driving axle.

Figure 1: Mousetrap car (Lin, 2019)

The string gives the vehicle direction of projection hence it is attached to the axle. When in

motion, the string coils around the axle as shown in figure 2, then the lever arm of mousetrap is

pulled in the reverse direction. The motion on the wheels of the mousetrap is due to the

activation of the lever arm that eventually pulls the string.

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 Figure 2: Sample Mousetrap Car lever arm (James-Byrnes and Holdhusen, 2021)

Forces involved

Frictional Force; by definition, friction force is the force that opposes or offers resistance to

motion between body surfaces. In mousetraps, power is generally lost due to friction the chassis

and the axle and friction between the ground and the wheels. However, friction is not that bad all

the time, for instance friction force that prevent the wheels from skidding, slipping or sliding is

not bad. This kind of friction is referred to as traction force and therefore the design of the

vehicle should factor in mechanisms of reducing friction while enhancing traction force to avoid

sliding of wheels.

Inertia (rotational force); rotational inertia are the forces that resists the rotational change on

objects. Rotational inertia force mostly depends on the mass and weight of the object, for

instance, the object’s mass is directly proportional to the rotational inertia it offers (James-

Byrnes and Holdhusen, 2021).

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 Figure 3: Lesser rotational inertia (Kaspar, and Vielhaber, 2019)

Figure 4: Greater rotational inertia (Kaspar, and Vielhaber, 2019).

Apart from mass of the object, rotational inertia also depends on the location of the mass. The

interdependent between mass location and the distance from the axle is illustrated in figure 5.

Figure 5: Comparison of rotational inertia

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2. Team Management

2.1 Team members

Name Email Mobile

Team Name
Since the project was conducted in teams, it was then prudent to have a common name that is

agreeable to all members. In our first meeting as a team, one of the agendas was to select the

most suitable name to represent the group and use it for further advancement and presentation of

the project. Amongst many suggestions given by team members, a vote was cast to settle on one

name proposed and accepted by many. After deliberation and discussion on the proposals, we

anonymously adopted Team Alpha as the team’s name (We are destined to be the best ahead of

the rest).

Team Objective
Moving as a unit, there was the need to craft objectives and aims of the project to act as the

guiding roadmap during the entire process of the engagement. For the success of the project

development, these are the objectives that guided the entire design and fabrication process

i. To embrace teamwork throughout the process by respecting every opinion and suggestion

fronted during the design and fabrication of the mousetrap

ii. To design a mousetrap car that will travel a maximum speed/acceleration over a 5-meter

race.

iii. To demonstrate an understanding of the physics principles incorporated in the design

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Team mission Statement
“To create and build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use engineering concept to

inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.”

Team Structure
For effective communication and organization of events within the team, we assigned ourselves

roles and responsibilities to aid in attaining our mission objective within the scheduled time. The

diagram below shows the team structure with responsibilities assigned.

Team Facilitator:
(Person’s Name)

Document Control: Role 2: (Person’s Role 3: (Person’s

(Person’s Name) Name) Name)
Tasks include Tasks include Tasks include
X X X
Y etc. Y etc. Y etc.
Z Z Z

Figure 6: Team structure and roles

3. Project Plan

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4. Design Inspiration & Initial Concept
Design and Creativity
The design of the proposed mousetrap has consistently majored in the use of readily available

materials (especially the recycled materials). The concept and inspiration of the design have been

informed by the last year’s outcome of the design competition. In the last year’s design

competition, we managed to be position two and from there we noted the simple setbacks in our

design and this year we are more energized, focused, and committed to providing the best

engineering design to clinch us that top position. For this year, we have included the gearing

concept in the design due to its mechanical advantage in calculating performance efficiency. The

formula for the system’s performance efficiency is;

(w/W)*(D/L) + (D+T)

Whereas,

w – Mousetrap’s weight

W- Weight of mousetrap before run

D – Distance

L – Mousetrap’s length

T – time is taken to complete the run at the specified distance.

The concept behind the design of the project is unique and different from that of common

mousetrap, especially on the weight balance and motion dynamics. For instance, in the design we

decided to place all the eyelets at equidistance apart, this arrangement is unique in that it permits

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the axle to smoothly rotate thus maintain the motion of the mousetrap in the straight line. The

advantage of this arrangement is that it would aid in the evaluation of the run distance used in the

equation. In the design, we used readily available materials to help in meeting the economic and

cost objective of the design. However, all materials used in the fabrication were tested to verify if

they met the minimum design specification required. At first, we opted for plastic rods to serves

as shafts and axle for the design, but this was not possible as the plastic was susceptible to

bending, hence we had to maintain the metallic rod since they were the material that could bear

the twisting and bending moments of the rotating wheels. For the wheels, we opt for used CDs

since they are relatively cheap and readily available.

The main improvement we desired on the mousetrap was to attain a pull string that would

contain the tension produced by the springs when on the motion. In the fabrication, we tested

different materials like fishing lines, simple twine, and other materials, but these prove

inapplicable as the tension would reduce after a few minutes of motion. Luckily enough we

found that “Spider Wire” obtained from an old car that provided the desired strength and

flexibility. Another challenge was on the design of the gears system. Design specification

required a system that could multiply the mechanical advantage for the mousetrap while in

motion. We agreed to modify the gearbox we used in the previous project as a meshing of the

gears we perfect and could enable multiplication of the mechanical advantage.

Prototype Testing and results

This came after the design and fabrication of the mousetrap and it was essential in the

verification of the system’s functionality and to ascertain if the design met the set project

objectives. But before testing, the following precautions were considered on the prototype. First,

we checked and ensure that strings are tightly and correctly wrapped around the gearbox, verify
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the glues on the mousetrap to ensure that they are sturdy to hold the parts in position. After these

checks, the prototype is set for testing. To test the machine, lift the bail on the mousetrap while

pushing up on the gears. Ensure that the strings are taut, then continue pushing up the gears

while lifting bail until it touches the trap. Place the machine on the ground and gently lift hands

away and observe it move on a straight path.

Safe Engineering
safety is critical in every aspect of engineering operation that must be given high priority. Safety

covers two aspects, the safety of the designer and the safety of the user. First, the design was

considered under the safety factor and it was evaluated to be 3. All design and fabrication of the

device were as per the OSHA regulation and ISO standards. In terms of environmental

sustainability, the project used the alternative materials that otherwise had been set for disposal

thus help in conserving the environment by putting into use disposed of materials.

Final Design & Preliminary Drawing

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Figure 7: Sliding and axle design

Figure 8: final rendered design

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Conclusion
At the end of this engagement, we reflected over the previous years and realized how being part

of the STEM completion has not only transformed us individually but how we grew together as a

team. we all enrolled in engineering faculty intending to use the knowledge gained to help

transform society and through this project, it is a true manifestation of how engineering

principles and concepts can be converted to provide a viable and sustainable solution to

challenges facing society. The outcome of the final design and fabrication of our mousetrap for

the competition allows our car to use the gearing system to provide a mechanical advantage of

enhancing performance efficiency. It also allows the device to increase distance during

competition to offset the gain in weight. By properly aligning the wheels, it will move in a

straight path and cover the desired distance of about ten meters.

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References
Carrey, N., Liebenberg, L. and Ungar, M., 2018. 5. Building a Better Mousetrap: Risk and

Resilience Processes, the DSM, and the Child Psychiatrist. In Resilience in Action (pp. 111-136).

University of Toronto Press.

Cetin, A. and Balta, N., 2017. Pre-Service Science Teachers Views on STEM Materials and

STEM Competition in Instructional Technologies and Material Development Course. European

Journal of Educational Research, 6(3), pp.279-288.

James-Byrnes, C. and Holdhusen, M., 2021, June. Development and Delivery of a Project-Based

Introductory Engineering Course for Online Delivery. In 2011 North Midwest Section.

Kaspar, J. and Vielhaber, M., 2019. Cooperative and application-oriented learning in engineering

design–Systems design methodology educated on solutions for mousetrap-powered vehicles.

In DS 95: Proceedings of the 21st International Conference on Engineering and Product Design

Education (E&PDE 2019), University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. 12th-13th September 2019.

Kaspar, J. and Vielhaber, M., 2019. Cooperative and application-oriented learning in engineering

design–Systems design methodology educated on solutions for mousetrap-powered vehicles.

In DS 95: Proceedings of the 21st International Conference on Engineering and Product Design

Education (E&PDE 2019), University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. 12th-13th September 2019.

Kieslich, P.J. and Henninger, F., 2017. Mousetrap: An integrated, open-source mouse-tracking

package. Behavior research methods, 49(5), pp.1652-1667.

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Lin, K.Y., 2017, October. Effects of applying an Engineering Design Process in a STEM-based

Learning Activity to help Develop Engineering Design Thinking among Pre-service Technology

Teachers. In TENZ-ICTE CONFERENCE (p. 190).

Lin, K.Y., Wu, Y.T., Hsu, Y.T. and Williams, P.J., 2021. Effects of infusing the engineering

design process into STEM project-based learning to develop preservice technology teachers’

engineering design thinking. International Journal of STEM Education, 8(1), pp.1-15.

Ngo, H.Q.T. and Phan, M.H., 2019. Design of an open platform for multi-disciplinary approach

in project-based learning of an EPICS class. Electronics, 8(2), p.200.

Shively, K., Stith, K.M. and Rubenstein, L.D., 2018. Measuring what matters: Assessing

creativity, critical thinking, and the design process. Gifted Child Today, 41(3), pp.149-158.

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