1. Mousetrap Vehicle B 2020 SD Regional
Ang Shih, PhD MBA

2. Mousetrap Vehicle Introduction
This event is not hard to work with. However, to place top, quite random like flight event
Learning Concept– Learn from mechanical, in torque conversion. Trade off between distance and acceleration.

3. Mousetrap Vehicle
Build a Vehicle powered solely by a mousetrap. Run the vehicle to destination point quickly and as close as possible.
Practice Log (Must have complete log and impound)
Team of up to two
Impound Required for:
Vehicle, Practice Log, Alignment Devices
Requires Type B goggles

4. Rule High Light Only 1 mouse trap
Absolute NO electric tool, alignment tool, component (Except Calculator)
8 min for two run
Use #2B push down perpendicular to floor
No remote, no floor brake
Runtime is not 0.5m line this year, it is when it start to move to stop
Document, 10 record and 4 variables:
1. Target Distance 2. Vehicle Distance 3. Run Time 4. Your choice

5. General Idea Frame to hold axial Drive arm with string to drive wheel.
A brake to help to stop at spot.

6. Track Track will be on a smooth, level, and hard surface.
Start Point
Target Point
9.00 – 12.00m
Track will be on a smooth, level, and hard surface.
Lines and points are marked with/on 1” tape.
Regional: 9m, 9.5m, 10m,1.5m, 11m,11.5m, 12m

7. Vehicle Dowel >10cm Diameter ~1/4”, wood, round dowel >1cm

8. Practice Dry Run No follow car No leave things on track
No rolling on floor
Nothing fall off car
Alignment (Curve car is OK if you can compensate)
Set up time
Alignment Technique
Optical
String
Ruler

9. Score High Light
The Run Score for each run = 2 pts./cm x Vehicle Distance + 1 pt./sec x Run Time + Penalties.
Accuracy emphasized over speed.
Only go as fast as you can brake accurately.
Make Penalties = 0, this is coach’s responsibility
Accuracy is two times important than speed !!!

10. How to Win - Technique
Finish early, by Thanksgiving, you should have car running.
Make decision, usually kids are competing with their 2nd or 3rd car
Be smart using kits
Calculation! You teach student physics and design the car. Try and error is too slow for SciOly. Switching between Scientific method and Engineering method
Use advance technique and material.
Read Rules
Watch Youtubes – Especially NC
Winning team built extra, carry case and alignment tool, SOP, Tool box.
Coach help review document.
Don’t over stress the car, stop practice when everything works

11. How to Win - Technique
Longer car and wider car provide more stable in direction
Light weight, and distribute weight on the brake wheel
Built high resolution brake
Use rubber/foam wheel, wide tire
Diverse teammate
Clean Floor
Double wheel
Trust Washers
Square framing tube and clamp
Drill holes before framing
Drill undersize hole for bearing
Align with scope and string
How to deal if the car is not straight

12. Possible Wheel and Tires ebay, Amazon, Servo City, Pololu

13. Use CD (there are two CD standard Size)
Use balloon
Dr Fizzix Hub

14. Kit option: DrFizzix, TeacherGear, Carolina

15. Brass pipe, Carbon Fibber drive arm1 2
How to tight pipe on to mousetrap
I have try solder, glue, screw…..

16. Mousetrap
Mousetrap location. If you have mousetrap in the center you will have to shorter the drive arm. Short drive arm will have short string. Which you will have a very fine axial.
In most case, make sure the mousetrap placed at the end
The mousetrap between brand are very similar
Yellow cheeses is easy to use
4 hole max

17. Aiming for Accuracy Other consistency problem:
Mousetrap tension twist the frame.
The frame was not square.
The wheel is wobbling
Initial release make the car jump
The brake was too hard
This gap is the major source of randomness. Use bearing to avoid

18. Brakes

19. Bearing Liner bearing What type of grease Ceramic bearing
Frictionless bearing
Gyroscope mount
Hard disk bearing
3x10x4mm Ball Bearings

20. Examples: 2012 Nationals

21. Examples: 2012 Nationals

22. Examples: 2012 Nationals

23. Examples: 2012 Nationals

24. Thank You

25. State Clarification
3.b.2 National FAQ: can the drive string be pre-wrapped around the drive axle?
Yes, as long as all of the energy that propels the vehicle comes from the single mousetrap.