My question is - how can I make it the fastest possible with all I've got. Would gears or a pulley system be better? Please explain.
2006-09-30 06:17:07 · 8 answers · asked by Numptyhead 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
Gears are best. Pulleys and belts tend to slip.
In theory if you put a big gear on the motor, a small gear on the axle, and big wheels on the car it will travel fastest.
The trouble is that your motor is unlikely to have enough power to make the car move.
You will have to experiment taking into account the power of the motor, the weight of the car and whether you want it to go up hills (which will use more power).
Good Luck!
2006-10-03 06:16:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I suspect that you want to make the car run fast, not make the car in the shortest period of time. If this is the case, I would propose a car made like a dragster, with just a stick or balsa wood plank for the chassis. Wide enough to hold the batteries. Then mount the front wheels on an axle and mount the rear wheels on an axle with the motor. I would make the axle of a solid shaft of steel or brass. The best size would be to match the larger of the gears you have. I would mount the axle through holes in an "L" or "U" shaped bracket with holes large enough to pass the axle, but not too large. I would use a small pulley on the motor, and a larger one on the wheel axle shaft. I would use a rubber band as the drive belt. Do not use too much tension, as this will bind the axle going through the "L" ot "U" bracket.
This sounds like a neat project. Good Luck!
2006-09-30 07:15:08 · answer #2 · answered by Joseph G 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You'll get some slippage with pulley/beltsystems and you'll need a tensioner, but that can be good to keep your drive system from tearing itself up. Personally, I like the durability and efficiency of gear systems, so long as I can put a safety device on one to let it slip if the teeth get caught. For pure speed, though, gears are definately a superior option.
2006-09-30 07:06:37 · answer #3 · answered by sciguy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well fitting gears are usually used with remote control cars, but I remember from mechano sets that pulleys worked better. Probably because the gears weren't as good as with RC car gearboxes.
Also, try more than one motor to power the car.
2006-09-30 06:20:27 · answer #4 · answered by Chris cc 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Gears will transfer power better with rapid torque changes. Pulleys are easier to work with because you don't have to match teeth and replacement and repairs are easier.
2006-09-30 06:27:36 · answer #5 · answered by Trid 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Also depends on when you want it to be fast......... after only a few seconds, or after a few minutes.
The few seconds scenario you would probably not concern yourself with energy losses of the drivetrain, whilst the long term scenario you will most probably be better off with minimal gearing and bigger wheels............ but then you would have to factor in the drag factor of the wheels on the roadway.
2006-09-30 09:43:15 · answer #6 · answered by Jon H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you was to use 2 motors then you would have to be very carful that they didnt have differnent rates or rpm because if one wheel spins faster then the other it will force the car to move in a circle, you could try a voltage or current monitor or resistor to restrict the amountof power to flow through them
2006-10-01 12:38:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
make sure the batteries are duracell
2006-09-30 06:19:43 · answer #8 · answered by Thornsey 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋