Shock Absorbance Mechanism
This device was made in the context of a spin on the classic egg-drop competition for a Mechanical Systems class: the egg was dropped on a trigger-release platform to fall two meters, guided by rails on both sides. To win, the device that absorbed the shock not only had to protect the egg, but also had to be optimized for height, weight, and measured deceleration from a sensor on the platform. Spring sets with fluid dampers were provided, with multiple values of stiffness for the springs and multiple viscosity of damping fluid.
On a small team of three, I designed this mechanism so that radial forces would cancel each other out, preventing shear. I also designed it to achieve the maximum displacement by off-setting the springs to increase impact time while minimizing height (decreasing the force witnessed by the egg). Most mechanisms were designed laterally, and often with too many or too complicated components, resulting in their ultimate breakage.
We won second by a close margin. However, the winning design ultimately had shear failures at the end of the competition, while this device is now used as a showcase piece for the class, and still shows no signs of failure. We also won the award for the most accurate force calculation before testing (within 1% of actual test).
On a small team of three, I designed this mechanism so that radial forces would cancel each other out, preventing shear. I also designed it to achieve the maximum displacement by off-setting the springs to increase impact time while minimizing height (decreasing the force witnessed by the egg). Most mechanisms were designed laterally, and often with too many or too complicated components, resulting in their ultimate breakage.
We won second by a close margin. However, the winning design ultimately had shear failures at the end of the competition, while this device is now used as a showcase piece for the class, and still shows no signs of failure. We also won the award for the most accurate force calculation before testing (within 1% of actual test).