Energy Efficient Car

By Jessica, Casey, Lara, and Isabella

What can you

use to power a
car other than
gasoline and
electricity?

We decided
to use the
elastic
energy of a
rubber
band.

Our Car: The Tricicar

AAAKA Carl!!

Materials
cost to build the car:
$9.95

2 large wooden wheels ($2.36 each)

1 medium wooden wheel ($1.41)

1 wooden board ($0.39)

8 rubber bands ($0.24)

8 screws ($0.80)

1 binder clip (split in half) ($0.30)

1 pipe with bearings ($1.00)

1 cup ($0.75)

straw (0.01)

1 wooden dowel ($0.13)

Gaff tape ($0.20)

Work Log
Day 1: Brainstormed ideas, got a few basic materials (wood for base, wheel circles, bearings for
axle).
Day 2: Cut wood to size, glued wheels together, cut hole in wood, found wood pieces to attach
bearings, finished schematics, started to cut front wheel hole.
Day 3: Attached clip to front and screws to hold rubber bands, filed down front wheel hole,
attached wheels and axles/bearings.
Day 4: Modified clip on front, attached cup and rubber bands, started testing car.
Day 5: Tested and modified car, attached decorations.

How it Works
When the back wheels are turned backwards,
the rubber bands are stretched to wind
around the axle. The rubber bands act as a
spring; when the car is set loose, the rubber
bands contract to their original size. This
causes the wheels to turn forward, propelling
the tricicar across the floor.

The Tricicar in Motion

The Math
The Data
Time
(sec)

Distance
(m)

velocity
(m/s)

PE (J)

TE (J)

KE (J)

Total E
(J)

2.856

2.856

0.95

0.823

1.558

0.925

0.373

2.856

1.86

1.45

0.6441

1.0519

1.16

2.856

2.71

1.26

0.1275

1.8555

0.873

2.856

3.72

0.666

2.612

0.224

2.856

5.73

2.856

2.856

Spring constant: a measure

of how much the spring
wants to pull back together
The spring constant of the
Tricicars rubber band is
25 N/m, but this number
can decrease over time and
use as the rubber band
stretches out.

Performance Graphs
This graph shows the
relationship between
distance and time.
Because velocity is the
ratio of distance per
time, the slope of the
line shows velocity.
The cars velocity
gradually increased
until the end, when it
slowed due to friction.

Performance Graphs
This graph shows the
relationship between time and
energy. The potential energy
of the rubber band is
converted to kinetic when it
unravels. Eventually, all of
the kinetic energy will convert
to heat and sound friction,
causing it to stop at 5 meters.
Otherwise, due to Newtons
1st law, it would move forever
at the same velocity.

The Pros of the Tricicar

It has rear wheel drive, a new concept that makes the Tricicar unique
It is made of smooth wood with a natural pine finish
Its three wheels give support and stability
The conveniently placed cup provides storage space
It comes with 10 sets of replacement rubber bands to revive the elasticity
The wheels have a gaff tape tread, giving strong traction
Can safely and effectively go 5 meters, even while carrying 3/10ths of its weight
It can move at 1.45 meters per second!
The distance moved can be adjusted by the number of backwards wheel rotations
It is customizable. Options include:
glitter (in your choice of blue, pink, gold, silver, multicolored, and introducing
manly black)
mini alien
mini eye
mini ice cream cone
wheel embellishments
color of storage cup

Conclusion
We have found that having a three wheeled car powered by rubber bands was
the best option for making an energy efficient car that is affordable. I hope you
enjoyed our presentation and consider our car design for the future.

At Tricicar,
we tricicare