STORM
What?
STORM is a steering mechanism made to use in the Ford Wilson Race of Champs, a racing competition for disabled children.
The mechanism ensures that the adult driver can engage and disengage the child’s steering wheel when need be.
Made to prevent the child from overtaking the adult driver.
Worked with my learning community team during my freshman year at Purdue University.
How?
Uses electromagnets and a carbon steel plate to allow the steering wheel to spin freely while disengaged and control the car when engaged.
Tasks included CAD, steel plate redesign, and general part manufacturing (via waterjet and FDM printing).
Results?
Our mechanism is currently being used in the annual competition.
In the process of producing 5 more mechanisms.
Currently working with our university to patent the design.