Explodo-Plane
Members: Fred, Eric and Todd
Prototype 1 - The Shmock-Up
The Explodo-Plane design team's design is an airplane that ejects a pilot
and then explodes into several pieces following the ejection. The function
of the toy is modeled after a real life scenario in which the pilot ejects
from the plane only moments before it explodes/crashes. In the prototype
team picture, the mechanism for the ejecting pilot is shown in pieces with
the cardboard plane as well. In the right picture, the plane is assembled
with the spring mechanism ready to be released. The plane is put into flight
and once the mechanism is released by the operator, the "pilot seat"
(prototyped as the block of wood with the spring attached) will shoot out
because the spring will no longer be compressed. The "pilot seat" shoots
upwards, and then drifts back to the earth with the help of the attached
parachute. The plane meanwhile, falls into several pieces upon the release
of the compressed spring. The pieces fall to the ground. After the
'explosion', the user can put the plane back together and insert the pilot
into his/her place. The toy is then ready to repeat the process.
Prototype 2 - The Interim Prototype
Basically what you are looking at here, are the vacuum formed wings for the
airplane. The wings were formed in sections so that we can string them together
and tie them all to a single key-piece. This will allow for the airplane to
“explode” when the key-piece is ejected from the plane. The airplane will be
attached to an overhead track and will slide down the wire/cord rather than
actually taking flight. You are also looking at pieces to a circuit, which
could possibly be used to launch a model rocket powered key-piece out of the
plane via a remote control. This idea seems to be posing many problems however,
and a simpler more mechanical solution will probably be employed for the final
design. You can also see that the plane is missing a body right now.This is
not a huge concern. The final design will focus on the function more than the
form. As a result, the team is considering using a ‘pre-fabricated’ plane
rather than creating one. This will allow the team to spend more time achieving
a simple and effective way of ‘exploding’ the plane and not worry so much
about the looks.
Prototype 3 - The Final Prototype
Watch the video of this project
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