Dual Mode Spring Motor Rolling Chassis

youmagine

Despite identical gear ratios to my previous rolling chassis designs ("Spring Motor Rolling Chassis Version 2" at https://www.youmagine.com/designs/spring-motor-rolling-chassis-version-2 and "PLA Spring Motor, Rolling Chassis" at http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:430050), the Dual Mode Spring Motor Rolling Chassis outperforms them thanks to its dual mode operation. The first mode is identical to the previous two rolling chassis designs, using a PLA spring to power the chassis. The second mode is new and innovative - "true coast". The previous two designs relied on the pawl releasing from the pawl gear to "coast", which was limited by friction and resulted in reduced distances. "True coast" utilizes a floating pinion gear (a demonstrator is available at http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2025927). Under spring power, the rear axle connects to the spring motor via the floating pinion gear and spring motor torque. When the spring energy is depleted, the floating pinion disconnects from the rear axle by the rear axle gear itself, allowing the rear axle to free spin and the chassis to coast freely. A video of the prototype is available here: . A comparison between the "Spring Motor Rolling Chassis Version 2" and the "Dual Mode Spring Motor Rolling Chassis" can be seen in this video: . To assemble the Dual Mode Spring Motor Rolling Chassis, you will need four AS 568 #213 o-rings (1 3/16" O.D., 15/16" I.D., 1/8" diameter) and eight AS 568 #223 o-rings (1 7/8" O.D., 1 5/8" I.D., 1/8" diameter), which can be purchased online or at local plumbing supply stores. The design was created using Fusion 360, sliced with Cura 2.3.1, and printed in PLA on an Ultimaker 2+ Extended and an Ultimaker 3 Extended.