Kinetic Energy Flywheel Robot

Ideation and CAD

Combat robotics is a type of robot fighting competition where points are earned by doing as much damage is dealt to the opponent as possible. Some of the most popular combat robots store their energy in a spinning blade of sorts. Then, they can hit an opponent to transfer the energy from the spinning blade into the other robot. Although this method is popular, a spinning blade is less efficient than a purpose-built flywheel. I landed an idea for a combat robot after becoming attached to the idea of using a flywheel as a method for storing energy. Hence, my Kinetic energy flywheel robot.

Wheel CAD

Clutch Mechanism

After brainstorming the many different ways to create a clutch, I concluded that the simplest mechanism would be the best. The mechanism that I landed on was a magnetic clutch mechanism using centrifugal force to actuate the clutch. Dowel pins are situated inside of the flywheel, which are retained using magnets embedded inside of the flywheel. When the flywheel begins to spin, centrifugal force applies outwards facing force on the dowel pins, and once the centrifugal force surpasses the holding force of the magnets, the dowel pins detach from the magnets and engage with the clutch.

Prototyping and Iteration

Flywheel Flipping in Action

Final Product

Competition