Engineering Project Advice...?

[HD]

Just a quick write up as I am going out now but I need an ideas/some ideas for an engineering project at school for a-level.

They have given us some we can use like a device that cools a conservatory down when it reaches a certain temperature, or a device that waters the garden if you are on holiday if it is below a certain percentage of moisture. The one I will do if I can't get a good idea is a aerosol can shaker as in spray paint.

The reason I want to do my own one is because they said if it is good enough, they will enter us in for the young engineers award.

My idea, although a bit crap, is a household potato peeler. Something shaped like a small board with a rotating blade on and you literally just swipe the potatoes to peel them. One potato under 10 seconds probably.

I would need to develop some sort of holding device or shearproof glove though.

Something like the Ogio 180 motocross stand is something I like but has already been done.

I would like it to be bike orientated as I have some background knowledge so research would be easier but any would be fine, like my potato peeler

Any ideas would be a great help if I do use them or not as it can help develop lines of thought.

Thanks guys!
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Rusty '02 Vito Camper + CBR600F3

[Cunnington]

Google electric potato peeler - it's been done to death.

The best ideas come from a genuine need - ask your family and friends what would make their life easier.

As an example, if you could come up with something to keep my one year old on the change mat you'd be on to a winner. He just arches his back and rolls off so you would need to work it with one hand so you could hold the little bugger down and strap him down.

What's the number for social services....?
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'82 C50, '81 CB100, '84 GS125, '95 NTV650, '00 Bandit 600, '06 SV650, '56 Z1000, '89 NTV600
The Shaggy D.A. wrote: "You are invisible. Those who can see you are trying to kill you."

[Walloper]

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

At the OP, does it have to be a new invention, or can it be anything?

If you're handy with a welder/machining/pipe bending why not make some rear sets or a swingarm, supercharger install or frame?
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My Flickr

[HD]

I'm sure I can get access to all of those things.

Never used a pipe bender but welded before (shitty welder) and lathed/drilled stuff so a bit handy at that.

It needs to not neccesarely be something new but more something innovative.

Like a can shaker, or temp sensor/window opener or like Cunnington said, something to hold his kid down
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Rusty '02 Vito Camper + CBR600F3

[stinkwheel]

That said, if I remember from my techy Higher, they love stuff that integrates two or more different control and sensing systems so something with an electronic sensor that operates something mechanical, that kind of thing.

How about a detachable disc lock that is also the ignition switch? One key. Can't ride off with it in place. With the key in the middle position, the lock is locked. Turn it clockwise, it operates an ignition switch. Turn it anticlockwise, it unlocks the lock.

So when you unlock it from the disc, you dock it into a slot on the yoke/subframe for the ignition and lock it into place. Turning the key further turns the ignition on.

To prevent tampering you could have it dock with four terminals. Two of them power up a passive immobaliser, two of them connect the antenna for the immobaliser which is built into the lock. The key has the chip in. Even if someone shorts across the terminals, it wont start without the key.
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