This was the design for our device for Projects Day 2011. One of my key passions is to create and invent new things and when the opportunity for projects came up, it occurred to me that making a device for shielding people getting out of cars on a rainy day may be useful and revolutionary. This began a long journey of many group meetings and discussions, some fruitful and some full of dissension. To start with some felt that playing it safe with an easier topic would have been better. Others were jostling for leadership positions. It was really hard to come to a consensus but we finally did. We got through the preliminary stages but unfortunately did not get into the finals. Nonetheless I learned a lot from this. Some of the lessons I learned was how to translate a good idea into reality.Firstly with regards the design, there were many physics principles that we used:
1. Rotation and forces - how rainwater had to be drained from the device and how the device had to be angulated so that it would allow quick shunting of water away from the driver
2. Materials - waterproof materials had to be used for the main sheet, but these had to be foldable and malleable to a certain extent to allow unravelling of the sheet as the door opened. Elastic materials that held the spokes together were needed to allow movement of the sheet to be opened up. Materials also had to be lightweight yet strong to hold up the device.
3. Adhesion and Friction - we had to experiment with a variety of materials to attach the device to the car door - I thought of hooks on the car window (too rigid), suction cups and velcro strips. In the end we used a combination of suction cups and velcro strips.
If I could improve the design further, I may have considered some other unique materials such as rollite type blind that could open up diagonally. Anyway, what I also learned from this experience is that a good idea is not enough to carry one through to the end. I can have plenty of good ideas but passion and determination is needed to bring it all together. We need a good team that has rapport and can work together. We need people who can sacrifice some of their regular time to meet together. We needed a lot of give and take to work together. Actually, I am also pretty grateful to all our parents who allowed us to hang out around each other's homes and helped us choose materials and articulate our ideas and thoughts. We may not have got into the finals but it was a great experience turning an idea into reality. Thanks, y'all!
