Week 1 Projects & Reflections
Sketch and label a simplified diagram of a car's major mechanical systems
Timeline of important events in automotive history
In 1769, Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot built the first steam-powered car In 1807, François Isaac de Rivaz made an early combustion engine. In 1879, Karl Benz built a gasoline engine for a car. In 1886, Karl Benz introduced the first driveable gasoline car. In 1908, Henry Ford started Model T, making cars cheaper and more accessible for the masses. In 1913, the assembly line was invented, making cars faster to build. In 1924, hydraulic brakes became popular, making cars safer. In the 1950s, seatbelts became common. In 1966, car makers started to use the first airbags for safety. In 1997, the Toyota Prius introduced hybrid technology. In 2008, Tesla launched the Roadster, making electric cars popular again. In the 2010s, self-driving car technology began to grow, showing how cars could drive themselves one day.
Week 1 Reflections
Reflection on One Innovation
Throughout the history of the creation of the automobile there have been many innovations that have changed and improved the way we use these machines. One of the most importaiont innovations in my opinion was the creation of The electric car was made a long time ago when people wanted a new way to drive. At first, cars used gas, but gas made a lot of smoke and was very noisy. So some people started to use batteries and motors to make cars move. These first electric cars were very simple and could only go a short way. But over time, electric cars became better. Now, they can go far and they are very quiet. I think this invention is very interesting because it is helping to make cars cleaner and better for the earth. It is exciting to see how electric cars have changed and how they will help people in the future.
After watching videos to understand Newton's Basic Laws of Motion, I conducted an experiment using a toy car. To understand the effects incline has on car acceleration and the role that friction plays in limiting the cars acceleration, I took a wood board and made a ramp at a 45-degree angle, and dropped the same matchbox car down the ramp, rolling onto four different surfaces. Wood, thin carpet, thick carpet and concrete. I found that surfaces like wood and concrete created the least friction for the cars allowing them to roll further while carpet caused more friction limiting the distance the car can roll.
Hillsborough Concours d'Elegance
The Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance is the world’s longest continually running classic-car show, celebrating automotive design and engineering excellence annually since 1956 in Hillsborough, California.
The 66th annual Hillsborough Concours d'Elegance showcases excellence in automotive design and engineering as more than 200 of the world's most treasured collector cars are displayed on the 18th fairway of the Crystal Springs Golf Course, south of San Francisco.
This car show was an absolutely amazing experience to attend, and I truly enjoyed every moment I spent there. I've been to car shows before, but none had as impressive and varied a collection as this. It was fascinating to witness the evolution of automotive design and engineering across the decades, from beautifully restored classics from as early as the 1920s to the sleek, high-tech marvels of today. What made it even more meaningful was how it connected with the lessons I'd learned just a week prior about the history of the automobile. Seeing these vehicles in person brought that knowledge to life and gave me a genuine, hands‑on sense of how cars have shaped our culture and continue to evolve.
Career Spotlight
After spending the week watching videos, reading articles, and beginning the Coursea class, the role of design engineer interests me the most. As I have found, I really enjoy creating and coming up with new ideas. (picture of a bike designed) From an early age, I have always enjoyed build and fixing things. Elaborate on this more.
Design Engineer
Creating new vehicle concepts
Test Engineer
Ensuring safety and performance
Manufacturing Engineer
Making production efficient
Automotive Technician
Maintenance and repair
Week 2 Projects
Four-Stroke Engine Cycle
The image above shows the four stages of a four-stroke engine cycle, with each piston movement labeled 1–4. Stage 1 is the intake stroke, where the piston moves down and the intake valve opens, allowing an air-fuel mixture to enter the cylinder. Stage 2 is the compression stroke, where the piston moves upward with both valves closed, compressing the mixture to increase pressure and temperature. Stage 3 is the power (combustion) stroke, where a spark ignites the compressed mixture, forcing the piston downward and generating the mechanical energy that powers the engine. Stage 4 is the exhaust stroke, where the piston moves upward again while the exhaust valve opens, pushing burnt gases out of the cylinder. These four strokes repeat continuously in sequence, converting fuel into controlled explosions that produce the motion needed to keep the engine running.
V8 Engine Model
The model above is a V8 engine, its called a "V8" because it has eight cylinders arranged in two banks forming a "V" shape. The pistons move up and down inside the cylinders, converting fuel combustion into motion, while the camshaft controls the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves. Key components include the crankshaft, which turns the pistons' motion into rotational power, the camshaft, pistons, valves, and timing system that all work together to keep the engine running smoothly.
LEGO Suspension System Model
The two images to the left depicted a simplified LEGO model of a car's suspension system, with one image showing the suspension at full travel (fully extended) and the other showing it compressed under load. The suspension systems allow a car's wheels to move up and down independently of the chassis, helping absorb bumps, maintain tire contact with the road, and improve ride comfort and handling.
Week 3 Projects
Car Electrical System Diagram
Above the drawing shows the main parts of a car's electrical system and how they work together to provide power. The battery stores electrical energy and supplies DC (direct current) power to start the engine and run systems when the engine is off. The starter motor uses this battery power to turn the engine over until it runs on its own. Once the engine is running, the alternator—driven by a belt connected to the engine crankshaft—produces AC (alternating current) electricity. This AC power is immediately converted to DC power by the alternator's built-in rectifier, which is suitable for the car's electronics, lights, and control systems. The alternator both powers the vehicle's systems directly and recharges the battery to ensure a constant supply of energy. The diagram also shows how the electrical system powers headlights, with a switch and relays controlling low and high beams. In low beam mode, current flows through one filament in the bulb; in high beam mode, a different filament is powered for a brighter, longer-range light. This switching is controlled by the driver but relies on proper wiring, fuses, and relays for safety. Overall, the electrical system is essential for starting the car, running lighting and safety systems, powering infotainment and sensors, and ensuring reliable performance. Without a functioning alternator, the battery would eventually drain, causing the car to lose all electrical power.
Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Systems
Above is another drawing represent electric and hybrid cars on the right it shows how a hybrid car works. A hybrid car uses both a gasoline engine and an electric motor, powered by a battery, to move the vehicle. The gasoline engine can drive the wheels directly and also turn a generator that produces electricity to power the electric motor and recharge the battery. The electric motor can assist the engine during acceleration or run the car on its own at lower speeds, reducing fuel consumption. By combining both power sources and recovering energy during braking, hybrids are more fuel-efficient and produce fewer emissions than traditional gasoline-only cars.
Above on the right is a model of an electric concept car which i came up with well it still models a traditional electric car having a battery and individual motors for the front two wheels the rear has a drive shaft spun by A motor that connects to the rear differential powering the rear wheels well not affecting the cars handling and allowing it to maintain traction with the road i am sure a design like this already exist but i could not find anything about it with very limited research
EV Model Comparison
Below is a spread sheet comparing three well known ev models the range price and performance as well as battery
Regntive braking is a system in a car which allows the kinetic energy (the energy an object possesses in motion) to be converted into electrical energy this engey is harvest threw the vehicles declaration at the point of contact between the cars breaks and wheel this energy can then be used to charge the cars battery bellow is a digram of how it works
Week 4 Projects
Vehicle Safety Systems
The diagram on the page above shows how three key safety systems—airbags, ABS, and crumple zones—work together to protect occupants in a crash. Airbags rapidly inflate during a collision to cushion the driver and passengers, reducing head and chest injuries. ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) prevents the wheels from locking during sudden braking, allowing the driver to maintain steering control and avoid obstacles. Crumple zones are engineered sections of the vehicle frame that deform in a controlled way, absorbing impact energy before it reaches the passenger cabin. In my vehicle design, reinforced passenger compartments and strategically placed crumple zones protected the occupants by managing collision forces away from the cabin. The combination of controlled energy absorption, maintained steering control, and cushioned restraint systems significantly increased overall crash survivability.
Redesigned Control Arm
Above you see a concept for a redesigned control arm. This design replaces a conventional stamped-steel control arm with a lightweight, reinforced, and partially hollow aluminum alloy control arm that keeps or improves stiffness while reducing unsprung mass and improving sustainability. The new part uses optimized cutouts, integrated bushing housings, and a replaceable balljoint interface to make servicing easier, and preserve handling performance.
Design changes (what was changed and why) • Material switch — from stamped steel to recycled aluminum alloy: reduces mass • optimized geometry — internal hollows and strategically shaped cutouts remove unneeded material while keeping load paths intact
Reinforced bearing/bushing zones — thicker local sections and filleted transitions at the bushing and ball-joint locations avoid stress concentrations and maintain torsional stiffness. • Modular interfaces — the ball joint is a replaceable unit pressed into a dedicated bore; rubber/urethane bushings are serviceable, reducing full-part replacement waste.
Conclusions & next steps The redesigned control arm balances lightweighting with durability and serviceability. Next steps are: produce a CNC aluminum prototype, run physical fatigue and road-load tests, measure unsprung-mass change on-vehicle, and collect handling/NVH data. If test results confirm simulations, move to a forged-production design and complete a lifecycle assessment to quantify real-world sustainability gains. Overall this design cpould prove to be a very usefull idea if it dose not already exist in the automotive industry improving suspension preformance
🧩 2. Identify Your Model & Get a Manual
- Confirm it's a Honda C70 Passport (1970).
- So you can follow torque specs and parts lists, grab a service manual like the "Haynes Honda C70" or OEM Passport manual m.youtube.com+15youtube.com+15youtube.com+15ebay.com+1youtube.com+1.
🧰 3. Drain & Clean the Fuel System
- Drain old gas from the tank (it likely turned to varnish).
- Detach and clean the fuel tank—flush it with fresh gas.
- Remove the fuel filter (if your model has one).
- Carburetor time: Pull it off slowly, keeping track of parts.
- Learn how in "Removing the Carburetor" youtube.com+1youtube.com+1.
- Then clean it fully: Apex tutorial "Cleaning the carburetor" (Mighty Garage) youtube.com+15youtube.com+15youtube.com+15.
- Advanced rebuild with kit shown here.
🔌 5. Electrical & Spark
- Check/replace the 6 V points/coil system.
- Swap in a fresh spark plug (NGK B6HS).
- Test for spark: ground the plug and kick-start.
- If no spark, inspect coil, points or consider upgrading to 12 V/CDI (post-'82 models) youtube.com+4ecomodder.com+4youtube.com+4mopedarmy.com.
🛢️ 6. Oil & Filters
Drain the old oil
into a pan, checking for debris or metal shavings.
Refill with fresh oil
10W‑40 4‑stroke motorbike oil.
Check internal filter
On C70s, an internal paper oil filter means you may need to remove side covers to inspect.
🧹 7. Air Filter & Intake
- Clean or replace the paper air filter.
- A clean filter prevents stalling and poor idling—simple but essential.
📘 11. Finishing Touches
- Reinstall cleaned parts; torque bolts per manual.
- Do a quick ride to test shifting, brakes, and lights.
- Register with DMV, pass inspection, and get your learner's permit if needed.
- Take a motorcycle safety course for good measure.
