Zhuge Repeating Crossbow: from Basic Research to Exhibition in Museums

K.H. Hsiao ； Y.H. Chen

《Proceedings of the 14th IFToMM World Congress》 14th-2 (2015/10) Pp. 376-380

https://doi.org/10.6567/IFToMM.14TH.WC.OS7.007

並列摘要

Zhuge Liang (181-231 AD) was a strategist and inventor in ancient China. He invented a weapon namely Zhuge repeating crossbow that was first mentioned in the book Records of the Three Kingdoms《三國志》by Chen Shou (233-297 AD). Since the actual object was lost and the existing literature was incomplete, the structure of Zhuge repeating crossbow is still not certain. Based on the reconstruction design methodology for ancient mechanisms with uncertain structures developed by the authors, several feasible designs of Zhuge repeating crossbow are obtained. One of the feasible designs, a flexible connecting mechanism with 5 members and 6 joints, is made as a physical model. Furthermore, the corresponding animation and shooting hardware are successfully designed, manufactured, and used for exhibition at the National Science and Technology Museum since 2013.

並列關鍵字

Zhuge repeating crossbow ； reconstruction design ； history of machine ； exhibition ； science education