Mechanical
About the Mechanical Team
The mechanical team is responsible for the hardware necessary for a competitive solar vehicle. The drivetrain, chassis and body are all custom made for optimal performance on the track.
Projects
Brakes, Wheels, Steering, Suspension (BAWSS)
Body
Chassis
Ergonomics
BAWSS
The suspension of the car is designed to reduce energy loss, increase drivability and allow for a more comfortable ride. To combat friction we run tires with low rolling resistance and simulate our suspension geometry through MotionView analysis to iterate through different designs.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics must constantly be thinking about the comfort, drivability and the egress of a vehicle. This will include the steering wheel, pedals, seat, etc. Many of our rules and regulations require us to ensure that the driver is safe and able to exit the vehicle quickly. We plan to make our steering wheel out of a forged carbon fiber composite.
Chassis
Between the body and suspension, the chassis helps integrate the two together. Our chassis design depends greatly on what our team decides for the optimal body and suspension design. Our chassis team then molds their design based on those constraints. Our chassis will incorporate a space frame design by using Docel R8 steel because of its machineability, durability, and strength. These properties are critical for our car to keep our driver safe in case of a rollover or collison.
Body
The body is made of carbon fiber for which we lay up. Included in the body construction, we integrate our solar cells into the composite shell. This allows us to our weight and structural integrity