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Types of Solar Car Frames
There are three main options when it comes to selecting how to give a solar car structure: space frame, unibody or monocoque. To date, all of Midnight Sun's solar cars have used a space frame chassis except for MSXI which used a monocoque. Related information about frame design can be found on MSUN 101: Overview of Solar Car Design.
MSXII will use a steel space frame.
Metal Space Frame
A space frame uses lengths of round or square tubing, or other structural metal shapes to form the chassis structure. Although many solar car teams are trying to use more composites in their cars, many teams such as Principia, Appalachian, Iowa State and ETS Quebec still build space frame type vehicles. The aforementioned teams all competed successfully at FSGP and ASC 2016. Space frames are also commonly used by other design teams such as FSAE and Baja.
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Unibody
Increasingly, solar car teams are choosing to use a unibody frame where joined composite panels form the chassis structure. In general, an equivalent space frame requires more material and thus more weight relative to a composite unibody. However, composite frames are generally more difficult to produce and service. It is also more difficult to recognize damages/defects on them.
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Monocoque
A monocoque is a structural system where loads are supported through an object's external skin, similar to an egg shell. MSXI used a monocoque as its frame which presented numerous challenges with regards to structure, manufacturing and serviceability. Due to these challenges, most solar car teams do not elect to use a monocoque.
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System Design Considerations
Impact on Suspension
Centre of Gravity and Handling
Material Considerations for Space Frames
Steel
Strength
Torsional Rigidity
Modeling and Analysis
Balsa Wood Models
Manufacturing
Tube Cutting and Notching
Welding
External Links
Related Pages
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