2021-11-10:
Goal: Break down all Mechanical Systems
Aerobody
Body Design
Bullet vs. Catamaran Design
From Aaron’s Exploration:
Bullet would be harder to manufacture and would be harder to design internal component
Catamaran
Would be a bit easier to manufacture due to the style and design
More flat panel
Note: Past Challenger Class Winners are mainly catamaran style vehicles
Bullet designs are more successful in 3-wheel competitions
Catamaran designs are more successful in 4-wheel competitions
Avoid complex curves
Space Frame Chassis vs. Monocoque
Monocoque may be too difficult if not flat panels, and ensure being structurally sound
Space frame chassis is verifiable and easier to manufacture
Sticking with Space Frame Chassis
Faring Shifting
Note: priorities of the vehicle (i.e. robust car, manufacturability vs. top vehicle)
shifting the aerobody based on wind
Downforce in Aerobody vs. Drag
Panel Design
Try to have more flat panels for manufacturability
Avoid complex curves, unless breaking them into smaller shapes
Reusing molds/mold life cycle from larger molds
do not use this to justify building bigger molds
Manufacturing Method
Mold Material will depend on material acquisition and sponsor facilities
Foam
Infusion and/or Wet lay
No prepreg
Vacuum bagging
Note: need to consider thermoforming
Dynamics
Steering
Dependencies:
Where Driver is located (Centered, toward one side)
Chassis style/design impacts where the wheels are, turning radius, etc.
position of wheel
Traditional Mechanical Steering or Steering by Wire
For the interest of learning, should keep Mechanical Steering
Steering by wire is easier
Shape of the catamaran
Suspension
Dependencies
Driver location
Motors are heavier - will cause more load on the suspension
Design consideration for Bullet/Catamaran
Having a rear axle to accommodate motor
Wheels
Sticking with 4 wheels due to not knowing if ASC will change the regulations
More stable
Potentially can salvage wheels from MSXIV
Wheels
Rims
Wheel hubs?
etc.
To review all remaining components
Impacts the Bullet/Catamaran shape
Brakes
Review past Dynamics components to see if things can be reused
Brakes research
pressure required in brake tubes
Specifications for brakes
Requires parking brake (mechanically different from disc brakes i.e. separate system)
Battery
Cells:
May want to stick with 18650
Cell testing if can acquire samples of other cells
Modules:
1 large module and have 2-3 to switch out
Energy & Capacity
To design based on weight limit
Goal:
Sell MJ1s possibly?