In scope: occupant cell space requirements, seat geometry regulations, forward and sidewards vision, structural chassis clearance from occupants
Out of scope: occupant cell safety (FEA), seat belt regulations, egress, ventilation, rearward vision, crush zone
ASC/FSGP 2018 Regulations (Rev C – Released Jul 1, 2018)
9.5 Visibility
9.5.A Eye Height
In the normal driving position with a fully laden solar car, all occupant’s eyes must be at least 700 mm above the ground.
9.5.B Forward and Sideward Vision
9.5.B.1 From the normal driving position, the driver must be able to see at all times, without artificial assistance, points at the following locations:
(1) A point on the ground 8 m in front of the solar car
(2) A point 6.4 m above the ground and 12.2 m ahead of the leading edge of the car. (Will be inspected with a pole positioned 3 m ahead of the car)
(3) A full 100° to either side of center
9.5.B.2 The driver will be required to identify 75 mm high letters at a distance of 3 m from the front of the solar car, through any of the required viewing angles.
9.5.B.3 The driver will be required to identify 50 mm high letters at a distance of 3 m from the side of the solar car, through any of the required viewing angles.
9.5.B.4 Some elements of the roll cage may obstruct a portion of the forward vision. However, this view must be essentially unobstructed as much as is reasonably possible by the solar car structure.
10.3 Occupant Cell
The occupants cell may not subject the solar car occupants to excessive strain during normal operation, and must be designed to protect the occupants from injury in the event of an accident. The occupants must be provided adequate space for safe operation of the vehicle. Care needs to be taken in the design and construction of the vehicle to minimize the risk that any shafts or sharp objects could penetrate the cockpit in the event of a crash and potentially injure the occupants.
10.3.A Definitions
The following definitions shall be incorporated into the Regulations:
10.3.A.1 Roll Cage: is the structural cage that encompasses the drivers head and upper body as per Reg.10.3.G. The roll cage shall be integrally attached to the structural chassis of Reg.10.3.F.
10.3.A.2 Roll Bars: are the series of tubular bars which comprise the roll cage.
10.3.A.3 Structural Chassis: is the tubular frame / monocoque composite chassis / hybrid of composite & tubular frame which encompasses the occupant’s body, and to which the vehicle suspension system is connected.
10.3.B Occupant Seats
10.3.B.1 Single-occupant solar cars shall only have one seat.
10.3.B.2 Multi-occupant solar cars shall be designed to carry more than one occupant.
10.3.B.3 Each solar car occupant must have a seat that faces forward at an angle less than 10 degrees from the forward direction of travel.
10.3.B.4 Each seat must have a back and a head restraint Reg. 10.3.G.8. The distance from the hip point to the top of the head restraint must be at least 800 mm for front seats and those of a single-occupant solar car and at least 750 mm for rear seats. (49 CFR 571.202a - Standard No. 202a; Head restraints). The hip point may be approximated as shown in the diagram below. Any additional seat padding must be included in this measurement.
10.3.B.5 Each occupant’s heels must be below their hip point.
10.3.B.6 The angle between each occupant’s shoulders, hips and knees must be more than 90 degrees.
10.3.B.7 Any additional seat padding must be positively secured to the seat.
10.3.C Occupant Space
10.3.C.1 The occupant space for each occupant’s upper torso shall be defined by an arc defined with an 835 mm radius measured from the hip point as defined in Appendix B of the occupant and projects forward 45 degrees from vertical, 25 degrees rearwards and 7 degrees side-to-side from the centerline of the occupant. Note: This minimum occupant space requirement is based on a 50-percentile male and does not allow for a helmet. Taller team members may need more occupant space.
10.3.C.2 The solar car structure, including the windscreen must lie wholly outside the occupant space. The steering wheel, mirrors seat backs and head restraints may be inside the occupant space but must be designed to minimize the risk of injury to the occupant.
10.3.C.3 The driver’s head must be above and behind the driver’s feet. The seat must be appropriately constructed with a solid base and back rest.
10.3.G Roll Cage
10.3.G.2 The roll cage and structural chassis combination shall encompass the occupant in all directions. The roll cage must encompass the occupants well enough that a cloth stretched around the roll cage is clear of a full free range of motion of the occupant’s head including helmet with the safety belts in use.
10.3.G.7 Note, the forward portion of the front roll cage shall be far enough forward that in the event of a collision causing the occupants head to move forward, the furthest extent of the occupant’s head is still within the confines of the roll cage.
10.3.G.8 The roll cage must be padded with energy-absorbing material which is bonded and secured to the roll cage, meeting SFI-45.1 or FIA 8857-2001 Type A or B, or better, wherever it may come into contact with the occupant’s helmet covering 50% of the roll cage member. In addition, a headrest of at least 20 mm thick resilient material must be securely mounted behind the occupant’s head without the use of cable ties, fabric straps, or temporary attachments. The headrest must support the
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occupant’s head in normal driving position.
10.3.G.9 There must be 50 mm of clearance in all directions between any member of the roll cage and the helmets of the occupants seated in the normal driving position. There must be at least 30 mm of clearance between the occupant’s helmet and the padding to allow for free movement of the occupant’s head.
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WSC 2019 Regulations (V3.0 - Released October 17, 2018)
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