MS12 Approach:
Work within the boundary box according to ASC regulations (height, width and length)
Origin at the bottom of the wheel
Bounding box for the driver
Make seating position based on physical prototypes and ergonomic/ASC regulations
Remember egress
Do preliminary mock ups and simulations with the chassis and aerobody
Play with the vehicle dimensions, full length + shorter width, and vice versa
Determine an optimal length and width
Height is less important
Dynamics come into plan once the team knows the width and length of the vehicle
Dynamics will determine where the wheels go
Turning radius
Distance between axles
Width of wheels → wider wheels = more stability
MSXV Approach:
Place your person in boundary box → placement and ergonomics (how they will be seated)
Solar Array → Objective should be to maximize 4m^2 limit for array
Place Wheels
Rough Chassis
Rough Aerobody
Solar Array Notes:
Vehicle objective should be to maximize array, it is the only way we can power our vehicle
Array can only bend in one direction (one curve plane)
Aerobody Notes:
Canopy:
Hinge should be behind driver (Shalin)
Canopy will be wider than the persons head and solar array will need to be placed around that
Aerobody Geometry:
Catamaran will be more efficient aerodynamically, bullet is like big wall in front of air (Shalin)
Aero chassis integration:
Should not be an afterthought
Base studs/clickbond was not a great approach (in shear) (Shalin, Adam)
Aero Panels and Molds:
Practice practice practice
Chassis Notes:
Chassis syms (Ansys, symscale):
Static loading
fix the wheels for a top load/impact, fix the back of the car for a front impact
5G crash tests with blocks, see if it deforms past allowable amount and doesn't exceed F.S.