This is an example of what a wheel cover looks like.
DRIs-Team 1: Joshua Shaw Prakruti Gajera
DRIs-Team 2: Martina Bubeqi Matthew Scorcia
Function: A wheel cover protects the wheels and improves the aerodynamic performance of the car since we have a continuous aerobody. It is also critical that we are able to remove the wheel cover as needed, in order to have access to the wheels and motors.
Goal: Design a wheel cover that is easy to manufacture and design the mechanism in which the wheel cover would be detached and reattached to the aerobody (an example could be something like flanges + fasteners).
Timeline: Conceptualize Design/Mechanism by June 30th
Problem Definition
Functional Requirements
Fasten securely to the frame
Securely fasten wheel cover panel against aerobody
Must open and close to perform maintenance
Non-Functional
Scalable to be flexible to different cover dimensions
Easy to manufacture
Inexpensive
Easy detachment and reattachment
Low weight
Constraints
Avoid failure under road driving conditions
Must minimize drag effect on the car
Morphological Chart
Functional Requirements | Fasten Securely to Frame | Securely fasten to panel | Mate |
|---|---|---|---|
Design Solutions | Collar with set screw | Fasten through panel | Hook in with pin |
Bracket secured using hole through chassis member | Use adhesive to attach to panel | Fasten together two flanges with bolt and nut | |
Direct mount to chassis member | Have a flange attach to back of panel and use resin to harden against panel | Permanently attached hinge to panel that is removable from frame | |
Weld on attachment to member | Add flanges to edges of panel with holes in THEM instead | Guide rail with linear sliding that slide into a latch/lock | |
Adhesive mounting | Magnets attached to back of panel, countersunk | ||
Tightening clamps | Insert pins into rubber fittings |
Due to how light magnets are and the low profile installation, it is best to involve them somehow. Using countersunk magnets can offset some vibration issues, but I still think it is best to include some sort of pin to secure. It would also be best to have this pin accessible near the bottom of the cover so it’s easy to reach under and undo. The most secure fastening to the panel would be to build a flange into the panel. This flange can slot into a groove where holes would align and allow a pin to slide through, at the top magnets would keep the fairing flush against the surface.