Balancing Front and Back Weight

Owned by Jason He
Dec 04, 2018

Summary

Assignee

Michael Shiozaki

Checked byYzabelle Go Jason He
Date

Pass/Fail


MS Part Number
Revision
Assembly
Material
Yield strength
Endurance Strength
Max von Mises Stress
Max displacement
Safety Factor
Lifetime

Background Information 

MSXII's centre of gravity is to far back in the car, and the brakes need to compensate for the weight imbalance. In order to make braking more efficient, weight needs to added to the front of the car to balance it. However, the amount of weight added should be calculated, so that the car is balanced and not front heavy.

Requirements

1. Borrowing the tire scales from the Formula Race Team

2. Jacking up the car and placing the scales under each tire, one at a time

3. Recording the weight of the car

Loading and Boundary Conditions 

Results

1st Weighing
Front: 213kg
Back: 264kg

2nd Weighing
Front: 215kg
Back: 264kg

Total weight of the car is ~475kg. Can be found here:
https://scientificgems.wordpress.com/solar-racing/american-solar-challenge-2018/


von Mises Stress 
Displacement
Mesh Independence

Conclusion & Recommendation 

Add 50kg to the front of the car to balance it.