Steering

Owned by Robin Pearce
Last updated: Sept 07, 2020 by Emily Guo (Deactivated)
1 min read

Overview

Project Lead: @Emily Guo (Deactivated)

Why we're making a custom design.

We need a custom-designed steering system to fit the car's geometry and to save weight.

Project Requirements

Rayce Regulations

10.7 Steering

10.7.A Steering Wheel
All steering in the vehicle must be controlled by the driver with a steering wheel designed to have a continuous perimeter as outlined in Appendix A.

10.7.B Steering Stops
The steering system must include steering stops to prevent dangerous or damaging steering travel. Steering stops cannot be held in place by friction. They must be welded, pinned or bolted in place, and placed in the steering system in way that will not create loads that will deform or scar the contacting pieces.

10.7.C Turning Radius
Solar cars must be able to make a U-turn in either direction, without backing up, such that any portion of the solar car that is within 200 mm of the ground remain within a 16 m wide lane. Portions of the solar car above 200 mm above ground may exceed the 16 m distance.

10.7.D Steering Backlash
The steering system must be designed with sufficient strength/stiffness and have minimal backlash so that the driver can always maintain good directional control of the vehicle.

Internal Requirements

  • Little to no backlash in steering mechanisms.

  • Smaller lock-to-lock ratio, approximately 3 turns of the steering wheel. 

  • Design within the packaging constraints of the areobody. 

Soft requirements

  • Smallest impact from bump steer or under/oversteering as possible (and other parameters).