MAE solar car project : suspension - endurance

• Main Author: Chew, Zi Xiong.
• Other Authors: David Lee Butler
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Mechanical engineering::Energy conservation
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/16444
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The report summarizes the author’s work in redesigning the solar car suspension components and performing analysis and simulation tests on the new suspension assembly. It is a continuation of the previous Final Year Project report to build and design a solar car to represent Nanyang Technological University (NTU) to compete in the upcoming biannual World Solar Challenge (WSC) in 25th October 2009. In the first part of the report, the author discusses the SolidWorks CAD modelling and COSMOSWorks Finite Element Analysis of the new designed suspension assembly. In the second part of the report, the author performs 3 simulation tests on the solar car model in MATLAB SimMechanics. The simulation tests are Transmissibility, Static Equilibrium Position Test and Acceleration and Deceleration Test. The objective of the simulation tests is to study the dynamic motion of the solar car model. The report includes detailed diagrams, pictures and graphs for better illustration. The report also examines the results from both the Finite Element Analysis and simulation tests to enhance the performance and safety of the solar car suspension during the design phase. To conclude the report, the author provides suggestions and recommendations on how the solar car can be improved on for future research.