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Compromises will have to be made on the frame in one way or another. We must be able to make those compromises some way some how, in a way that minimally affects or goals/affects how well we can design the frame
Solution
Think about compromise areas of the frame before designing begins, to essentially have areas marked out that can be easily changed/adapted if need be
This makes compromising with other systems easier, while minimizing pushing back our timelines and making it easier to reach weight goals
Roll Cage size estimate → main blocker for aeroshell (basically they need it really really soon)
Solution
Create a roll cage bounding box with an idea of what type of person we want to size the car for (goes hand in hand with driver model, but specifically we need to work out the length and height of the roll cage)
Understand what drives our weight goals
Solution
Properly take numbers we’ve researched, as well as conduct more research to understand a good weight target for a Solar Car chassis, and account for that goal relative to the weight of the frame last year
Set up a proper goal that not only challenges us in our design but is also attainable relative to the weight of solar car chassis
Egress as a requirement is hard to test for
Solution
Create a more open roll cage design, that allows for easier egress pathing
Create a physical test setup where egress can be practiced, to ensure that sub-10 second egress is possible before frame design is finalized
VR3 lead time was not necessarily accounted for
Solution
Evaluate timeline and understand peak times/lead time for VR3
Can be a range, minimum ~3 weeks, lots more during peak time
Adjust timeline, account for it
Why are the ANSYS simulations running forever? Beam elements should be employed.
Solution
Frame simulations are done using beam element analysis to get easy and quick data (essentially iterate iterate iterate quickly quickly)
Understand how to properly optimize setup, by reducing complex geometry, setting up good meshing techniques (solid elements), and use beams when applicable
Need to actually evaluate what material we use (i.e. check weldability)
Solution
Look into the different types of steel that are commonly used for tubular space frames, and understand what makes each type of steel ideal or un-ideal
Think about weldability, ductility, brittleness
Even if we are going to continue using chromoly 4130, we should justify it
Ergo Specific
Carbon Fiber may not be the most efficient/effective in all applications in terms of cost or @(such as for the seat or steering wheel)
Solution
Investigate what application or situation you will be putting each material in
Is it as cost effective as it could be, could you find a material that is just as stiff without the weight? etc. etc.
In terms of making the steering wheel, what is structural and what is not structural?
Solution
i.e. if we want to make a carbon fiber steering wheel, are we making it hollow, are we having a core material? We need to actually discern how this design would work.4
Ergo Jig plans are good → need to be refined to be more accurate and useful to us
Solution
Need to set some standards to make the data more accurate (take the measurements ourselves, streamline the process for taking the measurements)
Narrow down the survey size to be only people interested in driving the car
Be more granular in what you measure (not just height or weight, look at torso height, leg length)
Egress needs to be modeled so we can prepare for it
Solution
Make some sort of physical jig or setup to try and test egress
We need to account fo