2024-08-25 Mechanical Meeting

General

Aeroshell

3 wheel:

• slimmer/lighter shell

4 wheel:

• we’ve already manufactured and designed this

3 wheel:

• may tip?

• we don’t know as much about designing a 3 wheel

4 wheel:

• much bigger

3 wheel

• better for aeroshell

• more to learn

Fergo/Structures

3 wheel:

• Lighter frame, less tubing potentially

4 wheel:

• Simpler, more symmetrical design (also more weight balanced)

3 wheel:

• More complex design requirements, could take longer to sim and validate

• Center of gravity is a larger concern

  • placement of large components

4 wheel:

• Potentially more weight

Dynamics

3 wheel:

• Easy implementation of trailing arm in rear

• Able to have blended regen braking → power savings

• Symmetrical braking, no risk of unevenness

• Less overall parts to manufacture

4 wheel:

• We have experience in it

• More stable

3 wheel:

• More risk of tipping during cornering

• Lower overall dynamic stability

• Less stiffness in roll due to fewer wheels

• Rear wheel blowout could lead the car to spin out

4 wheel:

• Heavier

• More difficult to balance braking

• Uneven CG due to motor being biased

Emech

3 Wheel:

• Smaller body/frame so potentially smaller wire lengths

4 Wheel:

• more access points for fresh air

3 Wheel:

• less space to mount components, especially with a split battery and requiring more power distribution hardware

• might not work with current topology of SOM controllers

4 Wheel:

No preference - will work around either