Blue and Grey - Solar Car Challenge

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Transcript Blue and Grey - Solar Car Challenge

Solar Car Design
“Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and
more complex... It takes a touch of genius - and
a lot of courage to move in the opposite
direction.”
-Albert Einstein
Keep It Simple!
Key Ideas To Focus On

Safety


Reliable


Must first finish the race.
Efficient
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
Is this safe?
Performance Considerations.
Execution
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Can we do it?
Process
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Learn general solar car concepts
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Spends time observing successful executions
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Read Event Rules!
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Work on design
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Read Event Rules!

A lot of design problems and considerations
can be solved simply by applying the
constraints found in the rules.
Overview

Array Position

Wheel Layout
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Frame
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Suspension
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Electrical
Array Position
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A Few Concepts
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Above Body
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Body Contour
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Below Driver's Head/Canopy
Array Position

Above Body

No Shadows
from Driver or
other
components.

Design
Freedom below
array
Array Position
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Body Contour
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Aerodynamic

Shaded by
General Shape
of Car
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Many Angles to
sun
Array Position
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Below Driver's Head
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Shaded by any
items above
array
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Can be bright
for driver
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Driver is
exposed to
more direct sun
without canopy
Flat Array vs. Curved
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Flat Solar Arrays
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Easier to execute
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Angle to sun less of a concern
Curved Solar Arrays

Higher the angle the greater chance for
breaks without ideal support.

Angle to sun more of a concern
Power Tracker Considerations
Hybrid Array

Increase overall
array efficiency by
placing higher
efficient cells in most
optimal position.
Wheel Layout

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3 Wheel
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2 in front
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1 in front
4 Wheel
3 Wheel Layout
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1 in Front

Generally less
stable

Unstable in
most turns at
decent speed
3 Wheel Layout

2 in Front

Generally
Stable

“Gets it done”

Popular
4 Wheel

Possibly heavier than 3 wheels due to extra
suspension
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Potential to provide better support and ride

Road Debris benefit
Frame
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Space Frame

Triangles
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Usually welded metal
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Aluminum
Steel
Tub
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Usually composite
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Carbon Fiber
Fiberglass
Tube-like shapes/sections
Frame

Space

Must be
designed to
support all
necessary
loads
Frame
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Tub/Composite
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Lighter

Stronger
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Easier to
design

Harder to
execute
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Higher cost
Important Cargo

Driver
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Batteries
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Suspension mounts
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Array mounts
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Motor/Motor controller
Suspension
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Do you need one?

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Not necessarily.
Good idea?
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Solar Cells are fragile
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Road Debris
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Driver Comfort and ultimately Driver Safety
Suspension Types
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Double Wishbone
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Popular
MacPherson Strut or McPherson strut
Suspension
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Double Wishbone
Suspension
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MacPherson Strut or
McPherson strut
Electrical
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All solar cars are electric (battery) cars with
an added array.
All solar car main electrical systems look
schematically the same.
Difference is in the details and execution.
Electrical

Solar Cars are cars
first, battery
powered/electric cars
second, and solar
cars third.
Electrical
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Power Trackers
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Converts and optimizes array power for
system.
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Not needed, but a good idea.
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High cost.
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Power Tracker for each array string/angle,
or one large Power Tracker for the whole
array.
Electrical
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Fuses
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Specific Fuse Detailed by Event Rules.
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Add fuses where it makes sense for added
safety.
Switches
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Specific Switches Detailed by Event Rules.
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Add switches when it makes sense for
added safety.
Electrical
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AC vs. DC
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We're working with DC.
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Make sure components are DC rated for
your application.

Contact manufacturer or trusted consultant
to make sure your components will work
reliably with your DC application.
Electrical
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Wire
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Size wire for worst case scenario.
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Temperature
Voltage
Current
Wire should be capable of carrying more
current than fuses at operating
temperatures.
Summary
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Keep It Simple
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Safe

Reliable

Efficent
Questions