Design of the Body and Structure for a Practical and Highly Efficient Solar-Electric Sports Car 2022-01-5038
The design of the exterior body shape and structure of a solar-electric sports car which competed in the 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC) Cruiser Class is explored. A low-drag and low-lift aerodynamic shape with a coefficient of lift near zero and drag area of 0.16 m2 is developed as a primary focus around the constraints of a solar array, occupant space, and aesthetics. The maximally sized 5 m2 rearward tilted solar array capable of generating an expected event average power of 885 W influences the size and shape of the roof. The space for which two occupants are seated in the vehicle is developed to achieve a reclined occupant position that minimizes the vehicle frontal area. A carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and foam composite sandwich monocoque make up the structure of the vehicle at a mass of 59.53 kg. Factors of practicality and their compromises are also explored.
Citation: McGregor, D., Samsons, A., Millar, M., Pudney, P. et al., "Design of the Body and Structure for a Practical and Highly Efficient Solar-Electric Sports Car," SAE Technical Paper 2022-01-5038, 2022, https://doi.org/10.4271/2022-01-5038. Download Citation
Author(s):
Duncan McGregor, Andris Samsons, Matthew Millar, Peter Pudney, Simon Curlis, Simon Watkins
Affiliated:
RMIT University, Australia, University of South Australia, Australia
Pages: 14
Event:
Automotive Technical Papers
ISSN:
0148-7191
e-ISSN:
2688-3627
Related Topics:
Composite materials
Polymers
Drag
Aerodynamics
Solar energy
Vehicle styling
Design processes
Electric vehicles
Unitized bodies and monocoque
Racing vehicles
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