Race Car Steering Race Car Steering RedesignRedesign

Group 6:Group 6: Joseph HayduJoseph Haydu Brian QuinnBrian Quinn Noelle BombergerNoelle Bomberger Assisted byAssisted by

Jim WatermanJim Waterman

Advisor:Advisor: Jan Nazalewicz, P. E. Jan Nazalewicz, P. E.

OverviewOverview

ObjectivesObjectives Optimized designOptimized design Give future group head start in Give future group head start in

competitioncompetition DeliverablesDeliverables

Reports and Presentations for ME 424Reports and Presentations for ME 424 Final design and AnalysisFinal design and Analysis Fabricated steering systemFabricated steering system

Previous SystemPrevious System

Analysis of Previous Analysis of Previous SystemSystem

Geometry did not comply to Geometry did not comply to Ackermann EquationsAckermann Equations

System became mis-aligned System became mis-aligned regularlyregularly

Investigated quick release Investigated quick release mechanismmechanism

Ackermann EquationsAckermann Equations

R = (B/2) + [L / tan(R = (B/2) + [L / tan(ααinin)])]

ααoutout= ArcTan{ 1/ = ArcTan{ 1/ [(B/L)+(1/Tan([(B/L)+(1/Tan(ααinin))] }))] }R - Radius of Turn

B - Distance between front and rear axle

L - Distance to convergent point of steering linkages

αin - Angle of inside wheel turn

αout - Angle of outside wheel turn

Ackermann GeometryAckermann Geometry

Steering SystemSteering System

Steering WheelSteering Wheel Quick ReleaseQuick Release Steering ColumnSteering Column Rack and pinion GearingRack and pinion Gearing Steering LinkagesSteering Linkages

Turning PerformanceTurning Performance InputsInputs

Total car weight (W) = 815 lbfTotal car weight (W) = 815 lbf Height of car Center of Gravity from road (h) = Height of car Center of Gravity from road (h) =

1.5 ft1.5 ft Distance between wheels on axles (wb) = 3.92 ftDistance between wheels on axles (wb) = 3.92 ft Coefficient of friction for wheels is 1Coefficient of friction for wheels is 1 Information from Ackerman EquationsInformation from Ackerman Equations Assumed weight distribution even between front Assumed weight distribution even between front

and rear axlesand rear axles Outputs ConditionsOutputs Conditions

Car tippingCar tipping Sliding sidewaysSliding sideways

New Design AnalysisNew Design Analysis

Ackermann AnalysisAckermann Analysis

Old Design AnalysisOld Design Analysis

Linkage SpecificationsLinkage Specifications

Rack and pinion in front of axleRack and pinion in front of axle Ackermann SteeringAckermann Steering Minimize fabrication for maximum benefitMinimize fabrication for maximum benefit Analyzed model through SolidWorks to Analyzed model through SolidWorks to

minimize error from Ackermann minimize error from Ackermann EquationsEquations

Final Decision: Construct and test new Final Decision: Construct and test new linkageslinkages

Linkage RedesignLinkage Redesign

Linkage RedesignLinkage Redesign

Model of New Steering Model of New Steering SystemSystem

Quick Release GoalsQuick Release Goals

Minimize time for driver to exit vehicleMinimize time for driver to exit vehicle Difficult to false triggerDifficult to false trigger Ease of useEase of use ErgonomicsErgonomics

Final decision: not sufficient Final decision: not sufficient improvement over existing design to improvement over existing design to warrant constructionwarrant construction

Quick Release DesignsQuick Release Designs

Still to comeStill to come

Final ReportFinal Report TestingTesting Cushion stoppages to prevent Cushion stoppages to prevent

damage and mis-alignment due to damage and mis-alignment due to mechanical shockmechanical shock