Date of Defense
12-4-2019
Date of Graduation
12-2019
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
First Advisor
Daniel Kujawski
Second Advisor
Mitchel Keil
Abstract
The purpose of this senior design project is to design and optimize the new suspension system for Western Michigan University’s 2020 solar car. The current solar car was 43% heavier than the average solar car, and was the heaviest single occupant vehicle competing in the American Solar Challenge. The scope of the project is to reduce the weight as much as possible from the old 2016 suspension. The new suspension weighed 34.91 lbs less than the 2016 suspension system while maintaining a minimum factor of safety greater than 1.5, compliant with American Solar Challenge regulations. The design consists of a leading double control arm suspension in the front and a trailing arm suspension in the rear. A bell crank shock is used for both systems. All components were mounted to a three layer M10 carbon fiber chassis board which was selected based on material testing.
Recommended Citation
Haynes, Colin, "Lightweight Racing Suspension" (2019). Honors Theses. 3193.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/3193
Access Setting
Honors Thesis-Open Access
Defense Presentation