Design and analysis of the front suspension geometry and steering system for a solar electric vehicle

A study on the design of the front suspension geometry and steering system to be used in a solar electric vehicle. The suspension geometry utilizes a double wishbone design that is optimized to fit in the space constraints of the vehicle. The steering system consists of a rack and pinion connected through tie rods to the steering knuckles, largely optimized based on the space within the vehicle. The final suspension geometry consists of upper and lower wishbone lengths of 4.25 inches and 3.75 inches, respectively. This system is optimized to maintain a proper camber angle and minimize scrub due to track distance changes throughout the travel of the suspension. The geometry of the steering system is designed to fit in the vehicle while achieving a near- Ackermann steering condition. The steering knuckle and steering rack extenders, both made out of Aluminum 6061-T6, are designed based off of this geometry and are optimized for weight and machinability.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2014

Author dc:creator

• Arensen, Bruce (Bruce Edward)

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Stephen Banzaert.

• Mechanical Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/92663

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/92663