I have been without my desktop computer for roughly 2 months; this meant I wasn’t able to work on the gravity racer design. During that time, I have been using my netbook (when connected to a big monitor it is surprisingly good). The reason for the slow fix was due to the lack of the internet, so not being able to order new parts. I thought the computer motherboard had died, so when I was finally connected to the internet, I ordered a new one. The new motherboard was delivered and within a few hours of delivery it was connected up and ready to go. Pressed the Button... NOTHING!! This meant the fault didn’t lie with the motherboard, NUTS!! Next on the list of possibly faulty parts was the power supply, so I ordered a new one and it was delivered the next day. My new PSU, OCZ 600W Swapped the PSU’s around, pressed the button, IT WORKED!! The next task was to swap the motherboards back and send the new one back and reinstall vista (in the process of trying to get the computer working I wiped the hard-drive). The faulty Hiper 580W PSU Anyhow, with a working computer, I can now start to design the gravity racer in detail. I know roughly how I want the racer to look and have some fundamental design ideas which I hope to include in the racer design.
Now the task is to take each design function, and produce a solution for each.
This is the FE001, This is a quick sketch of the FE001 gravity racer i am hoping to design and build for the 2010 season. The red lines are the space frame chassis, while the black lines define the outer shell and other such-ness.
The underneath now includes a bargeboard to help direct air around the front, the design also includes what i think are called trailing edges or leading edges, they are at the back so I'll going with trailing. They are along the rear edge of the kart floor; the aim is to create a vortex/s that improves the airflow quality around the back of the kart.
With this image, it looks like the weight distribution is not too bad (front to back), as the driver's hips are near the middle of the wheelbase. This looks as if it leaves loads of room at the rear for suspension. While at the front, it looks like it will be very cramped to fit the steering, suspension and brakes. I'm thinking of having the front suspension above the drivers shins (purple arrow) and the steering just in front of the drivers heals (green arrow). If there proves to be not enough room, the driver might have to be moved rearwards in the frame.
The frame dimensions will probably change, to suit an appropriately sized person. I'm going to try and make an accurate sizes cad model of me, and whoever i deem fit to drive, then build the frame around the person.
Roughly a year ago my brother asked if i would help him build a soap box racer (aka gravity racer) to be entered into the local race. i said yeah, however we differed on two points; he wanted to enter, i wanted to enter and win, anything less would be a disappointment.
to win would require a good kart, and i have grand plans. the idea was to design the kart using a 3d modelling software, then build it during the summer before returning to uni. this was a design i came up with...
however, due to a busy summer (mostly mountain biking in the peaks), lack of manufacturing capability and the return to uni, the project (yes, project) was put on hold.
FEA image of the frame the plan now is to to build it after i finish uni. this means it might not get raced in 2009 but should be good to go in 2010. the design ideas have changed considerably since the above model was made. the new design is based on kart with a raised nose cone, with air diffuser underneath (to better manage the air flow around the underneath of the kart) the suspension wil hopefully have double wishbone suspension all round, with push rods at the front and pull rods at the back. the design will have disk brakes, however im not sure where it is best to have them, at the front or back. this is due to the unknown weigh distribution and the effect the brakes will have on the steering.
when i get round to designing and building i will try and add updates to this blog, lots of photos...
most races i have seen are based on a downhill road, with a few cones to go in and out of, this video shows the Cairngorm Soapbox race track (25th & 26th July 2009). it looks really good, i wont be able to design and build a racer in time for this years race, but if its on in 2010, i will hopefully be applying to race.
WIDGETIZE