Sunzeecar Steering and Suspension

Team: Ian Bonney, Weston Seegmiller, Jake Vaughan, Caleb Rasmussen

Sponsor: Sunzeecar

Project Description

  • The Sunzeecar (see center logo) is a three wheeled vehicle that is transitioning to two solar powered front wheels
  • The new configuration needs a suspension system
    • Supports a 900 lb load
    • Has 3 threshold ground clearance
    • Has less than 3 of kingpin offset
    • Low cost

Original Design

Original Design
  • Difficult to manufacture
  • Caliper fasteners needed adjusting
  • Lessons learned
    • The importance of making a prototype
    • Having a clear vision of the end product is vital
    • Use shareable CAD software

Final Design

Final Design
  • Bolts make for easy manufacturing and provide more compact shipping
  • Caliper fasteners needed adjusting
  • Lessons learned
    • The importance of making a prototype
    • Having a clear vision of the end product is vital
    • Use shareable CAD software

Tensile Test

Tensile Test
  • Held up to 7500 lb
  • The internal threading of the lower control arm was the first to go

Conclusion

Conclusion
  • Wheel knuckle meets all design requirements
    • Holds load with a Safety Factor of 8
    • Ground clearance is 3 68
    • Has 2 28 kingpin offset
    • Produced finished product even with budget cuts
  • Going forward
    • Client can make minor adjustments to the knuckle design, allowing it to be integrated into the reverse trike community to allow for a solar powered E trike