single keel

[sujaykawale]

What do you guys feel about single keel suspension / chassis designs?
I'm thinking of implementing it in our first year car, and I'd like to know more about what everyone feels about such a design, whether it's worth it eventually. I'd especially like to hear from guys who've had single keels in their car.

thanks

[sujaykawale]

What do you guys feel about single keel suspension / chassis designs?
I'm thinking of implementing it in our first year car, and I'd like to know more about what everyone feels about such a design, whether it's worth it eventually. I'd especially like to hear from guys who've had single keels in their car.

thanks

[ben]

I feel warm and fuzzy about them http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

What are you suspension targets? Are they easier to achieve with an inboard lower wishbone pickup on the vehicle centreline? If so do it, if not don't.

Ben

[Ayrton]

How are you going to react the loads from the control arms? Do you have a tubular frame or monocoque?

[KU_Racing]

Not sure what Ayrton is asking about the control arm loads.....

I see two reasons for debate between single and double keel designs: suspension geometry and packaging.

Do you have access to TTC data?? if you do, look at camber data for the tires. It is my opinion that the tires have a very wide optimum camber envelope. That means that unless your upper arm angles are extremely severe, you should not need a single keel setup to keep the tire within the camber envelope throughout its travel. This effectively eliminates geometry as a reason for choosing a single keel design.

The other possible justification is packaging concerns. In my opinion, the operating envelopes of the sprockets and driveshafts complicate rear end packaging of a single keel system to an extreme degree. (think about how close the sprocket and chain will be to the control arm, then imagine what happens when you break a chain, which then shears off a rod end in the rear suspension...... this happened to us) In the front, the single keel virtually eliminates the possibility of a low-mount steering rack, unless you want to contend with insane amounts of bump steer.

It really is (just like everything else) a question of what your priorities are for your suspension design.

[Frank]

Monash has used the "winged keel" since 1982

http://tkfiles.storage.msn.com/x1p2Wff27YrL-qDQYHHKHPfUXbAwGybTsKE0b33r8oGgmKUNaf4bWw6bIoKu-QPmRdJ663Xb7CuTb6PLoi5jG2yiOWpxwLOKxfYXoHOUQu_cbU

http://www.australianminesatlas.gov.au/images/lead2.jpg