Rule change B6.2 Interpolation

[SamB]

Hey guys

Just a quick query, rule change B6.2 states: "Engine oil pan and all other fluid containers, e.g. radiators, must not project below the bottom frame rail when viewed in direct side view."

Does anybody know exactly what they mean by frame rail? Can this be the bottom of the main hoop or does there physically have to be tubes there to stop the sump hitting the floor if all the wheels fell off...?

Cheers

Sam

[SamB]

Hey guys

Just a quick query, rule change B6.2 states: "Engine oil pan and all other fluid containers, e.g. radiators, must not project below the bottom frame rail when viewed in direct side view."

Does anybody know exactly what they mean by frame rail? Can this be the bottom of the main hoop or does there physically have to be tubes there to stop the sump hitting the floor if all the wheels fell off...?

Cheers

Sam

[Hector]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by SamB:
does there physically have to be tubes there to stop the sump hitting the floor if all the wheels fell off...? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Pretty sure this.

[Mike Cook]

The Reply I got from the rules committee:

Dear Mike,

The answer to your first question is that if we can see the oil pan, or any other oil container, below the lowest frame rail or tub when we look directly at the car in side view, you will need skid plate or a longitudinal tube running under the oil pan. Having a tube lower than the bottom of the oil pan, either in front of or behnd the oil pan, will not suffice.

[HenningO]

No one says what the OD of that tube has to be though...

[Mike Cook]

well I'm sure all that stuff will be clarified later on...It also says a skid plate could be used as well.

[Yellow Ranger]

I've always understood it as the lowest frame tube, usually being your bottom .065" tube that is your side impact tube, must be lower than any of that stuff. We've had engine lower than its local frame tubes for years, but its always as low or higher than that tube.

Then again, the best thing to do is to email the rules committee with detailed pictures on what your trying to do.

Make sense?

[Dsenechal]

A composite skid plate/under tray should take care of this without gaining too much weight

[SamB]

OK, I emailed them about this and got this back:

Hi Sam,

After further discussion, the Rules Committee has decided NOT to change the ground clearance rule, B.6.2, for 2010. Therefore, your question is moot. The only other thing that applies is Rule A.1.3 “Good Engineering Practices”.

Best Regards,

Dr Andrew Deakin

Formula Student Technical Rules


So it appears they are not implementing this rule. Sorted!

[Mike Cook]

I got the same reply too from the rules committee last night.

Mike

[Adambomb]

Ahh, the "Good Engineering Practices" rule. It is refreshing to still leave it open enough that you still have a lot of options, and make people THINK about what is a good practice instead of just meeting the letter of rule X.

We actually had some disagreement last year about oil and fuel tank placement. The oil and fuel tanks were the same height as the lowest frame member, and were "outside of the envelope," but from a first glance it didn't "look" like it would be a problem. Of course CAD models are terrible about taking into account things like tire deflection, uneven track (or sidewalk...even if you don't drive on it you will eventually roll it along one at some point!) surfaces, etc; not to mention the possibility of a blown or de-beaded tire. In the end it came down to "better safe than sorry!"

[t21jj]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Adambomb:
Ahh, the "Good Engineering Practices" rule. It is refreshing to still leave it open enough that you still have a lot of options, and make people THINK about what is a good practice instead of just meeting the letter of rule X.

We actually had some disagreement last year about oil and fuel tank placement. The oil and fuel tanks were the same height as the lowest frame member, and were "outside of the envelope," but from a first glance it didn't "look" like it would be a problem. Of course CAD models are terrible about taking into account things like tire deflection, uneven track (or sidewalk...even if you don't drive on it you will eventually roll it along one at some point!) surfaces, etc; not to mention the possibility of a blown or de-beaded tire. In the end it came down to "better safe than sorry!" </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yea, in the cad model they were actually the lowest point on the car. Lower than the main roll hoop.