Non-Crushable Objects

[jf318660]

Hello all, in the rules it is stated that all non crushable objects must be rearward of the front bulkhead (batteries, master cylinders, etc) although wings do not need to be (provided certain criteria are met). My question is do the tires in their entirety need to be behind the front bulkhead? I can't seem to find anything conclusive on this issue.
Thanks in advance guys.

[coastertrav]

Hmm, that is a good question...

Also interested in seeing a design were you would run into this issue.

[Shashi]

I can think of very few scenarios where the tires may end fore to the front bulkhead.

1. You have a very uncommon geometry. Something like a mirror image of what teams use at the rear in the absence of the chassis rear box.

2. You have a very short driver, leading to a very short wheelbase and no overhang.

Is there something we can see that lead to this question?

[Chris Allbee]

Technically speaking, the rubber of the tire is a "crushable object". However, the wheel itself isn't designed to deform (or shouldn't be).

Your safest bet is to email the SAE for a rule clarification and save yourself the worry.

[Yellow Ranger]

I can think of a suspension convention that would require this type of rule clarification:

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn210/alle2911/batmobile_Tumbler.jpg

[The_Man]

Are you planning on something like this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q9VTI7Yx9I&fmt=18)?

http://indianautosblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/dsc08483.jpg

[coastertrav]

What the hell is that?!?

[Shashi]

Mahek, they actually did that!!!

Which university is that? And did it work with those tweeny linkages?

You could probably find some design errors in there!?

[kapps]

That just looks like a whole lot of fail http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

[The_Man]

Dadada dada dadada dada BATMAN!

That is a Baja from a University in Faridabad. I had seen this video before the competition and the moment I got to the Baja event in India I went around looking for this car. I managed to talk to their suspensions guy.

Their Suspension guy actually though that it would be a great idea to get trailing arms in front like many teams do in the rear. So he started design but the rules gave a specific track width. Packaging became and issue and it seemed the only way to get to the wheels was from the Outside, of course the release 'The Dark Night' did help the design process. They tried to justify it in the design event by the trailing arm and maximum track width issues.

What is most striking thing about this design apart from what is directly visible, is the steering mechanism. It was a steered by a cable, a push pull cable(I never before had thought it was possible). The push pull cable acted as the steering tie rod that connected the rack to the Steering arm on the Upright. This car mind you did complete 50% endurance before it had engine trouble. It was the centre of attention of quite a few(including judges). The design as a whole I can image was criticised with the horrid load paths, compliant steering, weight and general craziness. However, the judges did decide to give them an award for "Technology Innovation": may be not the right words to use but the purpose was to recognise their bravery to try out something so radically new(=innovative?).

http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt281/mahekmody/DSCN3743.jpg

http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt281/mahekmody/DSCN3744.jpg

[Quarta]

Whooaaa...What is that?

[Shashi]

Whooaaa...What is that?

That is one of the entrants to Baja India. I wont be commenting on the best innovation award though!