Layout of an electric FSAE car

[Thrainer]

Since global warming and dependency on foreign oil are popular problems nowadays, my FSAE team AMZ has decided to replace the Japanese engine running on wood waste by electric motors full of rare-earth magnets.

While there are many different solutions of placing the components in a car, I would like to show you our layout.

Furka's exterior is pretty similar to our previous car simplon:
http://www.datacomm.ch/htrainer/FormulaStudent/Gesamt%20tiefer%20als%20ISO.jpg

The biggest difference between combustion and electric drive is not the electric motor, but the batteries. We have designed two battery containments, roughly 25 kg each, which are mounted to the sides of the monocoque and covered by sidepods. These containments incorporate additional side impact structure and a pair of chunky relay switches to protect the batteries, or their environment respectively.

http://www.datacomm.ch/htrainer/FormulaStudent/Akkubox.jpg

The power from the batteries is directed into the rear section of the monocoque, where it feeds two motor controllers. The rear wheels are driven independently with two chains.

http://www.datacomm.ch/htrainer/FormulaStudent/Heck%20von%20innen%20Schnitt.jpg

The rear section of the monocoque can be detached from the front, including the entire rear suspension and drivetrain. By placing the motors in the center, we were able to design a pullrod setup. To reduce parts count and weight, we integrated the sprocket mount into the aluminium tripod housing and the jacking point is enclosing the anti-roll bar.

http://www.datacomm.ch/htrainer/FormulaStudent/Gesamt%20hinten.jpg

We're looking forward to seeing you at the competition.

Thomas

www.amz.ethz.ch (http://www.amz.ethz.ch)

[Thrainer]

Some of the parts are actually working as planned.

http://www.amzracing.ch/amz/files/amz1528.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RI_IyqLq8W8

[Mbirt]

To what degree are you implementing torque-vectoring with the individual electric motors and how is it affecting the driving styles of your drivers? A few of my school's Formula Zero guys attended the Optimum G seminar in Michigan last week with me. I explained to them that it was going to be difficult to get weight off the inside rear tire of their wide, 800-lb go-kart to make it corner like a go-kart should. But it then set in that they've got individual control of their drive motors.

I know the FWD torque-vectoring done by the ATTS on my '97 Prelude-SH does wonders...

[Thrainer]

Hi,

I have just seen your question. We are planning to implement torque vectoring (TV) with the motors, but are not that far with testing yet. A decent suspension setup needs to be found before messing with the drive torques makes much sense.

We're not sure yet which level of control we'll be able to achieve and what is necessary to get good results. A closed-loop control doesn't seem required, a map-based pilot control with a handful of sensor inputs should do a lot already.
If you're interested in discussing the details, send me a PM and I'll direct you to the responsible person.

Regards,
Thomas

[Drew Price]

When I first saw this, I thought that you had mounted a pair of microwave ovens in your side-pods.

I love it, very clean build, very cool project guys.

Best,
Drew

[TMichaels]

Hi,
it is not only a project, it is a new series http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

www.FormulaStudentElectric.de (http://www.FormulaStudentElectric.de)

Regards,

Tobias