DRIVER'S SEAT

[haytham]

Dear members
last year when we went to the competition we had a already made driver's seat so the judge told us it’s not allowed and we should make ours next year I looked at the rules and I didn’t find any rule that obligates to make the driver's seat so should we buy or make ours and what should we concentrate on and what is the best way to make it.
Thanks a lot for you help

[haytham]

Dear members
last year when we went to the competition we had a already made driver's seat so the judge told us it’s not allowed and we should make ours next year I looked at the rules and I didn’t find any rule that obligates to make the driver's seat so should we buy or make ours and what should we concentrate on and what is the best way to make it.
Thanks a lot for you help

[Hector]

Sounds like a problem for an engineer. You should probably get a few on your team.

[Demon Of Speed]

The main consideration is driver safety and comfort, along with the seat fitting properly (which probably goes back to the fist thing). Also remember weight, seat position, etc.

We use a pre-made seat, and I know other do as well. Some judges like them, some like homemade (usually two part foam) seats. In my opinion, a pre-made seat that is properly sized and implemented in the vehicle is safer.

[RollingCamel]

I believe that you used a full sized chair from Tillet. I don't see anything wrong with it as long as it fits your ergonomics needs and safety requirements. We used a half sized one and nobody told us that it is not permissible but it is dangerous when it comes to neck injuries. That is something Pat wrote in his column and told us in the competition. Also, the way you mount and fixate the seat is important.

[Demon Of Speed]

http://www.formulastudent.de/a...article/-6a9dfde268/ (http://www.formulastudent.de/academy/pats-corner/advice-details/article/-6a9dfde268/)

see Pat’s Design Error of the Month

[racer81]

Without seeing the seat in the car, its hard to tell what the underlying issue was. That being said, I can only imagine it was safety and adjustability. Usually seats are made and formed for ONE driver. The case in FSAE, having at least 4 drivers, an issue arises with each driver not only being comfortable to focus on his/her driving, but also that of safety. Not everyone has the same body shape.

At the minimum inserts should be made (which you may have done). Its important that as little movement as possible is given to the driver. In karting, the object is to get thrown out (as I experienced a couple weeks ago in NE)-that's the safest option. But in car's with proper roll protection, the driver must remain protected at all times.

Just my 2 cents.

[Mehul Botadra]

Try Recaro...though its gonna be a rip off!

[Tech Guy]

Some design judges do not like kart seats.

[Mehul Botadra]

Better than being disqualified! http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[RollingCamel]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Mehul Botadra:
Try Recaro...though its gonna be a rip off! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

They got Tillett car seat, if they are Helwan Egyptian team. I don't think that he was from members who actually were at the competition, so I guess there is some misinterpretation to judge's comments.

http : / /www . tillett.co.uk/car-racing-seat. asp

[Ken_D]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Mehul Botadra:
Better than being disqualified! http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

This is true, but it's rather easy to make your own seat out of some expandable foam, a few trash bags and some velcro strips that does a much better job holding the driver in place than a pre-fab seat, and is about 1000x cheaper to produce, install and replace/swap. Having multiple 'sizes' for your drivers is a very simple process and swapping between them takes all of 15 seconds.

If you did want a seat with a shell to it, it could be as simple as some foam and fiberglass, or sheet metal cut and riveted to fit snugly, with the aforementioned foam bolsters/bottom/etc. for comfort/fit.

I'd say either of those options is far cheaper than sourcing a pre-fab seat and would take less (or equal) time to design and integrate into your car.