Analysis Summary:
The analysis that was completed for the RC car’s suspension and chassis focused on the stress to the chassis when it absorbs a 100 Newton force and the force applied to the leaf spring when dropped 1.5 feet. From this analysis the chassis thickness was found to need to be larger than 2.5 millimeters. The leaf spring are required to absorb a 96 pound force onto one wheel, which represents a drop from 1.5 feet onto one wheel.
One instance where the analysis was used to meet a requirement of the RC car was when the thickness of the chassis was determined when a 100 Newton force is applied straight to the chassis after being dropped. This allowed the chassis to be designed to meet the requirement that the Baja Car must be able to withstand a 100 Newton force when dropped. Another instance was when the force applied to the leaf spring on each wheel was found to be 96 pound-force. This was used to determine the minimum amount of force that the leaf spring will need to be able to absorb.
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Analysis Descriptions:
Analysis 1
The material thickness of the chassis was calculated so that it could withstand a force of 100N when dropped. It was discovered the thickness must be at least 2.5mm. The thickness was chosen to be 6mm because this is a standard ¼ in. plate.
Analysis 2
The impact force from a 1.5ft drop was calculated to find what the force per side of the car is when it hits the ground.
Analysis 3
The RC Baja Car energy absorption requirement from being dropped at 1.5 feet was found this made it possible to find the minimum screw diameter. The energy needed to withstand the fall was found to be 16.28J.
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Analysis 4
The minimum allowable screw diameter to withstand impact and not fail at screws was found to be 0.028in, 1/16in was chosen because it is the closest standard size.
Analysis 5
The buckling analysis on a suspension support was conducted. The critical stress was found to be 12,843 psi.
Analysis 6
The maximum angular velocity of the wheels was discovered. The max angular velocity was calculated to be 216.37 rad/s.
Analysis 7
Analysis was conducted to find the critical load of the chassis before buckling. It was found that the chassis can withstand 10kN of compression before it begins to buckle.
Analysis 8
The geometry necessary to attach the shock to the shock tower and suspension arm was found. The angle towards the shock tower needs to be 26.4°. The angle towards the bottom of the shock needs to be 63.6°.
Analysis 9
The k factor of the spring that the Baja car needs was found. The spring needed for the Baja car needs to have a k factor of 771*10^3 N/m.
Analysis 10
The minimum allowable diameter for hinge pins was found. The minimum diameter that the hinge pins can be to withstand a force of 100N is 1.5mm. 2.5mm hinge pins will be used since they are a standard size for a Baja car.
Analysis 11
Analysis of the RC car sustaining front impact due to object or wall at 20 mph was done. The force of the impact was found to be 1,707.4 lbf.
Analysis 12
The bending stress on a-arm was analyzed. The bending stress on the a-arm was found to be 2,120 psi.
To see the calculations for each analysis please look in the report that is attached to the homepage.
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