Development of Badger Solar Racing Solar Car II System Architecture and Aeroshell
Problem statement
Universities across the United States and Canada have competed in the Formula Sun Grand Prix and American Solar Challenge over the past two decades. For these design competitions, teams build and race solar electric vehicles across the United States using only solar energy to power their cars. The University of Wisconsin’s solar racing team completed its first design cycle, raced their first car at the Formula Sun Grand Prix this past summer, and is looking to start the process of designing their next Car II. After building their inaugural car, Badger Solar Racing recognized many inefficiencies that arose from a lack of holistic architectural planning. To address these inefficiencies, Badger Solar Racing needs a new Car II full architectural design that focuses on optimizing efficiency and accommodating the various mechanical and electrical sub-systems on the car. While there are many different factors that contribute to the overall efficiency of the team’s car, the most important overarching factors the team wants to address first are reducing the drag force on the car and lowering the height of the car’s center of gravity. To do this our design team will evaluate different car architectures to select one to move forward with and then optimize the best aeroshell for the team. The best aeroshell for the team will be one that reduces the height of its current center of gravity and reduces the drag force on the car while considering the aeroshell shape defining sub-systems which include the suspension system, battery, and occupant space.
Team members
Brooke Ehle – leader
Ben Colby – communicator
Jack Prout – accountant
Sebastian Thompson – admin
Client
Ben Colby
Badger Solar Racing President