Figure 25: Differences between the space traveled over time
between the simulations Evo1, Evo2, Evo3
Figure 26: Difference between speeds in lap time
4 Conclusions
The work in this paper is the beginning of a process
of recovering all those technical knowledge and
skills related to the automotive world, that in recent
years have been developed in the local context of the
University of Palermo, with the aim of
demonstrating that the team is ready to move on to
the actual construction phase.
The work of data recovery and reconstruction of
models born in past years as a case study for their
own sake, disconnected from the problems of
economic feasibility, technical implementation and,
even worse, from the concert of parts that make up
the "universe-machine" of which act as a skeleton,
has allowed the creation of a database useful for the
development of automotive components, with a
view to modularity and integration.
For example, it is now possible to design a steering
system with the awareness that it is installed on a
virtually existing vehicle, with predetermined
geometries and dimensions that cannot be ignored.
From this same perspective, advantages can be
obtained, in terms of context, in the realization of a
suspension scheme, in the evaluation of the
dimensions of an engine, in the estimation of the
forces that this can safely discharge on its anchor
points.
CarSim software allows to check whether or not the
individual components can work in synergy,
obtaining maximum efficiency in a test field that
simulates reality. Considering the little consolidated
experience with the team program and the almost
total absence of useful material in the public domain
on the net, the result of this work have given great
satisfaction.
Despite the many potentialities of the program still
unexplored and the simplifications adopted for the
purpose of the paper, it was still possible to bring to
light problems that, in the original projects for their
own sake, would have remained dormant.
For example, the acceleration test of the Evo3
highlighted a major flaw in the chassis: the carbon
fiber frame, despite the very high level of
optimization, turned out to be the worst choice once
coupled to a superstructure that is not efficient
enough (the overturning occurred in the acceleration
test).
The database of information collected and processed
in this work, as well as the experience gained in the
field of simulation, allows future team participants
to aim for the development of an efficient model in
all its aspects. Finally, with a view to a substantial
investment of resources in the Automotive field, the
acquisition of the module specially developed for
the Formula SAE competition by CarSim, of which
Mechanical Simulation, the software house, is the
official sponsor, could be evaluated.
This tool, in the hands of a consolidated team
accustomed to working in a perspective of
interchange and integration, allows not only to
readjust and verify pre-existing models, but also to
create a real prototype thanks to the reduction of the
time required for theoretical development. of the
components of the vehicle.
References:
[1] Formula SAE® Rules 2020,
www.fsaeonline.com
[2] Montaperto S., Modellazione Solida e
progettazione strutturale di un telaio per
autovettura di Formula SAE, graduate thesis,
Palermo University, Italy, a.y. 2006/2007
[3] Ingrassia T., Marannano G., VirzìMariotti G. -
Design and Optimization af a Chassis for a
Formula SAE Race Car - Proceedings 12th
EAEC Congress, Bratislava, June 29- July 1,
2009
[4] Ingrassia T., Marannano G., Montaperto S.,
Virzì Mariotti G. - Progettazione ed
ottimizzazione di un telaio per vettura di
Formula SAE - XXXVII Convegno Nazionale
AIAS, Rome, 10-13 september 2008.
WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on SYSTEMS
DOI: 10.37394/23202.2022.21.12
Filippo Carollo, Gabriele Virzì Mariotti,
Salvatore Golfo, Antonino Pappalardo