Description
The Human Powered Vehicle Competition is an engineering event where teams build a race vehicle to compete in an endurance contest. In the years past that USD has furnished a team, the vehicles have been designed to minimize weight and focusing on rider comfort in order to improve average speed across the span of the 2.5 hour race. This has been accomplished with lighter materials and novel designs. Further improvements to achieve a higher average speed is necessary for a superior race result and to develop the school program. The goal of our research is to target several aspects of human powered vehicle design to improve average speeds obtainable via human with electrical assistance. Addressing the efficiency of the vehicle was the main focus by considering the center of gravity, aerodynamic drag, and frame geometry with regard to rider position. By analyzing previous vehicles we were able to determine a practical approach to our design - consisting of a novel cable pre-tensioned, fully faired, tadpole frame design with a direct drive internal hub motor with regenerative braking for electrical assistance. We expect our design to excel in the course environment.
ASME e-Human Powered Vehicle Challenge
The Human Powered Vehicle Competition is an engineering event where teams build a race vehicle to compete in an endurance contest. In the years past that USD has furnished a team, the vehicles have been designed to minimize weight and focusing on rider comfort in order to improve average speed across the span of the 2.5 hour race. This has been accomplished with lighter materials and novel designs. Further improvements to achieve a higher average speed is necessary for a superior race result and to develop the school program. The goal of our research is to target several aspects of human powered vehicle design to improve average speeds obtainable via human with electrical assistance. Addressing the efficiency of the vehicle was the main focus by considering the center of gravity, aerodynamic drag, and frame geometry with regard to rider position. By analyzing previous vehicles we were able to determine a practical approach to our design - consisting of a novel cable pre-tensioned, fully faired, tadpole frame design with a direct drive internal hub motor with regenerative braking for electrical assistance. We expect our design to excel in the course environment.