Assignment #3
Nathaniel Mills
Problem Statement
Design a convenient, cost-effective, and volumetrically conservative means of transporting spare tires/wheels to and from automotive events.
Assumptions, Concerns, Direction
- Must not make the hatchback less aerodyanmic
- Maintain integrity of existing paneling as well as chasis.
- The solution should organize the tires and wheels in a manner that conserves the volume of the hatch area.
- The design must not create more work than it saves on the way to, or at, the track.
Frequently Updated Gantt Chart
This chart serves as a visual represention of the timeline of the project, as well as deadlines therein.
Decision Matrix
Simply put, the Interior Bay Carrier or "Tire Rack" won because it is a totally original idea with a huge "wow" factor, is very safe in comparison to the other two, and most importantly has the least aerodynamic impact on the car. It also serves multiple functions without necessitating removal whenever not in use.
FRDPARRC Tables
Rough CAD Design, Hand-Sketches, & Design Outline
Link to SLDPRT file
I was pressed for time, realizing I essentially only had one concept the day before. This is a very rough CAD of Concept #1.
Below are hand-sketches of each concept to give a general idea of my intentions, since I only have a rough CAD model of Concept 1 for now.
Additional Supplemental Photos
Real example from N2 Circuit Track Car (welded)
Stock Photos from the Interior of My Own Hatchback
Lessons Learned
- I learned that I definitely did not learn solidworks like I had thought while at my previous school. I've literally replaced one, maybe two, of my hobbies with designing concepts in solidworks and pushing my limits and knowledge therein. Overall, I learned how important it is to my future career.
- I learned that the designs that I've chosen do not have a moving part. This has lead me to the real lesson that I've learned, which is that I must push my knowledge and learning beyond the scope of my courses if I truly wish to be a valuable engineer in the automotive field. I want to push my AE86 (my hatchback) beyond the scope of what's been done before and be on the leading edge of innovation
- I've learned how valuable a design notebook is, and I've religiously started keeping all my handsketches in an organized folder and dedicated a space in my filing cabinent for them.
- I've learned that hand sketching is a very valuable part of the design process to me, as it allows me to freely throw my ideas down onto paper and then slowly turn them into reality.
Advisees
James Neale:
I noticed you hadn't set a "profile picture" for your main page, but most importantly the project images for assignment three are either blank or not displaying properly.
Otherwise I'm almost completely jealous of your formatting - it's very tidy, well organized, and has a decisive flow to it that allows the viewer great perspective on your work to date.
Keep it up!
Austin Northcutt:
Watch out for handwritten explanations in your sketches! It may cause you to lose a few points, our TA had taken a few points off my assignment for doing so.
I'll be eager to see your fourth assignment, once you've been able to take a few measurements from your car in Raleigh! In regards to the above comment I made, just be wary of *notes in the margins, so to say.
Other than that small detail, your page looks immaculate, and has subconciously convinced me to consult you about my own wiring harness in the future..
Immaculate work!