Group 3: FSAE Pedal Box DR19

Last week (Week 3) the group focused on the brake pedal, and how to properly incorporate its physical properties into the overall design. Additionally, a CAD design was constructed to help simulate the actions the pedals would undergo. This week (Week 4), the group expanded its focus in order to accomplish more. What was accomplished because of this is listed below. One requirement for the pedal is that it is adjustable from the height of the 5th percentile female (5ft 2in) and 95th percentile male (6ft 2in)*. In order to make this adjustable, the group decided that a slide for the pedal box must be created. Thomas worked on constructing this, and photos of the design can be seen below. The group decided that it would be best to place a hexagonal nut on the sides of the base of the pedal box. These would be placed in the large rectangular slots seen above. In addition, there is a hole for a pin in front of every one of these slots. The pin would be placed there and pushed thro

Last week (Week 2), the group continued in their research of the overall design for the pedal box. During this week (Week 3), the group discussed the mechanical design of the brake itself. Some items the group focused on were the brake over travel switch, the coefficient of friction between the pads and the brakes, and the master cylinder and balance bar for the brake pedal. The brake over travel switch is a design which stops the car when the brakes have worn down. For more information on this, please see the 'Frequently Asked Questions' section. Additionally, the knowledge of the coefficient of friction of the brake pads can then be used to determine the pressure needed by the brake pedal in order to decelerate the car. Finally, the group determined that the current master cylinder and balance bar would be used for this year's design. On top of this, David came up with a CAD design for the pedal box. Some problems the group faced were determining which size master

For the previous week (Week 1), the group worked on creating this blog and the Project Proposal. During this week (Week 2), the group looked at previous designs of pedal boxes to see which overall design best suits the needs for this group. Additionally, certain members looked at previous Formula SAE data logs to see what stress pedal systems have undergone in the past. This information will be useful in the future, as the group is then able to plan how best to design the pedal box to best deal with the stress applied to it. Some problems that the group faced were understanding the units in the previous data logs in reference to the design of the car, but this problem was easily solved through unit conversion. Additionally, our group obtained the old data logs through contacting senior members of Formula SAE. For next week (Week 3), the focus of the group will be to focus on the mechanical design of the system in Solidworks.

During week one, this group took time in class to work on the Project Proposal as well as creating this blog. In working on the Project Proposal, the students were able to think about the timeline of this project, and in what manner the project should be completed. Some issues we encountered this week were identifying the certain materials that we needed in order to properly construct the pedal box. This problem was solved by looking at previous year's records and comparing what materials were used, as well as researching the properties of common metals. For next week (Week 2), the goal will be to finish the initial research and begin working with the mechanical design on Solidworks.