DESIGN OF A VERY LIGHT L7E ELECTRIC VEHICLE PROTOTYPE

TANIK E., PARLAKTAŞ V.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY, vol.16, no.6, pp.997-1005, 2015 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 16 Issue: 6
  • Publication Date: 2015
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s12239-015-0102-6
  • Journal Name: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.997-1005
  • Keywords: Electric vehicle, Lightweight chassis, Vehicle design, Low cost manufacturing, IMPACT CRASH ANALYSES, ROAD UTILITY VEHICLE, SUSPENSION, BODY, OPTIMIZATION, CHASSIS, HYBRID, SYSTEM, MODEL, SIDE
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Due to the diminishing fossil fuel and strict emission standards, electric vehicles are becoming more popular day by day. In many foundations, light electric vehicle prototypes are being built; however, their cost is generally very high. This paper introduces novel approaches for the design and manufacturing of a light electric vehicle prototype with very low cost. General design philosophy of such a prototype is presented. A theorem for the synchronization problem of two independent electric motors is proposed. Gear ratio optimization for acceleration performance, gradability, and top-speed of such electric vehicles is mentioned. Novel simplified suspension-steering kinematic design procedures are proposed. Approaches for mechanical design of a very light electric vehicle prototype are presented. The important concerns in those design approaches are low cost manufacturing processes and lightness by considering passive safety. A realistic impact loading scenario is proposed to determine the maximum force acting through a wheel of a vehicle. After the road tests performed, test results are presented and discussed. Finally, range of the car under various conditions is given.