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SEAT
As a part of formula students race car, it is a great challenge related to driver
ergonomics.
In this context, it is very important to put drivers center of gravity as low as
possible considering ergonomics, driver visibility and hand room and also proper
geometry for easy installation and removal of the seat.
In designing, estrictions were imposed as the coc!pit was designed before the
seat, also due to limitations of the cnc machine.
The most important one being the removal of part from the mold and hence
simplicity was adopted.
The most imp design consideration was improvement from previous years car as
shown "
Seat #omparison
The picture above shows the comparison of the seat angle of 2013 seat v/s 2014 seat.
The 2014 seat is more reclined as well as has a large butt area so as to make the driver
as comfortable as possible while seating.
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Also the lavicle and the shoulder area are resting on the seat while driving reducing
the shoulder fatigue.

The seat was designed considering the following cockpit dimensions and values.
1. !eat angle" 12#$
2. %&' height "((0 mm
3. ockpit width"(30 mm
4. )istance btw %&' and *&'" +00 mm.
,od- forces evaluation.
/nough room was provided in the cockpit for moving the steering wheel to
overcome the steering tor0ue of 20.2(1m.
!idewalls are provided on the seat so that the driver is completel- restrained
without an- movement when in a corner.
To achieve this,
seat was designed with improved hand room and elbow rest and increased
seat angle
And thus mold was made of $%& by cnc routing ' ( axis ) into slabs of *inch
each which were then glued together and a complete mold as shown was
obtained.
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After manufacturing the mould, it was set into various phases of finishing.
+.Sealer was sprayed to ensure adhering of further layers to mold
*. ,rimer
(. ,- clear was sprayed to have a glossy finish on the mould
Each layer followed by a Series of sanding and Thus, as shown
below and a finished mould was obtained.
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.aving finished the mold,
/acuum infusion was the process selected for manufacturing the seat using
Saertex 0on #rimp #arbon &ibre and 1antor 2f as core and epoxy resin.
3ther components used include /A#--$ 4A5 , $ES. ' green color ) which
allows resin flow with variable rates and differential directions, ,EE1 ,16 , &EE%
,I,E 'one from resin buc!et and other to distribute resin along the part ), Sealant
tapes, esin Traps ' where excess resin is collected), #lamps etc.
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The process was successfully completed and the seat obtained was of +.*7!gs
with a good finish and stiffness as compared to the *8+( seat that weighed over
*!gs.

$a9or changes were shifting to carbon fibre from glass fibre, using core material,
increase in seat angle, and ergonomically designing the seat as per the the driver
feebac!.
A few comparisions in terms of fibre weight, resin consumptions etc are as
shown "
&actor *8+( *8+:
Seat angle +*;<
Total fibre used
#ore material used 1antor 2f
Total weight *.7 +.*7
,rocess used =et layup /acuum Infusion
4utt Area Smaller 1arger
Shoulder rest on seat 0ot present Shoulder rest available
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