Requirements Page
| Date Completed: 29 November 2006 |
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Table of Contents |
| Team: Solar Car |
Requirements
The topics below were requirements for the accelerator based on the Solar Car Team’s needs. By setting these requirements, the accelerator’s purpose and function was clearly laid out. Also, clear requirements assisted in designing and later selecting the best idea.
Safe (Click Here to Go Back to Top)
One of the Solar Car Team’s first concerns was safety. The accelerator needed to be a mechanism that was extremely reliable. For example, the car needed an accelerator that could never get stuck in an on position. Another example of an unsafe mechanism is shown in the mind map as an accelerator controlled remotely by a teammate and not the driver.
Cost Effective (Click Here to Go Back to Top)
Due to the fact that relatively no solar cells have been bought by former teams for the car, the Solar Car Team must purchase the bulk of them. To fully cover the car’s shell, it requires six rows of 100 cells. One row alone will cost roughly $1,000. Due to this high expenditure and a tight budget, the Solar Car Team agreed to limit costs of other parts as much as possible. Therefore, the accelerator needed to be a very inexpensive addition to the Solar Car. One way this problem was solved was to use free parts from the machine shop.
Ease of Assembly and Manufacturing (Click Here to Go Back to Top)
Following an unspoken motto of the Solar Car Team, “if something is easier to do or make and meets all the requirements, why not do it?” one of the requirements for the accelerator was to make it extremely easy to manufacture and assemble. Short manufacture and assembly time aided in getting this critical part done. Also, it will greatly enhance the ability to create replacement parts if necessary.
Intuitive to Use (Click Here to Go Back to Top)
During the American Solar Challenge race and regular dog and pony show use, the driver may encounter times that require high focus in many areas. Therefore, the accelerator needed to be extremely intuitive to make it second nature to the driver and allow full focus in other areas.
Space Conservative (Click Here to Go Back to Top)
The environment around the driver’s feet currently is only large enough accommodate the braking system. Furthermore, the space immediately around the driver’s hands is fairly cramped. These needs gave rise to the constraints that the accelerator must be small and unobtrusive to the driver. Also, the accelerator needed to be readily accessible in order to facilitate a smooth and comfortable drive. In essence, the smaller the better.
Smooth Acceleration (Click Here to Go Back to Top)
Smooth Acceleration is essential to the Solar Car. This is due to the sensitive electrical equipment onboard. A sudden jump in voltage and amperage could cause breakers to trip, power lines to melt, toast processors and op-amps and in worse case scenarios, start fires onboard the car.
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