Concept Generation Page
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Table of Contents |
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| Author: Jon Evans | Team: Solar Car |
Concept Generation
The purpose of concept generation is to create a large number of potential solutions, or concepts, to the design problem. These are what then are refined into the future designs. The eventual goal is to create several different concepts that can be compared to find an ideal.
Mind Map
The first step taken in generating different conceptual solutions to the given task was to brainstorm many different possible ideas. This was mainly accomplished using a mind map. Figure 1 below shows the mind map generated for this project. Many different ideas are listed here. Most of them are not feasible for one reason or another, but the goal with brainstorming is quantity. By exploring every possible avenue, the best solution is more likely to be found.
Figure 1: Mind Map
Concept Sketches
From these numerous ideas, three distinct design types emerged. Each of these designs were then sketched to be able to more easily communicate the concepts to others.
Figure 2: Design Concept 1
This design would be incorporated into the canopy of the vehicle. The clear plastic canopy would rest on this ring. The vents around the front edges of the ring would direct air into the cabin, while those in the back would be the air outlet ports.
Figure 3: Design Concept 2
This design would mount directly to the shell of the vehicle. A hole would be cut into the shell, and this tubing interface would mate with the hole. The air would then be sent into a Y tube which would direct the air into the various ducts that it needed to enter. Another of these interfaces would be placed at the rear as an exhaust port.
Figure 4: Design Concept 3
This design would take advantage of the holes already cut in the shell for the wheels. It would serve two purposes. It would act as a wheel well to prevent road debris from entering the vehicle, and it would also act as an entry or exit point for the ventilation air. The air entering the wheel well would be directed through a nozzle into the ducts. Four of these would be used, one for each wheel. The wheel wells in the front would be the inlets, and those in the back would be the outlets. A sketch of this concept was also made in two point perspective. This further illustrated the design.
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