Design and optimization of carbon fiber rim structure of Formula SAE racing car
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Abstract:
The lightweight design of the Formula SAE racing rim is important for reducing unsprung mass and improving the performance of the car. In this paper, the finite element method is used to study the lightweight design of carbon fiber rims of Formula SAE racing car. The spoke structure is explored to find higher stiffness, and multi-step optimization of the laminates structure under multiple operating conditions is implemented to reduce weight. The analysis shows that the rim with oblique spoke design have better stiffness than the straight spoke rim. The optimization of carbon fiber laminate thickness is an effective method to achieve lightweight, and the weight of the improved rim is reduced by 56% compared with that of the original aluminum alloy rim. The structural optimization of the rim can reduce the maximum stress and strain of the material, while increasing the wheel stiffness by 35% and reducing the failure factor by 8.1%.
