Berkeley Formula Racing 2022 Car
Berkeley Formula Racing 2022 Car
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Although it started being built in 2020, our car won't see competition until this year's competition in June. The past two years have presented unprecedented challenges to the team, from knowledge transfer to financial issues to losing access to our workspace due to the school's COVID-19 restrictions. As things return to normal, the team and I look forward to this year's competition and next year's design cycle too.
Although it started being built in 2020, our car won't see competition until this year's competition in June. The past two years have presented unprecedented challenges to the team, from knowledge transfer to financial issues to losing access to our workspace due to the school's COVID-19 restrictions. As things return to normal, the team and I look forward to this year's competition and next year's design cycle too.
[Update after competition 2022]
B22 Results:
4th in Skidpad
9th in Autocross
Top 6 in Design (did not attend design finals to do repairs)
DNF Endurance
19th/60 Overall
B22 (then called B20) before the pandemic.
The rear suspension in WinGeo, the software we use for kinematics design.
Testing data plotted in Motec. The data we collect serves other subsystems as well.
Tasks as Vehicle Dynamics Lead
Tasks as Vehicle Dynamics Lead
The vehicle dynamics subsystem (abbreviated VD) is responsible for both setting parameters for future cars and testing the current car. We also develop LapSim, a script that predicts car performance based off out inputs. Because of our lengthened design cycle, we are putting extra effort into testing to fully optimize everything before competition. That means upgrading sensors, making new testing procedures, and more. We are also looking to make big improvements regarding suspension design for next year. As lead, I not only manage my own members and their projects but also communicate with other subsystems as well. I'll update this page with more details as progress continues.
Below are a few of the contributions I've made to B22, including some outside my subsystem.
Aero Composites Manufacturing
The picture on the far right shows the front wing after being cut, put together, and bonded with epoxy. The front wing is particularly difficult due to its shape and the fact that it needs ribs in the middle as well as the sides. Most members on the team help with Aero manufacturing, but difficult elements are usually left to more experienced ones.
The front wing after being bonded together.
Vinyl Wrapping & Logos
Fishing the decals on the car proved to be far from a trivial task. First, the logos must be vectorized and sized in Illustrator. Once they're printed, they're laid out and arranged on the car before being finally applied. This all happens after the car's bodywork is fully wrapped, obviously. Our sponsors changed quite a bit since the original render of the car was made, but we made things work.
More photos of the process can be viewed here.
B22 with sponsor logos.
Car Alignment and Balancing
Before testing, we want to make sure the car is properly aligned and cross-balanced to maximize cornering and braking performance and also protect our tires from unnecessary wear. Unfortunately, our measurements are thrown off by camber compliance issues that we are actively trying to solve. The car is aligned using a custom jig that can measure camber and toe.
More photos of the process can be viewed here.
The car on scales for corner balancing.
Tire Temperature Sensing
Tire data is invaluable when it comes to analyzing car performance, so this year we invested in brand-new tire temperature sensors. Temperature helps us see the effects of camber, tire pressure, weight distribution, and more. The sensors are attached to the suspension uprights with custom mounts.
More photos of the process can be viewed here.
The sensor mounted above the tire.
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