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Old 03-07-2015, 03:11 PM   #11 (permalink)
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AirBags vs Impact Absorbing Steering Wheel

In the new version of the Indy One, there will be no steering column that has a physical attachment to the steering rack. Current idea is the steering wheel will be attached to a sliding mechanism on the left side of the car. This allows it to be moved forward and backward. With this ability, I looks to me that it might replace an airbag, as the wheel would have an ability to 'give' with pressure similar to how an airbag works to slow deceleration on impact.

This is a much simpler and thus cheaper and easier solution than an airbag,
which is anchored by the fixed steering column.
Anyone know of a similiar kind of design in any cars?

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Old 03-08-2015, 12:57 AM   #12 (permalink)
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A key to the success of taking on the billionaire giants, is this car will be built locally, using the substantial network of local mechanics all over the country.
Not built in a "mega factory" using robots, but built using the hands of local mechanics. This is a substantial set of skilled people that are your neighbors.
And of course, you can build it yourself with your own hands as well.
Independently.
https://localmotors.com/explore/
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Old 03-08-2015, 12:39 PM   #13 (permalink)
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Originally Posted by freebeard View Post
Is there something specific there? Are you referring to the Lite Car challenge?
If so, not interesting to me. They are looking for 'ideas' that look beyond what is possible today, and $60k is peanuts for the winner.
The Indy One uses existing ideas and makes them low-cost. Plenty of cars like it. The difference is the Indy One will actually be available, and if you want to put in the effort, for well under $10k, because it uses existing parts from a Prius for all the really expensive bits. Bits that get melted down instead of reused to serve the interest of the new-car marketing plans from the Billionaires.
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Old 03-08-2015, 01:12 PM   #14 (permalink)
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I like Indy but Indy III perhaps?? It is a 3 wheel car after all. Keep it that way so it qualifies as a motorcycle and doesn't have to meet car impact requirements. There is still lots more protection than a conventional motorcycle.
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https://ecomodder.com/forum/showthre...tml#post621801


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The power needed to push an object through a fluid increases as the cube of the velocity. Mechanical friction increases as the square, so increasing speed requires progressively more power.
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Old 03-08-2015, 01:42 PM   #15 (permalink)
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For example, here is a Prius with minor damage for $1,300.


The cost to produce all these parts "brand new" would be 10x,
and yet they don't really wear out. That is the beauty of electric motors, they are the most reliable machines man has ever invented.
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Old 03-08-2015, 03:10 PM   #16 (permalink)
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Or this one for $3,000, previous taxi with 320,000 miles.

2007 prius previous taxi
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Old 03-08-2015, 08:20 PM   #17 (permalink)
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Originally Posted by COcyclist View Post
It is a 3 wheel car after all.
Have to get in line... right after Elio Motors, before Raht-rod.

ww.minds.com/blog/view/418912986271322112/pedal-powered-car-can-travel-100mph

Rahtmobile.com | The Fastest Pedal Ride in The World <-> I think.
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Old 03-08-2015, 09:23 PM   #18 (permalink)
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Quote:
Is there something specific there? Are you referring to the Lite Car challenge?
If so, not interesting to me. They are looking for 'ideas' that look beyond what is possible today, and $60k is peanuts for the winner.
Sorry, I could have taken more time for that. In the harsh light of day I see that you're the nimblemotors with the 3-cylinder Metro/Midget.

No—it was more general than that. I'll admit that the website is hard to get a handle on, but they have
Possibly you could find something of interest via the tags on the left.

That Prius will buff right out.

For my own purposes I chose the 3rd member from the Lexus LX400h: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...mgr-29878.html
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Old 03-16-2015, 03:09 AM   #19 (permalink)
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Sneek Peek

It is taking a lot longer to get this body finished, even though I did start on it 8 years ago.
Wanted to give a sneek peek..
It might be of interest to some, that my custom MGEO actually has
a little less frontal width than the Indy One.



MGEO custom one-peice fiberglass tilt front end:

Last edited by nimblemotors; 03-16-2015 at 03:15 AM..
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Old 03-16-2015, 02:55 PM   #20 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nimblemotors View Post
In the new version of the Indy One, there will be no steering column that has a physical attachment to the steering rack. Current idea is the steering wheel will be attached to a sliding mechanism on the left side of the car. This allows it to be moved forward and backward. With this ability, I looks to me that it might replace an airbag, as the wheel would have an ability to 'give' with pressure similar to how an airbag works to slow deceleration on impact.

This is a much simpler and thus cheaper and easier solution than an airbag,
which is anchored by the fixed steering column.
Anyone know of a similiar kind of design in any cars?
I'll copy/paste what I put over at diyelectriccar:

Quote:
Drive by wire steering in the future model? No thank you. Literally (I think) no one is doing this. Infiniti has a model or that sort of does it, but it maintains the entire mechanical system as a fallback... which saves you no space. They spent bank (and 10 years) developing it, it came out on the '14MY, and it looks like it will be discontinued on the '16.

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