|
Remember that the CarBEN EV5 has no side doors, so the side sills go up to the windows. This chassis will be very stiff and low torsion.
I like the ideas in the Austin suspension. The rear trailing arms will be inside a narrow box (I'll try to post pictures soon) and the the spring damper will be straight up to the top, so it will have direct leverage on the wheel. And there will be a box beam channel between the rear wheels with a lateral link inside it. So the assembly will cradle the chassis.
The front is going to bear against the firewall and I may be able to use some off the shelf items. I am strongly considering using the aluminum honeycomb composite sheets glued onto the foam with fully sleeved anchor points - and more honeycomb composite board on the front inside (near the driver and front passenger's legs) to full capture and cradle the chassis.
The foam itself is strong enough for me to walk inside the car, with just the plywood to spread my ~235 pound weight. I can only imagine what a couple of 10oz glass fabric on the outside, that wrap about 3 feet up the sides will do for the strength. When the inside gets glassed inside the four battery bays - and then a 1" thick floor panel gets fastened over those forming box beams - this car will be plenty strong.
|