CarBEN Model -- 1/24th scale model and 3D computer model for EV

[euromodder]

You could have your chassis work cut out for you

ECOmove QBEAK unveils first prototype, reveals modular transformable transportation — Autoblog Green

Or their website (in Danish)
Chassis og hjulenhed - Ecomove.dk

[NeilBlanchard]

Here's an updated and more detailed drawing (that still needs some work):

[NeilBlanchard]

Okay, another update (and more readable?) drawing showing a schematic chassis, etc.

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

I've been working a bit more on the 2D drawings:



These now show the dual direct drive FVT motors, and a first stab at a crumple zone framing in the front.

[NeilBlanchard]

This is probably the last version of the video, as the design is to a "final intent" state.

[NeilBlanchard]

I am going to build a 1" = 1'-0" (1:12) scale model out of card stock; to try and develop a flattened pattern of the outside surface -- and also just to see CarBEN EV in a larger size 3D model. Here are the sections I developed in DataCAD X3:



I've printed them all out and I'll be busy with scissors for a while...

[Frank Lee]

I think you should mock up something in your current vehicle to represent a windshield header about 9" away from the driver's forehead (as the drawing shows) and then you should decide if that is a good layout.

[Cd]

I haven't read through all the posts here, so this may have been asked already, but here goes :
How do you intend to make this car legal ?
What are the laws like when it come to creating your own car without the government mandated crash testing etc.
How will you test out the safety features of the car such as how it will react in a crash ?

if I wanted to create a boxfish car, I would simply modify an existing car such as a metro to stay legal by modifying the body like Dave Cloud did.

I can imagine actually creating a car that actually looks like exactly like a boxfish.

Aquarium shops would be beating down your door for add space on the car.

I have seen a few 'art cars' that resemble all sorts of crazy things ( and they stay legal somehow )

( Something like this - but with a car underneath and a windshield / windows )



I love your enthusiasm on this project. And by the way, the rendering on the images is superb ! Was radiosity used ?

[todayican]

Truly ambitious Neil! What wheelbase are you going for? If its in the realm of 95" or so, I may have an idea on the chassis for you, all the engineering work done back in the 40s :-)

Nostalgia Chassis

This one is 80" but if I remember correctly, it can be had at regular vw length, about 93 or 95"

[NeilBlanchard]

The wheelbase is 92". The problem with using an existing chassis is the narrower rear wheel track. Dave Cloud had to completely rebuild the chassis behind the doors, and the roof was lowered, too.

The challenge with fitting 5 people in a short (less that 14') and tapered car dictates that the seating be upright. Which is my strong preference, anyway. I detest reclining back in a car.

The driver's head position is related to the upright seating, and the motion of the driver's head in a crash will be a radius that misses the windshield. I will likely put an 'X' harness with a lap belt. The seat could be lowered a bit, and the figures in the 3 forward seats are 6'-4" tall. The 2nd from the back is 5'-8", and the 5th in the back is 5'-0" tall. So, CarBEN EV is 4+1, I guess?

The exercise of building this card stock model is helping me think through the process. It is essentially mimicking the plywood formers that could be used to make the shell; like Allert Jacobs' fairing: