Teardrop aerodynamics... in reverse!

[orbywan]

Originally Posted by TestDrive

Two more views of the nose of the Nuna 4.

Looking at the frontal view of this vehicle, why are the wheel pants so wide? The tires and wheels on this vehicle have to be pretty narrow and light, it appears the wheel pants are much wider than they need to be which would create extra drag it would seem. If the center rear wheel is the steering wheel that would explain why it is so wide but if the front tires do not steer the vehicle why are the wheel pants so wide??

Anybody have a comment on that?

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by Blue Bomber Man

Phil, do you think in a week or so I could get some critique from you regarding airflow on the design of my vehicle? I'm just finishing the subframe and will be begin to design the exterior body. I'm hoping to have the wheels fully enclosed within say 2-3 inches of the ground and have a good taper towards the rear across both axis (width and height) but I would love to get some insight from someone that knows much more then I on the subject.

Thanks!
Ben's Custom EV Blog

Blue Bomber,I'm just now catching your question.Sorry!
I tried to look at the links but they are inoperative.Please let me know how to link up with your project if isn't in the Smithsonian by now.
Really sorry!

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by hypermiler01

Drag coefficient - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I don't know if we can afford Wikipedia's 'free' information.They might want to research their topics a bit more.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by orbywan

Looking at the frontal view of this vehicle, why are the wheel pants so wide? The tires and wheels on this vehicle have to be pretty narrow and light, it appears the wheel pants are much wider than they need to be which would create extra drag it would seem. If the center rear wheel is the steering wheel that would explain why it is so wide but if the front tires do not steer the vehicle why are the wheel pants so wide??

Anybody have a comment on that?

This is my first look at the car.Would like to see what's underneath.It looks like overkill for everything underneath.There must be a 'mechanical' explanation.Those guys certainly understand Frontal area.
With engineering drawings we could look for area-ruling/Whitcomb-waisting/Coke-bottling/sectional density.
The upper and lower body camber may require these dimensions to prevent pressure spikes and suction peaks.Don't know.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by orbywan

Looking at the frontal view of this vehicle, why are the wheel pants so wide?

If the center rear wheel is the steering wheel that would explain why it is so wide but if the front tires do not steer the vehicle why are the wheel pants so wide??

I doubt they'd have rear wheel steering, which is fine for low speed forklifting but a bear to handle at high speed - these vehicles can hit 60mph / 100kph.


This is our contribution : Solarteam.be



What I wonder about is why they have the driver's bulge on top.
It reduces the area used for PV panels - which means compromising the bulge's shape as well in order not to make it take away too much area.

It increases the frontal area.

The driver is being baked under the harsh Ozzie sun.


I'd put the driver underneath the PV panel "wing".
More area for PV panels.
No shade on the panels.
No access over the panels / no tilting panels.
Less frontal area.
Thinner (ratio) wheel/driver pod.
Driver shielded from direct sunlight (in prone position)

[graydonengineering]

This is the first car that came to mind when reading the first post. Look carefully at the mirrors, this car appears to drive rear end first from what we are used to. Wonder what the CD of this bad boy is...

[orbywan]

Originally Posted by euromodder

I doubt they'd have rear wheel steering, which is fine for low speed forklifting but a bear to handle at high speed - these vehicles can hit 60mph / 100kph.


This is our contribution : Solarteam.be



What I wonder about is why they have the driver's bulge on top.
It reduces the area used for PV panels - which means compromising the bulge's shape as well in order not to make it take away too much area.

It increases the frontal area.

The driver is being baked under the harsh Ozzie sun.


I'd put the driver underneath the PV panel "wing".
More area for PV panels.
No shade on the panels.
No access over the panels / no tilting panels.
Less frontal area.
Thinner (ratio) wheel/driver pod.
Driver shielded from direct sunlight (in prone position)

OK, looking at this photo I get it. The rear 'pants' are so wide because that is where the driver is, duh. And you're probably right about it not having rear steering, that would make it really sensitive to input.

That means the front wheels steer, which explains why the wheel pants are so wide, the wheels have to turn (a little in this case). Nevermind.

[euromodder]

What the rules say :

- minimum height for driver's eye is 700 mm above the road

- Each occupant must be provided with an appropriately constructed seat
consisting of a base (squab) and backrest.

- The angle of the (driver’s) seat must not be greater than 27°. Drivers must demonstrate the ability to sit, road ready (helmet on, hatch closed), with their back flush against the seating elements

Why the boots are so wide :
- The vehicle must be able to make a U-turn in either direction within a 16 m
lane (kerb to kerb).

[Frank Lee]

Driver shielded from direct sunlight (in prone position)

For the super high mileage competitions, prone driver position is outlawed. Probably here too.

Why the boots are so wide :
- The vehicle must be able to make a U-turn in either direction within a 16 m
lane (kerb to kerb).

I'm sure they thought of pivoting boots. Question is why they didn't do it.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by graydonengineering

This is the first car that came to mind when reading the first post. Look carefully at the mirrors, this car appears to drive rear end first from what we are used to. Wonder what the CD of this bad boy is...

It's almost an open-wheeled vehicle! The entire sides would be turbulence between the tire faces,certainly negating some of the 'positive' features.
Manly though,like a pop-up castration-mine.