Penn State Human Powered Vehicle Team

Overview

The Penn State Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) Project is split into two semesters. The fall semester is dedicated to the design of the HPV and the spring semester focused on the fabrication of the design from the fall. The challenge presented to this year’s fall team by our sponsor, Professor Katie Fitzsimons, and mentor, Gary Neal, was to create a new and unique design which utilizes design characteristics that had not been implemented successfully in prior years.

Objectives

– Completely design the mechanical systems of the HPV model of a human powered vehicle (HPV)

– Model the HPV design using SolidWorks

– Manufacture the frame of the designed HPV

– Generate a manufacturing plan to be given to the Spring 2022 HPV team

– Prototype the the implementation of electrical components into the HPV design

Approach

– The team looked the new rulebook and thought of new ways to take advantage of the changes

– Different patents and existing products on the market were researched

– Past team files were reviewed to highlight successes and failures of prior designs

– Multiple different vehicle concepts were brainstormed and drawn

– A scoring matrix was used to determine the best design

– FEA analysis was performed on the Rollover Protection System to ensure a good design

– Research on different possible materials for the frame and possible thickness of the tubing

Outcomes

– HPV frame successfully welded and prepared for next semester

– Manufacturing plan generated with detailed drawings to convey design intent to Spring 2022 HPV team

– A SolidWorks model was generated which meets the design criteria set forth by ASME and our sponsor

– Prototyped and documented the possible implementation of electronical components