1. Context1.1. Need Statement1.2. Problem Statement1.2.1. Suspension Design1.2.2. Frame Design1.2.3. Drive Train Design1.3. Design Team1.3.1. Student Design Team Members2.1.1. Teaching Team2.1.2. Corporate Liaisons and Sponsors2.3.4 Team CircumstancesME4000 Design Document 1/14/191. Context1.1. Need StatementIn today’s market, there isn’t a vehicle that exists quite like the moonbuggy that will be built. The closest resemblance would be a one person recumbent bicycle or a tandem bicycle. Only some of the recumbent and tandem bicycles on the market include the ability to go off-road, as they are mostly for leisurely riding. The moonbuggy that is being designed has the potential to fulfill this need for an off-road human powered vehicle (HPV) that is capable of carrying two passengers. The Great MoonBuggy Race sponsored by NASA in Huntsville, Alabama is the perfect opportunity to build a two person off-road HPV to fulfill this need. The competition aims at facing engineering students with the challenges faced by the original moonbuggy team.The competition comes complete with a set of rules that will guide the design of the moonbuggy, but will also meet customer needs. In the process of designing and building a vehicle to compete in the Great MoonBuggy race, Team MoonBuggy will also be working towards creating a product that will fill the current gap in the market. 1.2. Problem StatementBuilding a moonbuggy to fill the current market gap and to compete in the Great MoonBuggy Race requires extensive design in three key areas. These areas are suspension, frame, and drive train design. 1.2.1. Suspension DesignThe suspension of the moonbuggy must be able to absorb the forces encountered on the rough terrain so that the impulses are not transmitted to the rider. This will lead to not only a smoother ride, but also a safer ride. In addition, suspension parameters such as camber, caster, roll center, and travel need to be optimizes for the moonbuggy. This will allow the suspension to be set up optimally for different terrain types to enable a smooth, responsive, safe ride.1ME4000 Design Document 1/14/191.2.2. Frame DesignIt is critical that the frame be lightweight enough for portability should the moonbuggy need to be lifted or transported. It is equally important that the frame be robust in terms ofboth stiffness and strength. It must not only withstand a static load of about 300 lbs from the riders, but also withstand the impulses and dynamic loading encountered when riding through rough terrain. Also, it must remain rigid under stress so that deflections don’t cause the drive train or suspension to lock up. In addition the frame design must be able to accommodate two passengers, a drive train, suspension, and fold into a four foot cube.1.2.3. Drive Train DesignThe drive train involves bringing the human generated power to the wheels of the vehicle. This is difficult due to the fully adjustable suspension that will be in place. It must have enough degrees of freedom that it does not lock up or break under suspension travel. The drive train also needs a full range of gears in order to navigate all terrains.1.3. Design Team1.3.1. Student Design Team Members Figure 1: From left to right: Elizabeth Nies, Quentin Benson, Emina Maric, Mark Kocik, JonathanHilton, and Dave Meier2ME4000 Design Document 1/14/19Quentin Benson · Team Lead and Suspension Team · [email protected]· Quentin brings knowledge to the team in the areas of automobiles and bicycle systems.Jonathan Hilton · Suspension Team ·[email protected] brings previous automotive experience as well as strong math and assembly skills to the team.Mark Kocik · Frame Team · [email protected] brings finite elements and Matlab experience to the team as well as knowledge of bicycle systems.Dave Meier · Frame Team · [email protected] brings valuable solid modeling skills developed in industry to the team.Emina Maric · Drive Train Team · [email protected] brings strength of materials knowledge to the team.Elizabeth Nies · Drive Train Team · [email protected] brings knowledge of composites to the team as well as strength of materials.2.1.1. Teaching Team William Provancher · Asst. Professor · [email protected] Assistant · Nick Sylvester · [email protected] Design Document 1/14/19Teaching Assistant · Sam Segal · [email protected] Communications Teaching Assistant · Marlin Taylor · [email protected] Communications Teaching Assistant · Andy Dohanos · [email protected]. Corporate Liaisons and SponsorsCambric Corporation: Donated $750 to Team MoonBuggy.2.3.4 Team CircumstancesThe MoonBuggy project was chosen by this team as a means of bringing something new and exciting to the University of Utah. The team also feels that this project is an excellentcapstone of the past four years as undergraduates. It encompasses many of the technical skills developed through various engineering classes. These technical skills include statics, dynamics, composites, materials science, mathematics, physics, solid modeling, finite elements and strength of materials. Team MoonBuggy hopes that this project remains at the U of U for years to come and gives students something to look forward to as a senior in the Undergraduate Mechanical Engineering program.