Moving Towards the Design Freeze
Pedal Box Design
The 2021 pedal box has been through many iterations for this season as the introduction of the monocoque has presented both new opportunities as well challenges to its design. Carrying on from the work of 2020, a focus has continued to be placed on manufacturability and ease of assembly, both of the pedal box and when fitting it in the car. A significant focus has also been placed on withstanding the driver forces experienced and complying with the force requirements set out in the Formula Student rules. This is to ensure that the car will be responding as well after it’s first event as it does after its last.
Feedback from the drivers has also been further incorporated into the pedal box to ensure that an an appropriate pedal ratio is used. This governs the amount of input required by the driver under braking.
The next steps in the pedal box design will be to carry out some further optimisation to reduce the weight of the assembly whilst maintaining its structural rigidity. After this, conversations about manufacture and any necessary changes can begin.
Meet the Team
Meet the Team is an opportunity for us to give you a chance to learn a little more about the people who make up SHU Racing. This week, we welcome our EV drivetrain manager, Josh Rodgers. Josh is the man in charge of making sure the EV car will get around the track at Silverstone as fast as possible. He is also working hard for the lap time simulation element of the concept class event.
Name: Josh Rodgers
Age: 23
Course: Meng Aerospace Engineering
Role: EV Drivetrain Manager
Number of years with the Team: 2
Hobbies and Interests: Gaming and Airsoft
Favourite Car: Tesla Model S
Dream Job: Astro/Aero Design Engineer
Reasons for Joining SHU Racing: I didn’t know much about the team until my third year at Hallam until I was convinced to go to the team meeting at the start of the year. From then on I got stuck in, taking on the design of the rear wing for my dissertation. Looking back, I wish I had joined much sooner to get more out of the experience and give more to the team. Everyone involved is extremely supportive and always offer their help wherever they can. Working on the team is also heavily technical based, which is brilliant if you’re interested in the ins and outs of how formula student cars are designed and manufactured.
