PROJETO DE MODELAGEM E DIMENSIONAMENTO DE UMA MANGA DE EIXO PARA UM MINI-BAJA SAE

Abstract

The mini-baja is a single-seater off-road vehicle that is intend for university competitions or for leisure. The mini-baja combines traction and speed to achieve good results in SAE (Society of Automotive Engineerings). The knuckle is a fundamental component for the vehicle, because incorporates three subsystems in the structure (brakes, suspension and steering). It´s necessary to fix the support on the knuckle to embark the brake caliper, functioning on the brake disc. The suspension requires the connection of the wishbones with wheel, to position the terminals points according to the definition of wheel alignments. The steering must define the steering arm, which conducts the steering geometry, curvature radius and wheel steer angles. This work is based on modeling and design on the optimization of a component used in the previous season, with the definition of kinematic parameters and the execution of mechanical simulations. The work was elaborated in order to contribute with knowledge about the design and optimization of a knuckle through discussion of the main aspects that must be considered in the design of the knuckle, especially for fans of the off-road scenery. The results of the simulations indicate that the components design reaches the goals and resists the efforts resulting from the competition, the result of a double shear part, bolted components and adoption of aluminum as main component material.