Testing
Introduction:
The weight of the suspension components will be measured by removing those components from the Electric Vehicle and weighing them on a scale, the weight will be recorded for the purpose of showing that the requirement to have the suspension components weigh less than 20 pounds. The suspension travel of less than 3 inches will be tested by measuring the distance from the bottom of the frame to the bottom of the tire when unloaded and then again when under load. The suspension travel will be measured and recorded to show that the requirement has been fulfilled. The ability of the suspension to support the overall vehicle weight of 350 pounds will be tested by mounting the front suspension on the vehicle and simply seeing if it fails or not.
​
Method/Approach:
For both of the tests, the lab space in the FLUKE Lab and the vehicle itself. Additional resources were needed for each test specifically. For the first test, to test the suspension travel, the person who will drive the car and a tape measure were needed. For the second test, to test the component weight, a digital scale and a calculator were used. To measure and record the data from the first test, a tape measure and a sheet of engineering paper were used. To measure and record the data from the second test, a digital scale, a calculator, and a sheet of engineering paper were used. For the first test the driver got in the car, the distance from the bottom corner of the frame to the ground was measured and recorded. Then the driver got out of the car and the distance from the bottom corner of the frame to the ground was measured and recorded. The travel is the difference in these two distances. The operation limitations for the first test is the range of the measuring device. The operating limitations for the second test are the size and range of the scale. The precision and accuracy for the tests are that of the measuring devices. The data from both tests is located in the data tables below.
​
Front Suspension Travel
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Front Suspension Weight
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Results:
The calculated values for the first test was a travel of 1.25 inches. The calculated values for the second test were that the components weighed 5.24 pounds. The success criteria for the first test was having less than 3 inches of travel. The success criteria for the second test was the components weighing less than 20 pounds. Based on the calculated values and the success criteria, both tests were a pass.
​