Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Date of Degree Completion

Spring 2019

Department

Mechanical Engineering Technology

Committee Chair

Dr. Craig Johnson

Second Committee Member

Dr. John Choi

Third Committee Member

Professor Charles Pringle

Abstract

Electrathon America is a competition where electrical vehicles (EV) race against electrical attrition and time. Therefore a vehicle must not only be light and fast but also efficient. EV Drivetrain (the assembly which moves the vehicle by transfer of power from motor to wheel) must be able to transfer enough power in order to move a 100 pound vehicle and 180 pound driver 45 miles per hour. Components for the drivetrain and manufacturing must not exceed the $500 budget. In order to move the vehicle, three different methods to transfer power were considered: chain, belt, and shaft (rotating stick). It was concluded through research that the chain drive would not only be the most efficient but also the most economical. To reach speeds of 45 miles per hour the output RPM must be 756 for the 20 inch wheel that will be used; if the input RPM from the electrical motor is 2800 based on a design power of 3.9 horse power. This all means the velocity ratio is 3.7 and the driven sprocket (pointy wheel with teeth, seen on bicycles) must have 60 teeth while the driving sprocket must have 17. Lastly, in order to contain the chain drive assembly, an electrical motor mount was manufactured to go with the vehicle frame. The vehicle runs at 45 miles per hour with a total weight of 300 pounds, including the driver. Overall budget for the chain drive was under $200.

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