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The objective of this project is to develop the cockpit ergonomics for SAE Mini-Baja and Formula SAE to meet certain requirements. Some of the items included in the design are the steering wheel, shifter, pedal tray, seat, restraints, gauges, control panel, and any other items that we feel are necessary.
Some of the
basic requirements are the car must be adaptable to a driver 6’ 3” tall and
weighing 250 lbs down to a driver 5’ 5” and approximately 120 lbs.
The driver must be securely restrained and still be able to reach all of
the controls without removing the harness.
The driver must also be able to exit the car from a “race ready”
state in a maximum of five seconds.
Both
cockpits should be sufficiently comfortable as to prevent driver fatigue during
the endurance events and long testing sessions. The steering wheel should clear the driver’s legs and not
position the driver’s hands where they could be interfered with by any
obstructions. The shifter must also
be sufficiently clear of the driver to prevent obstructing entrance or egress.
Any driver should be able to comfortably reach the pedals without the
need of any spacers or blocks attached to the feet or pedals as specified by the
SAE rules. Also all drivers should
be properly restrained in the seats as to prevent any movement while in the
harness, and the seats themselves should not move while the vehicle is
undergoing any dynamic loads. Lastly,
all gauges (when applicable) should be clearly visible to the driver as well as
any emergency kill switches.