MIE.47 – Formula Electric Battery System
Team Members Heading link
- David Banach
- Oscar Sanchez
- Alex Stewart
Project Description Heading link
SAE @ UIC is a student run organization that focuses on developing formula style racing vehicles for sanctioned competitions under the Society of Automotive Engineers. The organization has recently decided to enter the electric vehicle space and foundational knowledge in battery construction was needed to pursue this endeavor. In collaboration with a separate electrical engineering group, this knowledge was established and applied to the mechanical design of a battery system. Strict rules dictating thermal management, vibration resistance, and structural requirements must be met for entry into competitions. With only 50% of entrants typically meeting these requirements, adherence to these rules is crucial. To accomplish this, conjugate heat transfer analysis, fatigue life calculations, and finite element analysis were employed to address these concerns. Previous research by academic institutions and other teams were used to ensure the fidelity of simulations and drive engineering decisions. The combined use of research and simulations showed that the initial design of the battery system is compliant with the needs of SAE @ UIC. Given these results, a path to success in the electric racing vehicle space now exists for the organization.