Research on the Ergonomic Adaptability of Electric Racing Vehicle

This study shows that the electric racing vehicle (ERV) is still not well enough adapted for human beings, especially in the part of seat, steering wheel, visibility and accessible range. When designing ERV ergonomically, the virtual reality (VR) technique is as important as the real experience. Moreover, exacting contemporary economic and ecological requirements also mean that the cost and the energy consumption of the production cycle must be modified and reduced to a minimum. The present authors offer a new method of optimization of the ergonomic adaptability for ERV where the interiors and visibility are evaluated by designers and engineers, with interrelated functional links using UGS human builder module. This study uses anthropometric reference data for drivers from all previous racing drivers of the SUES. The objective was, taking into account the ERV interior height and width limitations, to accommodate the largest range of anthropometric dimensions by using the fifth-percentile woman, which was accomplished using a new method for model accommodation optimization. Furthermore, comfort, convenience, visibility and accessibility must be assured. Meanwhile, the robustness analysis also is applied to test the comfort of the ERV. After the robustness analysis of the new frame, the driver has enough comfort, convenience, visibility and accessible range of hands. By applying the suggested method and the data of new frame acquired, an optimum space for drivers was obtained. The space for the angle between the eyespot and the rear mirror is 12 deg relative to the vertical, and the horizontal angle is 29 deg, which meets the requirements of the basic visibility.