DOI: https://doi.org/10.15368/theses.2017.29
Available at: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/theses/1717
Date of Award
4-2017
Degree Name
MS in Electrical Engineering
Department/Program
Electrical Engineering
Advisor
Art Maccarley
Abstract
Every year the automotive industry strives to increase fuel efficiency in vehicles. When most vehicles are designed, fuel efficiency cannot always come first. The Shell Eco-marathon changes that by challenging students everywhere to develop the most fuel-efficient vehicle possible. There are many different factors that affect fuel efficiency, and different teams focus on different vehicle parameters. Currently, there is no straightforward design tool that can be used to help in Shell Eco-marathon vehicle design. For this reason, it is difficult to optimize every vehicle parameter for maximum fuel efficiency.
In this study, a simulation is developed by using basic vehicle models and experimental data to accurately represent any prototype-class vehicle in the Shell Eco-marathon. This simulation is verified using different experimental data from an on-vehicle data acquisition system. An easy-to-use design tool is developed, and this tool is used to optimize driving strategy and final drive ratio to maximize fuel efficiency.