Overall Big Picture of Design
The technical team of Rainbow Warrior Racing (RWR) is divided into three subsystems. The subsystems are responsible for ownership of the design and manufacturing of parts for the car.
Chassis / Aero
The Chassis/Aerodynamic subsystem is responsible for the frame, driver ergonomics, the firewall, and aerodynamic components. The frame acts as a structure that provides mounting points for the suspension and powertrain components. The frame also serves as the main protection for the driver. The ergonomics is the main interface between the car and the driver and consists of the driver’s seat, the driver controls, and seat belt configuration. The firewall shields the driver from the dissipation of heat from the powertrain components, and also shields the driver from any debris or shrapnel. The aerodynamic components allow the airflow to redirect around the car in order to maximize downforce and minimize drag. Aerodynamic parts include the sidepods, diffuser, body panels, and nose cone.
Powertrain
The primary function of the powertrain is to deliver power from the accumulator to the wheels. The powertrain subsystem is broken down into five main components: motor, accumulator, drivetrain, software & electronics, and cooling. The accumulator provides electrical power to the motor and motor controller. The drivetrain transfers the rotational energy, or torque from the motor to the wheels. The software & electronic components consist of the motor controller, microcontroller unit, and battery management system. These components act as the brain of the vehicle and controls the function of the major components such as the motor, accumulator, and cooling system. The cooling system regulates the operating temperatures of the vehicle.
Suspension
The suspension system integrates the wheels to the chassis and enables the vehicle to be tuned for stability during acceleration, braking, and cornering. Key factors are considered in suspension design such as maximum tire contact patch, weight transfer, and center of gravity. The suspension system consists of three major systems: the wheel assembly, the pushrod system, and the steering system. The wheel assembly comprises the tires, wheels, hubs, uprights, brake rotor, and brake caliper. The pushrod system comprises of the control arms, pushrod, coilover, and bell crank. The pushrod helps dampen the forces experienced by the wheels by transferring the force into the coilover. Pushrods also help maintain the desired suspension geometry. The steering system comprises the steering rack, steering column, steering wheel, and pedal box. The steering rack is connected to the front uprights to provide driver with steering capabilities.