Design cycle implementation on a customized steering knuckle for a competition ATV

Abstract

The design cycle in its most basic terms can be defined as investigate, plan, create and evaluate. It has been adopted by every engineering team in its own way to strengthen the intended design. The crucial factor of any mechanical design is consideration of service loads for components proposed function. This paper talks about the implementation of the design cycle on three iterations of a customized steering knuckle for BAJA SAE India competition. Effect of terrain and road profiles on vehicle along with conventional knuckle design process is highlighted. The authors outline the criteria and limitations of knuckle design for a competition and discuss the first design and its performance and failures, failure analysis and how the lessons learnt were incorporated in the second design. The design cycle was revisited for optimization resulting in a third design. Finally, the optimized design steering knuckle was fabricated and tested in actual terrain of the competition for validation.