What is Formula Hybrid?
Formula Hybrid™ is a design and engineering challenge for undergraduate and graduate college and university students. They must design, build, and compete an open-wheel, single-seat racecar. This car must conform to a formula which emphasizes drive train innovation and fuel efficiency in a high-performance application
Formula Hybrid builds on the Formula SAE program and takes it to the next level. It adds a new layer of complexity and provides an additional technical challenge to student teams. We expect that one path of entry to the Formula Hybrid competition will be to construct the vehicle and develop the chassis and related systems in the Formula SAE program and then replace the IC engine with a hybrid drive train the following year for the Formula Hybrid competition, resulting in a two-year design cycle.
Purpose
To encourage and promote the development of high-efficiency automotive drive trains.
Design Competition
The Formula Hybrid student automotive design competition is based on the highly successful Formula SAE program and encourages the development of hybrid automotive drive trains with an emphasis on efficiency in a high-performance application.
Improved efficiency in an automotive drive system can be used to increase fuel economy, performance, or both. Fostering innovation in hybrid drive systems can ultimately benefit society and the environment, even though the immediate goal is to improve performance.
Like Formula SAE events, the Hybrid competition includes an acceleration test, autocross and endurance events, as well as engineering and construction static events. Unlike Formula SAE, Formula Hybrid events put a greater emphasis on drive train innovation and fuel efficiency.
The 2009 Formula Hybrid International Competition will have first, second, third, and fourth place trophies for hybrid vehicles. There will be a first-in-class award for a hybrid in progress and participation awards for all other teams. Teams with cars that are still under design and construction or who are just considering entering in 2010 are encouraged to attend, gain knowledge, ask questions and discuss their progress.
Engineering Challenges
Student teams designing and constructing a Formula Hybrid car can immerse themselves in any or all of the following disciplines:
- High-Power Electronics such as motors, generators, controllers, and DC-DC converters
- Mechanical systems including suspension, steering, braking, chassis design, body design, and ergonomics
- Race strategy and management
- Computerized systems control
- Data acquisition
- Internal combustion engines, including intake and exhaust systems, fuel management, and ignition systems
- Regenerative electric/hydraulic braking systems
- Project management