Smart textiles and advanced composites TENCATE MATERIALIZED

Smart teXtileS and adVanced cOmPOSiteS
SOlar team twente 2005
FiniSHed aS numBer 9
In 2005 TenCate for the first time sponsored the solar car of Solar
Team Twente, then called SolUTra. As best newcomer in the 2005
World Solar Challenge this car finished in ninth place. According to
participants in this race, the SolUTra was one of the best solar cars
in the field of aerodynamics. This car has been the basis for
subsequent teams from the University of Twente. Solar Team
Twente 2005 was also provided with overalls of TenCate Protective
Fabrics and tents of TenCate Outdoor Fabrics for both the teams
and the solar car.
Solar Team University of Twente
inteGratiOn OF cHaSSiS and BOdY
An important feature of the SolUTra is the integration of the chassis
and the body in the form of a monocoque construction with an
aerodynamic top. Simply put this means that the frame and the
outer shell of the solar car are combined as a whole using plastic
material reinforced with fibre tissue. This made it possible to
design and develop a chassis that is strong but also light.
FrOnt wHeel SuSPenSiOn
The front wheel suspension is designed according to the double
wishbone principle. In fact, these are two superimposed triangular
structures in which the wheel is stuck. The damper is directly fixed
to the ball joints, the connection between the two triangles lying on
top of each other. Besides a normal handlebar to turn the wheels,
the SolUTra has an extra handlebar to turn the wheel covers as
well.
rear wHeel SuSPenSiOn
Another nice detail of the SolUTra is the rear wheel suspension.
This one is made of thin aluminium sheet combined with aluminium
milled parts. The applied box principle and the finishing with rows
of pop nails make the rear wheel suspension complete.
Front wheel suspension Rear wheel suspension
10 SMART TEXTILES AND ADVANCED COMPOSITES
SMART TEXTILES AND ADVANCED COMPOSITES 11