Three wheeler Cabin Scooter Design
Discussion
fuoriserie said:
skwdenyer said:
fuoriserie said:
a new rough sketch.........with imput ideas from ajprice, and have to say that, I really like it.....
I'm a bit late to this thread (or at least to the start of it), and I may be missing something, but isn't the "header rail" at the upper edge of the windscreen slap bang in the driver's eye-line? Without making the roof a lot taller, isn't this always going to be the case?Edited by fuoriserie on Tuesday 3rd February 17:31
I'm also a bit concerned that, in the even of an accident of almost any kind, there looks to be a strong possibility of the canopy becoming jammed shut.
I don't want to pour cold water on the idea - many aspects of it I really like - but I'm going through my own design project at the moment for a small car, and briefly toyed with a canopy such as this before rejecting it on these - and other - grounds.
Maybe I didn't try hard enough
Edited by fuoriserie on Saturday 21st February 14:59
911hillclimber said:
The visibility issues is quite hard to fix, but the access issue is always there. I think that is simply one of minimising the risk of trapment, but early bubble cars were just as 'vulnerable'?
The canopy line in the original sketch was high in comparison I think
Risk of trapment is an odd one for me (being highly claustrophobic!) I've spent ages trying to work out a canopy system that could still be opened if inverted, right up till someone pointed out a couple of things to me: firstly it's very easy to become trapped in ANY vehicle - a medium roll in a car can very quickly result in no doors being openable, and seatbelts can be nigh on impossible to release if you are suspended upside down by them. Secondly, on a vehicle such as this design it would be virtually impossible to end up upside down - at worst end up on your side which is much more escapable. The canopy line in the original sketch was high in comparison I think
I can't remember which car it is but there was one with gullwing doors that you could pull a pin out in an emergency so the door could pretty much be shoved straight off. I think a simple release mechanism on the pivot point on Italo's design could be employed to much the same effect.
Of course early bubble cars you could trap yourself in just by parking face on to a brick wall
Edited by Davi on Sunday 22 February 09:04
Davi said:
911hillclimber said:
The visibility issues is quite hard to fix, but the access issue is always there. I think that is simply one of minimising the risk of trapment, but early bubble cars were just as 'vulnerable'?
The canopy line in the original sketch was high in comparison I think
Risk of trapment is an odd one for me (being highly claustrophobic!) I've spent ages trying to work out a canopy system that could still be opened if inverted, right up till someone pointed out a couple of things to me: firstly it's very easy to become trapped in ANY vehicle - a medium roll in a car can very quickly result in no doors being openable, and seatbelts can be nigh on impossible to release if you are suspended upside down by them. Secondly, on a vehicle such as this design it would be virtually impossible to end up upside down - at worst end up on your side which is much more escapable. The canopy line in the original sketch was high in comparison I think
I can't remember which car it is but there was one with gullwing doors that you could pull a pin out in an emergency so the door could pretty much be shoved straight off. I think a simple release mechanism on the pivot point on Italo's design could be employed to much the same effect.
Of course early bubble cars you could trap yourself in just by parking face on to a brick wall
Edited by Davi on Sunday 22 February 09:04
As to the ISO Isetta and getting trapped against a wall: IIRC that was why all UK-supplied vehicles had a full-length fabric sunroof
I have to say I'm impressed at the amount of constructive and well thought out criticism coming through.
All the suggestions of possible problems (and possible solutions) to me show that there are people on here really wishing this project to get off the ground.
As I said earlier, I'm really looking forward to seeing a mock-up.
maggit
All the suggestions of possible problems (and possible solutions) to me show that there are people on here really wishing this project to get off the ground.
As I said earlier, I'm really looking forward to seeing a mock-up.
maggit
Have you seen how much thay command now! Huge money, esp if it is a rare Tiger or convertable.
This is a great thread, and everything and every point made is aimed at a focused sucessful result.
Break glass is clearly the way forward. Today, I have spent the day with my car club promoting safe driving and watched a fire team decapitate a simulated wrecked car with a real (acting) person inside. The car was upside down etc.
I believe there is NOTHING those guys (and 2 girls) couldn't get into with the minimum of fuss.
The risky bit is landing in a deep water filled ditch on a country lane when you are on your own. The canopy and chassis become a very very sturdy roll cage, almost egg shaped so strong indeed. Safety glass pops very easily to expose the way out. All depends if you are in a fit state to 'alight' the vehicle. It is at this stage the seat belt becomes a hinderence.....
I wish I was doing this project!
Maybe when my race car is done later this year.
I hope they have the chassis roughed together by now (and have worked-out the reverse gear!
This is a great thread, and everything and every point made is aimed at a focused sucessful result.
Break glass is clearly the way forward. Today, I have spent the day with my car club promoting safe driving and watched a fire team decapitate a simulated wrecked car with a real (acting) person inside. The car was upside down etc.
I believe there is NOTHING those guys (and 2 girls) couldn't get into with the minimum of fuss.
The risky bit is landing in a deep water filled ditch on a country lane when you are on your own. The canopy and chassis become a very very sturdy roll cage, almost egg shaped so strong indeed. Safety glass pops very easily to expose the way out. All depends if you are in a fit state to 'alight' the vehicle. It is at this stage the seat belt becomes a hinderence.....
I wish I was doing this project!
Maybe when my race car is done later this year.
I hope they have the chassis roughed together by now (and have worked-out the reverse gear!
Edited by 911hillclimber on Sunday 22 February 16:21
911hillclimber said:
I hope they have the chassis roughed together by now (and have worked-out the reverse gear!
Can the reverse gear not just be bought-in from Piaggio, who fit one to the Ape micro-commercials? It is a simple reverse unit, separate to the main gearbox, operated in the Apes by a simple lever. Works in any gear As an aside, I had the opportunity to buy 8 fully-road-legal, 4-year-old Ape vans a couple of years ago for £3k for the lot. Still regret not doing that deal!
Forgive my ignorance, but I was not aware of that fact! That is excellent as it removes the important stumbling block to making such a vehicle viable I feel.
The only trick bit is the glass work now at a realistic cost/tooling?
Plastic is not durable enough for day to day use even as side glass where visibility is king esp in certain sunlight conditions where scratching blinds the user.
The only trick bit is the glass work now at a realistic cost/tooling?
Plastic is not durable enough for day to day use even as side glass where visibility is king esp in certain sunlight conditions where scratching blinds the user.
skwdenyer said:
911hillclimber said:
I hope they have the chassis roughed together by now (and have worked-out the reverse gear!
Can the reverse gear not just be bought-in from Piaggio, who fit one to the Ape micro-commercials? It is a simple reverse unit, separate to the main gearbox, operated in the Apes by a simple lever. Works in any gear !
911hillclimber said:
The only trick bit is the glass work now at a realistic cost/tooling?
Plastic is not durable enough for day to day use even as side glass where visibility is king esp in certain sunlight conditions where scratching blinds the user.
I've simplified the design futher just to make it feasible.....Plastic is not durable enough for day to day use even as side glass where visibility is king esp in certain sunlight conditions where scratching blinds the user.
911hillclimber said:
Forgive my ignorance, but I was not aware of that fact! That is excellent as it removes the important stumbling block to making such a vehicle viable I feel.
The only trick bit is the glass work now at a realistic cost/tooling?
Plastic is not durable enough for day to day use even as side glass where visibility is king esp in certain sunlight conditions where scratching blinds the user.
I'm not so sure, when I was researching glass for my project I was told by loads of people that the latest gen of hard coated plastics would outlast me. I'd certainly not write it's usage off.The only trick bit is the glass work now at a realistic cost/tooling?
Plastic is not durable enough for day to day use even as side glass where visibility is king esp in certain sunlight conditions where scratching blinds the user.
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