Design of an Accumulator Hand Cart for FSAE Electrical Vehicle

Abstract

The Formula SAE Electric (FSAE) competition encourages engineering students to design and manufacture advanced electric race cars with a strong emphasis on safety, performance, and innovation. One aspect of the electric vehicle (EV) system that is often overlooked is the handling and transportation of the high-voltage accumulator. This paper presents the design of an accumulator hand cart specifically tailored for FSAE electric vehicle regulations. The hand cart is intended for safe and efficient transportation of the accumulator during vehicle assembly and maintenance activities, especially at competition venues. Key design considerations include mechanical stability, maneuverability, the required range of motion for operation, the safe lifting and removal of the accumulator from the chassis, and compliance with FSAE safety standards. The integration of a jack-lift mechanism enables controlled and secure lifting of the accumulator into the chassis, while a dead-man braking system is incorporated to prevent unintended movement and potential damage to the accumulator enclosure. Overall, the design of the hand cart is intended to improve safety during maintenance and competition operations, minimize setup time, and offer a practical solution for handling high-voltage components in FSAE electric vehicles.