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Design website of
Daniel Fitzgerald
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Laminar 3 Concept Car
( Product Design - Transport
Design )
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The Laminar 3 is the
third iteration of an electric concept car that features
adjustable aerodynamics to best suit the driving
conditions. Providing better down-force when cornering,
and better aerodynamic efficiency for freeway driving.
In this updated concept this version addresses
aerodynamic efficiency though rear aerodynamics.
Borrowing from current day Hypermiling vehicles, the
Laminar 3 concept adopts the aerodynamic advantage of a
tapering rear section (boat tail) to reduce aerodynamic
drag during freeway driving (Low Drag Profile).
To address the practical side of city driving the rear
section of this concept can fold up. Reducing the
overall dimensions of the car for easier parking and
maneuverability, while also providing access to the rear
boot(trunk).
While cornering this folded up profile acts as a rear
spoiler providing extra grip to the rear tires (High
Down-force Profile) 3 concept will actively alter
between the Low Drag and High Down-force profiles,
providing the user with the optimum combination of
safety and efficiency through every driving condition.
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Technical
Show / Hide
- Drive system is two in wheel electric motors.
- Lithium-ion cells powers all the electrics.
- Car is a three seater with the driver seated
centrally up front and two passengers seated behind.
- Adjustable front wing sits on a curved bearing
system, with the wing being adjusted by a series of
motors for quick transitions between streamline and
down force modes.
- Adjustable rear wing hinges on a hydralic system,
quick transitions between streamline and down force
modes.
- Profile of body entirely streamline to prevent wind
resistance.
- LED headlights and tail lights.
- Open transparent canopy made of strong
polycarbonate.
- Regenerative brakes regain lost energy.
- Hubcaps have two electroluminescent rings one larger
one to serve as an indicator and a smaller one for
night visibility.
- Touch sensitive panels stretching either side of the
interior allow for controls such as GPS and air-con
settings.
- HUD provides the driver with speedometer, display
panels on dash provide rear tail camera view and
vehicle status.
- Handle and thumb stick controls replace steering
wheel.
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Target Audience Show / Hide
With its 3 1/2 seater occupancy this concept caters to
the small car market, possibly small families.
With an increased range due to its reduced drag
profile, this concept would better cater for the
fringe of users who would opt for a petrol driven
vehicle as current electric vehicles don't have the
range for that markets requirements.
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Development Notes Show / Hide
- Function came first in this design. Main priority
was to make sure people could comfortably sit in the
intended aerodynamic profile.
- The practicality of the rear section being able to
fold up/away to solve the impracticality of a fixed
boat tail design was an important feature to this
design, so a variety of folding methods were explored
all with their own advantages/disadvantages. The
simple 45 degree hinging of the rear section was in
the end the most practical (least complicated) method,
and also provided the additional function of down
force when folded up. The only downside being that it
looks like a ridiculously large spoiler, not my
intention but the result of creating a functional rear
end
- There were a few other functional aspects that were
refined before I could start to adjust and compromise
with the aesthetics of this design. At this point I
ended up refining and adjusting the look of the car
(which at the time wasn't visually appealing as it
could be, but it was functional). There were a half
dozen variations of styling before it got to this
current version, all were a challenge making this
concept appealing without drastically affecting the
aerodynamics of the vehicle.
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www.dfitzgerald.com.au
All designs and presentations © Daniel Fitzgerald
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