Design of Solar Boat for Race Competition - Coursework Example

School: DESIGN SOLAR BOAT FOR RACE COMPETITION Lecturer: Contents 0 Engineering Specification 3 1 Design Problem 3 1.2 Research Problem and Need 3 1.3 Identified Customers 4 1.4 Customer Requirements 4 1.5 The competition 5 1.6 Engineering Requirements 6 1.7 Engineering Targets 6 1.8 Product Design Specification (PDS) 7 2.0 Develop Concepts 8 2.1 System Functions 8 2.2 Concepts Generate 8 2.3 Evaluation of Concepts 9 3.0 Market Segmentation 11 3.1 Potential customer base 11 3.2 Market Constraints on Product. 13 3.3 Expected Product Competition 14 References 17 Appendix 18 1.0 Engineering Specification 1.1 Design Problem As the use of boats become more and more popular, particularly with the addition of the new social dimension of race competition, the core problem that has to do with energy conservation must not be forgotten. Apart from the issue of energy conservation, there is also the issue of greenhouse gas emission and its attendant problem of global warming that remains a modern day topical issue when it comes to the use of electric powered boats for race competition and other purposes. As this problem rests with us all, it is important to have a means of reducing the impact of the problem through the design of a more environmental friendly system that keeps the dream of boat race competitions alive without destroying the core fabric of our environment. As much as the importance of such a design is important, some core challenges that come with the selection of the best renewable energy for boat construction cannot be denied. Giving the various options however, the use of solar as a source of renewable energy seems more appropriate. 1.2 Research Problem and Need Boat race competitions are fast becoming part of the social life of many people, as the practice has been fused into several social activities including holidaying, beach parties, science and technology fairs, and competitive games (Kininger, 2013). But even apart from the use of boat for race competitions, it is common knowledge that boats are an important means of transport and have remained a conventional means by which most people travel from one point to the other. This means that with increases in the use of automatic or electric boats, instead of manual boats, the need to ensure conservation and preservation of the environment is very important (Messenger and Ventre, 2004). It is against this backdrop that there is the need to have a modernized technological approach to the design of boats by the use of solar energy has been recommended. Part of the need for this proposed intervention in the face of the research problem is the ease with which solar energy is made available to mankind, for which reason it must be taken advantage of. 1.3 Identified Customers There are actually well established bodies and institutions that have taken boat race competition to a very professional level by instituting period boar race competitions and fairs. What is more pleasant is that most of these bodies, including Minnesota Renewable Energy Society, Heineken Regatta Concert, Sun Boat Organization, and Canadas Tamarack Lake Electric Boat Company have concentrated on the exclusive use of solar boats in their competitions (Kininger, 2013). Meanwhile, there are records of ever growing popularity and patronage of the boat race competitions organized by these bodies and more. This means that there is hope of a ready market for this design with targeted customers including all boat race lovers who are prospective competitors and existing competitors. Apart from the individual competitors, the bodies and organizations organizing the boat race competitions are also customers as most of these places are trusted to be the best place where participants can get the best of solar boats to buy (Green, 2006). This means that the organizing bodies will serve as wholesale customers and competitors will serve as retail customers. 1.4 Customer Requirements Customer needs and wants for purchasing solar boat are mostly reflected in the kind of competition that they take part in. With this said, three very important and popular disciplines of boat race competitions are identified. These are speed races, slalom races, and endurance races (Kininger, 2013). For each of these three disciplines, different customer requirements may be needed. In terms of speed races, customers require high powered solar energy system that can mechanize the boat into running at the toughest speed available without breaking down in power. The slalom races also require flexibility with boat control to make the zigzag movement in this discipline possible. What this more, endurance races simply need strength with the boat that so long term and continuous usage can be guaranteed. With these requirements noted, it is also important to focus on style, aesthetic beauty, comfort, safety, and space. Meeting all these customer requirements at a time or in specialized design would be an important way to impress the customer. 1.5 The competition Indeed, there is competition, as far as the design and manufacturing of solar boat for race competitions is concerned. This is because there are companies that have already specialized in the design and manufacturing of such solar boats. Tamarack Lake Electric Boat Company and Dong Energy are two of such popular competitors that have been in business for several years (Jackey, 2007). As competitors, the major competitive advantage that these companies have is their brand equity. This is because of the number of years they have served the public and have been known to a number of boat race competition organizers. Most of the competitors, by virtue of their years of existence have good operating capital to run promotions. There is however positive news in the fact that the market structure remains a perfect competition, making the threat of new entrants very crucial. This means that even though there is competition on the market, this is not something that cannot be dealt with as the market structure is a permeable one. 1.6 Engineering Requirements The mechanical design of the actual solar component of the boat is dependent on the overall outcome that will have to be produced. Using a simulation, the most preferred specifications for the boat for the competition include a maximum length of 6m and maximum width of 2.4m. The driver weight is also expected not to exceed 70kg for a battery weight of 45kg. With this simulation outcome, the boat will be engineered to have a shaft in its motor with safety factor for stress of up to 2,54 and displacement of 0,2mm. This way, there can be an even balance between weight of the boat’s body, the engine and the driver (Green, 2006). The simulation also allows for the use of solar panel, specifically photovoltaic cell that can serve as sunlight collector to function as the main power generator to give mechanized support to the batter as storage power for the boat. The dimensions given are also expected to cater for the use of a pulse-width modulation (PWM) operation method, which will serve as a charging process for the boat. 1.7 Engineering Targets In terms of engineering targets, the boat will be designed with the “Firefly” built by Canadian eco-enthusiast, Dan Baker as a benchmark. Dan Baker designed the “Firefly” in a way that concentrates wholly on the use of solar powering without depending on other power sources (Borgobello, 2012). This innovation is quite new as most designers have not taken the bold step to go all-solar with boat for race competition. As noted by Messenger and Ventre (2004), most current electric boats build for recreational purposes are powered photovoltaic panels and batteries, or photovoltaic panels and fuel cell. This means that the boldness to go all out with an exclusive design of solar powered boat for race competition is yet to be achieved. Very often, designers tend to think that the addition of batteries or fuel cells would help meeting the three major requirements that have been discussed earlier. It is however time to break the jinx by using the “Firefly” as an engineering benchmark to go exclusive with solar. 1.8 Product Design Specification (PDS) This project aims to design a solar recreational boat with length of 6m and width of 2.4m that can contain one driver with weight up to 70kg. The solar recreational boat will work with a 45kg battery and come with a weighting of importance of 4 for all people that want to take part in any boat race competition. Based on this overall description, the following 9 specifications are identified for the design in relation to customer needs. Need # Metric Importance Units Marginal Value Ideal Value 1 Boat capacity in width 4 m 1.5-4 2.4 1 Boat capacity in length 4 m 4-7 6 2 Surface flatness 5 mm/m Read More