Design and Manufacture of Small-Sized Electric Vehicles for Mechanical Engineering Education

Abstract

This paper describes an attempt of engineering education in extracurricular activities outside of class and an experimental course in class using electric vehicles. The Kochi University of Technology was inaugurated in April 1997. Engineering education trials of three years has been conducted. In 1997, 3 student teams participated in an ecopower race held in Kochi, Japan, with hand-made ecological vehicles. In the summer, 1998, three teams challenged to participate in the Shikoku Electric Vehicle Rally using light-weight vehicles converted into electric cars. Using such lightweight electric vehicles, a student experimental course in class was condhcted in the winter, 1998. This paper reports these engineering education activities. To provide such an active learning opportunity, a learning environment is needed rather than just teaching in classes. Manufacturing such as electric vehicles is considered to be of importance as well as the basic sciences such as mathematics and physics.

Study on a Motor Driver for an Improved SRM by Using Constant Current Power Supply

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Ten Years Educational Activities Using Electric Vehicles at Kochi University of Technology: 2nd Report of Laboratory Activities in 2000-2006

“…Since then, new engineering educational curricula such as first year seminars using real products [Sakamoto et al, 1997] experimental courses using vehicles [Sakamoto, 2001], computer assisted English education [Greene, 2001, Hunter, 2001] had been tried to prepare. Among them, the author thinks that the design education is of great importance, as Fargason [Fargason, translated by Fujiwara and Sunada, 1995] mentioned that design is engineering synthesis.…”

Development of an Electric Powered Tiller for House Gardening

“…The Kochi University of Technology has been trying to develop new engineering educational curricula such as first year seminars using real products [Sakamoto et al, 1997] experimental courses using vehicles [Sakamoto, 2001], computer assisted English education [Greene, 2001, Hunter, 2001, and so on. Among them, the author thinks that the design education is of great importance, as Fargason [Fargason, translated by Fujiwawa and Sunada, 1995] mentioned that design is engineering synthesis.…”