In the previous edition of Racecar (V30 N3), we tried to answer the question: how do we determine suspension spring rates and damping for a vehicle?
To answer this, it was necessary for us to first define the purpose of the suspension. We looked at how the suspension plays an important role in improving the driver and passenger comfort, handling, aerodynamics, mechanical grip, vibration and transient response.
With the purpose of a suspension defined, the next step was to select our spring and dampers. It was explained that to choose these it is necessary to first define the goals for the suspension system: driver comfort, tyre comfort, body control.
We then closed the loop by discussing how you should define your goal based on the track scenario: bumpy or smooth circuit, off-road, passenger vehicle or high/ low downforce vehicle. This month we will be looking at one of these goals: tyre comfort.
As previously mentioned, tyre comfort is important for mechanical grip. Mechanical grip refers to the efficiency (friction factor) of the tyre. Figure 1 shows a typical lateral force (Fy) versus slip angle (SA) curve, for five different vertical loads at zero degrees of camber, and a constant pressure. When testing a tyre, a typical chart used to understand the tyre’s lateral performance is an Fy-SA, like this. In this article we won’t delve into analysing the tyre’s lateral performance based on this chart. Instead, we will use this to help illustrate mechanical grip.
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Talk the torque
More thoughts on in-wheel motors and their effects on twisting force
Rolling about
An explanation of the limitations of a previous load transfer article, bringing jacking forces into the mix
F1 breaks schedule records
The FIA has confirmed no fewer than 23 races on the 2022 Formula 1 World Championship schedule, the highest number of grands prix ever to be held in a single season, and that has led to criticism from some teams that will be on the road for eight months.
Under pressure
Toyota may have finished first and second at Le Mans this year, but the effort required to overcome a fuel delivery problem and finish with both cars was Herculean
Physics at work
Dutch company, Intrax, offers Racecar Engineering an insight into the technologies it employs to optimise its suspension products
Williams' 2030 ambition
Williams Racing has committed to becoming climate positive by 2030 as part of an all-new sustainability strategy.
Diff'rent strokes
Racecar looks at the different types of mechanical differential, their benefits and limitations
Das Boot
A curious Twitter exchange fired up a unique, hydrogen-powered, cross-country project that will contest the Baja 1000 in November 2022
Air born
Every racecar engineer's dream is a blank sheet of paper design. When Hoonigan and Subaru approached Vermont Sportscars about building the next generation of Gymkhana racer, that's just what the company was given
Remote control
Called variously ‘virtual garages’, ‘mission control’ or ‘race support rooms’ is the future of race engineering sitting in the warm back at HQ?