F1 What is reactive control ride-height or height system?
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Reactive ride-height system called the British at the height control system that has become fashionable among virtually all Formula 1 teams ahead of the upcoming season is about to begin.
The preseason has started strong after filtration of the first significant developments of the new F1 season 2012 with the arrival back to the cars of a height control system , in this case applied only to the front wheels of the car ( in principle ).
Team Lotus , which will feature former world champion Kimi Raikkonen wants to be a hero and was the first of all on the track to test the height control system during the test young drivers held in Abu Dhabi. Recently, the self Domenicali that Ferrari has made is also working on the same line and is to pass pending the legality of their system by the FIA .
But what is the reactive system or ride-height control system?
The height control system is a device that acts on the Punton suspension tie rod that activates the front shocks. These, to be housed in the central part of the car, the monocoque ( 5 ) are activated by a 'tight' ( 3 ) linking the buffer with the wheels as if it were a lever, right between the middle of triangles ( a ) and ( 2 ) of the suspensions, as shown in the image below.
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So far this tie had a fixed route , and was fixed to the hub and suspensions without being able to make changes during the race. The genius of the ride-reactive system is that now, by a cam located at the anchor point to wheel hub actuated by a hydraulic system, we can 'move' that tie , interacting on the damping at will, so that we can vary the pressure on the dampers in all circumstances , adapted to delight the height of the car to the ground at its front.
How to operate the system?
The first are the most reliable information coming from the system that Lotus is developing, and may vary depending on the interpretation of each team. For this reason the FIA should allow one to one height control devices.
For Lotus , the latest information they have transcended refer to an activation 'automatic' through the interaction of height control system linked to the use of brakes . Each time the driver brakes when approaching a curve, the displacement of the pistons that activate the brake calipers 'trigger' the piston in the lever and intervenes on the suspension strut, counteracting the force of gravity pushes the car to the ground when braking keep ideal height to ground whenever the brake pedal.
Why is legal height control system?
Because it acts on any aerodynamic component directly , or on the wings or on the body, in fact it is a moving aerodynamic device, acting on the suspension. The height difference in braking and acceleration is achieved with this system is a mere 'accident' as a result of the action of a mechanism, which in some cases (like Lotus) does not need or even the interaction of the pilot, so this does not intervene in the 'accidental aerodynamic changes' being the device 100 % legal, at least in the form presented by Lotus, and has formed and the FIA.
What advantages does the height control front?
A well-calibrated well the system can monitor the proper height of the car attack braking phase, obtaining the perfect distance from the front wing flat bottom and start from the aerodynamic point of view. The result is an ideal efficiency in all circumstances impossible to imitate without this system.
The device provides clear advantages in acceleration, the balance of the entire front area would cease to 'ride' in and out during acceleration.
Another strength of this system would be the immediate improvement in behavior and duration of the phase front tires in braking and corner entry , easing the immense forces that bear on each brake Pirelli, resulting in improved performance and tire wear.
Credit BoxGP
Written by Ivan Martin and Ladera
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