[INFO] F1 in technical terms

[shailf1]

Keels
This thread explains the difference between the different types of lower front suspension mounts.


Single Keel

The lower wishbones are connected to a 'keel' which protrudes out of the bottom of the nose section of the chassis. Lower wishbones can be made as a single piece.
This is the old standard layout for the second half of the 1990's. Allowed the lower areas of the chassis to be raised for improved airflow under the car.


Twin Keel

The lower wishbones are mounted to separate keels which protrude from the lower corners of the chassis.
Developed to further improve airflow under the nose of the car.
Small side keels are prone to flexing.


V-Keel

Lower wishbones mount to an upside-down ‘A’ frame instead of a single keel.
Designed to allow airflow through the keel itself. Should be nearly as stiff as a single keel and with a partial improvement in air flow.

‘Zero’ Keel

Lower wishbones mount to the bottom corners of the chassis. In effect using stunted twin keels.
Both upper and lower wishbones are angled upwards to the chassis to allow this layout.
Has same aerodynamic benefits as twin keel, but is significantly stiffer.
Does lead to a compromised suspension geometry and reduced roll-stiffness.

[metalhead188]

thanks for the post

this is really helpful

[shailf1]

Bargeboard (Deflector) -
A section of bodywork mounted on the side of the chassis between the front wheels and the sidepods, designed to improve the aerodynamics of the car.
Its primary function is as a turning vane that manages the flow of air to the radiators and around the sidepods to the rear of the car. More recently they have played a role in modifying the airflow under the sidepod itself to help the diffuser.



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Bib -
The front part of the floor. Sits under the chassis and under the driver.

Can be seen below in the reflection under this Renault:




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Flap (wing) -
Element of the front and rear wings which sits behind the Main Plane, at a higher angle to generate more downforce.



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Gurney Flap -
A small strip of carbon at the back of, and at right angles to, the wing Flap (or other aero element) which increases downforce by modifying the pressure on both sides of the element to which it is attached. Can easily be trimmed for fine tuning of downforce.


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Lower Main Plane (Rear) -
Joins bottom of the endplates to the crash structure on the gearbox. Acts as another aerodynamically profiled element of the rear wing.
Unless it is otherwise supported, all rear wing loading will pass through this member.


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Monocoque (aka 'Tub' or Chassis) -

The central part of the chassis which contains the cockpit.
The nose, front suspension and fuel cell fit directly onto it, as well as the sidepods and engine to the side and rear.
Made from thick shells of carbon fibre with a structural Aluminium honey comb between them.


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Pylon -
Vertical support pillars for the rear wing. Normally running from the top of the gearbox to the centre of the Uppler Main Plane. Previosuly used as the only method of rear wing support, untill the advent of the Lower Main Plane.
Now being re-introduced to transfer structural loading away from the Lower Main Plane and End Plates, to allow them to be lighter, thinner and better aerodynamically.


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Reference Plane -
Plane from which all vertical measurements are made. Lies above the skid block/plank and bellow the main section of the floor.


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Upper Main Plane (Rear) -
The lower of the two elements that make up the top section of the rear wing.

[shailf1]

[megasyxx]

great stuff......thanks for the info.

[Zack]

Nice

Have you written this?

[shailf1]

not all,
got few bits and pieces from internet assembled it.


Definitions: http://formula1.about.com/od/formulaone ... ndex_a.htm

Spoiler:

Aerodynamics - (or aero for short) in Formula One is the science of understanding how air flows over and affects all components of a Formula One race car.

Apex - The apex is the midpoint of the inside line through a corner that a driver aims at.

Ballast - Ballast is weight that is added to modify the balance of a car and ensure that it reaches the minimum weight requirement.

Bargeboard - A bargeboard is a section of bodywork that is mounted between the front wheels and the sidepods, designed to improve the aerodynamics of the car.

Blistering - the deterioration of tires, often caused by heat but also resulting from selecting the wrong tire for a particular circuit, a poorly set up car, or excessive tire pressure.

Bottoming - occurs when the cars chassis makes contact with the race track.

Brake Balance - refers to how much of the braking power goes to the front and rear of the vehicle. The driver has access to a switch in the cockpit that can adjust the amount of brake balance that goes to the front and rear brakes.

Chassis - The chassis is the main structure of the racing car. The engine and suspension are attached to the chassis.

Chicane - A chicane is a series of very tight corners in alternate directions, typically constructed at circuits to slow the cars.

Clean Air - A general racing term used to describe air that isn't disturbed by other cars. The leader is generally driving in clean air, as there are no other cars in front to create air turbulence.

Downforce - The downward pressure created by the aerodynamics of the car as it travels forward.

Drag - The wind resistance experienced as the racing car travels forward and air moves across its exposed surfaces.

Grip - The amount of traction that a car has at any point, largely determined by the tires, the track surface, and downforce exerted on the car.

Left foot braking - A method of braking that originated in the 1990s when hand clutches were developed, enabling drivers to keep their right foot on the throttle, leaving their left foot to brake.

Lollipop - The sign on a stick held in front of the car during a pit stop which informs the driver to apply the brakes and when to shift into first gear.

Monocoque - The single-piece tub in which the cockpit is located.

Oversteer - Occurs when the car's rear end has difficulty cornering and slides forward, attempting to overtake the front end. Oversteer can be corrected by the driver by turning the front wheels into the skid when it occurs.

Paddles are the levers on either side of the steering wheel that are used to change gears.

Parc Ferme - A fenced-off area where cars must be parked after qualifying, and may only be approached by team members if an official is present.

Pit Board - A sign that is held out on the pit wall to inform a driver of his race position, the time interval to the next cars, as well as how many laps remain.

[musashi_sw]

great guys!
i love the thecnical part, and is so hard to find good stuff

[blizzard]

Great stuff, especially the thing on the keels.

I think there could be an equal description of the different nosecones, from the low nose of the F310 to the "Big mouth" of the 2004 Williams and everything in between

[Bowsey]

Interesting stuff about the keel. Does anyone know do the different keel arrangement affect the bumb and rebound settings of the suspension.

Rear Wheel Scallops

These are shaped sections ahead of the rear tyres. The purpose of them is to help clean up the air flow around the rear tyres and help maximise the work of the rear diffuser



If you want to know more about the technical side of F1 there is a book called 'The Science of F1 Design' It was written in 2004 so its not totally up to date, but pretty much there. I have a electronic version thats 140mb, i'll leave you to see if you can find it

[shailf1]

Why Redbull are quick with the 'conventional diffuser'

The RB5 is almost certainly the most innovative and extreme car on the 2009 grid. Its chassis is very high at the front, with its unique U-shape meaning the front suspension's lower wishbones share almost a single pickup point, with just a small separation in between (red arrow). This solution has the benefit of allowing a large volume of air to pass under the chassis and feed the (conventional) rear diffuser.

[AzShadow]

Yeah I read that Newey did a completely different design and that's why it'd be difficult for Red Bull to copy Brawn's diffuser. Newey said earlier in the winter that they had tried the same kind of diffuser as BGP, but they didn't believe they'd gain any advantage of it.

As we can see from Red Bull's pace the diffuser isn't really everything. And like Barrichello said in Australia, his diffuser was broken the whole race and it didn't slow him down very much.

[dazmoffman]

all interesting reading here guys keep it up.

[TwistedArmco]

Very good topic, a shame I overlooked it.

Has anyone got any more detailed close-ups of the diffuser situation? I've seen the ones in the other topic; Given that it applies both to here and to the other topic which applies to this ("Diffuser Controversy"), perhaps it can be posted in both, or just in the other topic, but I haven't seen a simple yet detailed techinal diagram yet.

[seas]

I was following your forum for some time.
If you are interested in F1 technology, check up my site

http://f1-dictionary.110mb.com/index.html index page,

or you can go directly to dictionary starting page here:

http://f1-dictionary.110mb.com/start_page.html