Powertrain development vs. vehicle dynamics

[Ockham]

Hey, gents. Just a quick observation here.

My job last year was a mix of engine tuning, powertrain development, electronics design, and manufacturing everything from wheels to wiring harness to dry sump system. I thought I'd tackled a wealth of interesting, complex systems in that time, so for this year, I moved into suspension development.

Holy. Crap.

Let's just say I have new respect for all the vastly underappreciated designers who make the car stick. I feel like some kind of incontinent David beholding Goliath. The really ironic part is that I'm still working with the powertrain team this year, so even if a miracle happens and I get all this right, I'll have a grippy, predictable suspension facing the wrong way courtesy of death-dealing wheelspin. Don'tcha just love working on two jobs which are practically contrary to each other? http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Raise one for your suspension teams, guys. Their job's not shiny, and trust me, they could use a drink.

[Ockham]

Hey, gents. Just a quick observation here.

My job last year was a mix of engine tuning, powertrain development, electronics design, and manufacturing everything from wheels to wiring harness to dry sump system. I thought I'd tackled a wealth of interesting, complex systems in that time, so for this year, I moved into suspension development.

Holy. Crap.

Let's just say I have new respect for all the vastly underappreciated designers who make the car stick. I feel like some kind of incontinent David beholding Goliath. The really ironic part is that I'm still working with the powertrain team this year, so even if a miracle happens and I get all this right, I'll have a grippy, predictable suspension facing the wrong way courtesy of death-dealing wheelspin. Don'tcha just love working on two jobs which are practically contrary to each other? http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Raise one for your suspension teams, guys. Their job's not shiny, and trust me, they could use a drink.

[PatClarke]

Ockham,

You need a shave ;-)

Pat

[RollingCamel]

When I was at OptimumG seminar I asked how many team members need to understand vehicle dynamics well and the answer I got is ALL.

Also another guy said that their guy responsible for electronic differential control knows nothing about vehicle dynamics which is quite a waste if you don't use the full potential of the feature.

[exFSAE]

It really helps having someone knowledgeable.. an expert really.. that can teach some of this stuff. Otherwise yes, it is quite daunting http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Taking the self-guided learning approach.. took me 3-5 years to really be comfortable with vehicle dynamics. And even now, still learning a lot.

[murpia]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by RollingCamel:
Also another guy said that their guy responsible for electronic differential control knows nothing about vehicle dynamics which is quite a waste if you don't use the full potential of the feature. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I see nothing wrong with this... If he was responsible for the final calibration of the system, then that would be a worry. But as long as the Race Engineer or equivalent understands how to set up the active diff, then it's OK to have a specialist develop the controller.

Do you think that OEM software engineers also need to know how to tune engines on dynos?

Regards, Ian

[RollingCamel]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by murpia:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by RollingCamel:
Also another guy said that their guy responsible for electronic differential control knows nothing about vehicle dynamics which is quite a waste if you don't use the full potential of the feature. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I see nothing wrong with this... If he was responsible for the final calibration of the system, then that would be a worry. But as long as the Race Engineer or equivalent understands how to set up the active diff, then it's OK to have a specialist develop the controller.

Do you think that OEM software engineers also need to know how to tune engines on dynos?

Regards, Ian </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I think it falls down to the structure of the team. But if you design your aerodynamics and etc without direct input from a vehicle dynamics point of view then its not at full potential. So either you have one who understands both to some extent or a vehicle dynamics expert working with powertrain guy or whatever.

It really depends on number of team members, management style and coordination.

Pff...I must do another car.