New for 2012: Clutch control is more tightly defined

[hardingfv32]

Why do they need tighter restrictions on the clutch control?

Brian

[NonNewtonic]

What you mean by clutch control srry I'm not a pro in F1

[strad]

HUH?

[Richard]

Hi Brian, have you any more info on this? A link to a story or an extract of the regs?

[scarbs]

From the FIA 2012 F1 technical regs (http://www.fia.com/EN-GB/SPORT/REGULATI ... nship.aspx)

Clutch Control

9.2.5 The amount by which the clutch is engaged must be controlled solely and directly by the driver
with the exception of :
‐ Stall prevention.
‐ Gearshifts.
‐ Bite point finder where brake pressure, wheel speed and driver clutch demand
safeguards are used.
‐ De‐clutch protections.
‐ Drivetrain protection on the track outside of any start lockout period or immediately following stall prevention activation only.
‐ Test signals enabled only when the car is connected to the garage system.
The relationship between the clutch operating device in the cockpit and the amount of clutch engagement may be non‐linear but must remain fixed.
9.2.6 When the clutch operating device is released from its maximum travel position it must return to its resting position within 50ms.
The maximum delay allowed, computed from the respective positions as recorded by the ADR or ECU, between the clutch driver control input signal and the corresponding output demand being achieved is 50ms.
9.2.7 Any device or system which notifies the driver of the amount of clutch slip or engagement is not permitted.

[strad]

Bite point finder where brake pressure, wheel speed and driver clutch demand
safeguards are used.

So,,,Launch control is permitted. hahaha

[Richard]

I read that as saying the bite point finder is only when the safeguards are active. So that means the computer has intervened after the car has got into trouble to avoid a stall or similar.

[strad]

Bite point finder where brake pressure, wheel speed and driver clutch demand,,
safeguards are used.

So it should read as I have altered it,,,with a comma?
That doesn't make sense either.
The Bite Point Finder only would be needed at launch it seems to me...not to recover from a spin or like that.

[ringo]

Rule changes are ussualy in reaction to a team doing something the others aren't.
Sounds like Ferrari and Vettel's redbull may not have those lightning getaways next year.

[strad]

And a bit more tire smoke. ;

[hardingfv32]

1) Wouldn't 'Bite point finder' just be the practice start test the cars do at the end of pit lane or off the pre grid?

2) "9.2.6 When the clutch operating device is released from its maximum travel position it must return to its resting position within 50ms.
The maximum delay allowed, computed from the respective positions as recorded by the ADR or ECU, between the clutch driver control input signal and the corresponding output demand being achieved is 50ms."

I wonder if they were using a predetermined clutch release rate at the starts. The driver just released the paddle instead of easing it out. It would eliminate one variable and let the driver focus only on the throttle. There is a good chance that this clutch activation by paddle is just not as second natured as the use of our feet to operate the clutch pedal in a normal car.

Brian

[Richard]

Good point. Slow clutch hydraulics mapped to first gear would smooth the power transfer to the wheels.

[jtc127]

Bite point tests are usually done near the end of the recon lap just before the start of the GP.

Basically the engine is held at very high RPM while the clutch is partially engaged 3-4 times (I think the computer is controlling the clutch at this point) to determine the exact point where it engages. I presume this is used to calibrate the clutch paddle on the wheel so that there isn't a dead zone at the beginning, which would help the driver consistently launch at the start.

It sounds really F'in cool!

[strad]

I wonder if they were using a predetermined clutch release rate at the starts. The driver just released the paddle instead of easing it out.

Yes that's what they do and the slow releasing paddle does the slipping for them... creates the slip and lack of tire spin and that supposedly will be gone.
50ms?? Isn't that like real quick...like popping the clutch?

[hardingfv32]

50ms?? Isn't that like real quick...like popping the clutch?

1) That is assuming a complete (100%) release of the clutch paddle by the driver. If the driver is controlling the % of release of the paddle/clutch below 100% then the time restriction does not come in to play.

The time restriction relates to the driver control input signal.

2) It also say "released from its maximum travel position". Could there be a loop hole if you release from less than maximum travel position.

3) It sure sounds like to was not as hard as we thought at the starts. Is it not possible that the clutch bite point was dialed in (automated) and that the drivers finger action on the clutch paddle was simply a start signal. Of coarse he always had the option to re-engage the clutch if he got the throttle wrong.

If this is true then 2012 is going to be much more interesting at the starts. More simulator time?

Brian