2014 Steering wheel display

[stefan_]

This is a closer look at what can the steerign wheel display used by Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, Sauber and Toro Rosso.





Display Module
PCU-8D

The PCU-8D is a lightweight driver display module designed for general motorsport applications. It is designed to connect to a host ECU via CAN and present the driver with information on a 4.3” display and LED lamps. The display is suitable for use in direct sunlight and at night. The text and graphics layout of the screen is user-configurable via PC software. 100 pages are available, and are selectable by CAN message.

Application
● Data display and warning lamps
● Typically installed within the steering wheel, although can also be remotely mounted

Display
● 4.3” backlit LCD display
● Viewable area 95mm x 54mm, 480 x 272 pixel resolution
● Viewable in direct sunlight. Brightness adjustable via CAN message for low-light conditions
● 16 Gauge types for displaying data, including bar tacho, rev lights and variable text
● 100 user-configurable page, selectable by CAN message
● The display is fully customisable; page layout can be configured by PC with text and gauges
● Alarm pages or user-configurable text warnings can be triggered by CAN messages

Communications
● One CAN interface (1Mbps). No internal termination
● One USB interface for configuration only

Unit Inputs
● One reset input (active low with internal pull-up; can be left unconnected if not required)
● One CAN address selection analogue input (connect an external resistor to unit supply ground)

Other Features
● Configuration software tool supplied with the unit

Electrical
● Supply voltage 8V to 16V DC
● Supply current: <0.6A @ 13.8V (screen and all LEDs on)

Electro Magnetic Compatibility
● Complies with the essential protection requirements of 2004/108/EEC

Environmental
● Size: 130mm x 81mm x 22mm
● Weight: <230g
● Splash resistant to standard motorsport fluids
● Lid has a rubber seal, case fixings are sealed with silicone sealant
● Maximum humidity: 95% non-condensing
● Operating temperature: 0°C to +50°C
● Storage temperature: -25°C to +85°C
● Vibration: 100Hz to 1000Hz, all axes, 24 hours
● Vibration isolation is recommended

Connection Definition
● Un-terminated flying lead only (no connector fitted), length 300mm
● 28 AWG wire for all wires unless stated
● USB wires are contained within a cable screen, with the other wires coiled round the USB screened cables
● Note the unit supply is required when configuring. The unit cannot be powered by USB

Example Screen Layouts
● The configuration software allows each page layout to be fully customised







via McLaren Applied Technologies

[Richard]

We usually have a steering wheel comparison thread with the wheels all in one place. I think there have been a few steering wheel pics & comments in the car threads. I'll move them into here if members highlight any steering wheel posts in car threads using the "report" button.

[turbof1]

It's interesting to see that half the field will be using this, even toro rosso, while the other half chooses not to.
It does look like a very neat display. It was about time that drivers could get a proper visual representation, including graphs. I hope it isn't too distraction, but I think especially on the straights it would be handy to do a quick check.

Also Richard, this isn't the steering wheel itself. It's just the display that ussually goes into the wheel, but can be seperately mounted somewhere else.

[charlex]

McLaren steering wheel display

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsOQWbJZ9mY

[turbof1]

McLaren steering wheel display

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsOQWbJZ9mY

yeah... you see I appreciate the effort, but if you checked the head post a bit better you'd notice that it's the same video.

[Holm86]

This is not the same video as in the thread already.

Windsor just chats a little about it. Look from about 5 minutes in.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q74kP_a2jZM[/youtube]

[turbof1]

Windsor: "it isn't touch screen..."

Yeah, I don't think touch screen would be a good idea with gloves, especially not the kind of gloves f1 drivers have .

[theTTshark]

Really not that impressive. Companies have been making advanced dashes for quite some time. My new favorite is Motec's new color dash. Motec dash's can also act as the datalogger too, but that wouldn't be powerful enough for what the teams require. Still though, this is one area that F1 is having to catch up to. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJt6uLqKga8

[eniacon]

The McLaren Display looks awesome! =D>
Are the other teams developing in-house solutions or going with another vendor?
Here's a picture I got from a Moto2 bike last year, just for comparison...

[Cold Fussion]

The McLaren Display looks awesome! =D>
Are the other teams developing in-house solutions or going with another vendor?
Here's a picture I got from a Moto2 bike last year, just for comparison...

http://i.imgur.com/zcGCEz6.jpg

I would imagine they're required to use the MES unit. I honestly don't see much purpose for the larger display unit, apart from laptime, speed and gear information, what other information do the drivers really need when the pitcrew are informing them of every decision anyway? It seems more suited to endurance racing.

[charlex]

McLaren steering wheel display

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsOQWbJZ9mY

yeah... you see I appreciate the effort, but if you checked the head post a bit better you'd notice that it's the same video.

This is not the same video as in the thread already.

Windsor just chats a little about it. Look from about 5 minutes in.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q74kP_a2jZM[/youtube]

i m on tapatalk and still havent found it! sorry if i m wrong

[Kiril Varbanov]

On topic: the new one is 100 grams heavier than the old one Newey must be furious about that. Hence, RB10 gets the old one.

Off topic: I've seeb lab prototypes of BMW, done by Johnson Controls - this is really amazing. Out on the market in few years.

[turbof1]

Just out of curiosity, could they hook that up to some sort of media player while waiting in the pitbox? I'd definitely see some drivers picking up a movie or an episode from their favorite show before exiting the box, just to get the nerves down.

[astracrazy]

on teds notebook he mentioned about these. he said a lot of the drivers aren't actually interested in them as they are only really interested in times (beyond rpm etc). which is prob why some have stuck with there old standard wheels as it displays all they want to know. And i agree. Most of that stuff is more relevant to the engineer and can then tell the driver on a need to know.

The generation of formula where this would of actually been of any use has been and gone. IMO its a tool which has come too late an as such isn't needed now

---

Rosberg mentioned about having it in an interview, but he talked about his wheel is his own design. Lewis designs his too, so does anyone know if he has also gone for this as well?

[Shrieker]

Rosberg mentioned about having it in an interview, but he talked about his wheel is his own design. Lewis designs his too, so does anyone know if he has also gone for this as well?

This is Rosberg:
http://www.formula1.com/wi/enlarge/0x0/ ... 29a329.jpg

Britney again:
http://img3.auto-motor-und-sport.de/Nic ... 752256.jpg

And this is the best shot of Hamilton's wheel i could dig from the car thread:
http://i.imgur.com/ezs3LUQ.png

I can't make really sure, but it seems like the same display. Surely there's someone around who knows better or has a better pic of the cockpit with Lewis at the wheel.