11 replies to this topic

[Bakeryman]

How are the many electrical connections made between the removable steering wheel and the rest of the car's systems?  A multi-pin arrangement would seem very susceptible to damage in the heat of the moment which could prevent the car performing correctly or indeed at all.  Perhaps they are made wirelessly?

[Archer]

I think those connectors are a lot sturdier than they appear, and also the electrical connections surely are over-sized to handle all the vibrations and stress of a race. I don't know how much pins the connector have, but I believe that It would not make sense to not use a data bus, so the number of pins would be very limited in that case. The wireless solution could be subject to all kinds of interference and noise, and also other teams potentially could take advantage of this using radio frequency blockers in key moments as in a race start or an overtake. It is only an educated guess, I hope others can help you better than me.

[GreenMachine]

It would be a canbus link surely, so just a couple of wires?

[gruntguru]

Need at least 2 connections to power the steering wheel. Potentially, all the data could be multiplexed across the same 2 wires.

[Greg Locock]

I'd use slip rings for power and optical for data. I was going to suggest a clockspring like is used on road cars, but that doesn't deal with the removable wheel. Wireless would be crazy.

[saudoso]

Edited by saudoso, 21 April 2016 - 10:46.

[Greg Locock]

Very good, but how does it get from inside the rotating shaft to the outside world? just a flexible cable?

Edited by Greg Locock, 21 April 2016 - 11:24.

[saudoso]

In case of F1 I think it would do the trick, right? I don't believe it would turn past 180 degrees each way.

Check at 2'55" / 3'00"

Edited by saudoso, 21 April 2016 - 11:54.

[Archer]

I'd use slip rings for power and optical for data. I was going to suggest a clockspring like is used on road cars, but that doesn't deal with the removable wheel. Wireless would be crazy.

I believe you're right, but I fail to see how any of this devices could interfere with the removable wheel, the steering rod is long enough to place them, anyways even a simple flatflex could do the trick.

[saudoso]

From scarbs at F1T:

 

[Bakeryman]

Thanks for all those answers.  Must now read all about a canbus link!

[Fat Boy]

Very good, but how does it get from inside the rotating shaft to the outside world? just a flexible cable?

 

The cable that runs out of the steering shaft takes a loop around the shaft and has a bit of slack. That's really all it takes. Keep in mind, the steering only rotates ~180 degrees each way from center, and that's usually only used in pit lane.