Visteon Technology Supports Stewart-Ford F1 Team
13 January 1998
Visteon Technology Supports Stewart-Ford Team
DUNTON, England, Jan. 13 -- With technological contributions
numbering almost as many as the "energy" dots in its colourful corporate
symbol, Visteon, the automotive systems enterprise of Ford Motor Company
, is a significant technology partner to the Stewart-Ford Formula One
team.
Visteon's complete powertrain control system, which includes sophisticated
electronic engine and transmission management, real-time telemetry,
"fly-by-wire" driver controls, digital driver information displays, and voice
technology, provides the Stewart-Ford team with key elements necessary for a
winning performance in the world's top form of motorsport competition.
"Our involvement in Formula One with the Stewart-Ford team is symbolic of
our capability to serve the world's automotive industry," says Charles Szuluk,
Visteon's president.
"With one of the most comprehensive product ranges among automotive
suppliers, we have capabilities that are virtually unmatched in this industry,
and we'll use those capabilities to do what we're setting out to do: make our
customers successful whether it be in Grand Prix racing or the automotive
sales race."
Formerly Ford Automotive Product Operations, Visteon was formed in 1997
with plans to lead the supplier industry. As international as Formula One,
Visteon has 78,000 employees located in 74 plants, including 29 joint
ventures, and 30 sales offices, engineering and technical centres in 19
countries around the world.
Visteon technology -- and people -- are with the Stewart-Ford team at
every Grand Prix race around the world, and also in the crucial design,
development and testing processes with 22 Visteon engineers providing a
dedicated full-time service to the team.
"The technology partnership is not just a one way service, but brings a
wide range of benefits back to Visteon and the products we supply to our
customers," says Szuluk.
"Being at the technological frontier of vehicle engineering Fl provides a
unique environment for engineers to develop new components and test them under
demanding racing conditions. Right now we are working on some exciting new
sensor technology which we expect to see in mainstream production in the not
too distant future."
Visteon technology on the Stewart-Ford cars includes:
Electronic Engine Management
Based on the EEC-IV engine control module produced by Visteon for Ford
road vehicles, the dual microprocessor Phase 6 module controls key engine
management responsibilities for the Ford Zetec-R V10 engine which powers the
cars driven by Rubens Barrichello and Jan Magnussen. The system manages fuel
and spark delivery to the cylinders and constantly monitors the efficiency of
the engine's fuel burn and makes performance adjustments for optimum
performance. The system accomplishes this by issuing 10 million computer
commands a second. This system also controls the engine to meet strict
pit-lane speed limits.
Real-Time Telemetry
Critical data is transmitted from the two Stewart-Ford cars to the pits
allowing engineers to constantly monitor and predict key performance aspects.
It's like reading the instrument panel without being in the car, but with
infinitely more detail. If a problem develops, team engineers often know it
before the drivers and can take corrective actions quickly.
Drive-By-Wire
Also called "fly by wire," these controls replace the traditional
mechanical controls for key functions, such as the throttle, clutch and
shifter, with the finesse of digital electronic controls. Instead of being
connected to the engine by a cable linkage, the throttle pedal sends an
electronic impulse which controls engine speed. Instead of a clutch pedal,
the driver uses a small switch without taking his hand off the steering wheel.
For shifting up or down through the gears, the driver just clicks a fingertip
control and the car does the rest in a matter of milliseconds.
Active Differential Control
As with drive-by-wire controls for the gearbox, driver-adjustable
differential controls are used to achieve improved traction and optimum
balance.
Driver Information Displays
Stewart-Ford Formula One drivers have access to a variety of information
in the cockpit, which features the customized instrument panel and
driver-information on the steering wheel itself. Digital readouts at the top
of the steering wheel indicate vehicle speed and gear selection, and other
lights and instrumentation provide additional operational information and
warnings. Easy-to-operate switches on the steering wheel and instrument panel
allow the driver to adjust the car's operation, such as to meet the pit-lane
speed limit or to change the sensitivity of fly-by-wire controls.
Voice Technology
Hand-in-hand with the digital communication of real-time telemetry, voice
technology is used to assure optimal communication between the drivers and the
team officials in the pits at all times. Voice technology includes the use of
"noise cancellation" capabilities due to Formula One's severe communication
environment.
Drawing on its relationship to Ford, Visteon combines nearly a century of
experience with an emphasis on fully integrated systems and a global marketing
plan to increase business additional to Ford to 20 percent of sales. Other
key objectives include expanding sales in emerging markets and crating new
opportunities for Visteon's extensive line-up of aftermarket products.
Formerly Ford Automotive Products Operations, Visteon emerged from an
extensive internal business analysis with seven systems divisions focused on
designing, developing and delivering fully integrated systems.
* Chassis Systems Division has a wide range of capabilities with its
fully integrated driveline, steering, suspension and exhaust systems.
* Climate Control Systems Division's rapid analytical system design and
development process provides the comfort of passengers under a vast range of
environmental conditions.
* Electronics Systems Division makes sure drivers and passengers are
safe, informed and entertained by using some of the most sophisticated and
leading-edge technology in the industry, from air bags and anti-lock braking
systems to audiophile systems.
* Exterior Systems Division's new integrated front-end system achieves
significant reduction in production cost and complexity, which is achieved
through the use of modularity and systems engineering.
* Glass Systems Division produces a full range of automotive glass and
interfaces with several other divisions. It's a leading producer of
automotive glass, including solar tint and dark privacy glass for OEM and
aftermarket.
* Interior Systems Division is a major integrator of full interior
systems. Among the major modules and components are cockpits, doors, seats,
consoles, headliners, instrument panels and trim.
* Powertrain Control Systems Division, known for its innovative, creative
and world-class systems, is a leader in electronic fuel injection systems.
SOURCE Visteon Automotive Systems
