Launch control (automotive)

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Switch for activating launch control in the center console of a Porsche 918 RSR. Porsche 918 RSR center console and flywheel.jpg
Switch for activating launch control in the center console of a Porsche 918 RSR.

Launch control is an electronic aid to assist drivers of both racing and street cars to accelerate from a standing start. Motorcycles have been variously fitted with mechanical and electronic devices for both street and race.

Contents

Popular automobiles with launch control include the BMW M series, certain marques of the Volkswagen Group with Direct-Shift Gearbox (most notably the Bugatti Veyron), Porsche 911 (sport+ mode), Panamera Turbo, Alfa Romeo with TCT gearbox and certain General Motors products. Mitsubishi also incorporated launch control into their Twin Clutch SST gearbox, on its "S-Sport" mode, but the mode is only available in the Evolution X MR and MR Touring (USDM). The Jaguar F-Type includes launch control. The Nissan GT-R has electronics to control launch but the company does not use the term "launch control" [1] since some owners have equated the term with turning off the stability control to launch the car, which may void the warranty of the drivetrain. One version of Nissan GT-R allows user to launch the car by turning the Traction Control to "R" mode.

Operation

Launch control is, in essence, a second rev limiter. Launch control operates by using an electronic accelerator and a computer program in a drive-by-wire application, and through fuel or spark cut in a mechanical throttle application. The software can control acceleration based on engine specifications to make the car accelerate smoothly and as fast as possible, avoiding spinning of the drive wheels, engine failure due to over-revving and clutch and gearbox problems. Looking more in depth, launch control holds the engine's RPM at a set number, allowing the car to build power before the computer or operator engages the clutch. [2] In racing cars, this feature is only available at the start of the race, when the car is stationary in the starting grid. After the car is running at a certain speed, the software is disabled. Traditional launch control is only feasible in a road car with any car with a clutch or clutch pack, which includes cars with a manual transmission or dual-clutch transmission. A road car with an automatic transmission typically has the software perform brake-torquing, the action of holding the car at wide-open throttle while also holding the brake so the car doesn't move, which is separate from launch control.

Aftermarket launch control

Modern vehicles are increasingly becoming equipped with launch control features available straight from the factory. However, if a vehicle doesn’t come equipped with such features, then aftermarket forms of launch control can be purchased and installed. A common form of aftermarket launch control is commonly known as two-step rev limiting. A two-step rev limiter is a module that regulates the engines rpms for a controlled launch and optimal power settings. Two step limiting confines rpms at two sperate points. The first point is programmed to limit the revolutions to a desirable launch range and the second point is limited to protect the engine from over revving. The limiting itself is controlled through the modulator by regulating the fuel and ignition. Once the desired revolutions are met the two-step system will adjust these parameters allowing for power production to cease until released. [3] Its important to note that aftermarket two step rev limitation is only a viable option with a manual transmission. Launch control for an automatic transmission car requires a different set up.

Reason for use

Racing drivers have only a very short time at the start of a race in which to achieve competitive acceleration. High power delivery to the gearbox and driven wheels cannot easily be managed even by the most skilled drivers.

Launch control is also highly useful in turbocharged engines. Due to the nature of how a turbocharger works, you cannot ensure that you have 100 percent of the engine's torque at a moment's notice. With a launch control system, you can ensure that the turbocharger receives enough exhaust pressure to maintain boost pressure. You can further amplify this effect by having the launch control software progressively retard ignition timing up to a set RPM.

Launch control was originally intended to give cars the ability to accelerate as fast as possible regarding optimal engine conditions from a stop. However, car communities around the United States have begun to organize events surrounded around the byproduct of launch control systems, this byproduct is usually called a backfire. Using aftermarket launch control systems allows for drivers to manipulate the fuel and ignition settings. To create a backfire, the ignition settings are turned down allowing for a build up of excess fuel which creates a larger combustion producing loud bangs and pops from the exhaust. In some instances the launch control systems are modified to produce large flames that also expel from the exhaust pipe. Competitions are held in car communities based on achieving the loudest backfire or producing the largest flame. [4]

History

Developments in electronics in the 1980s enabled the introduction of launch control. In 1985, Renault's RE60 F1 car stored information on a diskette which was later unloaded at the pits, giving the engineers detailed data about the car's behavior. Later, telemetry allowed the data to be sent by radio between the pits and the car. Increasing the use of electronics on the car allowed engineers to modify the settings of certain parameters whilst it was on the track, which is called bi-directional telemetry.

Among the electronic driving aids were a semi-automatic transmission, an anti-lock braking system (ABS), a traction control system, and active suspension. The 1993 Williams FW15C model featured all of these aids. This trend was ended by the FIA when it outlawed these aids for the 1994 season, considering that they reduced the importance of driver skill to too great a degree. Bi-directional telemetry was also forbidden, which was soon reinstated as the FIA found it too hard to analyze the engine programmes in order to search for hidden code that could be found breaking the rules.

Fully-automatic transmissions, traction control, and launch control were allowed again from the 2001 Spanish Grand Prix, but as of the 2004 and 2008 season, they were outlawed in order to reduce the money needed for a competitive F1 team. [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14]

From being a feature that was predominately seen only in race cars, launch control is now featured in almost all modern consumer car brands. Brands such as BMW, Dodge, and Mercedes all have implemented a launch feature in select models of their vehicles. [15]

Motorcycle usage

Street motorcycles have been fitted with factory devices to balance power characteristics to rider requirements. [16] Competition entrants can call it "holeshot". [17] [18] Race machines are increasingly using additional suspension-altering technology to lower the stance and aid aerodynamics. [19] [20] [17]

Motocross bikes use mechanical holeshot devices to temporarily compress the front suspension prior to race-start. [21] [22]

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References

  1. ↑ Mitani, Sam (17 March 2009). "2010 Nissan GT-R". www.roadandtrack.com. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  2. ↑ "What is Launch Control, and How Does it Work?". J.D. Power. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  3. ↑ Menon, Kiran (2020-09-30). "How A Two-Step Rev Limiter Works And If It's Bad For Your Car". HotCars. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  4. ↑ McGraw, Jesse (2021-07-03). "The Flames & Pops of Two Step Backfire Competitions". carsforsale.
  5. ↑ "F1 Regulations - Formula 1 Rules and Regulations for the 2004 F1 Season". www.newsonf1.com. Retrieved 2020-11-10.
  6. ↑ "Development of Traction Control Systems for Formula One" (PDF). www.f1-forecast.com. Retrieved 2020-12-06.
  7. ↑ Masefield, Fraser (2013-10-19). "What Has F1 Ever Done for Us?". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2020-12-06.
  8. ↑ "F1 Regulations - Formula 1 Rules and Regulations for the 2004 F1 Season". www.newsonf1.com. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  9. ↑ "Traction Control to Stay in F1 in 2004 - F1 - Autosport". autosport.com. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  10. ↑ "FIA makes massive changes to F1; several technological enhancements banned". Autoweek. 14 January 2003. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  11. ↑ "Knutson: F1 shifting gears, literally". ESPN.com. 22 February 2004. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  12. ↑ "Less electronics will make life interesting". au.motorsport.com. 4 February 2004. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  13. ↑ F1 2004 - Australian GP Highlights (Greek Subs). F 1racingnews. 13 January 2019. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 30 August 2021– via YouTube.
  14. ↑ "Traction control banned in F1 beginning in 2008". Autoblog. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  15. ↑ "Cars With Launch Control: Houston, We Have Lift Off!". Automotive Addicts. 10 January 2011. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  16. ↑ Ducati XDiavel S: get ready for launch Motorcycle News , 11 November 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2021
  17. 1 2 Qatar MotoGP: Alex Rins: I forgot launch control, difficult to manage the power! crash.net, 30 March 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2021
  18. ↑ The science behind a MotoGP holeshot device crash.net, 4 September 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2021
  19. ↑ What We Learned From The Ducati 2021 MotoGP Launch motomatters.com, 15 February 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2021
  20. ↑ Ducati Posts Record MotoGP Top Speed ADVrider, 2 April 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2021
  21. ↑ Suspension restraint devices Google Patents. Retrieved 11 April 2021
  22. ↑ Zeta Holeshot Assist, Product review feature fullnoise.com.au, 9 March 2019. Retrieved 11 April 2021
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