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To unify and make more simple to evaluate, a figure '8'
test track for cars and trucks/busses, should be applied.
The start and end point is determined to be at the
center,
at the intersection of the two (or more, various
diameters/radiuses' -) circles.
A direction is chosen, and the car
is accellerated to it's
maximum power capability, following the circular path,
of
the diameter chosen/selected/specified.
Two modes of testing are then present : One going for
the
full track figure '8' form, crossing the central intersection
at speed, and alternating the direction of curvature of
the
trajektory (steering around to the other side), at speed.
The other, testing the braking ability as well, to take the
tested vehicle to a full stop at the start/stop point in the
center of the figure '8', and then accellerating again to
the
max, in the opposing circle of the figure '8' track.
Note : The local race track here in Modena, Emilia, Italy,
in
what's now been named 'Parco Enzo A. Ferrari', ie.
'Ferrari's Park', was indeed shaped as a figure '8'. Only, it
was used for competition racing purposes !!, - I have no
info on the ways the competitors decided as to who
would
have priority, upon meeting another opposing direction
driver, at the intersection in the center,,,....,.,.
The proposed idea is, hence, a track of more diameters,
as to test a spectrum of velocities, and sideways G-
forces,
AND the two modes of either speeding through the
center,
or braking, and re-accellerating.
VW Beetle vs. 911 Turbo PORSCHE,..
http://www.topgear....series-16-episode-1 - and the Beetle wins !!!!!!!!!! (one 'g' accelleration, vertical vs. horizontal). [sirau, Jun 04 2011]
The 'Top Gear' test track.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/topgear/track/ Figure of 8 as requested. Well ... 8-ish. There's a crossover in the middle at least. [DrBob, Jun 04 2011]
[link]
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Idea inspired by 4x4 magazine's ground-clearance 3D
ellipzoid's, of which obstacle geometry can be
overcome by a tested vehicle design lay-out. |
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The simplicity of geometry forms, taken as a tool in
real-world Product test. |
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As to fuel economy, constant speeds could be
applied, instaed of max bore all-out at-the-brink-
of-slide racing speeds. |
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The simplest check sums results would be :
Autonomy at Given Speed (from full to empty tank
capacity), and, derived from this : Specific Mileage
Curve, ie. autonomy devided by tank capacity, as
it depends on the achievable constant speeds. |
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A simplistic test, which wouldn't apply to the
newest 'Start-Stop' feature generation market
offerings, would be simply to let the engine run at
stand-still, at idle speed, and let it slowly sip up
the entire tank content. This would verify city
driving cooling aspects (over heating conditions),
and could be a seperate test, to be carried out in
the 'Death Vally' round, which is, I belive, a
standard part of all manufacturers material and
systems check of their new launches. |
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Yep, the Top Gear famous track is a near figure '8' -
also the Japanese 'SUZUKA', and the City of
Fiorano situated, Ferrari owned, 'FIORANO', has
central 'cross-sections', with tunnels. |
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My idea, to simplify driving the car, would be to
have perfect circular slope of the curve'. This
eliminates transient responce testing/differences,
as the car would just go at a staedy sideways 'g'
condition, determined by the specific curvature
(differrent circles available), and the forward
motion linear velocity. |
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Eliminating transient response, would make it
feasible as a Automotive Engineering student's
excercise, in regular linear math calculations, of
determining a theoretical reference point, in
several fields of the (future) proffession : Fuel
economy (energy consumbtion, aerodynamics, tire
and bearings/transmission efficiencies, power and
efficiency curves of the engines, (steady-state)),
but also : Suspension angle's, Tire adhesion &
wear. |
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A tunnel in the center would be an advancement,
relieving the 'who gets there first'/crashes
problematics. |
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Possibly the 'tunnel'(/'tunnels') could be stacked,
as to allow both directions round the '8' to be
driven in the tests. |
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Sorry, stacking is a complex 3D escapists solution,..
Just center lines on the which-ever on-top tunnel '8'
shape, would allow opposing directions. |
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Where do I put the skidpad, the flat space of
pavement where we test things like slalom
maneuvers? |
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Where do we test uphill gradeability, braking on
washboard surfaces, dissimilar friction surfaces,
trailer tow max speeds, etc? |
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Fuel economy is tested usually on a rolls dyno
platform with emission sampling equipment to
measure fuel used. Aero is done in much more
predictable environments. Engine power curves
are done on dynos. |
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Prototype vehicles cost a gazillion dollars each, as
does testing them and arranging to do so. Much
of the testing is done upstream to reduce
production cycle times, with the on-track tests
serving largely as confirmation only. |
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Sorry, the title's 'Testing' could be taken as
'Verification', in a manufacturers perspective. The
'Testing' is meant as the real-world dramas of
letting the motor journalist press rep's fling the
cars around (as well as a consideration towards
simple, engineering college, suspension angles and
vehicle performance linear calculations). |
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The varying diameter double-dual-circular test
track, is
essentially the same as two mirrored test track
skid pads, placed outer radiusses aligned, !!, the
adhesion ability of the car is tested
as part of the full throttle round-about test. |
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