ipso - 07 November 2009 03:01 PM

This video shows the nose assembly replacement up close, and mentions "two captive bolts"; briefly showing the guy twist-tighten something. However – I’m fairly positive I’ve seen nose replacements where the nose was just pushed on, with no mechanical tightening at all.

Here you can see a Ferrari nose with 4 doweling set-pin connectors. I swag that there are captive bolts in the chassis receivers, and actuate under the heads of these set-pins. So you can just push the nose on to lock it, and have a simple recessed release push-pin in the chassis.



And similar for Redbull, which shows a flat match (i.e. no male/female connectivity between the carbon.)



(Also interesting here is the main upper suspension arms extending forward beyond the nose receiver into thin air. That geometry problem must have briefly beguiled Newey! Looks to be too flexy as it stands. The nose cone could serve as an “immovable” foundation for both bars to push against, but if that is the design, and the nose cone is ripped off … you couldn’t get the car back to the garage without total failure of the front suspension. Maybe they have that much trust in the security of the nose connectors…. Total wild speculation – and off topic to the nose connector question at hand.)

The only thing in the tech regs is the nose push-off test – talking about strength of the connection, with zero detail on what/how.

On the Red Bull front arms - I think what you're seeing there is more fairing than actual arm.

On the nose fasteners, I'm thinking they could be somewhat like a 1/4 twist furniture fastener I've used.
http://www.rockler.com/findit.cfm?page=2334&cookietest=1

ipso - 07 November 2009 03:01 PM

This video shows the nose assembly replacement up close, and mentions "two captive bolts"; briefly showing the guy twist-tighten something. (at ~2:12)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzfRBVJrzzA

However – I’m fairly positive I’ve seen nose replacements where the nose was just pushed on, with no mechanical tightening at all.

Here you can see a Ferrari nose with 4 doweling set-pin connectors. I swag that there are captive bolts in the chassis receivers, and actuate under the heads of these set-pins. So you can just push the nose on to lock it, and have a simple recessed release push-pin in the chassis.



And similar for Redbull, which shows a flat match (i.e. no male/female connectivity between the carbon.)



(Also interesting here is the main upper suspension arms extending forward beyond the nose receiver into thin air. That geometry problem must have briefly beguiled Newey! Looks to be too flexy as it stands. The nose cone could serve as an “immovable” foundation for both bars to push against, but if that is the design, and the nose cone is ripped off … you couldn’t get the car back to the garage without total failure of the front suspension. Maybe they have that much trust in the security of the nose connectors…. Total wild speculation – and off topic to the nose connector question at hand.)

The only thing in the tech regs is the nose push-off test – talking about strength of the connection, with zero detail on what/how.

Now that I see those four pegs on the nose, they remind me of the "cam lock" fittings on my "el-cheapo special" computer desk. They work something like the Dzus fasteners in that there is a cam resembling the one that engages the spring. The difference here is that the cam engages the end of a post like the ones in the nose cone in the picture.

The engagement is similar in that the peg fits into the slot and the cam is turned 90° to fully engage it, then the ball or wide spot on the end of the peg settles into an indentation in the cam and the pieces are held securely together. The advantages of such a cam-and-peg system are more secure mating and greater strength than the Dzus fasteners. Also, the barrel-shaped cam can "float" in its hole, rather than having to be fixed by a retainer.

GreyWolf74 - 07 November 2009 08:08 PM

Now that I see those four pegs on the nose, they remind me of the "cam lock" fittings on my "el-cheapo special" computer desk. They work something like the Dzus fasteners in that there is a cam resembling the one that engages the spring. The difference here is that the cam engages the end of a post like the ones in the nose cone in the picture.

The engagement is similar in that the peg fits into the slot and the cam is turned 90° to fully engage it, then the ball or wide spot on the end of the peg settles into an indentation in the cam and the pieces are held securely together. The advantages of such a cam-and-peg system are more secure mating and greater strength than the Dzus fasteners. Also, the barrel-shaped cam can "float" in its hole, rather than having to be fixed by a retainer.

Precisely what I was referring to above; a picture of that type of fastener is found here:
http://www.rockler.com/findit.cfm?page=2334&cookietest=1

wilmywood8455 - 08 November 2009 09:08 AM

GreyWolf74 - 07 November 2009 08:08 PM

Now that I see those four pegs on the nose, they remind me of the "cam lock" fittings on my "el-cheapo special" computer desk. They work something like the Dzus fasteners in that there is a cam resembling the one that engages the spring. The difference here is that the cam engages the end of a post like the ones in the nose cone in the picture.

The engagement is similar in that the peg fits into the slot and the cam is turned 90° to fully engage it, then the ball or wide spot on the end of the peg settles into an indentation in the cam and the pieces are held securely together. The advantages of such a cam-and-peg system are more secure mating and greater strength than the Dzus fasteners. Also, the barrel-shaped cam can "float" in its hole, rather than having to be fixed by a retainer.

Precisely what I was referring to above; a picture of that type of fastener is found here:
http://www.rockler.com/findit.cfm?page=2334&cookietest=1

Amazing, what technology teams will dig up when they hear about it.
I'd be willing to bet that the version on Formula One cars
is made of stronger stuff than the pieces avaliable at
the typical hardware store/woodworker's supply store though.

I'm sure of that; but the basics are no doubt very similar.

I was thinking the same about cam-locks after seeing the picture, but that would require another turn to tighten it. I think they actually have a spring loaded wedge with a U cutout in it. A 1/4 turn to retract (two on each side could easily be linked so that only one tool is needed to retract the wedges and release both pegs) To install, the peg pushes the wedge shape to the side then it springs back once the ball tip of the peg is clear. same principle as a common door "locking pin" Have to be some dang tight tolerances and precise mechs though.