think up a problem definition

[popsicle]

i am a mechanical engineer(senior at University) but even above that i am an avid car enthusiast and have been for a long time.i have worked on number of projects throughout my enthusiast career. my most recent being the escort pictured in the gallery forum. i have worked most extensively with mazdas which i really love, have owned an Fc, some mx6's but mostly BG's(escorts, 323's, proteges). to this end i want to ask of this forum body, what features of cars in general do you think need to be worked on. what improvements would you want to see in cars(chassis, suspension, drivetrain, valvetrain etc). basically define a problem with cars in general you'd like to see improved. i am looking at attempting to solve an aspect of an automobile as a project, so i'm trying to get a feel for what you guys have in mind to reach a conclusion on what to work on.
Thanks for participating.
Des.

[the mike]

Reducing wheelhop in an independent rear suspension.

<<<<would REALLY like to see the DOT realize that JDM/EDM lighting is just fine for the US market. :)

More viable AWD systems, adjustable front to rear. Not the FWD to 50/50 systems out there on most "AWD" cars. Something that can give you the option of having a RWD car on some days, but FWD or AWD for other days.

Maybe I can come up with more at work tomorrow.


mike

[popsicle]

thanks. that's a good start. also think up other ideas with respect to current technologies i have available. a collegue has a device and software for data acquisition(how can that be intergrated into the automobile somewhere), as well as another who has designed a torque sensing device. could maybe be used on axles with the yield strength known so that along with the data acquisition unit can be used to know when the tq applied to the axles is close/greater than the maximum it will take.

[Gorilla Unit 33]

i totally agree with everything the mike said, i will also think of some during my day

[the mike]

thanks. that's a good start. also think up other ideas with respect to current technologies i have available. a collegue has a device and software for data acquisition(how can that be intergrated into the automobile somewhere), as well as another who has designed a torque sensing device. could maybe be used on axles with the yield strength known so that along with the data acquisition unit can be used to know when the tq applied to the axles is close/greater than the maximum it will take.

Maybe use that torque sesning device in conjunction with the ABS to eliminate torque steer in FWD vehicles?

[Gorilla Unit 33]

a traction controll device that doesnt make fwd cars stall at the dump of the clutch and instead eased into full throttle launches without spinning tires ... sounds a little complicated

[popsicle]

ahh yes. keep them coming...i am really trying to figure out how to use the tq sensing device in conjunction with the data acquisition module.

[FeeJ]

Yeah I was trying to find teh same thing, since I was in a similar position at the beginning of the semester. But I submitted for a simpler problem of alternatively fueled wankel (S4 13B N326), but things have changed and Im actually designing a compressed air motor now. Its interesting I just need some time to work on it.

I say create a completely new suspension geometry forget teh old stuff and come up with something creative that keeps level tires at all times no matter the loads or attitude of the car. New transmission like a super CVT. new LSD tech. Those ideas of choosable wheel drive is sweet, something simpler than multiple transfer cases though