Mitsubishi Roll Control: Best Suspension Design In 25 Years!

[Sanctifier]

As usual, Mitsubishi's Evolution is evolving yet again into what will probably be called the Evo X.
However, striking like a thunderbolt this time; it seems to be more of a Revolution, rather
than the gradual changes to which we have become accustomed over the years.

Again, as usual the most impressive engineering feature remains something other than
the superb acceleration and phenomenal top-speed of this "World beating" 4-door sports-car.
I know that with that "icon" of affordable engineering genius, the Evo 6 RS2; the
characteristics that most impressed me were the "surgically sharp" steering and "turn-in"
and the ("it has to be alien!") brakes. With the new Evo X, we again re-visit an old, trusted
friend that has made the Evolution so invincible for all these years... Can you say HANDLING???

Yup!... Mitsubishi seems to have done it yet again. It looks like the new Evo X with new
"Roll Control" suspension technology will be the hottest thing since sliced bread for
"handling freaks" like myself.

Apparently taking "Active Suspension" theory to its logical conclusion; Mitsubishi may have
added a system that was already "licensed" for use on their Dakar-dominating Pajero Evolution.
By the way, it's a derivative of the same system "licensed" by Citroen that allowed
Sebastian Loeb to win the 2005 WRC. For those who didn't know, one of the main reasons
that Loeb and Citroen won the 2005 WRC (again... for the THIRD time) was because their
Xzara has the most well-developed "Active Suspension" system available, since Colin Chapman
(Lotus) introduced the technology to Formula 1 over 25 years ago (1979-81 Lotus 86 and 88.)

Concept X:
"Surprisingly, Mitsubishi claims to have added a new "Roll Control" suspension to this vehicle;
details on this system are minimal, but I've got a hunch it has something to do with active dampers...

For those currently engaged in the STI vs. EVO battle, Mitsubishi is upping the ante with a revised
version of its sublime all-wheel drive system. Now called S-AWC, standing for Super All Wheel Control,
it builds upon existing technology proven in previous generations of Lancers, plus
never-before-seen tech to raise the bar in vehicle dynamics.
In addition to ACD3 and Super AYC4 (Active Differential and Yaw Control), S-AWC implements
Active Brake Control, Active Steering System and the Roll Control suspension..."
http://car-reviews.automobile.com/Mitsubishi/review/2005-mitsubishi-concept-x/1509/0

::: What is it really?
There are THREE basic systems (see below)...
http://www.kinetic.au.com/techno.html

::: Who makes it?
Kinetic Suspension Technology.

::: Can I buy a kit?
Nope! You have to buy an OEM car that's equipped with it from the factory.


::: Kinetic H2 System:


The H2 is a passive system which replaces existing dampers with simple double acting cylinders.
Each cylinder performs the normal wheel/body damping functions using conventional or advanced
damping technology incorporated within the cylinders. All cylinder chambers
(8 chambers in total � 2 per wheel) are interconnected using relatively small hydraulic lines.
The interconnection provides extremely high levels of roll stiffness while passively maintaining
low levels of single wheel and articulation stiffness. The interconnection also provides the
opportunity to incorporate roll damping independently of wheel/body damping.
The system also incorporates small accumulators at various positions depending on the
design specification and vehicle parameters.


::: Kinetic X System:


The X is Kinetic's most sophisticated and complex system providing a very high degree of
functionary and performance. The operation of the X remains fundamentally passive,
however the system incorporates a pump, sensors and controller to ensure system set-up
remains correct and to allow ride height adjustment and control. The X replaces the conventional
dampers, roll bars and support springs. It incorporates a simple double acting cylinder at each
wheel, a central hydraulic Load Distribution Unit [LDU] and accumulators at the wheel and
LDU positions all interconnected as shown on the diagram. The interconnection provides
extremely high levels of roll stiffness while passively maintaining equally low levels of single wheel
and articulation stiffness. It also allows pitch coupling. The interconnection also provides the
opportunity to incorporate roll and pitch damping independently of wheel/body damping.

Although the X incorporates some electronics it is still a passive system. Power consumption for
set-up control is minimal and response times for dynamic inputs remain instantaneous.


::: Kinetic Reverse Function Stabiliser System (RFS)


Conventional roll stabiliser bars fitted to most modern vehicles work well to reduce vehicle body
roll during cornering but also greatly increase single wheel and articulation stiffness,
which reduce ride comfort and the vehicles ability to maintain equal wheel loading on uneven
surfaces. Suspension designers struggle to find a balance between these ride parameters as
each compromises the other. The Kinetic Reverse Function Stabiliser System or RFS can
retain conventional bounce and damping methods and works by splitting the roll stabiliser bars
using a simple cradle device incorporating double acting hydraulic cylinders.

These cylinders are connected using Kinetic's unique proprietary RFS arrangement .
This arrangement passively frees the bars to allow articulation and single wheel type movements
but will not permit vehicle body roll. This roll stiffness and "articulation looseness" are
achieved simultaneously with neither mode effecting the other.
This system requires no computers, pumps or motors.


* inherent in X system, optional on H2 & RFS systems
**inherent in X system, optional on H2 system
*~ inherent in X & H2 systems

Kinetic� RFS Technology... So Good The FIA Banned It For The 2006 WRC!
Kinetic� Passive RFS Suspension System banned for WRC and Dakar Rally use for 2006.
"The World Rally Championship's (WRC) governing body F.I.A and the A.S.O the
organisers of the Dakar rally have effectively put an end to the use of the Kinetic� RFS suspension
system in both events by banning all forms of interconnected roll bar or damper systems.
��� The anti-roll bar systems must be exclusively mechanical with the exception of an
actuator allowing only the activation or deactivation of the anti-roll bar.
��� Any connections between front and rear anti-roll bars are forbidden.
��� Any connection between dampers is forbidden.

Citro�n Motorsport and Mitsubishi Motorsport have had exclusive rights to use the RFS system
in their respective events and both achieved an unprecedented success rate.
Citro�n, who have used the Kinetic� system on their Xzaras in all WRC rallies since 2003, have to
date clocked up 3 manufacturers titles and 3 Drivers titles (including both in 2005... AGAIN!)

Mitsubishi, who have used Kinetic� RFS systems on their Pajeros in the 2004 and 2005
Dakar rallies, have comfortably won 1st and 2nd place in both events in the worlds longest
and most unforgiving motorsport event."
http://www.kinetic.au.com/news.html

If the new Mitsubishi Motors' "Roll Control Suspension" technology is a "licensed" OEM
derivative of Kinetic Suspension Technology's Passive RFS system; or any other for that
matter,... well guys, even if Evo X looks like a "box car", I don't care...
I WANT ONE NOW!...... or at the very least I want to add "Roll Control" to my Evo...

By the way, I already e-mailed... OEM only for the time being, no kits sold.

Comments???
_________________
Walk softly... and carry a BIG stick!

[Sanctifier]

Jeez!... Posted since Wednesday... 43 "views" and nobody is interested.
I just said that was the technology that allowed Citroen to dominate the WRC for THREE years
in a row. No Comments???
_________________
Walk softly... and carry a BIG stick!

[vfp16]

may I ask, how many lateral G's can be had with this type of suspension?

[Sanctifier]

Sorry padna, no further info other than at OEM site for now.
Anyway I suppose g-force will depend on the car and particular suspension design
that you start with in the first place. Should differ from one model to the other.
Also set-up of actuators may have an effect as well (tarmac vz. gravel etc. etc.)???

Just imagine being able to "tune" the level of body roll for different events, while still
running softer springs and shocks than normal to improve traction in a corner!
_________________
Walk softly... and carry a BIG stick!

[vfp16]

I think Tarmac would have the most grip on the normal roads, hence would yield the highest Gs.

sounds like a good race application, due to the high level of tunability.

[vfp16]

I'm thinking, Evo X RS with Roll Control

a lil Boost Controller

what more u want?

NSX maybe

[Sanctifier]

[Sanctifier]

Before you read the following, please scroll to the top of the page.
The first bit is also important in order for this part to make complete sense.

Look Ma... NO SHOCKS!!!... or at least "Active Shocks"
Okay... This is what "real world" active suspension is going to look like in the new Evo X.

Just take a peek at that new little box near the middle of the drive-shaft...
Now follow the hydraulic lines to the top of each strut...
There yuh go... "Active suspension"... a.k.a. "Kinetic Energy Suspension" and now called
Roll Control!... the centre-piece of the new Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) system.

A similar system (RFS) helped Sabastien Loeb and Citroen to win the WRC for
three years in a row. Remember the many Dakar Rally victories for the Mitsubishi Pajero?

Yup, you guessed it... but it doesn't look like the "Kinetic Reverse Function Stabiliser System"
(RFS) that Citroen used though. It looks more like the "Kinetic H2 System", as springs
still seem to be used.



Anybody "parting out" a Concept X???

For more details about the upcoming Evolution X the and S-AWC system...
http://www.zorce.com/zforums/viewtopic.php?p=6503#6503

[Sanctifier]

Lord!... "Tought crowd" here boi!

117 views and counting, but no comments at all...
_________________
Walk softly... and carry a BIG stick!

[Sanctifier]

Okay thread updated... more info added.

It seems that the RFS System may be used after all.
_________________
Walk softly... and carry a BIG stick!