Can someone please explain the difference between the Pull-Rod and Push-Rod systems ?

or post a link to them. TIA.

 

http://scarbsf1.wordpress.com/2010/10/10/red-bull-pull-rod-suspension-what-is-looks-like-how-it-benefits-aerodynamics/

 

Interesting. Difficult to get my head round lol.

 

It's interesting stuff and pull-rod has been around for a long time. Pull-rod was brought back by Red Bull all in the name of having more room at the back for DDD. Pull-rod is more difficult to adjust, but it has a better CoG (it all basically sits on the ground!) and allows for tighter packaging at the back accomodating more airflow over the wing. I think Toro Rosso was running it last year as well.

 

Well, I understood that pull-rod was brought back by Red Bull for 2009 for cleaner airflow under the wing/over the diffuser, then was a major hassle when Brawn and Toyota unveiled the double diffuser - the Red Bull pull-rod suspension was an impediment to a good double diffuser design, and their eventual implementation was less efficient that other DDs without a pull-rod suspension. Red Bull stuck with the pull-rod suspension for 2010, but redesigned it to better accomodate the double-diffuser; it still wasn't ideal for the DD, but they felt strongly enough about the other perceived benefits to stick with it.

This year, with the DD banned, the benefits are back and negatives eliminated (DD fit), so other teams are jumping on the bandwagon.

 

Pullrod was used by RBR in 2009 before they even ran a double diffuser. The aim of it was to have as little interference as possible in front of the rear wing (particularly the beam element) as with a smaller diffuser the rear wing is especially important.