Technical Book of the Car

INDEX

DEFINITION OF AUTOMOBILE

FIRST AUTOMOBILE OF HISTORY

PARTS OF AN AUTOMOBILE

CHASSIS

BODYWORK

BRAKES

DRUM BRAKES

DISC BRAKES

HAND BRAKE

SUSPENSION

GEARBOX

PARTS OF THE CHANGE BOX

AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY

DEFINITION OF AUTOMOBILE

This voice is of French origin and appeared for the first time in September 1875, as an adjective, in the voiture automobüe speech, a car that moves by itself, inspired by the locomobüe model. This term, which dates back to 1808, had been formed with the crazy prefix of locomotive, feminine of the adjective locomotif, word and definition from classical Latin ocus, place, and medieval Latin motivus, relative to movement, and employed first in the expression faculté locomotive, the ability to move from one place to another. Therefore, locomobue, really an abbreviation of loco (motive) mobüe, that is, free to move without rails, was born automobüe, composed of the Greek cars, by itself, and of Latin mobüis, mobile: that moves by itself same. Therefore, the term automobüe is hybrid, that is, half Greek and half Latin.

This voice remained an adjective for many years. Limited to its appearance in the language of technicians, it began to gain popularity the following year, especially by virtue of a scientific journalist, Henri de Parville (1838-1909), writer and vulgarizer of technical and scientific issues, who spoke repeatedly of the new invention and other related ones in several French newspapers. For example, in the Journal des Débats of March 30, 1876, de Parville warned that "rien de si ingénieux, de sifacile a conduire that voiture automobüe a air compressed that l'on voit fonctionner sur tramway de VArc- de-Triomphe, to Neuilly, (nothing so ingenious, so easy to drive, as the compressed-air car that can be seen running on the VArc-de-Triomphe tram in Neuilly).

Only around 1890, 15 years after its first appearance, the word became substantive. At least another 10 years had to pass before the term, already popular, was reduced, for convenience, simply to a car.

As for the appearance of the word automobile in the Spanish language, it can be said that it followed the trajectory of the French voice a few years ago. In fact, the first vehicles moved by an explosion engine (Bonet) seem to have failed to apply the qualification. However, already the workshops of La Cuadra are recorded (1898) as cars, and substantivation occurred almost immediately.

FIRST AUTOMOBILE OF HISTORY

The first automobiles in history were those powered by steam from the 18th century. Although already in century XVII the Belgian Jesuit Ferdinand Verbiest (1623-1688), resident in China, invented a vehicle of wood, which, was impelled to steam, of small size. But the first functional car was the so-called Fardier, created by the French engineer Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot (1725-1804) in the year 1769.

In 1860, Belgian engineer Jean Joseph Etienne Lenoir (1822-1900), patented the first vehicle by gasoline internal combustion engine.

PARTS OF AN AUTOMOBILE

CHASSIS

It constitutes the structure of the automobile, in which all the other parts that compose it are fixed. The chassis is metallic and is usually made with alloys that provide lightness and resistance at the same time, since this is what increases its value in the market.

BODYWORK

This is the name of the part of the automobile in which the passengers or the cargo that is transported are located. In some cases, it also holds the mechanical elements of the vehicle.

BRAKES

There are two types of possible brakes: the drum and the disc. Some cars of multiple traction use both types: one for the front wheels and the other for the rear.

DRUM BRAKES

They consist of a mobile drum that is mounted on the wheel hub by means of screws and receives movement, and a fixed brake plate attached to the bridge. In the plate the friction elements and the mechanisms that drive the displacement of the shoes are installed.

DISC BRAKES

Its braking action is more energetic, which reduces the time and distance necessary to brake. This is because the friction elements are mounted in the air and have better cooling, which makes the absorption of energy and its transformation into heat faster.

HAND BRAKE

This part of the car is used manually and acts mechanically on the rear wheels through a system of rods or cables that are operated by a lever located between the seats of the driver and the passenger. The function of the lever is to amplify the braking pressure while the cable balances the differences in movement of the rods.

SUSPENSION

This is the name given to the set of elastic parts that interpose between the suspended organs, that is, the frame, the bodywork, the passengers and the load; and non-suspended organs, wheels and axles.

This suspension system consists of a flexible element (spring or helical spring, torsion bar, rubber spring, gas or air) and the shock absorber, whose function is to neutralize the oscillations of the suspended mass when the flexible element is It adapts to the irregularities of the terrain, to ensure the comfort of the driver and passengers, while maintaining the stability and directionality of the vehicle.

PARTS OF THE CHANGE BOX

This transmission element is interposed between the motor and the wheels to modify the revolutions they give and to reverse the direction of rotation in case the gear requires it, that is, to put reverse.

Therefore, we can say that it acts as a speed transformer and mechanical torque converter. This last capacity is of vital importance to climb slopes.

Automotive Technology

ABC (Active Body Control)

Acronym for «Active Body Control», which means in Spanish, (active control of the bodywork), used by the German brand Mercedes, in its most prestigious vehicles. An electro-pneumatic system allows to adjust the hardness of the springs of the suspension and in combination with the adjustment of the hardness of the shock absorbers effectively prevents the roll of the body on the strong supports in curve.

GRAZE

It is the wear on mechanical parts produced by friction. Friction damage to elements such as the motor can be severe, as parts subject to abrasion can break or crack.

CLAMP

Piece generally of circular form, that assures something, encircling it. Usually the throttling occurs with a screw for adjustment. Its main function is to guarantee a hermetic seal between two cylindrical components, such as, for example, engine hoses, fuel pipes, etc.

ABS (Anti Blockier System)

Acronym for «Anti Blockier System», or «Anti-Lock Brake System», which means, (anti-lock braking system). The system avoids wheel locks during braking. It consists of inductive sensors placed on each wheel that measure the revolutions of the same. An electronic control unit processes these signals and determines when a wheel tends to block. At that moment, a hydraulic modulator is actuated which reduces the hydraulic pressure on the brake of the wheel that tends to block. Once the dangerous situation has disappeared, the system restores the pressure on the brake. The ABS system does not reduce the braking distances (in some situations it even lengthens them) but maintains at all times the control over the vehicle by the driver. The blocked wheels are not capable of transmitting lateral guidance and the wheels are dragged along the road according to the inertia of the vehicle.

ACC (Automatic Cruise Control)

Acronym for Automatic Cruise Control or what is the same, (cruise control). The system allows to maintain a cruising speed automatically without the driver having to operate the accelerator. It switches off automatically if the brake is applied to avoid dangerous situations.

ACEA (Association of European Automobile Manufacturers)

Acronym of the Association of European Automobile Manufacturers. Among its functions is the determination of quality standards for the classification of oils used in European vehicles. The new classification of oils replaces the old CCMC A for gasoline engines of passenger cars, B for diesel engines of cars, C for diesel engines of industrial vehicles.

MIXED LUBRICANT OIL

Oil that due to its properties can be used in both Diesel Cycle and Otto Cycle (gasoline) engines. Due to its characteristics, only its use in passenger cars is recommended.

MINERAL OILS

Oils that use lubricating elements obtained from petroleum.

SEMI-SYNTHETIC OILS

Oils that use lubricant elements obtained from petroleum and synthetically in an industrial process

SYNTHETIC OILS

Oils that use lubricants obtained synthetically in an industrial process.

ACCELERATION

It is the increase in speed. In automobile statistics, the acceleration of a vehicle is achieved by measuring the time it takes to reach a certain speed (normally 100 km/h) from a standstill. In high-performance cars, the time to reach 200 km/h is also indicated, always from start-stop.

THROTTLE

System that allows to vary the speed of rotation of the engine. With a geared gear, more speed is achieved when stepping on this element of the vehicle. This is achieved by regulating the input of carbureted mixture to the engine, or through engine management.

ELECTRONIC ACCELERATOR

System by which the accelerator pedal does not directly move the element that modifies the load of the motor, but gives an electrical signal through a potentiometer. In a gasoline engine, that electrical signal is one of the factors that determines the opening of the butterfly. In a Diesel, it is one of the factors that determines the flow of diesel. The electronic accelerator advantageously replaces the cable accelerator, because it can integrate functions such as traction control or stability, or be coordinated with the automatic change to smooth the passage from one gear to another, for example. In addition, you can vary the relationship between the movement of the pedal and the load variation, to give two different responses to the pedal, as do the Alfa Romeo or BMW brands. An electronic accelerator is more reliable than a cable, which can break or clog. In English, some people refer to the electronic accelerator system as dirve by wire, where wire, is to be understood as an electrical connection cable.

STEEL

Metal formed from iron and alloyed with carbon in a proportion between 0.03% and 2%. The mild steel is characterized by being very malleable (with high deformation capacity) and having a carbon concentration of less than 0.2%. Above this carbon ratio, the steel becomes harder (less malleable) but more brittle (it does not bend, it breaks). Steel alloys with chromium or vanadium can be created, high compressive or torsional strength is acquired. The alloys with manganese confer a great hardness that reduces the wear. Nickel alloys increase the resistance to corrosion. The hardness of steel can also be increased by means of thermal treatments such as tempering or tempering.

STEEL DP (Dual Phase - Double Phase)

High strength steel It is used in the side skirts of cars such as the Vectra and the Vectra GTS.

STEEL PHS (Press Hardened Steel)

High strength steel used in the central pillars or called B, and in the stringers of the roof structure of vehicles such as the Opel Vectra.

ACIS (Acoustic Control Induction System)

Lexus acoustic control induction system that improves torque in all engine speeds, but especially in the low, by changing the length of the intake manifold in 3 phases. This is carried out by opening or closing two air intake regulating valves.

VISCOSO COUPLING

Union between two axes in motion through the surface tension of a viscous element. Each axis in movement has a set of discs that rotate in solidarity with it. The discs that rotate with an axis are interspersed with the discs that rotate in solidarity with the other axis. The viscous element (usually silicone) is sandwiched between the discs and its surface tension is responsible for dragging one disc against another. When rotating an axis and its discs, the silicone transmits the movement to the other discs and therefore to the other axis. If a large speed difference between the axes occurs, the silicone heats up and expands, increasing its pressure on the discs and transmitting more force. The speeds of the axes are equal. These couplings are also called Ferguson, and are used in some self-locking differentials. A viscous coupling is capable of transmitting the rotation between the axes up to a certain force that depends on the type of viscous element, the pressure between the discs and their size.

ADAM (Advanced Dynamic Aid System)

Emergency braking system of the VAG group. Braking assistant that is activated in extreme situations to ensure more effective braking. This system recognizes, depending on the force applied to the brake pedal, the moments of danger and applies all the necessary force by itself. In this way, maximum braking efficiency is achieved, since the system increases the pressure taking advantage of the full capacity of the brake booster and allows both the driver and the rest of the occupants of the car to travel in a more secure way.

ADB-X

BMW system that replaces the differential lock. It is responsible for distributing the traction braking each wheel that loses its grip. That turn is absorbed by the other 3, 2 or 1 wheels, which is in grip conditions to brake.

ADDITIVES

Natural or chemical elements that are added to a product to add or enhance some of its characteristics. They are used in lubricants, fuels, coolants, etc.

ADIVI

They are the abbreviations of the system of alternator and start incorporated in the flywheel of inertia motor.

ADMISSION

Phase during which cylinder filling occurs. It occurs while the intake valve is open and the piston travels downward, from the top dead center (PMS) to the bottom dead center (PMI). The vacuum left by the piston is transmitted through the intake duct to collect the air from the atmosphere and into the engine. In Otto engines the intake is produced with air and gasoline, while in Diesel engines the intake is only produced with air. The same happens with direct injection gasoline engines.

VARIABLE ADMISSION

System that allows to modify the dimensions of the intake ducts. In this way it is possible to improve the filling of the cylinder when the engine rotates at any speed. To improve the filling of the cylinder in low regimes, long and narrow intake manifolds are needed that manage to take advantage of the inertia of the gases when the air passes through the conduit at high speed and push the gases