Automobiles have changed drastically over the years. From the first vehicles without doors or windshields to the first ones with turn signals and a round steering wheel, the automobile has evolved into a highly technological machine. It was Karl Benz who paved the way for modern automobiles with his gas-powered car, and many other automakers followed suit. Electric vehicles were also on the way to becoming mainstream, but at the time they were very expensive.
Engines
Car engines are the heart of the automobile and play an essential part in the vehicle’s performance. They function by performing a series of processes in parallel and typically have a lifespan of 10 years. Engine designs have undergone several significant changes over the years, including the Atkinson cycle engine. This engine design is unique and different from previous designs.
There are two main types of internal combustion engines: spark ignition and compression ignition. Spark ignition uses a spark plug to ignite the fuel and air, whereas compression ignition ignites air within the combustion chamber. In both types of engines, the combustion chamber forces the air/fuel mixture to move downward during the compression stroke. This causes the air/fuel mixture to build kinetic energy, which adds to the power released by the combustion process.
Transmissions
Transmissions in automobiles convert the power of the engine into torque. The shortest gear is called 1st gear and taller gears increase the speed of the vehicle. Changing gears is essential to acceleration. In addition to increasing speed, gear selection also helps save fuel. A car with an automatic transmission will be able to accelerate quickly and efficiently.
Automatic transmissions use a torque converter, planetary gearset, clutches, and bands to move the car from one gear to the next. Some automatic transmissions allow limited manual control. These are called shiftable automatic transmissions, and they are controlled with paddles on the steering wheel. They may also be known as Tiptronic or autostick.
Seat belts
The introduction of seat belts in automobiles has saved the lives of many motorists and passengers worldwide. Seat belts were first made available in the early 1950s after a pioneering initiative by Dr. C. Hunter Shelden, a neurologist at the Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, California. Shelden was inspired by the high incidence of head injuries he saw in the emergency room, and began researching the issue. He eventually designed retractable seat belts that were widely adopted by auto manufacturers.
The growing number of road casualties is driving automakers to implement innovative approaches to protect automobile occupants. Advanced technologies are now available to improve traffic conditions and infrastructures, and seat belts are a critical component of occupant safety. These developments are likely to spur the global automotive seat belt market in coming years.
Assembly line manufacturing
Assemblage line manufacturing for automobiles is a technique used to make automobiles. It involves a production line with multiple stations where workers perform assigned tasks. After about 35 minutes, a completed car can be rolled off the line. Although the basic concept of assembly line manufacturing is the same as it was before the Industrial Revolution, the processes are different today.
Assembly line manufacturing for automobiles originated at the Ford Motor Company in 1903. Ford’s founder William “Pa” Klann was inspired to use this method after visiting a slaughterhouse where he saw a “disassembly line” where the carcasses were butchered on a conveyor. Martin, the head of Ford’s production line, was skeptical at the time, but encouraged Klann to go ahead.
Animals and plants negatively affected by cars
Car exhaust releases many toxic components into the air, negatively affecting animals and plants. These pollutants include sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide, and soot particles. They can cause headaches and other health problems for humans, and they can also damage the lung tissue of animals and plants. Moreover, car exhaust can modify weather conditions. It can also cause acid rain, which is harmful for crops and trees.
These impacts can be catastrophic for wildlife populations. In the United States alone, an estimated 1 million vertebrates die on roads every day. In some cases, these deaths may even be the main cause of decline in populations.