Automobile – By its nature, the automobile is a mode of transportation that does not require traction or external propulsion. The usual thing, until its appearance, was the use –and for centuries– of animals such as horses or oxen, as well as human self-propulsion itself; Visible the latter on bicycles, for example.

By creating an engine that was capable of moving machinery forward, as well as a source of energy, it was possible to start automobiles capable of covering distances more quickly. As well as with the possibility of loading with materials, tools or merchandise of all kinds. Its use ended up almost completely replacing the use of draft animals, consolidating itself as the most widespread means of transport in the world.

Trucks, vans, motorcycles or passenger cars are the most widespread practical applications to date. On the other hand, other ways of historically calling this invention are auto, car or vehicle.

History of The Automobile

Automobile History, Parts of A Car and What Are The Benefits

The concept of automobile arises from the hand of the inventor of German origin Karl Benz in 1886. On that date he patented his model of internal combustion car.

This prototype had 3 wheels and required a high level of fuel, but it laid the foundations for entrepreneurs from Europe and the United States to lay the foundations of what would become the automobile industry in the following decades.

An important step forward in this regard was Ford ‘s work with its chain production model, which facilitated the creation of economic models accessible to a greater number of companies and families.

Car Importance

The invention of the automobile in the context of the exploitation of steam engines and the development of a new industry marked its usefulness.

Since its creation, it has allowed people or organizations of all kinds the possibility of traveling long distances shortening periods of time, previously unthinkable considering the means of animal traction.

In the same way, the possibility of making trips by car allowed access to new geographical areas, or at least facilitated it to a greater extent.

Regarding the transport of merchandise, it meant an important advance, which allowed the use and shipment of the higher levels of production that industrialization brought with it.

Its use was thanks to its lower cost compared to and the lack of need to create important infrastructures.

In other words, although the railway covered greater distances and made it possible to transport larger loads, the vehicle was more useful on short journeys and did not require fixed tracks and demanding maintenance.

Car Evolution

Since its creation and its subsequent application in multiple areas of daily life and business, the automobile has undergone numerous changes.

In this sense, there are many manufacturers throughout its almost two centuries of history that have given the car better, significant changes and technological advances.

As the different industrial revolutions took place, and up to the present, motorized vehicles have been adapting to the mechanical and technological context of each moment.

An example of this is the evolution of traction and propulsion systems, linked to the discovery of new energy sources. As a result, there are electric cars, renewable fuels and gas, the traditional ones using diesel or hybrids.

What Are The Parts of A Car?

A car, also called simply a car, is a vehicle that propels itself thanks to the combustion it carries out in its engine. In addition, it has a set of interrelated systems that work simultaneously.

1. 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.

2. Bodywork

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

3. Brakes

There are two types of possible brakes: drum and disc. Some all-wheel drive cars 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 the movement, and a fixed brake plate attached to the bridge. The friction elements and the mechanisms that activate the displacement of the shoes are installed on the plate.
Disc brakes: Their braking action is more energetic, thus reducing the time and distance required to stop. This is due to the fact that the friction elements are mounted in the air and have better cooling, which makes the absorption of energy and its transformation into heat take place faster.
Handbrake: This part of the car is used manually and acts mechanically on the rear wheels through a system of rods or cables that are activated by a lever located between the driver and passenger seats. The function of the lever is to amplify the braking pressure while the cable balances the differences in movement of the rods.

4. Suspension

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

This suspension system is made up of a flexible element (leaf spring or helical spring, torsion bar, rubber, gas or air spring) and the shock absorber, whose function is to neutralize the oscillations of the sprung mass when the flexible element is 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.

5. Gearbox

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

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

The benefits of the car

Now, what benefits did the creation of the automobile bring to society? The possibility of transporting ourselves in less time, with less effort, in a safer way, especially over longer distances.

Although it was conceived due to the difficulty of reaching a greater distance, today it is used both to cover a thousand kilometers and short distances.

Another important advantage of using the car is in emergencies, for example, the possibility that it gives us to quickly reach a hospital. In addition, it is very comfortable and useful to transport us, for example, on vacation.

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