All about cars for beginners. The structure of a car, or what you need to know before getting behind the wheel

Material from the Encyclopedia of the magazine "Behind the wheel"

Despite the huge variety of types and models of modern cars, the design of each of them consists of a set of units, components and mechanisms, the presence of which allows us to call vehicle"car". The main building blocks include:
- engine;
- mover;
- transmission;
- car control systems;
- supporting system;
- suspension of the supporting system;
- body (cabin).
The engine is the source of mechanical energy necessary to move the car. Mechanical energy is obtained by converting another type of energy in the engine (energy of burning fuel, electricity, energy of pre-compressed air, etc.). The source of non-mechanical energy is usually located directly on the vehicle and is replenished from time to time.
Depending on the type of energy used and the process of converting it into mechanical energy, the following can be used in a car:
- engines that use the energy of burning fuel (piston internal combustion engine, gas turbine, steam engine, Wankel rotary piston engine, Stirling external combustion engine, etc.);
- motors using electricity - electric motors;
- engines using the energy of pre-compressed air;
- engines that use the energy of a pre-spun flywheel - flywheel engines.
The most widespread in modern cars are piston internal combustion engines that use liquid fuel of petroleum origin (gasoline, diesel fuel) or flammable gas.
The “engine” system also includes subsystems for storing and supplying fuel and removing combustion products (exhaust systems).
The vehicle's propulsion system provides communication between the vehicle and external environment, allows it to “push off” from the supporting surface (road) and converts the engine energy into the energy of forward motion of the car. The main type of vehicle propulsion is the wheel. Sometimes combined propulsors are used in cars: for off-road vehicles, wheeled-tracked propulsors (Fig. 1.11), for amphibious vehicles, wheeled (when driving on the road) and water-jet (afloat) propulsors.
The transmission (power train) of a car transfers energy from the engine to the propulsion unit and converts it into a form convenient for use in the propulsion unit. Transmissions can be:
- mechanical (mechanical energy is transmitted);
- electrical (the mechanical energy of the engine is converted into electrical energy, transmitted to the mover via wires and there again converted into mechanical);
- hydrostatic (the rotation of the engine crankshaft is converted by the pump into the energy of the fluid flow, transmitted through pipelines to the wheel, and there, through a hydraulic motor, it is again converted into rotation);
- combined (electromechanical, hydromechanical).

Manual transmission of a classic car
Mechanical and hydromechanical transmissions are the most widely used in modern cars. A mechanical transmission consists of a friction clutch (clutch), a torque converter, a final drive, a differential, cardan drives, and axle shafts.
Clutch is a clutch that makes it possible to briefly disconnect and smoothly connect the engine and associated transmission mechanisms.
A torque converter is a mechanism that allows you to stepwise or continuously change the engine torque and the direction of rotation of the transmission shafts (for reversing). With a stepwise change in torque, this mechanism is called a gearbox, with a stepless change - a variator.
The main gear is a gear reducer with bevel and (or) spur gears, which increases the torque transmitted from the engine to the wheels.
Differential is a mechanism that distributes torque between the drive wheels and allows them to rotate at different angular speeds (when driving around corners or on uneven roads).
Cardan transmissions are shafts with hinges that connect the transmission and wheel units. They allow the transmission of torque between the specified mechanisms, the shafts of which are not located coaxially and (or) change their relative position relative to each other during movement. The number of cardan gears depends on the design of the transmission.
A hydromechanical transmission differs from a mechanical one in that instead of a clutch, a hydrodynamic device (fluid coupling or torque converter) is installed, which performs both the functions of a clutch and the functions of a continuously variable variator. As a rule, this device is placed in the same housing with a manual transmission.
Electric transmissions are used relatively rarely (for example, on heavy mining dump trucks, on off-road vehicles) and include: a generator on the engine, wires and an electrical control system, electric motors on wheels (electric motor-wheels).
With a rigid connection between the engine, clutch and gearbox (variator), this design is called power unit.
In some cases, several engines may be installed on a car various types(for example, an internal combustion engine and an electric motor) connected to each other by a transmission. This design is called a hybrid powertrain.
Vehicle control systems include:
- steering ;
- brake system;
- control of other vehicle systems (engine, transmission, cabin temperature, etc.). Steering is used to change the direction of movement of the car, usually by turning the steering wheels.
[Brake system]] serves to reduce the speed of the vehicle until it comes to a complete stop and reliably holds it in place.

Load-bearing system in the form of a spar frame

Load-bearing body

The supporting system of the car is used to mount all other components, assemblies and systems of the car on it. It can be made in the form of a flat frame or volumetric

The hood of the car opens, and the instructor clearly shows the parts and mechanisms.

If you are not going to become a car mechanic, then you don’t need to know in detail the structure of the car, however, knowing the main points, you will quickly understand the principles of the car’s operation and control. In this article we will talk about how a car works.

Any person knows that a car is a body on wheels. However, what makes it move?

So, the car consists of:

• Engine
• Body
• Chassis
• Transmissions
• Chassis
• Control mechanism
• Electrical equipment

Let's look at each component in more detail.

Car engine

The engine is the heart of the car, the source of mechanical energy that makes the car move. The most common is the internal combustion engine (ICE), which consists of a cylinder and a piston. Thermal energy is generated inside the cylinder, and when fuel is burned, it is converted into mechanical energy that drives the car. This process occurs at a frequency of several hundred times per minute, which causes the engine crankshaft to rotate continuously. Our video will show you more details about how the engine works.

Car body

The car body can have a frame or frameless structure, but modern cars use a frameless structure, in which units and components are attached to the body. This body is called a load-bearing body. Depending on the body type, cars are divided into classes.

Car chassis structure

The chassis of a car consists of many mechanisms that transmit torque from the engine to the wheels, move the car and control it: transmission, steering mechanism and chassis.

Car transmission

The car's transmission transmits torque from the engine to the wheels, allowing it to change in magnitude and direction. On two-axle cars, the transmission consists of a gearbox, clutch, cardan drive, final drive, differential and axle shaft.

Car clutch

The clutch serves to transmit engine torque to the gearbox and smoothly connect or disconnect the engine with the transmission mechanisms. From the clutch pedal comes a cable that activates the clutch mechanism. The clutch serves to protect engine and transmission parts from overload and damage during sudden gear shifting or braking.

Transmission

The gearbox is a mechanism that converts torque from the engine crankshaft to the drive wheels. Thanks to the gearbox, the car can move forward and backward, and the engine can be disconnected from the drive wheels.

Transmissions are mechanical, automatic, robotic and continuously variable.

Manual Transmission has a high efficiency and less weight. A car with a manual transmission is characterized by dynamic acceleration and economical fuel consumption.

Automatic transmission easy to use, but it “thinks” longer when changing gears and consumes more fuel.

Robotic gearbox is a symbiosis of automatic and manual gearboxes, has electronic clutch control. This type gearbox is less clear than an automatic transmission.

In continuously variable transmissions there are no gears themselves, that is, steps, and the gear ratio changes smoothly. This gearbox is not widely used because the torque transmission belt cannot withstand the high power of modern engines.

Car chassis

The chassis of the car is the supporting body, rear and front axles, suspension, wheels and tires.

Suspensions come in various types: adaptive, multi-link, double-wishbone, for SUVs, pickups, trucks, semi-independent rear, dependent rear, Me Pherson and De Dion type suspensions.

Car control mechanism

The driving mechanism of a car is the steering wheel and brakes (disc and drum). The steering wheel allows you to change the direction the car is moving, and the brakes regulate its speed, stopping the car and holding it in place.

Car electrical equipment

The electrical equipment of the car allows you to start the engine, warm up and illuminate the interior of the car, illuminate the way in the dark, ensures the operation of the anti-theft system and has other useful functions, for example, it ensures the operation of car audio systems, which allows you to listen to music.

Knowing the structure of a car, a driving school student only needs to learn how to drive it. The video accompanying the article will introduce you in more detail to the structure of the car.

Good luck with your studies!

Today almost everyone drives a car, but not everyone is familiar with the structure of the car. If you want to know how your car works, then you have definitely visited the right site. From this article you can glean enough information to general outline know what components and assemblies your machine consists of. Currently, there are a huge number of brands and models of cars, but almost all passenger cars are designed the same.

Car device diagram

A passenger car consists of the following parts:

• body (supporting structure);
• chassis;
• transmission;
• internal combustion engine (gasoline or diesel);
• engine control system and electrical equipment.

At first glance, everything is simple, but this is only the general structure of the car. For each of the above points, you can write not just an article, but an entire book. But we will not go so deep and will describe only the main points that every driver is simply obliged to know, regardless of driving experience. It should be noted that a simple lack of knowledge about the basic structure of a car is fraught with significant expenses for servicing and repairing the car at a car service center.

Car body

The body of a passenger car is the load-bearing part to which almost all components and assemblies are attached. Not many people know that the first cars did not have a body, and all components were attached to the frame, like trucks or motorcycles. But in the race to reduce the weight of the car, manufacturers abandoned the frame structure, and a modern body appeared, which in fact is a kind of frame.

Since you and I are studying the structure of a car for beginners, we will look a little more in detail at what the body consists of:

stamped bottom, to which all kinds of reinforcement elements are welded;

• spars (front and rear);
• car roof;
• engine compartment;
• other attachments.

Since the body is a kind of spatial structure, this division is very arbitrary, because all the parts are interconnected. The spars are usually integral with the bottom or welded to it and serve as support for the suspension. Attachable components include fenders, trunk lid, hood and doors. The rear fenders are often welded to the body, and the front fenders can be removable.

Chassis

The chassis consists of many units and components with the help of which the car itself is able to move. Well, since this article describes the design of a car for dummies, so to speak, let’s take a closer look at such a broad concept as “chassis.” The main components of almost any chassis:

suspension (front and rear);

• drive axles;
• wheels.

Most modern passenger cars are equipped with front independent suspension of the MacPherson type. This type of suspension can significantly improve vehicle handling and comfort. In an independent suspension, each wheel is attached to the body using the actual mounting system. Dependent suspension has long been outdated, but is still present on many cars. The rear dependent suspension can be a rigid beam or a live axle, in the case of a rear-wheel drive car.

Transmission

The next point in our description of a car for beginners will be the transmission, the main purpose of which is to transmit torque from the engine shaft to the wheels of the car. The transmission consists of the following components:

clutch;

• gearbox (gearbox);
• drive axle(s);
• constant velocity joints or cardan transmission.

A car's clutch is designed to connect the engine shaft to the gearbox shaft and is designed to ensure smooth transmission of torque. A gearbox is necessary to change the gear ratio and reduce the load on the car's engine. The drive axle is mounted in the gearbox housing (front-wheel drive) or serves as a rear beam (rear-wheel drive). A cardan drive or CV joints connect the gearbox to the drive axle or directly to the wheels of the car.

Engine

The purpose of the engine is probably known to everyone, so in our guide to building a car for dummies we will not describe this unit in such detail. The main purpose of the engine is to convert the thermal energy of burned fuel into mechanical energy, which is transmitted to the wheels of the car through the transmission.

Electrical equipment

The electrical equipment of the car includes the following main components:

rechargeable battery (AB);

• alternator;
• wiring;
• engine control system;
• electricity consumers.

The battery is a constant renewable source of energy and is designed to start the engine. If the engine is not running, the battery supplies electricity to all consumers of the vehicle. The generator serves to maintain constant voltage in the on-board network and recharge the battery. Electrical wiring consists of many wires that form the vehicle’s on-board network, connecting all sources and consumers of electricity. The engine control system consists of an electronic control unit (ECU) and various sensors. Consumers include headlights, taillights, ignition and engine starting systems, windshield wipers, power windows, etc.

As you can see, the car consists of a huge number of parts, components and assemblies, but upon closer examination everything is much simpler than it seems at first glance. It is worth noting that this is only a general overview of the design of a passenger car, with the help of which it is simply impossible to cover a description of the design features of specific brands and models.

The ability to understand machines is a fairly broad concept. For some, it is enough to distinguish one model from another. Those same people whose profession is related to cars put a much broader meaning into this concept:

• body type;
• car class;
• engine type - injection, carburetor, diesel, one- or two-stroke, hybrid, electric car;
• transmission - manual, automatic, variator, robotic, preselective (dual clutch).

If you work, for example, in a company that sells spare parts or in an auto shop, then job description You simply must have broad knowledge:

• thoroughly know the model range of a particular automaker - that is, they must know the difference between various engines, for example VAZ-2104 - VAZ-21073, VAZ-21067, their volume, fuel, features;
• technical features of various units;
• design and device features.

If you've ever had to buy spare parts, you know that a good specialist it is enough to show this or that spare part - a brake wheel cylinder, a second gear, a gearbox main or intermediate shaft, a clutch cable, a release bearing, a feredo disc - he will no problem name their brand, tell what car it is from, and most importantly, he will tell you exactly, what it is. He will also easily select the part you need from the catalog - from a rubber sealing ring or cuff, to an assembly or gearbox linkage.

It is clear that such a skill comes only with experience..

Basic Concepts

Any car consists of seven main systems:

• motor;
• transmission;
• steering;
• chassis or suspension;
• brake system;
• body;
• electrical equipment.

Body - classes and types

The first thing we see when admiring a particular car is the body. We've already talked a lot about this on our website, so we'll just repeat it.

Body types:

• single-volume - (engine, interior, trunk are combined into one spatial structure);
• two-volume - , ;
• three-volume - limousine, pickup.

Also, the class of the car depends on the length of the body - there are many classification methods, the most common is the European one:

• “A” - compact hatchbacks, for example Chevrolet Spark, Daewoo Matiz;
• “B” - small cars - all VAZs, Daewoo Lanos, Geely MK;
• "C" - middle class- Skoda Octavia, Ford Focus, Mitsubishi Lancer.

Individual manufacturers also have their own types of classification, for example BMW, Audi, or Mercedes. Just go to the official website to determine the difference:

• Mercedes A-class is the smallest class, corresponds to B-class according to the European classification;
• B-class - corresponds to C-class;
• C-class (Comfort-Class);
• CLA - compact prestigious light class;
• G, GLA, GLC, GLE, M - Gelendvagen, SUVs and SUV-class.

It’s easy to understand the Audi classification:

• A1-A8 - hatchbacks, station wagon sedans with different body lengths;
• Q3, Q5, Q7 - SUVs, crossovers;
• TT - roadsters, coupes;
• R8 - sports cars;
• RS - “charged versions” with improved technical characteristics.

BMW has the same classification:

• Series 1-7 - passenger cars such as hatchback, station wagon, sedan;
• X1, X3-X6 - SUVs, crossovers;
• Z4 - roadsters, coupes, convertibles;
• M-series - “charged” versions.

For most buyers, especially women, it is the body type that is decisive. However, the body is just a wrapper, and specifications- the most important. Let's look at the main ones.

Engine

The topic is vast, let’s list the main points:

• by fuel type - gasoline, diesel, gas, gas-fuel, hybrids, electric vehicles;
• by the number of cylinders - three-cylinder or more (for example, there are engines with 8 and 16 cylinders);
• according to the arrangement of the cylinders - in-line (the cylinders simply stand in a row), opposed (the cylinders are opposite each other), V-shaped;
• by location under the hood - longitudinal, transverse.

Most passenger cars use in-line 3-4-cylinder engines with longitudinal (along the axis of motion) or transverse installation. If we're talking about about trucks or cars of an above-average class, then power is achieved by adding cylinders.

In addition, an integral element of the engine is the cooling system, which can be:

• liquid - cooling is done with plain water;
• air - a striking example of the “Zaporozhets”, in which the engine was located at the rear, and air was sucked in thanks to a fan, the same system is used on motorcycles;
• combined - cooling using antifreeze, a fan is used for additional airflow.

Also important points:

• injection system - carburetor, injector;
• ignition system - contact (using a distributor), non-contact (sensor, switch), electronic (the process is controlled by the control unit);
• gas distribution mechanism;
• lubrication system and so on.

Transmission

The main task of the transmission is to transmit torque from the motor to the wheels.

Transmission elements:

• clutch - connects or separates the transmission from the engine;
• gearbox - drive mode selection;
• cardan, cardan transmission - transmits the moment of movement to the drive axle;
• differential - distribution of torque between the wheels of the drive axle.

Most modern cars use a single- or double-disc dry clutch, paired with a mechanical or robotic (semi-automatic, preselective) gearbox, or a torque converter - a hydrostatic system in which engine energy drives the flow of oil - automatic transmissions or CVT (variable speed transmission). checkpoint).

It is precisely the type of gearbox that is decisive for many. From our own experience, we will say that mechanics - best option, since the driver himself chooses the optimal mode and thus consumes less fuel. In addition, manual transmission is simple and cheap to maintain. An automatic transmission and a variator greatly simplify the driving process, but if they break down, then prepare serious sums of money.

The transmission also includes such a concept as the type of drive:

• front or rear - the torque falls on one axis;
• full - both axes are driven, however, the drive can be either permanent or plug-in.

The transfer case serves to distribute torque on the vehicle axle. It is installed in all-wheel drive cars, for example, or the VAZ-2121 Niva.

As you can see, the car is quite complex mechanism. However, for most people it is enough to be able to operate it and perform simple operations, such as changing a wheel. It is better to entrust maintenance to professionals.

Video: device and car selection

Nowadays, life without a car is impossible to imagine. This is no longer a luxury, but a simple means of transportation, a reliable friend and assistant who will come to the rescue in difficult situation. However, with the increase in the number of cars among the population, the number of owners who do not understand its structure at all increases. However, it is simply necessary for beginners to know the structure of a car, at least for self-development and general erudition, as well as in order not to get into trouble at a car service center trying to explain with fingers what exactly happened to the car in the event of a breakdown.

Despite the greatest diversity, all cars are essentially the same, which means that the general structure of a car can be considered using a general example.

What does a car consist of?

Any passenger car contains the following components:

• engine
• transmission
• chassis
• electrical equipment
• body

This is the order in which a car is always discussed in any textbook on auto mechanics, and there is a reason for this: these components are arranged in order of importance.

Engine

The engine of a car is its main part. It drives the vehicle itself and simultaneously supplies energy to the service units. The engine is almost always located in the front, but sometimes it is also located in the rear (mainly on sports cars). The most common today is the internal combustion engine (ICE) - it burns fuel, converting thermal energy to kinetic (rotation). Engines are petrol, diesel and gas. In these three cases, the difference lies only in the type of fuel used and the characteristics of the engine operating cycle. By the way, you can put a diesel engine in the Niva. There are also electric car engines, but they are a minority, despite their undoubted advantages.

The engine torque must be realized as efficiently as possible, because when driving slowly, the engine cannot work slowly, and when driving quickly, it cannot work quickly. The transmission converts the engine's rotational speed, slowing it down or speeding it up. The transmission consists of a clutch, gearbox and final drive with a differential.

The clutch serves to mechanically separate the wheels and engine when vehicle movement is not required. The gearbox allows you to drive at different speeds at the same engine speed. It can be mechanical (manual) or automatic. In the first case, the gears are switched on by the driver himself using a special lever; in the second, the gears are selected automatically depending on the driving speed and the load on the car. The second option makes it easier to control, but the design of such a unit is much more complicated. The final drive sends torque directly to the wheels, and the differential allows them to rotate at different speeds (this is mainly needed in corners).

Also, the composition of the transmission may vary depending on the type of drive. The engine can turn only the front wheels, only the rear wheels, or all wheels together. In the first case, rotation from the main gear goes through the axle shafts directly to the front wheels. In the second case (if the engine is in the front), a special driveshaft is added to the transmission, leading to the rear wheels through the entire car. On all-wheel drive vehicles (jeeps and crossovers), after the gearbox, another transfer case is installed, which distributes rotation between the front and rear wheels.

Chassis

It includes components directly related to movement - suspension, wheels, brake mechanisms. The car's suspension serves to smooth out the reactive moments that arise when driving over uneven surfaces, in other words, it makes the ride softer and smoother. In addition, the suspension eliminates and reduces body roll and tilt when cornering, keeping the car in a given position. horizontal position. The suspension includes shock absorbers and springs, as well as various levers and joints. The smoothness of the ride and overall behavior on the road depend on the characteristics of the suspension. Braking mechanisms are used to slow down and stop the vehicle in different situations. They are located directly next to the wheels.

Electrical equipment

Electrical equipment is a very important equipment system. Nowadays, when there are more and more electronic assistants, the role of electrical equipment is becoming increasingly important. In its most general form, it consists of a battery, a generator, ignition systems, lighting, and control devices. Since various systems consume a lot of electricity, the engine, during its operation, rotates the generator, which supplies all consumers, and also charges the battery, which is used to start the engine.

Body

The body is, roughly speaking, a metal box in which all of the above units are installed. The body together with attached parts (doors, hood, fenders) form appearance car and protect the driver, passengers and all components from atmospheric influences. Almost all modern passenger cars are equipped with monocoque bodies, i.e. All components are installed on it, unlike trucks, for example, where a frame is used - a special element to which the engine, cabin, body, suspension, etc. are attached. The use of a monocoque body can significantly reduce the total weight by 10-20%.

Of course, numerous pictures and books can give a more complete idea of ​​the structure of the machine, but general theoretical knowledge in most cases is quite enough to understand, for example, that problems with electrical equipment can be the reason why the engine “troubles”, and knocks and rumbles When driving over uneven surfaces, this indicates a problem with the suspension. Therefore, the design of a car for “dummies”, despite the complexity of the systems and the abundance of car services, in difficult situation will always be able to help.