1. Functional matching
When designing car parts, the first thing to consider is functional matching. For example, the coordinated work of the engine and the transmission, the engine as a power source, its output torque and speed characteristics need to match the transmission. The torque and speed output of the engine under different working conditions (idling, low speed driving, high speed driving, rapid acceleration, etc.) are very different, and the gear ratio design of the transmission must be determined based on these characteristics of the engine. If the transmission ratio design of the transmission is unreasonable, it may cause the engine to fail to work in the optimal efficiency range, resulting in power waste or insufficient power. Similarly, for the coordination of the braking system and tires, the braking force applied by the braking system needs to achieve vehicle deceleration through the friction between the tires and the ground, and the grip characteristics of the tires directly affect the braking effect. Therefore, when designing braking system components, relevant performance parameters such as the maximum friction of the tire must be considered to ensure the effective realization of the braking function.
2. Space layout and installation
The space inside the car is limited, and the coordination of the spatial layout and installation of various components is crucial. Taking the engine compartment as an example, many components such as the engine, radiator, and air-conditioning compressor are installed in this relatively small space. When designing an engine, its dimensions and the positions of various interfaces (such as air intake, exhaust, coolant interface, etc.) need to be coordinated with the layout of the radiator, intake and exhaust pipes, and other auxiliary components. If the design of a component does not take into account the spatial layout, it may cause installation difficulties or even be impossible to install. At the same time, a reasonable spatial layout can also facilitate later repairs and maintenance. For example, when designing the position of the oil filter, it is necessary to ensure that the replacement operation can be carried out without disassembling too many other components, which requires coordinated planning with the surrounding components in terms of spatial layout.
3. Data Interaction and Communication
Many components in modern cars involve data interaction and communication, especially electronic components. For example, the electronic control unit (ECU) of a car needs to work with multiple sensors and actuators. The engine's ECU receives data from many sensors such as oxygen sensors, water temperature sensors, crankshaft position sensors, and then controls the actions of actuators such as injectors and throttles based on these data. When designing these components, it is necessary to determine a unified data transmission standard and protocol, such as the CAN bus protocol. The sensor should be able to accurately and timely transmit the collected data to the ECU in the prescribed format, and the ECU should also be able to correctly parse the data and issue accurate instructions to the actuator to ensure the coordinated operation of the entire system and realize functions such as precise fuel injection and ignition timing control of the engine.
4. Reliability and durability
The coordinated work between car parts is also reflected in reliability and durability. The service life and reliability of each component should be adapted to each other to avoid premature damage of a component and affect the normal operation of the entire automobile system. For example, in the suspension system, shock absorbers, springs and various connecting rods work together to provide a comfortable driving experience and good handling performance. If the design life of the shock absorber is much lower than that of the spring and connecting rod, then after the shock absorber is damaged, the performance of the entire suspension system will be greatly reduced. Therefore, it is necessary to consider their wear characteristics and fatigue life under the same use conditions during design. Through reasonable material selection, structural design and manufacturing process, they can match each other in reliability and durability to jointly ensure the stable operation of the car for a long time.
