Chapter 260 The request of the father of the automobile
Author: Sanqiu Empty City
Chapter 260 The request of the father of the automobile
Before the letter from France arrived, Karl Benz, the father of the automobile, first approached Li Yu.
——It is said that there are many people named Carl in Europe.
Karl Benz arrived with his wife, and the driver was his wife Bertha.
The experience of Carl Benz can also reflect what is meant by "Behind every successful man, there is a great woman." Bertha has firmly supported her husband's automobile career from beginning to end.
And the driver of the world's first modern car happened to be Bertha.
In 1885, it was Bertha who drove the car successfully developed by Carl Benz from a small factory, and at the same time opened a glorious chapter in the automobile industry.
But at that time, the "Mercedes-Benz No. 1" only had three wheels, and it had to be stopped frequently for repairs.
In the first few years, people ridiculed the car even more seriously because it would suddenly break down after a terrible roar when the engine was running.
Then in 1888, in order to prove that her husband's invention was not a useless waste, Bertha once again drove the third-generation Mercedes-Benz herself and drove her two sons a hundred kilometers to her parents' home to visit their mother.
The two-hundred-kilometer round-trip inspection greatly boosted Karl Benz's confidence, and he became an instant hit at the Munich Auto Show.
The original intention of Karl Benz's visit was the same as that of Maybach, Daimler and others before him, which was for the advanced electronic ignition system.
"As you can see, asking a woman to start a car with a rocker is not only inelegant, but also very laborious, so I am very interested in your patent, academician." Karl Benz said.
"That's true," Li Yu said. "Messrs. Maybach and Daimler have begun to request supplies."
"Have they already arrived?" Karl Benz asked.
Li Yu said: "That's right."
"Then I have to hurry up!" said Karl Benz.
Many people may not believe it, but in history, Karl Benz and the old Daimler actually lived not far away, and they knew each other's names, but unfortunately they never met each other in their lives.
Now that the old Daimler has passed away, one of the three founders of Mercedes-Benz has been lost.
At this time, Karl Benz's factory and Daimler's factory were still two companies and were in a competitive relationship.
If you don't have something that others have, you will soon be at a disadvantage.
The development of science and technology throughout the 20th century has been on a fast-moving roller coaster. The changes are too fast, and if you don't work hard enough, you will become a backward product.
Karl Benz himself was also a successful businessman while possessing excellent inventive ability. His wife Bertha was also keen-eyed. Karl Benz said: "We also need supplies, but we don't know yet how suitable they are for the model.
How does it fit?"
Li Yu said: "The electronic starting system is a design that is relatively easy to integrate into automobile products of various manufacturers. Sir, please take a look."
Li Yu began to draw a schematic diagram for him.
Karl Benz, like Maybach and others, has a technical background. Within a few minutes, he knew that it was a very reliable patent. "It's so good. It can also integrate car lights, which is like giving the car eyes."
Bertha said: "From now on, if you drive in a car at night, you will only be envious of those horse-drawn carriages."
Karl Benz said: "Sir, you are really a genius. I always thought that scientists would not devote themselves to car design, but you really opened my eyes."
Li Yu smiled and said: "Design is a very interesting thing."
"I still have a question. Could you please ask me sir?" Karl Benz asked.
Li Yu said, "Sir, it's okay to just say it."
Karl Benz said: "I have made many improvements to the vehicle before, especially in terms of power, but I found that even if the engine horsepower is increased, the car still cannot achieve a corresponding increase in power."
Li Yu understood what Karl Benz meant: "Sir, are you referring to excessive power loss?"
"That's right," said Karl Benz, "I also want to design a bus now, where the problem of power loss will be more obvious."
It was indeed him who built the world's first bus.
Li Yu thought for a while and said, "I have some ideas and can make some adjustments to the transmission system."
Karl Benz asked: "Can you be more specific?"
Li Yu said: "I think the transmission shaft can be used to directly drive the differential."
Karl Benz said: "This is a good idea. I have also imagined it, but it is too difficult to implement."
Li Yu said: "I can give it a try and I should be able to succeed."
The differential is arguably one of the most important inventions in automotive history.
Li Yu had previously built a model on a ship to Japan.
To put it simply, this thing uses gears to achieve different speeds of the left and right wheels, thereby allowing the car to turn.
For example, if you make a car turn right, the distance traveled by the left wheel is obviously longer, so naturally you need to make it turn a few more times.
This cannot be achieved if the two wheels are connected to the same axle, so they must be disconnected in the middle and then cleverly connected with gears.
The history of differentials is quite long. As early as a hundred years before the birth of modern cars, there were already simple cars that used steam engines as external combustion engines. At that time, because there was no differential, there could only be one wheel on the front wheel.
, used for steering.
However, the steam engine was too bulky and was quickly eliminated.
Later, he was a mechanical genius who made watches and clocks. He was the first to design a differential, but it was very bulky and difficult to use in cars.
——By the way, European clocks, like glass, have an indelible impact on modern science.
This is also one of the important internal reasons for the birth of modern science in Europe.
Later, another designer made a chain-driven differential, which is currently used by car manufacturers such as Karl Benz.
Karl Benz, as the "Father of the Automobile", has a very clear understanding of the development of automobiles, and it is not just him. Maybach and others also realized that differentials will be a breakthrough in automobile evolution in the next stage.
Karl Benz looked around Li Yu's laboratory and said, "Sir, do you want to go to my factory for testing?"
Li Yu said: "That's not necessary. To be honest, I can't leave the laboratory for the time being, but I can purchase a batch of corresponding test equipment."
Karl Benz said: "I am very much looking forward to Mr.'s patent. If a propeller shaft differential can be realized, it will be a technology that excites me more and I am more looking forward to than the electronic ignition system."
That's not the case, after all, the difficulty has to go up several levels.
Li Yu said: "I will make this design and apply for a patent as soon as possible for all manufacturers to use."
Of course, it is not difficult for Li Yu.
Although there is still a gap between the limited-slip differentials of later generations, the driveshaft differential has reached the threshold of modern differentials and was definitely the most advanced in the early 20th century.
Later Model T cars used this type of differential.
After Carl Benz left, Li Yu found Carl Siemens (both called Carl, let's just call him Siemens from now on).
After Siemens learned about Li Yu's idea, it immediately improved the relevant equipment without saying a word. Anyway, in Germany, the hometown of automobiles, it is easy to do.
And now that American industry is gradually rising, a small number of people in Europe have become aware of it.
It's a pity that only a small group of people can't control the rapid technological advancement of the United States.
The differential is a relatively sophisticated design that relies on a pair of planetary gears on the axle to connect to the transmission shaft, and then achieves two-speed turning capabilities.
It can be said to be a very perfect display of mechanics.
Li Yu is a car fan. He was crazy about Audi's proud quattro and studied its design during college.
Audi's Quattro is a more complex Torsen differential. Li Yu doesn't need to make it so complicated now. He just designed the drive shaft differential and is already very advanced.
The key and complex Torsen differential was difficult to produce in the early 20th century, which would greatly increase the price of the vehicle and was not commercially reasonable.
While Li Yu was studying the differential, the letter from the French Academy of Literature actually arrived.
Lu Bicheng immediately ran over to watch it together. At this time, many people believed that France was definitely the most advanced country in terms of culture and art.
But when Li Yu opened the letter, he was dumbfounded and couldn't help but sigh: "He is indeed French!"
The content of the letter was entirely written in French, and Li Yu could not understand it at all.
What a headache.
Fortunately, there is also a great master named Planck in the laboratory. As a person with an orthodox European education, he can 100% understand French.
"You don't understand the most noble words?" Planck was very surprised.
Li Yu said awkwardly: "I can only speak Chinese, English and German, and Japanese is okay too."
Planck said: "In terms of quantity, you know more than me. I only know German, English and French. If I have the opportunity in the future, I should really learn the magical Chinese and Japanese square characters of the East."
Li Yudao: "If you can learn Chinese first, Japanese will be easier. But it is very difficult to learn Chinese."
"How difficult is it to have differential equations?" Planck said, "Even if I can't learn it, I always have to learn some basics. After all, I still want to eat delicious Chinese food."
Li Yule said: "Then it is very necessary."
Planck took the letter, looked at it and said: "Oh my god, you can actually win the literary medal from the French Academy of Letters! It seems that the French are still aware of the goods. They know that the Star Wars series is interesting enough. I think they probably will."
I like it very much and want to see the sequel.”
Li Yu said: "I already know about this. Let's see if Ms. Bicheng is mentioned?"
Planck said: "Bicheng... Well, it seems that the French made a mistake. They wrote Mr. Bicheng in the letter."
Although later during the Republic of China, some educated ladies were also called "sir", but the French obviously did not mean this.
Lu Bicheng said in shock: "This..."
She insists on pursuing women's rights, which is of course unacceptable.
Li Yu first said: "I will reply to the French Academy of Literature now to explain the situation."
However, as soon as he sat down, he discovered that he could not write French, so he had to continue to ask Planck for help.
When Planck saw it, he immediately raised the price: "I never write to others, and besides, I am writing to the French. You must promise me to write the Star Wars prequel as soon as possible."
Li Yu quickly said: "I agree!"
"That's pretty much it."
Planck bent down at his desk and began to write a letter, but after writing a few words, he raised his head again and emphasized again: "What you say means what you say."
Li Yu didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and Planck was too funny, so he had no choice but to say: "A gentleman's words are hard to follow."
"Oh, I've heard this Chinese proverb," Planck wanted to show off the Chinese proverb he learned, "it says..."
Li Yu quickly interrupted him: "I know, Mr. Professor, I will also write you a collection of proverbs."
Planck said with satisfaction: "He is indeed a smart man and can make a living on his own!"