ThyssenKrupp, the first to try out new technologies

In China, the first person to try something new is often described as the first to eat crabs. Among those who dare to "try new things" in the field of automobile research and development, ThyssenKrupp, which started in 1865 and whose business scope covers giant excavators, submarines, radio telescopes, etc., recently demonstrated some of the latest technologies related to automobiles. So, let's find out whether these "crabs" are delicious.

You may not be familiar with ThyssenKrupp, but next time you take an elevator, you might want to pay attention to the brand. If you see the words ThyssenKrupp, it means they are its products. In the automotive field, they actually provide camshafts, crankshafts, steering systems, and vibration reduction systems for many vehicles.

It is precisely because of its glorious history that ThyssenKrupp has become the first parts supplier to be selected in our series of topics "The Giant Behind". ThyssenKrupp, whose products range from 10,000-ton bucket wheel excavators to 100-meter-diameter radio telescopes, will bring new products that can be used in cars, similar to "black technology", which makes people look forward to it.

■ Body

Although we are usually attracted by the colorful body of a car when we observe it, that is not the body itself. After removing the varnish, midcoat and electrophoretic anti-corrosion coating, the real body is revealed. Its structure and strength will directly determine the safety of the passengers in the event of a collision. Therefore, it is not an exaggeration to compare the body to the concrete structure of a skyscraper. It is necessary to be extremely careful when "making a fuss" on the body of a car.

In the body part, we first saw many new technologies in lightweight materials and structures. However, this company that once built a submarine that could dive into the world's deepest Mariana Trench will obviously not only show these "sincerities". The design using high molecular polymers is a bit too "boring" for ThyssenKrupp. Where are those technologies with a strong sense of German "black technology"?

    In the rear half of the body part, ThyssenKrupp's persistent pursuit of technology does not seem to be reflected. The following technologies are still a bit ordinary for them. Is there no highlight this time? Obviously not. If you think about it carefully, you will see the "habit" of German companies pursuing details.

Summary of the body part:

For the body parts, the products brought by ThyssenKrupp this time are mainly to reduce the weight of relevant parts as much as possible while ensuring the strength. Don't underestimate the weight reduction of 10% or a few kilograms. The work of automobile lightweighting is to integrate these ordinary 10% into an amazing number. It has a positive effect on indirectly improving vehicle handling and reducing fuel consumption.

■ Powertrain 

● Low friction technology

For the engine, the intake and exhaust volumes required under different working conditions are not the same, just like the oxygen and exhaust gases we humans need to inhale and exhale are different when we are sitting still and running. The valve mechanism on the engine is the mechanism that adjusts the engine's intake and exhaust of gases under different working conditions, and the camshaft is an important part of it.

● Centralized oil and gas separator system camshaft

As we all know, since the engine is in continuous operation, the high-pressure mixture in the cylinder will enter the crankcase through the gap between the piston ring and the cylinder, which means that in addition to air and oil, there are trace amounts of gasoline, water vapor and other substances in the crankcase. In order to prevent these substances from affecting the quality and lubrication effect of the engine oil, a device is needed to separate the engine oil from other substances, allowing the engine oil to re-condense into engine oil droplets and flow back to the oil pan to participate in the lubrication of the moving mechanism, and the remaining air re-enters the intake side of the turbocharger and re-participates in combustion. This separation device is the oil-gas separator. As the trend of miniaturization of engine development continues to deepen, engineers began to make a fuss about oil-gas separators. This time, we saw the solution brought by ThyssenKrupp, which actually placed part of the oil-gas separator in the camshaft.

● Hybrid movable cam element

German luxury car brand Audi has a trump card in the valve train called AVS, or variable valve lift technology, which changes the valve opening by changing the cam height of the camshaft. The hybrid movable cam element brought by ThyssenKrupp this time can help the AVS system reduce weight by 30% through material improvements.

Before entering the powertrain area, I guessed what technologies I might encounter, perhaps ultra-fast charging, or a new way of injecting fuel? When I actually saw the real thing, it was really surprising. ThyssenKrupp did not come up with some major, epoch-making technologies as I expected, but instead showed what they did on a small camshaft. It felt like Hercules proudly showing off his latest sesame micro-carving work.

    ● Hybrid camshaft module

In recent years, the trend of automobile engine design is integration and modularization, which can reduce the volume of the system, which is beneficial for engineers to arrange the engine compartment. In this technical display, we saw the hybrid camshaft module. In layman's terms, it is to use an aluminum alloy cover to integrate the valve cover and camshaft.

● Others

Summary of the powertrain:

　　In the powertrain part, ThyssenKrupp brought a number of camshaft-related technologies, including lightweight technology, camshafts with centralized oil-gas separators, and camshaft modular design, which reflects the current trend of miniaturization, integration, and modularization of powertrain technology. At the same time, ThyssenKrupp also made lightweight improvements to the motor part.

■ Chassis and steering

Compared with the body and powertrain, the chassis and steering are more difficult to observe, but this does not mean that we rarely come into contact with them. When we drive our cars, turn the steering wheel, and pass speed bumps and potholes, the vibration filtering is inseparable from these two parts.

Summary of the full text:

Whether it is the Krupp cannon during World War II, the 10,000-ton excavator, or the sightseeing elevator on the Olympic Park observation tower, ThyssenKrupp, a German company, always gives people the impression that it likes to make huge things. The automotive engine parts it brought this time give people a subversive feeling. Whether it is the lightweight technology that improves the strength and reduces the weight of the body, or the oil-gas separator in the powertrain, the camshaft using a steel-plastic hybrid material, and the steering motor with a smaller size and greater torque, the giant behind the automobile company is also very good at playing "embroidery needle". For these new technologies, do you dare to be the first to try them?