Mercedes-Benz Bionic Concept Vehicle
Raman K
Get to know how Technology is developed---------------------
Mercedes-Benz has developed new Concept CAR inspired from below Fish :
The boxfish :
Great rigidity and low weight - a growth principle designed by nature
Despite its boxy, cube-shaped body, tropical fish is in factis
outstandingly streamlined and therefore represents an aerodynamic ideal.
With an accurately constructed model of the boxfish the engineers in
Stuttgart were able to achieve a
wind drag coefficient of just 0.06
in the wind tunnel. 
The boxfish, the aerodynamic model
for the concept car, is also a prime example of rigidity and light weight
. Its
skin consists of numerous hexagonal, bony plates which provide maximum
strength with minimal weight and effectively protect the animal from
injury
.
DaimlerChrysler
researchers examined this bionic structure and transferred this
principle to the Mercedes-Benz bionic car study with the help of a special calculation process.
The
process is based on the principles of bone formation and for instance
allows up to 40 percent more rigidity to be achieved in the external
door panelling than would be possible with conventional designs
.
If
the entire bodyshell is calculated according to this bionic principle,
the total weight is reduced by around one third with undiminished
strength and crash safety
.
Now here is the CAR : 
DaimlerChrysler
is using a new concept vehicle to examine the great potential of
bionics for automobile development, and has achieved outstanding
results for fuel consumption and emissions with a combination of
pioneering diesel engine technology and innovative emission control
methods. The Mercedes-Benz bionic car study will have its world
premiere at this year's DaimlerChrysler Innovation Symposium in Washington
.
To
realise the Mercedes-Benz bionic car, the engineers at the
Mercedes-Benz Technology Centre and the DaimlerChrysler Research
department have for the first time looked for a specific example in
nature which not only approximates to the idea of an aerodynamic, safe,
comfortable and environmentally compatible car in terms of details, but
as a formal and structural whole. The example arrived at was the
boxfish.
In order to use this great potential for
automobile development purposes, specialists at DaimlerChrysler first
created a 1:4 car model whose shape was substantially based on the
boxfish. During tests in the wind tunnel, a drag coefficient of 0.095 -
a previously unprecedented value in automotive engineering - was
measured for this clay model. It corresponds to the values achieved
with highly streamlined shapes (Cd 0.09) and other aerodynamically
ideal forms.
DaimlerChrysler utilised the findings from this
research during the development of the Mercedes-Benz bionic car, a
fully functioning and roadworthy compact car with a length of 4.24
metres and space for four occupants plus luggage. With a Cd value of
just 0.19, this concept vehicle is among the most aerodynamically
efficient in this size category.
20 percent lower fuel consumption and up to 80 percent lower nitrogen oxide emissions
In addition to superb
aerodynamics and a lightweight construction concept derived from
nature, the 103 kW/140-hp diesel engine and innovative SCR technology
(Selective Catalytic Reduction) greatly contribute to fuel economy and
a further reduction in exhaust emissions. In the EU driving cycle the
concept car has a fuel consumption of4.3 litres per 100 kilometres - 20
less than a comparable series-production car. In accordance with the
US
measuring method (FTP 75) the range is around 70 miles per US gallon
(combined), which is about 30 percent more than for a
standard-production car. At a constant speed of 90 km/h the
direct-injection diesel unit consumes only 2.8 litres per 100
kilometres- corresponding to a range of 84 miles per gallon in the US
test cycle.
DaimlerChrysler is currently testing its SCR technology
worldwide. By this means, and with the additional operating fluid
"AdBlue", the nitrogen oxide emissions of the direct-injection diesel
engine can be reduced by up to 80 percent. The aim of these trials is
to avoid the fuel consumption disadvantages by optimising the in-engine
combustion processes. This is where Mercedes-Benz car engineers are
benefiting from the experience gained by their colleagues in the
commercial vehicle sector, where SCR technology is already in
successful use. DaimlerChrysler also intends to use the great potential
of this process for diesel passenger cars in future, and will initially
be offering SCR technology in the USA
when the trials have been completed.
"AdBlue"
is an aqueous urea solution which is sprayed into the exhaust system in
precisely metered quantities, depending on the engine operating status.
This converts the nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen and water. The
reservoir for this service fluid is located in the spare wheel recess
of the concept car, and its capacity is sufficient for a mileage
corresponding to the service interval for a current Mercedes diesel
model. The Mercedes-Benz bionic car study is also equipped with a
maintenance-free diesel particulate filter.
Great rigidity and low weight - a growth principle designed by nature
The
boxfish, the aerodynamic model for the concept car, is also a prime
example of rigidity and light weight. Its skin consists of numerous
hexagonal, bony plates which provide maximum strength with minimal
weight and effectively protect the animal from injury.
DaimlerChrysler researchers examined this bionic
structure and transferred this principle to the Mercedes-Benz bionic
car study with the help of a special calculation process. The process
is based on the principles of bone formation and for instance allows up
to 40 percent more rigidity to be achieved in the external door
panelling than would be possible with conventional designs. If the
entire bodyshell is calculated according to this bionic principle, the
total weight is reduced by around one third with undiminished strength
and crash safety.
--
K.Raman
Sunnyvale-CA
USA