Innovative Design For Those Who Are Driven: The 2006 BMW 3 Series

Hydraulic Brakes - Innovative Design For Those Who Are Driven: The 2006 BMW 3 Series

Innovative Design For Those Who Are Driven: The 2006 BMW 3 Series

BMW will tell you it isn't so, but the new 3 Series is the start of a softening of Chris Bangle's most angular design language. The car you see is not an evolution of an existing car but a ground up model, an energetic attempt to re-invent the most popular BMW model with unarguably good looks that match its top class driving dynamics.

Hydraulic Brakes

The first thing you notice is that the car has dropped the current teardrop headlamps and done away with the aircraft carrier trunk lid. Next to go are the cut lines and the aggressive mix of concave and convex panels. It's still recognizably a BMW though. The big news underneath is the new multitude independent suspension (borrowed from the 5 series) is designed to combine unrivalled ride comfort, with taut handling. On top of that you can expect Dynamic Drive (that's adjustable anti-roll bars), Active Steering(TM), and a four wheel drive system as options. The fifth generation BMW 3 Series superstar shines brighter than the predecessor with a torque loving, direct injection, and environmentally conscious engine. (Don't rule out a hybrid just yet - by 2009 BMW's partnership with DaimlerChrysler and GM will have born a fruit, enabling the Germans to catch up with Lexus.) Additionally, the new 3 Series features increased passenger room and enhanced safety features.

Step inside the cabin of the 2006 BMW 3 Series, you'll find the interior has an instinctive feel to it; every switch and readout is ergonomically placed for a reason, where you will look for it. The surrounding materials are made from high quality wood, leather and plastics enhancing the appeal of this sports machine. The seats offer ample support to the lower back and thigh while enhancing the body's disposition for spirited driving. And the intuitively placed center display rewards the enthusiast spirit by enabling the driver to easily read every dial and be in touch with the engine.

Turn the key and put the car in gear, you'll find the car engineered to move. The smooth delivery of speed is exhilarating. The engine pulls like a conditioned sprinter all the way up to its 6800 redline. The real joy is experiencing the sound of the engine. The loud, visceral scream is clean and mechanical, distinct from any muffler or aftermarket accessory. Additionally, the optional Active Steering(TM) reduces steering inputs at high speed and increases inputs at low speeds, enhancing the overall tactile responsiveness of the car. The 2006 BMW 3 Series features the first magnesium block engine to reduce engine weight. The new inline six-cylinder produces 215 horsepower in the 325; and 255 horsepower in the 330i. Linear velocity is smooth due to BMW's revolutionary Valvetronic(TM) system that helps the engine breathe more efficiently even at low RPMs. To experience more fully, simply find an open road and press the accelerator.

In terms of handling and cornering, the 2006 BMW 3 Series also features a perfect 50:50 front to rear weight distribution, making it extremely responsive in turns and at the limits. The rear wheels provide the thrust while the front steers the vehicle with exceptional feedback. The new suspension with double-joint aluminum control arms in front and a five-link fully independent system in the rear is borrowed from the larger 5 Series. Additionally, the new 3 Series also features BMW's most sophisticated Dynamic Stability Control(TM) with more sensors to monitor and enhance the ride.

For those of you who prefer the stick shift, the 2006 BMW 3 Series transmission and gears have also been refined; a six speed manual, an optional six speed automatic, or the six speed electro-hydraulic Sequential Manual Gearbox(TM) (SMG) are three very promising choices. The SMG is a manual with no clutch pedal, a welcome relief for the enthusiast drivers who prefers sporty shifting but dislikes using the clutch in toe-to toe traffic.

Additionally, the 2006 3 Series builds on BMW's lineage on passive and active safety by adding advanced, intelligent safety systems. The passive safety begins with BMW's rigid "safety cage" that surrounds the occupant with deformable energy absorbing tubes. In case of an extreme crash, impact energy is absorbed and routed around the passenger cabin. Sensors throughout the car measure crash severity and deploy airbags as needed. Six airbags are on hand to shield occupants from harm, two in front and the rest as part of the side curtain that protects from the A-pillar in front to the C-pillar at rear. All BMW 3s are also equipped with Dynamic Brake Control(TM) which is designed to help you stop more quickly during emergency braking. Brake sensors determine how forcefully you step on the brake pedal and apply maximum braking power to stop the car if needed.

As BMW's most successful model, the 3 Series was first introduced in 1977, and now accounts for 40 percent of all sales worldwide. Gradually, the car has formed a loyal following. To meet enthusiast driver's individualistic needs, the 2006 3 Series is available in nine iterations: 325i sedan, 325xi sedan, 325Ci coupe, 325Ci convertible, 325xi sports wagon, 330i sedan, 330xi sedan, 330Ci coupe and the 330Ci convertible, with MSRP ranging from ,900 to ,900. Although not available as a Hybrid yet, the 2006 BMW 3 Series averages 20 mpg city, 30 mpg highway to successfully reinvent a top automotive performer.

Hydraulic Hose System Design

Hydraulic hose must match the highest pressure capable in a hydraulic system, which is typically the pressure the pump provides. However, there can certainly be pressure increasing components in machines that can go much higher than the hydraulic relief or a pump pressure capacity, especially when a pressure intensifying cylinder is flow generated. Special attention must apply when designing systems with geared flow dividers because of this effect.

Hoses usually have a burst rating of 4 times the pressure rating so although a lower rated hose can work for a short time, they will fatigue and then fail in a shorter time. It's a good idea to then look at the failed hose to make sure it will match the hydraulic flow circuit pressure ratings. Sometimes people can simply make a hydraulic hose assembly from the wrong type of hose and won't realize it only until failure. This can happen even from the factory.

High pressure hydraulic lines for mobile equipment usually come in a few number of pressure ranges. There are exceptions to this, especially with hose manufacturers trying to crack into market share by offering different benefits to their customer. 6000 psi pressure rated hose can be typically found on closed loop hydro-static circuits such as trackground drives and higher horsepower drives used on drillers, trenching equipment, etc.

Next, there is the 4000-psi hose that is used on some of the open loop piston pumping systems involved in manufacturing. The most common hydraulic hose found in industry is the 3000 psi rated hose, which is common with gear pumping circuits used in correlation with high pressure cylinders and gear motor systems. There are many hoses 1500 and lower psi ratings for the return lines and other special case applications. Most of these hydraulic lines are used to supply the valves and then return back to oil coolers, hydraulic filters, and the oil reservoir. If you wonder, why not use the highest pressure hydraulic hose on everything in an oil circuit; it's because of the higher cost.

Often, steel lines have advantages over hydraulic rubber hoses because of greater heat rejection, better abrasion resistance, fire resistance, and better pressure fatigue resistance. If there is a long distance run to on a machine, it can be a smart idea to install solid steel lines bent into shape for routing the hydraulic oil circuit.

Hoses expand with every pressure cycle. These hoses usually have a crimped steel end also called a hydraulic fitting. Fatigue failure of a hose will typically happen near the hose end as the rubber hose and the steel fitting hose end will expand at their different rates. The hydraulic hose end can also be susceptible to an incorrect crimp process if the crimping technician is not trained. Steel hydraulic lines are not going to be as flexible as hydraulic hose, so be careful to not preload any component that they are connected to when mounting the steel line to the machine.

During manufacturing, hydraulic hose is the last thing done to a machine when being built. When technicians and engineers are hurried and under work pressure to meet deadlines, it is the hydraulics and hydraulic hose that usually suffer. Overtime, after complaints come back in from the customer or if you have a good technician, they can route the hydraulic hoses and fittings to give the best service of the components.

In addition, it is important to note that careful attention should be made as to how hoses will lay while in service. For example, is your machine following the minimum bending radius? Are your hydraulic hoses clamped into place so to prevent the rubbing that occurs when under pressure? When you are routing hydraulic hoses through a structure that pivots can you prevent these hoses from undergoing strain? Will your hoses clear obstructions, other pinch points, and will not be subject to unnecessary rubbing? Have you made your hose as short as possible to reduce wear? Can you change a crimp hydraulic hose end to provide better routing? Have you eliminated as many twists as possible? It is necessary to pay close attention to these questions when you are designing your hose system.