BMW racing car uses renewable flax fiber parts for the first time to create a new ife.20 formula e racing car

Posted 2023-04-01 00:00:00 +0000 UTC

(photo source: official website) according to foreign media, BMW ife.20 formula e racing car is equipped with a cooling shaft made of flax fiber. This is BMW's first use of renewable textile fiber parts in racing cars. BMW said that compared with carbon, flax has stronger absorption and impact resistance, which is conducive to driving on bumps and obstacles, as well as collision with other vehicles in the race. "We test flax in extreme weather conditions," said Jens Marquardt, head of motorsport at BMW Group. In some ways, this renewable material has an advantage over previously used racing materials, such as carbon. Our goal is to always build every part with the right materials. " BMW ife.20, like its predecessor, has a unified chassis as specified in formula E. However, thanks to the innovative lightweight structure, engineers have improved the car in some aspects, mainly involving the rear structure, according to previous experience. Compared with the traditional development and production process, using the generative design method or 3D printing technology to develop parts can greatly reduce the weight, and provide more maneuverable space for engineers in terms of vehicle center of gravity and weight distribution. It's the first time BMW has used a component made of fiber-reinforced plastic in a racing car, the flax cooling shaft. These fiber-reinforced plastics are made from sustainable raw materials. The cooling system of formula e racing car sends air into the side cabin of the car and into the radiator filled with coolant. The radiator is connected with the main heating components of the power assembly through the pipeline system, such as, power electronic equipment and. In the second-generation ife.20 racing car, BMW uses glycol as coolant, and greatly improves the overall cooling system, such as CFD optimization design, reducing pressure loss, while using high thermal conductivity materials, such as ceramics, casting materials. The linen cooling shaft directs the air to the radiator. BMW ife.20 is the first BMW racing car to use this renewable material. BMW will extend this concept in other racing cars, and the relevant models are now in the development stage.

Copyright © 2020. TUTESL All rights reserved.