Future problems aside, Jin decided to do what he wanted to do most ...... right now: build a car.
"Jin, what are you doing?"
Just then Reinhardt arrived. He had just finished his work and came to take a break.
"Look, I'm trying to build that car we talked about the other day," he said.
When Jin explained briefly, Reinhardt's eyes lit up.
"That's nice. I'd like to build one myself.
"Yeah, that might be a good idea."
He was going to unveil it in the Shoro Kingdom first, and he thought that the fact that not only Jin but also Reinhardt could build one might alleviate some of the peculiarities of the project.
"So, what are you going to make of it?
At Reinhardt's question, Jin unfolded a conceptual diagram and showed it to him. <
"Oh, this is a piece of wood paper. It's ......, and the design is similar to Jin's carriage, but without the horse, of course. I see."
Jin had read in a book on model cars that the first cars were sometimes called <.
, in other words. Jin adopted this design because it was acceptable in many countries today.
"But, since you're Jin, you must have a terrible taste in your mouth, right?"
Erza raised her eyebrows at his words.
Haha, not really. I'll use good materials, but I'm going to disguise it and keep its performance low.
Jin laughed, "Otherwise, we can't ride around publicly.
"Well, that's good."
So Jin and Reinhardt set about building the car.
First, the chassis. Chassis, also called chassis or frame. In short, it is the basic part of a car.
This is where the engine, transmission, and eventually the body will be mounted.
"This is made in the shape of a ladder."
This is called a ladder frame and is suitable for cars that are to be driven on rough roads.
Before that, the ladder frame is easy to make for manufacturing cars.
Rigidity ...... is more important than resistance to deformation, and Jin adopted chrome molybdenum steel for its sturdiness ...... and resistance to breakage.
It is a special steel that is resistant to rust and has high tenacity.
The reason for this is that an ordinary engineer would not be able to distinguish it from ordinary carbon steel.
Reinhardt also uses the same material prepared by Jin.
The size of the Reinhardt was decided on the assumption that it would accommodate six passengers.
The engine is also made of the same material.
"This is interesting.
As expected of Reinhardt, he was able to build his first Golem engine without a hitch, even with Erza's help.
The problem was the tires...... wheels. Since we do not intend to make tubes, valves, etc., wooden wheels fitted on steel wheels will be the standard for the time being.
From here, Jin hopes to change to all-rubber tires, tube tires, and tubeless ...... tires.
However, the first step is to start with wooden tires, so the selection of materials will begin.
In Japan, the word "oak" is often associated with hardness and durability, but oak is not that hard. In fact, the persimmon tree may be harder.
However, in terms of tenacity and elasticity, it is truly a top-class wood.
Oak was used in an ancient large wooden sledge called excavated from an ancient burial mound, and it is said that it was used to transport huge stones.
It is said that the name "Shura" was taken from Asura, who fought against the goddess Taisakuten, meaning "to move a large stone" or "big stone.
But I digress.
Taking advantage of the toughness of the oak tree, the artist decided to use this wood for the wheel.
The diameter is 50 cm and the width of the wheel is 5 cm.
"This is how it should work to turn left and right.
We need a brake.
The suspension should be a golem arm.
Jin explained to Reinhardt and Erza, and finished the car.
Jin had built special cars and special vehicles for Horai Island before, but he had never built anything more than a model car when it came to <>, so the classic car-like design reminiscent of the dawn of time suited him.
With the help of Reiko, Edgar, and five craftsmen (Smith), two prototype 1 cars were completed near dusk.
Since the cars were intended for public display, Jin added more cars to the prototype three times when he noticed something that was missing.
"It's done."
"Yes."
Jin and Reinhardt had Golem bring the car to the front of the laboratory and got into the car with great enthusiasm, ready to give it a test drive.
Just in case. Reiko is riding next to Jin, and Edgar is riding next to Reinhardt.
However, since it was a car on land, it did not seem like there would be any great danger.
First, Jin slowly stepped on the accelerator pedal.
Although it is called an engine, the characteristics of the Golem engine are flat, and its torque (rotational force) does not depend on the number of revolutions.
It does not require idling (warm-up operation) and starts up smoothly from a standstill. Reverse acceleration is also possible with a single lever switch.
The prototype started to drive slowly when the accelerator pedal was depressed. Jin, who has driven a small special vehicle ...... known as a at his place of work, was able to drive the vehicle without any danger.
"Okay, me too."
Reinhardt saw this and stepped on the gas pedal,...... but he seemed to have stepped on it a little too hard.
The prototype car Reinhardt was riding in rolled up the dirt and accelerated at once.
"Whoa, whoa!"
The acceleration caused his body to be pressed against the seat, which reduced the force of his foot on the gas pedal, and Reinhardt managed to regain control of the car.
"Wow, what a surprise!"
Erza, who was watching the scene, was equally surprised.
"Brother Rai, be more careful!
Reinhardt waved his hand with a wry smile at his cousin who was calling out to him in an unusually loud voice.
"Ah, it's dangerous if you're not used to it.
Jin tries to think of a countermeasure. Too much gas pedal response is also a problem.
"Fluid clutch ......?"
The torque converter is a development of this type, and is used in automatic cars.
"But I don't know much about its structure. ......"
It seems to be difficult to put it into practical use without starting with a prototype. So I have another idea.
"Control ......."
Jin's idea is that the engine output should not be directly proportional to the depressing of the accelerator pedal, but rather the output should be lower when the depressing of the accelerator pedal is low, and the output should be increased when the depressing of the accelerator pedal is high.
Audio volume is similar to this. The resistance value is changed not in a straight line but in a , so that the listener's ear feels a smooth change in volume.
This can be done quickly by playing a little with the control core.
This is a solution for the time being. Jin thought that the optimum value could be obtained by further experiments later.
"Reinhard, it should be a little easier to ride this time.
"Oh, yes."
This time, Reinhardt was careful and was able to start the car without any problems.
Over the next 15 minutes, Reinhardt, as well as Jin, became proficient drivers. The controls are similar to those of a go-cart at an amusement park, so it takes some getting used to.
"Do you want a ride, Elsa?"
"Yes."
Jin, who had circled the front yard, invited Erza to join him. Erza gets in the car with joy. But...
"......?
"......?"
Erza tried to get into the driver's seat.
"You want to drive?"
"Yes."
Jin remembered that he had piloted the Golem boat in the Potrock competition, so he gave up the driver's seat.
"Thank you."
Erza's knowledge also included accelerating with the gas pedal and decelerating with the brake. She knew at least the basics of driving a car, such as how to turn left and right with the steering wheel.
Jin's advice was all she needed: "Don't step on the gas pedal too hard.
With only Jin's advice, Erza drove the car with ease.
"You're better than me," said Reinhardt.
Reinhardt said.
"You've raced in boat races before."
Jin wondered if he had learned the tricks of acceleration and deceleration by heart.
Sudden operation of such machinery is basically strictly forbidden. It is likely that Erza knew how to adjust to such a situation.
"Shall we make a small car exclusively for Elsa?
"Oh, you're going to make me one?
Erza looked surprised and then smiled happily. I guess she likes vehicles.
"Oh."
Jin is thinking of a mini-car. In other words, a four-seater.
If the 6-seater car he made this time was a regular car, Jin thought, a mini-car would seat 4 people.
This would be the basis of the standards for the cars that would follow.