Introduction to Automobile

The Layout
-by Atul Katti

Components of an Automobile
The basic structure The power unit

The transmission system

The auxiliaries The controls

The superstructure

The Basic Structure (Chassis)

This is the unit on which the other units are mounted.

It consists of: Frame The Suspension system Axles Wheels Tyres

1. Frame
There consists of two distinct construction in common use: forms

1. The conventional pressed steel frame to which all units are mounted 2. The integral or frameless construction, in which the body structure is so designed so as to combine the functions of body and frame.

Frameless - Advantages
Reduced weight and consequent saving in fuel consumption

Lower manufacturing costs

Safety to passengers Increased stability of the automobile

Disadvantages
Reduction in strength and durability Economical only if it is adopted in mass production Increased cost or repairs Convertible cars are difficult to design in frameless construction

2. Suspension System
The objects of the suspension are:
To prevent the road shocks from transmitted to the vehicle components being

To safeguard the occupants from road shocks To preserve the stability of the vehicle while in motion

Suspension system

Leaf Springs

Suspension system
There are two distinct types of suspension systems:
The conventional system, in which the road springs are attached to a rigid beam axle. The independent system, in which there is no rigid axle beam and each wheel is free to move vertically

Suspension system

3. Axles
It is the wait carrying members, may be on the rear or front, are beams supported at ends.

Axles are subjects to different kin of loads:

Vertical load due to self weight A fore and aft load due to driving and braking Torque reactions due to drive and brake Side thrust due to centrifugal force during conference

Axles
There are three different types live rear axles
a) Fully floating type b) Three quarter floating type c) Semi-floating type

4. Wheels
Different types of wheels have been used in automobiles over generations according to the requirement
Wire-spoked wheels

Pressed steel wheels

Light alloy wheels

The Power Plant (Engine)

The engine provides the power to move the vehicle

It generally consists of an IC engine, either SI or CI

Gas turbines also have been used in vehicles Now, electric batteries for propelling the vehicle

The Transmission System

The transmission system consists of a
Clutch,

Gear box,
Propeller shaft, and Differential

Layout of the transmission system

The Transmission System

The functions of a transmission system are:
To disconnect the engine from road wheel when desired To connect the engine to the driving wheels without shock To vary the leverage between the engine and the driving wheels

The Transmission System

To reduce the engine speed permanently in a fixed ratio To turn the drive through a right angle To make provision for the flexing of the road springs

The Transmission System

The various components which perform the above mentioned functions are:
Clutch:- To disengage the system from the engine and to engage without shock to road wheels Gear box:- Provides the necessary leverage variation between the engine and road wheels

The Transmission System

Bevel pinion and crown wheels:- They turn the drive round through 90 and also provide permanent reduction in speed

Universal joints:- Provide for the relative movement between the engine and the driving wheels due to flexing of road springs.
Differential:- Helps to attain different speeds at different wheels while taking a turn

Different types of arrangements

The different types of the arrangement of transmission could be Front engine and front wheel drive Rear engine and rear wheel drive Front engine and four wheel drive

Front engine FWD

The power is transmitted to front axles, from the front engine (Front Wheel Drive) A few advantages are:
i. The propeller shaft is eliminated. This permits low chassis height ii. The pulls the car than pushing it, avoiding skidding tendency. iii. Better road adhesion.

FWD

Layout of FWD

FWD
A few disadvantages are:
i. The whole arrangement over front wheels is complicated. Constant velocity joints have to be used instead of universal joints

ii.

iii. Decrease of tractive forces when the vehicle is up the grade.

Rear engine RWD

The engine is placed at the rear and the rear wheels are the driven wheels Advantages are:
i. Better tractive forces up the grade ii. Front axle construction is simplified iii. Absence of propeller shaft allows decrease in chassis height

RWD
The disadvantages are:
i. May lose balance at high speeds.

ii. Complicated linkage is required between the engine, clutch and gearbox.
iii. Rear position of engine, cooling effect is reduced.

Front engine four wheel drive

Vehicles which operate on rough roads and unexpected road profiles, all the four wheels are the driving wheels It has got an extra transfer box, which divides the torque between front and rear wheels. Also there is a provision for disengaging the front wheels when not required.

4WD

4WD

Transfer Box in 4WD

4WD
The main advantage of the 4WD is that when any wheels fall into a ditch or a hole, they can be driven out with the help of other wheels or power being delivered to the same wheel

But this advantage can only at the cost of extra fuel consumption.

Classification
Automobiles can be classified in different in ways according to:1. Use
i. ii. iii. iv. Mopeds Motor cycles, scooters Cars, jeeps Buses and trucks

Classifications
2. Capacity
i. ii. Heavy transport Light weight transport

3. Make and model

i. Honda, Bajaj, TVS, etc. ii. Maruti Suzuki, Tata, Mahindra etc. iii. BMW, Audi, Ford, Mitsubishi etc.

Classifications
4. Fuel Used
i. ii. Petrol vehicles Diesel vehicles

5. Body style
i. Closed cars e.g., sedan, coupe etc. ii. Open cars e.g., convertible iii. Special styles e.g., estate cars, station wagons etc.

Classifications
6. Transmission
i.
ii.

Manual
Semi-automatic

iii. Fully-automatic

iv. Continuously variable transmission

v. Automated manual

Car Body Styles

I. Closed cars:
a. Sedan has two or four doors, single compartment with two rows of seats. b. Hatchback A sedan with a door at the back c. Coupe only one row of seats for two persons. Only two doors are provided.

Different Closed Cars

Honda Sedan

Different Closed Cars

Suzuki SX4

Different Closed Cars

Ford Fiesta 5 door hatchback

Different Closed Cars

Honda Civic Hatchback

Different Closed Cars

Honda Genesis Coupe

Different Closed Cars

Honda Accord Coupe

Different Closed Cars

BMW X Coupe

Car Body Styles

II. Open cars
a) Sports Has two doors or less, provided with a collapsible hood, a fold-flat windscreen and removable side-screen. b) Convertible Roof in this is of folding type. So the car roof can be closed or opened.

Different Open Cars

Peugeot 9009 Sports Car

Different Open Cars

Dodge Viper Sports Car

Different Open Cars

Audi Sports Car

Different Open Cars

Ford Mustang Convertible

Different Open Cars

BMW M3 Convertible

Different Open Cars

BMW M6 Convertible

Different Open Cars

Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

Car Body Styles

III. Special styles
a) Estate car A sedan with the passenger roof extended up to rear end. Rear seats are usually collapsible for loading. b) Station wagon Rear doors and four or five person seating capacity.

Special Style Cars

Mercedes AMG Estate

Special Style Cars

Audi RS 6 Estate Car

Special Style Cars

Renault Clio Estate

Special Style Cars

Ford Mustang Station Wagon

Special Style Cars

Station Wagon

Special Style Cars

Station Wagon

Thank You