Introduction to Automobile

The Layout

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 forms
construction in common use:
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 being
transmitted to the vehicle components
To safeguard
shocks

the

occupants

from

road

To preserve the stability of the vehicle while

in motion

Suspension system

Leaf Springs

Suspension system
There are two distinct
suspension systems:

types

of

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
vehicle

batteries

for

propelling

the

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
permanently in a fixed ratio

speed

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.

ii. Constant velocity joints have to be used

instead of universal joints
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. Heavy transport
ii. 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. Petrol vehicles
ii. 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.

Manual

ii.

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

Suzuk
i SX4

Different Closed Cars

Ford
Fiesta 5
door
hatchback

Different Closed Cars

Honda
Civic
Hatchba
ck

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

Peugeo
t 9009
Sports
Car

Different Open Cars

Dodge
Viper
Sports
Car

Different Open Cars

Audi
Sports
Car

Different Open Cars

Ford
Mustang
Convertibl
e

Different Open Cars

BMW M3
Convertibl
e

Different Open Cars

BMW M6
Convertibl
e

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