Automotive Chassis Engineering

Written for students and practicing engineers working in automotive engineering, this book provides a fundamental yet comprehensive understanding of chassis systems and requires little prior knowledge on the part of the reader. It presents the material in a practical and realistic manner, using reverse engineering as a basis for examples to reinforce understanding of the topics. The specifications and characteristics of vehicles currently on the market are used to exemplify the theory’s application, and care is taken to connect the various topics covered, so as to clearly demonstrate their interrelationships. The book opens with a chapter on basic vehicle mechanics, which include the forces acting on a vehicle in motion, assuming a rigid body. It then proceeds to a chapter on steering systems, which provides readers with a firm understanding of the principles and forces involved under static and dynamic loading. The next chapter focuses on vehicle dynamics by considering suspension systems—tyres, linkages, springs, dampers etc. The chapter on chassis structures and materials includes analysis tools (typically, finite element analysis) and design features that are used to reduce mass and increase occupant safety in modern vehicles. The final chapter on Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) includes a basic overview of acoustic and vibration theory and makes use of extensive research investigations and practical experience as a means of addressing NVH issues. In all subject areas the authors take into account the latest trends, anticipating the move towards electric vehicles, on-board diagnostic monitoring, active systems and performance optimisation. The book features a number of worked examples and case studies based on recent research projects. All students, including those on Master’s level degree courses in Automotive Engineering, and professionals in industry who want to gain a better understanding of vehicle chassis engineering, will benefit from this book.

This comprehensive overview of chassis technology presents an up-to-date picture for vehicle construction and design engineers in education and industry. The book acts as an introduction to the engineering design of the automobile's fundamental mechanical systems. Clear text and first class diagrams are used to relate basic engineering principles to the particular requirements of the chassis. In addition, the 2nd edition of 'The Automotive Chassis' has a new author team and has been completely updated to include new technology in total vehicle and suspension design, including platform concept and four-wheel drive technology.

This comprehensive overview of chassis technology presents an up-to-date picture for vehicle construction and design engineers in education and industry. The book acts as an introduction to the engineering design of the automobile's fundamental mechanical systems. Clear text and first class diagrams are used to relate basic engineering principles to the particular requirements of the chassis. In addition, the 2nd edition of 'The Automotive Chassis' has a new author team and has been completely updated to include new technology in total vehicle and suspension design, including platform concept and four-wheel drive technology.

In most forms of racing, cornering speed is the key to winning. On the street, precise and predictable handling is the key to high performance driving. However, the art and science of engineering a chassis can be difficult to comprehend, let alone apply. Chassis Engineering explains the complex principles of suspension geometry and chassis design in terms the novice can easily understand and apply to any project. Hundreds of photos and illustrations illustrate what it takes to design, build, and tune the ultimate chassis for maximum cornering power on and off the track.

This textbook draws on the authors’ experience gained by teaching courses for engineering students on e.g. vehicle mechanics, vehicle system design, and chassis design; and on their practical experience as engineering designers for vehicle and chassis components at a major automotive company. The book is primarily intended for students of automotive engineering, but also for all technicians and designers working in this field. Other enthusiastic engineers will also find it to be a useful technical guide. The present volume (The Automotive Chassis – Volume 1: Component Design) focuses on automotive chassis components, such as:• the structure, which is usually a ladder framework and supports all the remaining components of the vehicle;• the suspension for the mechanical linkage of the wheels;• the wheels and tires;• the steering system;• the brake system; and• the transmission system, used to apply engine torque to the driving wheels. This thoroughly revised and updated second edition presents recent developments, particularly in brake, steering, suspension and transmission subsystems. Special emphasis is given to modern control systems and control strategies.

This work serves as a reference concerning the automotive chassis, i.e. everything that is inside a vehicle except the engine and the body. It is the result of a decade of work mostly done by the FIAT group, who supplied material, together with other automotive companies, and sponsored the work. The first volume deals with the design of automotive components and the second volume treats the various aspects of the design of a vehicle as a system.

In spite of all the assistance offered by electronic control systems, the latest generation of passenger car chassis still relies on conventional chassis elements. With a view towards driving dynamics, this book examines these conventional elements and their interaction with mechatronic systems. First, it describes the fundamentals and design of the chassis and goes on to examine driving dynamics with a particularly practical focus. This is followed by a detailed description and explanation of the modern components. A separate section is devoted to the axles and processes for axle development. With its revised illustrations and several updates in the text and list of references, this new edition already includes a number of improvements over the first edition.

This book details how to design, build, and setup the chassis and suspension for road race and stock cars. Includes chassis dynamics, spring and shock theory, front and rear suspension geometry, real world racing aerodynamics, steering systems, racing chassis software and all you need to know to set you chassis up to win races.