Course Details

1. Identify the types and categories of vehicle today in the global market. Describe how each type of vehicle is adapted to each application and market segment. Analyse the way vehicles’ body is constructed and designed and list raw materials used. Also analyse some techniques of manufacture.
2. Identify the cost of vehicle usage like air pollution, noise pollution and clearly explain the need for reducing energy consumption and best allocation of scarce resources available in the world. Also list possible alternative energy resources that are potential clients for future vehicles.
3. Explain the function of 4- stroke, 2 stroke and Wankel engines. Distinguish between diesel and petrol fuels; that is the compression ratios, internal components, construction, materials and assembly
4. Explain the function of manual transmission systems and analyse the various gear ratios. Also list some types of gears and materials used. More to that construction and assembly of manual transmission units will be analysed.
5. Explain the function of Automatic transmission units. More to that construction and assembly of automatic transmission units will be analysed giving emphasis on the control strategy of the system. Explain the function of Differential and shafts. Design, materials used, construction techniques and assembly will be explained.
6. Analysis will be made in the types of suspension systems, major component used and in the vehicle geometry. The types of steering systems will be analysed and the types of power steering will be explained (hydraulic – electric). Types of tyres and tyre coding will be explained and tyre wear condition will be analysed.
7. Explanation will be given in the types of braking systems and how they function. Causes and effect of the stopping distance will be analysed. Finally future trends will be discussed (reference to x-by-wire systems). Analysis of major components – master cylinder, servo assisted systems, disc brakes, drum brakes, ABS systems and traction control systems
8. Analysis of the SRS systems which will include the types of airbags and seat belt pre-tensioners and their function. More that reaction times and accident conditions will be regarded

General Introduction

Role of vehicles in transportation

Relation with environment: air pollution, noise, energy consumption and recycling, end-of-life directive.

Vehicle types/market segments: body types, construction types, part identification, assembly techniques, homologation and market, materials.

Vehicle components: car body and major drivetrain location, engines and cycles, shafts, clutches, manual and automatic gearboxes, differentials suspension and steering systems, braking system, tires.

Safety features: Airbags, seatbelts, pretensioners, loadlimiters, crumplezones.

• M.J. Nunney , Automotive Technology, SAE International, 3rd Edition, 1998.

• Julian Happian Smith, Introduction to Modern Vehicle Design, SAE International, 2002.
• Paul Nieuwenhuis, Peter Wells, Motor Vehicles in the Environment: Principles and Practice, John Wiley & Sons, 1994.

The course is taught in class with the aid of computer presentations. Details lecture notes and presentations as well as any other relevant supporting material (graphs, figures, etc.) are available through the lecturer’s website for the students to use in conjunction with the textbooks.