Automotive Chassis and Powertrain

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Work with information that may be incomplete or uncertain and quantify the effect of this on design, ability to work with technical uncertainty.
• Analyse and assess quantitatively vehicle performance, handling, and ride.
• Identify, classify and describe the performance of different typologies of suspension systems through the use of analytical methods and modelling techniques.
• Use fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging technologies in automotive chassis and powertrain design.
• Apply quantitative and computational methods to assess performance and stability of road vehicles. to design improvements, using advanced problem solving skills to establish rigorous and creative solutions, that are fit for purpose for all aspects of the problem, including production, operation, maintenance and disposal.
• Understanding of, and an ability to apply an integrated systems approach in the functional design of gear trains and gearboxes.

Partial CEng Programme Level Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Students produce an efficient design of a manual gearbox that generates less pollution. Students compare various types of transmission systems and evaluate their societal and environmental impacts. Tyre design is discussed in terms of the competing demands of performance, noise, fuel economy, and end-of-use environmental impact.
• Students quantitatively analyse and assess vehicle performance, handling, and ride using mathematics, statistics and engineering principles. For example, analysis of suspension kinematics predicts pitch motion using anti-dive and anti-lift coefficients and reveals the trade-off when optimising for braking verses acceleration. The knowledge is assessed via a final written examination.
• As part of the assignment students are expected to look for sources of information other than what is presented to them in lectures and evaluate technical literature in order to address a complex problem of designing a manual gearbox.

Full CEng Programme Level Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Students must use their fundamental knowledge of powertrain to investigate new and emerging technologies in automotive chassis and powertrain design. As part of the student assignment, a comprehensive knowledge of mathematics, statistics, and engineering principles would be harnessed to address, for example, the complexities of manual gearbox design by optimising gear ratios, considering torque distribution, and minimising energy losses, while integrating data from real-world testing and simulations. Their solutions would be informed by up-to-date research and an awareness of the broader engineering landscape.
• In the Chassis vibration assignment, students employ mathematics, statistics, and engineering principles to tackle chassis dynamics and vibration control intricacies. They use advanced mathematical models to predict and analyse vibrations, validating with statistical methods. Solutions align with cutting-edge chassis design, shaped by current research and emerging engineering trends.
• In the Chassis vibration assignment, students analyse the chassis as a complex interconnected system, considering how various components including suspension and tires influence vibration characteristics. Students employ engineering principles, mathematical modelling, and simulations to optimise the entire system for reduced vibrations and improved ride comfort, recognising interdependencies among elements.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Listening, identifying learning needs, evaluating sources and data, interpretation of data, problem solving, problem analysis.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Different typologies of traditional and hybrid powertrains and their underlying engineering principles.
• Clutches, torque converters, and differentials
• The common typologies of suspensions and steering systems.
• Understanding the contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied: engineering principles of road vehicle dynamics
• Gears and bearings
• Manual and automatic gearboxes.

Automotive Chassis

An introduction to vehicle dynamics and automotive chassis, including

• Tyres characteristics and performance
• Vehicle performance: traction & braking
• Handling and stability: steady cornering, lateral dynamics & stability
• Road holding and comfort: suspensions, chassis vibration isolation

Powertrain

An introduction to automotive powertrain, including

• Engine vibrations
• Clutches
• Torque Converters
• Gears & Bearings
• Gear trains and planetary gear trains
• Manual and automated gearboxes, CVT
• Differential gearboxes
• An overview of Hybrid Electric Vehicles & powertrain

Teaching methods include

• Lectures including examples and guest lectures
• Demonstrations and video material when appropriate
• Solutions to assigned problems

Learning activities include

• Individual reading of background material and course texts.
• Work on examples, solutions provided.
• Coursework assignments: to solve a design problem and produce a short report.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.