UNIT 1 INTRODUCTION TO AUTOMOBILE

ENGINEERING

Introduction to
Automobile Engineering

Structure
1.1

Introduction
Objectives

1.2

Definition

1.3

Classification of Vehicles

1.4

Layout of an Automobile Chassis

1.5

Components of the Automobile

1.6

Functions of Major Components of an Automobile

1.7

Summary

1.8

Key Words

1.9

Answers to SAQs

1.1 INTRODUCTION
Automobile engineering is the one of the stream of mechanical engineering. It deals with
the various types of automobiles, their mechanism of transmission systems and its
applications. Automobiles are the different types of vehicles used for transportation of
passengers, goods, etc. Basically all the types of vehicles works on the principle of
internal combustion processes or some times the engines are called as internal
combustion engines. Different types of fuels are burnt inside the cylinder at higher
temperature to get the transmission motion in the vehicles. Most of the automobiles are
internal combustion engines vehicles only. Therefore, every mechanical and automobile
engineers should have the knowledge of automobile engineering its mechanism and its
various applications.

Objectives
After studying this unit, you should be able to

define automobile engineering,

classify the vehicles,

list the various components of automobile, and

describes the function of components of automobile.

1.2 DEFINITION
Automobile engineering is a branch of engineering which deals with everything about
automobiles and practices to propel them.
Automobile is a vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine and it is used for
transportation of passengers and goods on the ground. Automobile can also be defined as
a vehicle which can move by itself.
Examples : Car, jeep, bus, truck, scooter, etc.

Automobile Engineering

1.3 CLASSIFICATION OF VEHICLES

Automobiles or vehicles can be classified on different bases as given below :
On the Basis of Load
(a)

Heavy transport vehicle (HTV) or heavy motor vehicle (HMV), e.g. trucks,
buses, etc.

(b)

Light transport vehicle (LTV), e.g. pickup, station wagon, etc.

(c)

Light motor vehicle (LMV), e.g. cars, jeeps, etc.

Wheels
(a)

Two wheeler vehicle, for example : Scooter, motorcycle, scooty, etc.

(b)

Three wheeler vehicle, for example : Autorickshaw, three wheeler scooter

for handicaps and tempo, etc.

(c)

Four wheeler vehicle, for example : Car, jeep, trucks, buses, etc.

(d)

Six wheeler vehicle, for example : Big trucks with two gear axles each
having four wheels.

Fuel Used
(a)

Petrol vehicle, e.g. motorcycle, scooter, cars, etc.

(b)

Diesel vehicle, e.g. trucks, buses, etc.

(c)

Electric vehicle which use battery to drive.

(d)

Steam vehicle, e.g. an engine which uses steam engine. These engines are
now obsolete.

(e)

Gas vehicle, e.g. LPG and CNG vehicles, where LPG is liquefied petroleum
gas and CNG is compressed natural gas.

Body
On the basis of body, the vehicles are classified as :
(a)

Sedan with two doors

(b)

Sedan with four doors

(c)

Station wagon

(d)

Convertible, e.g. jeep, etc.

(e)

Van

(f)

Special purpose vehicle, e.g. ambulance, milk van, etc.

Transmission
(a)

Conventional vehicles with manual transmission, e.g. car with 5 gears.

(b)

Semi-automatic

(c)

Automatic : In automatic transmission, gears are not required to be changed

manually. It is automatically changes as per speed of the automobile.

Position of Engine
Engine in Front
Most of the vehicles have engine in the front. Example : most of the cars,
buses, trucks in India.
Engine in the Rear Side
Very few vehicles have engine located in the rear. Example : Nano car.
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1.4 LAYOUT OF AN AUTOMOBILE CHASIS

Introduction to
Automobile Engineering

Layout of an engine chasis is shown in the Figure 1.1 given below :

Figure 1.1 : Chasis of a Passenger Car

It contains the source of power, i.e. engine, the frame, which supports the engine,
wheels, body, transmission, the braking system and the steering. It also gives support to
suspension system and springs. Besides these parts

1.5 COMPONENTS OF THE AUTOMOBILE

The automobile can be considered to consist of five basic components :
(a)

The Engine or Power Plant : It is source of power.

(b)

The Frame and Chasis : It supports the engine, wheels, body, braking
system, steering, etc.

(c)

The transmission which transmits power from the engine to the car wheels. It
consists of clutch, transmission, shaft, axles and differential.

(d)

The body.

(e)

Accessories including light, air conditioner/hearer, stereo, wiper, etc.

1.6 FUNCTIONS OF MAJOR COMPONENTS OF AN

AUTOMOBILE
Chasis and Frame
The chasis is formed by the frame with the frame side members and cross
members. The frame is usually made of box, tubular and channel members that are
welded or riveted together. In addition to this, it comprises of the springs with the
axles and wheels, the steering system and the brakes, the fuel tank, the exhaust
system, the radiator, the battery and other accessories. Along with this the frame
supports the body.

Automobile Engineering

Engine or Power Plant

The engine is the power plant of the vehicle. In general, internal combustion
engine with petrol or diesel fuel is used to run a vehicle. An engine may be either
a two-stroke engine or a four-stroke engine.
An engine consists of a cylinder, piston, valves, valve operating mechanism,
carburetor (or MPFI in modern cars), fan, fuel feed pump and oil pump, etc.
Besides this, an engine requires ignition system for burning fuel in the engine
cylinder.
Transmission System (Clutch and Gear Box)
The power developed by the engine is transferred to the wheels by transmission
system. Transmission system must do three jobs :
(a)

It must provide varying gear ratios. Number of gear ratios are equal to
number of gears in a vehicle.

(b)

It must provide a reverse gear for moving vehicle in reverse direction.

(c)

It must provide a neutral or disconnecting arrangement so that the

engine can be uncoupled from the wheels of the vehicle. In a
conventional transmission system, there is a clutch, a manually
operated transmission (gear box), a propeller shaft and a differential
or final drive.

Clutch
The purpose of the clutch is to allow the driver to couple or decouple the engine
and transmission. When clutch is in engaged position, the engine power flows to
the transmission through it (clutch). When gears are to be changed while vehicle is
running, the clutch permits temporary decoupling of engine and wheels so that
gears can be shifted. In a scooter, the clutch is operated by hand where as in a car
the clutch is operated by foot. It is necessary to interrupt the flow of power before
gears are changed. Without a clutch, it will by very difficult.
Final Drive
Final drive is the last stage in transferring power from engine to wheels. It reduces
the speed of the propeller shaft (drive shaft) to that of wheels. It also turns the
drive of the propeller shaft by an angle of 90o to drive the wheels.

Figure 1.2 : Final Drive

The propeller shaft has a small bevel pinion which meshes with crown wheel. The
crown wheel gives rotary motion to rear axles. The size of crown wheel in bigger
than that of bevel pinion, therefore, the speed of rear axles (or crown wheel) in
lower than the speed of pinion. Final drive is of two types, i.e. chain type and gear
type.
Braking System

Brakes are used to slow down or stop the vehicle. Hydraulic brakes are generally
used in automobiles, where brakes are applied by pressure on a fluid. Mechanical
brakes are also used in some vehicles. These brakes are operated by means of

leavers, linkages, pedals, cams, etc. Hand brake or parking brake is usually a
mechanical brake. These are used for parking the vehicles on sloppy surfaces and
also in case of emergency.

Introduction to
Automobile Engineering

Gear Box
Gear box contain gearing arrangement to get different speeds. Gears are used to
get more than one speed ratios. When both mating gears have same number of
teeth, both will rotate at same number speed. But when one gear has less teeth
than other, the gear with less number of teeth will rotate faster than larger gear. In
a typical car, there may be six gears including one reverse gear. First gear gives
low speed but high torque. Higher gears give progressively increasing speeds.
Gears are engaged and disengaged by a shift lever.
Steering System
In front wheels can be turned to left and right by steering system so that the
vehicle can be steered. The steering wheel is placed in front of driver. It is
mechanically linked to the wheels to provide the steering control. The primary
function of the steering system is to provide angular motion to front wheels so that
vehicle can negotiate a turn. It also provides directional stability to vehicle when
the vehicle moves ahead in straight line.

Figure 1.3 : Simple Driving of a Steering System

Now-a-days, many vehicles are equipped with power steering which uses pressure
of a fluid to reduce steering effort. When driver turns the steering wheel, a
hydraulic mechanism comes into play to provide most of the effort needed to turn
the wheel.
Front Axle
Front axles are mounted at the end of front axle. A part of the weight of vehicle is
transmitted to the wheels through this axle. The front axle performs several
functions.
It carries the weight of the front of the vehicle and also takes horizontal and
vertical loads when vehicle moves on bumpy roads. When brakes are provided on
front wheels, it endures bending stresses and torsional stresses. It is generally
made from steel drop forging. It is robust in construction.
Suspension System
Suspension system of an automobile separates the wheel and axle assembly of the
automobile from its body. Main function of the suspension system is to isolate the
body of the vehicle from shocks and vibrations generated due to irregularities on
the surface of roads. Shock absorbers are provided in the vehicles for this purpose.
It is in the form of spring and damper. The suspension system is provided both on
front end and rear end of the vehicle.
A suspension system also maintains the stability of the vehicle in pitching or
rolling when vehicle is in motion.

Automobile Engineering

SAQ 1
(a)

Define automobile engineering.

(b)

Classify the vehicles on the basis of different aspects.

(c)

What are the various components of automobile?

(d)

Describe the functions of various components of automobile.

(e)

Describe the working of steering system mechanism

1.7 SUMMARY

1.8 KEY WORDS

1.9 ANSWERS TO SAQs

Refer the preceding text for all the Answers to SAQs.

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