The race to reduce vehicle mass has become one of the defining engineering challenges of today’s automotive industry. Driven by historically aggressive fuel economy regulations and the push for greater efficiency, manufacturers are scrutinizing every subsystem in the vehicle for weight savings, including brake systems. Although the mass of the braking system is closely tied…
Modern automobiles are intricate technical systems composed of several vehicle systems each with specific design functions. Many of these systems include thousands of parts, which have evolved through advancements or the introduction of new technologies. Additionally, some vehicle systems have been developed in response to factors like air pollution, safety regulations, or competition among manufacturers….
We all know that the braking system in a car is super important! That has never changed however, in the ever-evolving landscape of automotive technology, the advent of electrified vehicles has ushered in a new era of sustainability and efficiency. Every electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle available in the U.S. today features a regenerative braking…
What is fatigue stress in engineering? So, what exactly is fatigue stress? Basically, it’s when a component or structure starts to weaken and break down over time due to cyclical stress or loading. Even if the stresses put on the component are within acceptable limits, fatigue failure can still occur due to the frequency of…
What are the types of suspension system? In the automotive industry the most common types of suspension systems are the leaf springs, coil springs, torsion bars, and air springs. Of these 4 the most common in today’s automobile industry is the coil spring suspension system such as the MacPherson strut suspension system. Air spring are…
Have you ever wondered how an automotive suspension system is designed? From ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) to locomotives to modern passenger automobiles most types of vehicles that move people from one place to another rely on a suspension system to improve ride quality and comfort. There are a few common types of automotive suspension systems such…
A leaf spring is a basic type of spring often used for suspension in vehicles. Originally known as a laminated or carriage spring, and sometimes called a semi-elliptical spring, elliptical spring, or cart spring, leaf springs are one of the oldest forms of vehicle suspension. A Leaf spring consists of one or more narrow, curved,…
This simulation is of a vehicle performing a cornering maneuver. During a cornering maneuver, the rolling motion or roll angle which is felt in the vehicle about the x-axis is a result of the inertial forces acting on the vehicle’s center of gravity and the vertical elasticity of the suspension. The roll axis is the…
Introduction: The purpose of this simulation is to model an automotive suspension and the effect it has on overall vehicle ride quality and comfort. Suspension systems must compromise between ride quality and vehicle handling, depending on the goals of the vehicle being designed. Sports cars have suspension systems that are designed for better handling by…