Automobile Engineering | Introduction, Classification, Maintenance & Suspension

Introduction

1.  A vehicle producing power within itself for its propulsion is known as a Self-propelled vehicle. Eg. Scooter, Motorcycle, etc.
2.  The automobile is defined as a self-propelled vehicle that will be run on the ground.
3.  The first automobile powered by a steam engine was built in France by Nicholas-Joseph Cugnot in 1769-70. It was a three-wheel vehicle speed of 2 1/2 miles/hour.
4.  The first automobile industry in India, Hindustan Motor Limited at Kolkata, came in the year 1947 and then Premier Automobile Limited in Mumbai, in 1948. Initially, they manufacture cars. Today there are a lot of industries developed.
5.  The rapid industrialization and development of the automobile gave birth to growth. In India, the first motor car was imported in 1898 and it continues for about 50 years. Sir M. Visveswaraya made the establishment of automobile industry in 1935.

Classification of automobile

  A) Based on the number of cylinders

1. Single-cylinder eg-Splendor, patina

2. Two-cylinder eg-Six seater, bullet

3. Three-cylinder eg-maruti800, swaraj 5504.Four-cylinder eg-jeep, sumo, marshal, Scorpio

  B) Based on the fuel used

1. Petrol engine vehicles eg-Maruti 800, all two-wheelers

2. Diesel engine vehicle eg-TATA sumo, Scorpio
3. LPG, CNG vehicles eg-eon, Omni, wagoner, Maruti 800, buss

4. Electric vehicle eg-Reva yo bike

  C) Based on the number of strokes

1. Two stroke eg-Yamaha RX10, Suzuki max-R, Bajaj M-80
2.  Four-stroke eg-splendor, stunner

    D) Based on the cooling system

1. Air cooling system eg-all two-wheelers

2. Water cooling system eg-all four wheelers

    E) Based on Ignition

1. S.I. engine vehicle eg-all petrol engines

2. C.I. engine vehicle eg-all diesel engines

    F) Based on a load-carrying capacity

1. Light commercial vehicle (LCV) eg-car, jeep

2. Medium commercial vehicle (MCV) eg-Tempo, ACE

3. Heavy commercial vehicle (HCV) eg-Trucks, tractors

   G) Based on engine fitting

1. Front engine eg-eon, Omni, wagon, Maruti 800

2. Rear Engines eg-Volvo, buss, and six-seater

3. underfloor engine eg-Omni

   H) Based on the suspension system

1. Conventional suspension system eg-buses, truck

2. Independent suspension system eg-Maruti alto, Tata sumo, swift

   I) Based on types of axle drive

1. Front axle drive vehicle eg-Maruti 800

2. Rear-axle drive vehicle eg-truck, bus

3. Both axle-drive vehicles eg-Army vehicles, Racing cars

   J) Based on body construction

1. Closed car eg-Scorpio, swift

2. Open car eg-some tourist vehicle

K) According to the use 

1. Passenger Cars.
2. Goods Carriage
3. Special purpose
4. Motor cycle

L) According to Capacity 

1. Heavy transport vehicle. eg. Trucks and buses
2. Light transport vehicle. eg. Car, Jeep

Types of Maintenance in Automobile

There are four types of vehicle maintenance namely :

1. Preventive maintenance

2. Break maintenance

3. Periodic maintenance or scheduled maintenance

4. Operation Maintenance

1. Preventive maintenance :

Prevention without breakdown or without giving trouble on road some attention or maintenance taken to the vehicle is called preventive maintenance. It intends to reduce or eliminate breakdowns and accidents due to mechanical failure and reduces repair costs.

A good preventive maintenance program leads to the following advantages:

A) Reduce the breakdown of vehicles.

B) Increase safety due to reduced breakdown.

C) Fewer expenses on repairs.

D) Good control of inventory of spare parts.

E) Lesser number of equipment is required.

2. Breakdown maintenance :

Break down maintenance is attention that is to be provided when the motor vehicle becomes immobilized due to a fault created during running. These faults are started difficulties, puncture, electrical fault, carburetor, and fuel supply fault, overheating, fan belting, breakage and accident, etc.

3. Periodic maintenance :

Periodic maintenance or operatives maintenance is attentions provided attention provide to motor vehicles after in operation for a specified time or covered distance.

Automobile Suspension system

The function of the Suspension system / Need of suspension in a motor vehicle:

1) To absorb and damps various vibrations, oscillations, and shocks.

2) To transmit braking and driving torque to the body frame.

3) To support the body on axles.

4) To provide appropriate road grip.

5) To avoid excessive rolling, pitching, and bouncing.

6) To provide stability on slopes and turns.

7) To provide maximum comfort to the driver and passengers.

Requirement of suspension system in automobiles

1. It should provide comfort.

2. It should provide a safeguard to the occupants.

3. It should have high strain energy per unit weight.

4. It should be of minimum weight.

5. It should have low maintenance and low operating cost.

6. It should have minimum tire wear.