Optimization of Automobile Chassis

Cars are no longer simply tools for transportation but are evolving into connected platforms that bring together efficiency, comfort, and safety in ways that reshape everyday travel. This evolution extends beyond electrification, signalling a fundamental rethinking of how people interact with mobility. A new generation of premium electric models is setting benchmarks that influence both enthusiasts and mainstream buyers. Understanding this transition requires close attention to design, performance, and how vehicles respond in real driving scenarios.
Shaping the new era of mobility
In recent years, premium transportation has undergone a dramatic shift, with new manufacturers challenging long-standing norms and reshaping customer expectations. During a detailed Zeekr test drive, it became evident that the brand combines advanced engineering with forward-looking design to create a driving experience that points to the future of mobility. By blending long-range, strong performance, and smart digital systems, it is clear that these vehicles are not simply matching competitors but carving out a new standard for the industry.
This transition reflects a broader change in consumer priorities. Modern drivers are less focused on horsepower alone and more interested in intelligent systems that adapt to their lifestyle. Vehicles are now expected to function as personalised environments, offering connectivity, assistance, and environmental responsibility in ways that extend beyond basic functionality. This is not a passing phase but a permanent shift in how mobility is conceived and delivered. Equally significant is the role of sustainability in shaping this era. From policymakers to everyday drivers, there is a growing consensus toward choices that minimise long-term environmental impact. Premium electric vehicles increasingly highlight sustainable practices, from low-impact manufacturing to interiors crafted with recyclable and ethically sourced materials. When performance is combined with responsibility, the result is a driving experience that feels both advanced and conscientious.
The cumulative effect of these changes signals a pivotal moment in transportation. As new brands expand their global reach, their ability to merge innovation with identity will determine their market position. Current progress suggests that this movement is not temporary but a decisive shift toward making premium electric cars the benchmark for the future.
Design as a reflection of modern luxury
Design remains one of the most powerful ways to communicate a vehicle’s identity. In the latest wave of electric models, design is not just about visual appeal but about creating a language of purpose and modern sophistication. Sleek silhouettes, sharp lines, and aerodynamic efficiency reflect a blend of artistry and practicality, showing that beauty can directly enhance performance.
Stepping inside the cabin, this philosophy continues. Interiors are crafted to be tranquil yet functional spaces, using refined materials and intuitive layouts. Screens and controls are integrated with subtlety, creating an environment that feels futuristic without overwhelming the driver. Luxury in this sense is no longer tied to excess, but to carefully considered details that combine comfort with usability. Equally important is how design communicates sustainability. Many manufacturers now showcase innovative approaches, such as leather alternatives, renewable textiles, and eco-conscious finishes. By embedding these values directly into their vehicles, they demonstrate that premium experiences can coexist with environmental awareness. Connectivity also plays a major role in modern design. Personalised lighting, immersive sound systems, and adjustable digital environments ensure that each journey feels unique. This personalisation reflects a deeper understanding: mobility today is not just about reaching destinations but about shaping experiences that match individual lifestyles.
Performance meeting innovation
Performance continues to be a defining feature of premium vehicles, but electrification has transformed what that means. Acceleration and handling are no longer tied to combustion power but achieved through high-capacity batteries, dual-motor systems, and precisely engineered software. This results in a driving experience that is both dynamic and efficient, offering exhilaration without compromising sustainability.
What distinguishes modern electric models is the smoothness of this performance. Immediate torque delivers a rapid response, while regenerative braking optimises energy use. Multiple driving modes allow effortless transitions between efficiency-oriented cruising and sport-like agility. This flexibility resonates with drivers who want a car that adapts to every scenario without losing excitement. Range capabilities have also advanced significantly. Where earlier EVs struggled with distance limitations, current models now rival or even surpass their fuel-powered counterparts. Combined with expanding fast-charging infrastructure, long-distance journeys have become not only feasible but also practical. This evolution positions electric performance as a reliable alternative in daily and extended travel. Innovation in performance is equally visible in intelligent driver assistance. Predictive systems, adaptive cruise technologies, and real-time sensor integration create a balance between safety and enjoyment. The vehicle’s ability to anticipate and adjust to road conditions enhances both confidence and comfort. In this sense, performance is no longer measured only by speed but by how well technology elevates every aspect of the drive.
Comfort and technology working together.
Comfort remains central to the appeal of high-end vehicles, yet in this new era, it is defined with greater sophistication. Spacious cabins, carefully engineered seating, and high-quality materials ensure that both driver and passengers feel supported on every journey. Even over long distances, the environment retains its sense of refinement and ease.
Technology enhances this comfort in meaningful ways. Intelligent climate systems react instantly to outside conditions, maintaining balance without wasting energy. Soundproofing innovations reduce unwanted noise, creating a calm interior that supports conversation and entertainment. Lighting systems that adjust subtly to time or mood contribute to an immersive experience.
Digital features also elevate convenience. From voice-activated assistance to gesture controls and streamlined infotainment, technology reduces distractions while keeping drivers connected. Interfaces are designed to be intuitive, blending seamlessly with the driving experience instead of demanding constant attention. This balance of simplicity and innovation reinforces the idea of the car as an adaptable personal space.
The passenger experience is equally prioritised. Panoramic views, advanced entertainment, and thoughtful details in the rear cabin highlight the importance of inclusivity in design. Vehicles are no longer just about the driver—they are evolving into shared spaces where comfort, productivity, and enjoyment coexist, shaping mobility into something more comprehensive than before.
Conclusion
The exploration of future mobility through a Zeekr test drive review illustrates how the industry is rapidly advancing toward a higher standard of luxury, innovation, and sustainability. These vehicles are not just replacements for traditional models but symbols of how mobility is being redefined. By merging technology with responsibility and blending performance with comfort, this new generation of electric cars offers a vision of driving that is more intelligent, more sustainable, and more rewarding than ever before.

Innovation is the essence of inventing newer technologies by the means of creating a totally new invention which does not exist or inventing something new by the integration of preexisting technologies together to form a newer and more efficient product. Our project majorly deals with integrating a suspension system and a conventional wheel which enables us to have the luxury of a suspension system/vibration damping where it is not possible to install a independent suspension system and along with this it also reduces the material usage footprint which is eco-friendly for the environment as well. This has been achieved by searching through various research papers available on the internet and we had observed that preexisting designs have made the use of this technology but the main essence of difference between any other design and ours is that our design is the simple integration of the basic concept which can be understood by almost anybody and make amendments/modifications/repairs. Our design consists of a 6 point mounting system on a simple circular wheel which will dampen the vibrations/shock impulses and dissipate kinetic energy suffered by the tire structure and not pass it on to the mounted frame. Here we've used creo parametric to design and Analysis Workbench for stimulate design model.

This article presents a comparative analysis of coil springs and air springs used in automobile suspension systems, focusing on their design, performance, durability, cost, and application. Coil springs, known for their simplicity and reliability, offer a consistent spring rate and are widely used in mass-market and performance vehicles. In contrast, air springs provide adjustable stiffness and superior ride comfort, especially under varying load conditions, making them ideal for luxury and commercial vehicles. The analysis highlights the advantages and limitations of each type, including their impact on handling, maintenance requirements, and overall cost over time. The findings suggest that the choice between coil springs and air springs depends on specific vehicle requirements, with coil springs being more suitable for cost-sensitive and performance-driven applications, while air springs excel in scenarios requiring adaptability and enhanced comfort.

The aim of this paper is to introduce a novel Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) based on Sliding Mode Control (SMC). The control makes use of forces and moments provided by a novel sensorized hub carrier with sensorized brake caliper. SMC ABS performance has been assessed by comparing it with a rule-based ABS logic. The comparison is performed via simulation, using a complex 14-dof vehicle model that is intended to represent a high-performance sports car. The SMC ABS relies on the vertical force, lateral force, longitudinal force at the tire and brake torque. Such measurements are used to estimate the friction coefficient between the tire and the road surface. A full brake maneuver has been simulated in multiple scenarios either with dry tarmac, with wet tarmac or µ-split. The results indicate that the novel ABS allows a reduction in braking distance compared to the traditional ABS, particularly on low-friction roads. This improvement is attributed to the system's ability to rapidly identify the road's friction coefficient and adjust the brake torque in order to maximize the longitudinal tire performance.

This study explores the effects of different speed bump geometries—flat-topped, sinusoidal, and parabolic—on vehicle dynamics and ride comfort using CarSim simulations. The analysis focuses on key parameters such as vertical forces on the suspension, vertical acceleration, and the wheel surface adhesion index. The results show that flat-topped bumps generate the highest vertical forces, reaching peaks of up to 6,000 N on the front suspension, leading to increased discomfort. Sinusoidal bumps, in contrast, generate smoother transitions, with vertical forces peaking at ap-proximately 3,500 N, improving ride comfort. At vehicle speeds of 30 km/h, the vertical forces on the suspension increase significantly, with flat-topped bumps reducing the wheel surface adhe-sion index to as low as 0.6, indicating a higher risk of wheel slip and compromised vehicle stabil-ity. In contrast, sinusoidal bumps maintain a more favorable adhesion index of 0.85 at similar speeds. These reductions in adhesion elevate the risk of loss of control, especially at higher speeds. The findings suggest that adaptive suspension systems, capable of adjusting damping and stiffness based on the bump geometry and vehicle speed, would enhance ride quality and stability. Additionally, smoother bump designs, such as sinusoidal profiles, are recommended to reduce the impact on vehicle dynamics, particularly in urban environments. These insights con-tribute to improving both vehicle design and road safety, ensuring safer and more comfortable driving experiences.

Designing and constructing a working chassis is vital to compete in the Shell Eco-marathon
competition. The suspension team is responsible for the design and feasibility of the suspension
system and its components. The powertrain is responsible for the design and uniting electrical
systems of the car. Front-end loading plays a critical part in a major project, although to check
the dimensions and performance of each component, a 3-D model was created for each part
using the software SolidWorks®️ was used to check the dimensions and performance for each
piece. SolidWorks®️ is a capable program for large scale assemblies with file extensions that can
often carry to other programs such as Autodesk®️ and CREO®️. By replicating a 3-D model of
each system in SolidWorks®️ before purchasing individual components improved the overall
attachment of the parts connected to the frame. The reason being that measurements and certain
dimensions were noted on the modeling software to locate and fit each individual component to
the designed frame. This helped with time management since the attachment was already
projected before the arrival of components.
Managing a project requires not only the specialist (engineer) but also the manager who follows
the budget and effectiveness of purchases. Supply chain logistics requires cost analysis whether
to outsource or make in house. It also encompasses the transportation and delivery of materials
and parts to where they are needed most. Mangers then control and advise workflow so the
project stays on schedule and firefighting, the process of excess relocation of resources, is
avoided. Every group member in needs both qualities so work is continuing to improve and each
member master certain small portions of the project bring the project together during meetings.

Abstract: The lower control arm is a sovereign suspension employed in vehicles. During the normal working condition, the farthest load is moved from upper arm to the lower control arm which might be fail. Hence improvement in current design is necessary concerning stress factor, where it plays vital role in suspension system of vehicle, thus this arm deals with various movements of wheel. In present research computer added design of lower control arm is performed in CATIA software and FEA approach has been analyzed in ANSYS 19 software to perform and determine the structural strength and natural frequency with mode shape of both existing and optimized lower control arm and validated consequent results with FFT technique as far as natural frequency concern. The target for weight reduction pf control arm was 8% weight existing part which made-up using steel material.

Innovation is the essence of inventing newer technologies by the means of creating a totally new invention which does not exist or inventing something new by the integration of preexisting technologies together to form a newer and more efficient product. Our project majorly deals with integrating a suspension system and a conventional wheel which enables us to have the luxury of a suspension system/vibration damping where it is not possible to install a independent suspension system and along with this it also reduces the material usage footprint which is eco-friendly for the environment as well. This has been achieved by searching through various research papers available on the internet and we had observed that preexisting designs have made the use of this technology but the main essence of difference between any other design and ours is that our design is the simple integration of the basic concept which can be understood by almost anybody and make amendments/modifications/repairs. Our design consists of a 6 point mounting system on a simple circular wheel which will dampen the vibrations/shock impulses and dissipate kinetic energy suffered by the tire structure and not pass it on to the mounted frame. Here we've used creo parametric to design and Analysis Workbench for stimulate design model.

Abstract: The initial dimensions and weight for the vehicle is considered from the Audi A8 vehicle as a reference. The specifications for the motor and battery are considered for the Mahindra e2o electric vehicle of similar dimensions. The main objective of this paper is to model and perform static analysis on the chassis of a four-seater car. The initial design for the chassis was a space frame body which is very rigid and had very less deflection. The second and final chassis is a ladder type chassis which is most common chassis type being used in Nepal and India. The difference in deflection between both the chassis type is very less, which is about 0.3235 mm for a reasonable reduction in weight which is about 120 Kg. The simulation part is carried out in ANSYS software. The result is selection of best suitable material for chassis on the basis of ANSYS and theoretically calculated result. Keywords: Chassis, Structural Analysis, Optimization, Four seater car

Modular building construction is an emerging trend in the construction industry. During the course of road transportation of the modular unit of a building, vehicular vibrations on the truck-trailer may cause damage to components that are attached to the unit. The amount of dynamic loading depends on many parameters including the level of loading on the vehicle, location of the centre of mass, suspension setup of the truck-trailer, and amount of damping of the vibrating parts. The effects of these parameters on the vertical motion of the trailer-chassis are the focus of interest in this study. The acceleration response spectrum representing the filtering effects of the suspension system and that of the mounting can be calculated by modelling road roughness as a stationary Gaussian process, whereas the truck-trailer-trailer is represented as a 2D pitch-plane model. Parametric variations in the acceleration response spectra are presented in the compact form of peak value curves. An algebraic expression for calculation of the maximum spectral accelerations experienced by attachments to the unit is also presented. It is concluded at the end of the study that a component mounting should be designed to withstand a vertical acceleration of the component of up to 32 m/sec 2 (or 3.3g) in both directions in addition to gravitational acceleration. The design of mountings and their connections which satisfy this strength requirement can be deemed sufficiently robust to withstand vibration in the normal course of road transportation without the need for any further assessment. Less conservative predictions of the strength demand can be obtained using recommended algebraic expression or design charts provided in the paper.

Within this paper results are presented from a large project course in mechatronics given at Linköping University in Sweden. The project was carried out by six master students on the mechanical engineering program with the goal to design an active rear wheel steering system for a passenger car using a hydraulic actuation system and steer-by-wire technology. The system was implemented in a regular Volvo V70 and successfully test driven both at the university and at Volvo Car Corporation. Important issues discussed in the paper include; the successful integration of different engineering domains, design with the help of modern computer aided engineering tools, the importance of working with real hardware and the value of a close connection between education, research and industry.

Series of vehicles interacting with each other while driving in a straight line or while maneuvering is termed as a platoon of vehicles and known as platooning. This paper describes platooning and merging into platoons in general. The first part of this paper focuses on developing control strategies for automated driving. In this part a controller for longitudinal driving is designed and analysed. The second part of the paper focuses on the analysis of merging into a platoon on highways. This is done by validating experimental results by integrating a driver model with a single track bicycle model resulting in the calculation of merging path.

Serious damage to the inner rim of the rear twin wheel in one dump truck was noted during the operation of the fleet performing transport tasks. It was a drive wheel, and its damage occurred while driving with a load exceeding the permissible value. The examination of selected fragments of the damaged rim surface was conducted visually as well as using a digital microscope with a portable head. The measurements of the Vickers hardness and microscopic observations of the material structure of the sample cut along the thickness of the rim disk were carried out. The drive torque loading of the twin wheels of the tipper-truck rear axle, under their mating with different kinds of road roughness and under various vertical loads of the wheels was calculated. An analysis of stress distributions in the rim modelled using the Finite Element Method was also conducted for several possible scenarios of wheel loading. The damage to the rim was caused by simultaneous action of several factors, such as overloading the car, poor condition of the tires, loading the drive wheel by a part of the vehicle weight and the driving torque, and hitting a wheel on a cavity in a dirt road, causing a temporary relief of one of the tires on a twin wheel.

Drive-train bench system is utilized to test powertrain components of a vehicle such as transmission, torque converter, etc. In order to simulate the real vehicle motion, it is necessary that dynamometers of the drive-train bench simulates the various road conditions such as dry road surface and snow road surface, etc. To simulate the condition that the vehicle is running on the dry road, it is necessary that the dynamometer is controlled so that the moment of inertia of the output side of the drive-train bench is virtually equal to the moment of inertia of the vehicle. On the other hand, to simulate the snow road surface, it is necessary that the dynamometer is controlled so that the moment of inertia of the drive-train bench is virtually equal to the moment of inertia of the tire. Furthermore, in the brake operation on the snow road surface, braking time changes by how to use brake. Drive-train bench simulates the brake operation of real vehicle by controlling the dynamometer. In ...

Energy saving and fuel consumption reduction techniques are among the principal interests for both academic institutions and industries, in particular, system optimization and hybridization. This paper presents a new hydraulic hybrid system layout for mobile machinery implemented on a middle size excavator. The hybridization procedure took advantage of a dynamic programming (DP) algorithm, which was also utilized for the hybrid components dimensioning and control strategy definition. A dedicated experimental activity on test bench was performed on the main components of the energy recovery system (ERS). The JCMAS working cycle was considered as the reference test for a fuel consumption comparison between the standard and the hybrid excavator. A fuel saving up to 8% on the JCMAS cycle, and up to 11% during the digging cycle, has been allowed by the proposed hybrid system.

The ride comfort, driving safety, and handling of the vehicle should be designed and tuned to achieve the expectations defined in the company’s design. The ideal method of tuning the characteristics of the vehicle is to modify the bushings and mounts used in the chassis system. To deal with the noise, vibration and harshness on automobiles, elastomeric materials in mounts and bushings are determinant in the automotive components design, particularly those related to the suspension system. For most designs, stiffness is a key design parameter. Determination of stiffness is often necessary in order to ensure that excessive forces or deflections do not occur. Many companies use trial and error method to meet the requirements of stiffness curves. Optimization algorithms are an effective solution to this type of design problems. This paper presents a simulation-based methodology to design an automotive bushing with specific characteristic curves. Using an optimum design formulation, a ma...

The automobiles experience a lot of vibration which cause the mountings to vibrate. These vibrations may hamper the working of the parts. Car mirrors are the mounting which are the most reliable source to check the rear sides of the vehicle. The rear view mirrors must have provided a stable view to the driver when driving. It is thus necessary that design should be robust and avoid resonance. To study the vibrations finite element method and experimental approaches are the only approaches. The finite element analysis method provides helps in determining the natural frequencies and mode shapes. The rear view mirror post will be checked for any resonance using finite element analysis and design will be modified to get optimum results

magnetic suspension systems represent a transformative innovation with vast potential across multiple industries. While significant progress has been made in realizing this potential, continued research, development, and investment are essential to overcome technical challenges and unlock the full benefits of magnetic suspension technology.

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The aim of the study is to find out whether and to extent the change of selected parameters of the system, such as the type of tires, tire pressure and axle load, changes the result of the technical test of the analysed vehicle in the field of measuring braking forces. Design/methodology/approach: Diagnostic tests, tire pressure measurements, axle load measurements, braking force measurements on a roller device were carried out. Findings: The relationships between the pressure in the tires and the braking force measured on the wheel as well as between the braking force and the load acting on the vehicle axle have been demonstrated. Research limitations/implications: Mathematical relationships between tire pressure and vehicle braking force can be derived in the future. Practical implications: In the course of the tests, it was found that the technical tests made it possible to determine the braking forces only while maintaining the nominal ±1×10 5 Pa tire pressure. Changes to this parameter may influence the measurement results. Moreover, the influence of tire pressure on the change of the measured braking force values was found, which translates into the safety of the vehicle in road traffic. Originality/value: approach to brake system.

In electric vehicles electric vacuum pumps are used instead of traditional vacuum generation devicesthe vacuum pump or the intake manifold that are specific to vehicles with internal combustion engines. A special driving cycle has to be designed to identify the effectiveness of electric vacuum pumps. The initial experiments were carried out on a real road, intensively applying the breaks and exploiting the vacuum generation devices as long and intensively as possible. Basing on these experiments brake test cycle was developed. It consists of three braking regimes that involve smooth and uninterrupted braking, interrupted and repeated braking and multiple activation of the brake pedal. Using this cycle, it is possible to conduct research on the performance of various automobile components during braking.

The work presents the analysis of a low loader chassis for the transportation of heavy loads, especially with respect to strength and weight reduction. The existing model of the chassis was analyzed by using FEM and it then modified. Four iterations of the chassis were prepared. This work focuses on the FEM analysis in the design of the chassis where highest stresses were located. A design solution for a chassis, a schematic image of a I type central beam, a design solution for maximum load carrying capacity , geometrical models of optimized frame with different boundary conditions, stress distributions in a non-extended and extended chassis frame model, a section of the rear part of the frame with stiffener plates to with stand and increase load caring capacity, stress distribution in the front part of the chassis frame, single and double supporting rib, side wall supporting plate and stress distribution after the use of various plates and one supporting rib, stress distribution after the employment of plates and two supporting ribs, stress distribution in the alternative finally optimized design, Fabrication details and experimental validation with scale down model are presented in the work.

As there are more and more electric vehicles in the automotive market, the braking systems are facing some new challenges. There are many important functions in electric vehicles that impact the brake behavior, one of the key and unique features is the application of high-intensity regenerative braking. To study the challenges, a brake durability test for electric vehicles was specially designed and conducted in the famous Huangshan region of China. The back to back comparison testing was set up to understand the impact of different regen-brake level.In this paper, the Huangshan test that is popular in Chinese OEM for brake endurance and NVH will be initially introduced, then the tested electric vehicle and its features will be described, as well as the experimental settings. Later, in the analysis of test data, many changes of braking characteristics between vehicles with and without regenerative braking, including braking energy consumption, brake pressure, brake deceleration and brake temperature etc., would be revealed. These changes have generated a large impact on the brake NVH behavior and brake wear performance, related findings were demonstrated with comparison results and typical examples of the test. Finally, from an electric vehicle OEM point of view, the valuable experience and challenges of electric vehicle brake system will be summarized, and it is believed that the results will be very interesting and helpful for the brake community. The future work will be proposed as well, to improve the rig test procedure and Huangshan road test procedure for electric vehicles.

Driver’s hands on/off detection is very important in current autonomous vehicles for safety. Several studies have been conducted to create a precise algorithm. Although many studies have proposed various approaches, they have some limitations, such as robustness and reliability. Therefore, we propose a deep learning model that utilizes in-vehicle data. We also established a data collection system, which collects in-vehicle data that are auto-labeled for efficient and reliable data acquisition. For a robust system, we devised a confidence logic that prevents outliers’ sway. To evaluate our model in more detail, we suggested a new metric to explain the events, considering state transitions. In addition, we conducted an extensive experiment on the new drivers to demonstrate our model’s generalization ability. We verified that the proposed system achieved a better performance than in previous studies, by resolving their drawbacks. Our model detected hands on/off transitions in 0.37 s on...

Vehiclesare designed such that they can absorb some level of energy on impact to protect its occupant from injury or death. Thus, the need for a crashworthiness test. This paper describes the crashworthiness analysis of a Shell Eco-Marathon Prototypecar. The analysis was carried out on the vehicle body, roll bar, and the crumple zone to determine the level of deformation during vertical and horizontal impact on the vehicle, thereby indicating the level of safety of the vehicle upon various degrees of impact. SolidWorks and ANSYS software were used to design the car and simulate the vertical and horizontal impact on the body and the roll bar. Results indicate that the design was strong enough to withstand the applied load, as stated in the rules of the competition. It also showed that the deformation experienced by the car upon impact is significantly low to cause any harm to the driver.

Global demands for sustainability and compelling requirements to reduce environmental impacts have greatly influenced the transportation industry to look into ways to reduce carbon emissions. In recent years, electric vehicle (EV) development has taken a new paradigm due to environmental pollution, global warming and depletion of fossil fuels. Unlike automobiles with internal combustion engines (ICEs), EVs have intrinsic advantage of zero emission during operation, when used with renewable energy source for charging batteries. To date most of the commercial EVs use permanent magnet motors (PMMs) due to specific low weight, and compact size (as it relies on use of permanent magnets for magnetic path). The key disadvantage of PMM is the need for rare earth elements, which also influence costs. To overcome the cost and availability issues associated with PMM, a new material or motor type is required to sustain EV growth. In this research alternative in-wheel (series mounting arrangement) switch reluctance motor (SRM) is designed which is fitted to a small car. The in-wheel SRM is selected due to specific advantages, i) use of non-rare earth element for magnetic path (stators and rotors), ii) low transmission losses (increased energy efficiency as it is direct drivetrain), iii) simplifies the design due to redundancy of mechanical systems (packaging of gearboxes, differentials, drive shafts and axles are not required, thus reducing the weight, cost and space requirements), and iv) increased ground clearance (due to redundancy of gear boxes and drive shafts). Small car provided substantial advantages with light vehicle weight, low power requirements, and enough mud guard clearances to implement in-wheel SRM. In a wheel, the rim has typically been designed as a cylindrical metallic component, functioning as holder between car chassis and tyres. Tyres were added onto the rim perimeter, as a link between roads and rims, providing required cushioning effect. Consequently, in-wheel SRM EV had the intrinsic advantage of direct drive. However, this design increased the overall mass, as the wheel required an appropriate rim-tyre construction. Moreover, the in-wheel design with an SRM added further weight at the rear of the vehicle, changing its dynamics and performance. In this research, different rim-tyre models were analysed in context of an in-wheel SRM for developing the customised rim design and tyre selection. The suitability of the rimtyre based on an in-wheel drivetrain required performance simulation pertaining to loads and dynamics at tyre-road interface. The rim selection was based on finite element (FE) simulation of five different sets. The standards and regulations for producing passenger car wheels in Victoria, Australia, were studied and successfully implemented in the development phase of this study. This paper describes the rim-tyre study conducted for in-wheel SRM. Starting with the rim optimisation, an appropriate tyre based on low rolling resistance was selected. The development of the rim-tyre configuration of the in-wheel SRM featured: • Designing a rim for an in-wheel SRM design based on low unsprung mass and appropriate space that can accommodate motor, focusing on the rim size, shape and materials. • Optimising rim topology by comparing different types of rims based on low weight characteristics for thermal and deflection simulations, as well as following recommendations for "Rim & Tyre Standards-Australia". • Tyre selection that meets two main objectives-low road resistance and clearance with mudguards-as well as detailed character mapping simulations to determine the appropriate tyre for the in-wheel design. • Designing motor-to-wheel attachments, whereby making the wheel an integral part does not affect maintenance.

In the context of automated driving, Electric Power Steering (EPS) systems represent an enabling technology. They introduce the ergonomic function of reducing the physical effort required by the driver during the steering maneuver. Furthermore, EPS gives the possibility of high precision control of the steering system, thus paving the way to autonomous driving capability. In this context, the present work presents a performance assessment of an EPS system designed for a full-electric all-wheel-drive electric prototype racing in Formula Student Driverless (FSD) competitions. Specifically, the system is based on the linear actuation of the steering rack by using a ball screw. The screw nut is rotated through a belt transmission driven by a brushless DC motor. Modeling and motion control techniques for this system are presented. Moreover, the numerical model is tuned through a grey-box identification approach. Finally, the performance of the proposed EPS system is tested experimentally...

Wheel Eurocycle (EC) loading condition could be adapted to hub as a result of similar loading characteristics on vehicle. A correlation is constructed between road load data (RLD) for specified vehicles and EC test spectrum. To provide correlation between EC and RLD, test speed, axial and lateral loads at EC are converted to cyclic loading condition and relevant loading scenarios are generated. Rotational effect is taken into account. Pseudo-damage results of RLD and EC spectra are compared and expected fatigue lifetime for hub is presented.

The ability of prediction of machine condition may become even more crucial in mobile mining machines considering their instantly-varying conditions. The field of early damage diagnosis for mobile machinery is gaining increasing attention in modern and predictive maintenance strategies. In general, vibration-based machine condition monitoring methods offer the possibility to detect and localize the damages in mechanical systems at their early stages. In vibration monitoring, the vibration signals are captured via accelerometers, and are processed in the time and frequency domains in signal processing packages to extract diagnostic information. However, in real-world mobile applications, vibration analysis alone may not reveal the diagnostic information due to extreme transient and nonstationary operating conditions. In this regard, additional metadata available on the machine’s CAN bus system, can improve the reliability of vibration analysis for mobile applications. The current stu...

The article comprises results of determining the vertical accelerations of a selected point in the body of a VW Passat B5 passenger car when the car crossed a speed bump with various speeds. The measurements were carried out for two sets of shock absorbers, which differed from each other in vibration damping characteristics. The force-displacement and force-velocity (damping) characteristics of the shock absorbers having been removed from the motor vehicle were determined by rig testing. For comparison, the condition of the shock absorbers when installed in the vehicle was assessed by the EUSAMA diagnostic method. The speed bump had a trapezoidal profile and it was crossed by the vehicle with speeds of 20 km/h, 30 km/h, and 40 km/h. The accelerations were measured with the use of various measuring equipment, including Crossbow VG 440CA-200 and VBOX RLVBIMU03 measurement units and an HBM B12/200 acceleration sensor. The results have been presented in the form of time histories of the vertical acceleration of the car body, with highlighting the differences that occurred in the instrument readouts. Moreover, simulation tests were carried out with the use of the V-SIM program for the actual distribution of mass among individual vehicle wheels as well as stiffness and damping coefficients of the wheel suspension system determined on a test stand for both the shock absorber sets. The differences in the results obtained by individual test methods have been evaluated and the reasons that caused the differences to occur have been specified.

The article comprises results of determining the vertical accelerations of a selected point in the body of a VW Passat B5 passenger car when the car crossed a speed bump with various speeds. The measurements were carried out for two sets of shock absorbers, which differed from each other in vibration damping characteristics. The force-displacement and force-velocity (damping) characteristics of the shock absorbers having been removed from the motor vehicle were determined by rig testing. For comparison, the condition of the shock absorbers when installed in the vehicle was assessed by the EUSAMA diagnostic method. The speed bump had a trapezoidal profile and it was crossed by the vehicle with speeds of 20 km/h, 30 km/h, and 40 km/h. The accelerations were measured with the use of various measuring equipment, including Crossbow VG 440CA-200 and VBOX RLVBIMU03 measurement units and an HBM B12/200 acceleration sensor. The results have been presented in the form of time histories of the vertical acceleration of the car body, with highlighting the differences that occurred in the instrument readouts. Moreover, simulation tests were carried out with the use of the V-SIM program for the actual distribution of mass among individual vehicle wheels as well as stiffness and damping coefficients of the wheel suspension system determined on a test stand for both the shock absorber sets. The differences in the results obtained by individual test methods have been evaluated and the reasons that caused the differences to occur have been specified.

In paper, the virtual prototype of the rolling–guiding–suspension system of an off-road vehicle is presented. The prototype has been made with the MBS software ADAMS, and takes into consideration the geometric restrictions as well as the nonlinear ...

The aim of the article is to report the methods of solving the construction of the electric car frame. The electric car is designed for movement in the field. This is a functional model marked generation 0. The electric car should move in the field according to the specified trajectories with a load of up to 300 kg. The frame of the electric vehicle consists of aluminium alloy workpieces carrying wheels and four shaped sidewalls. One of the side panels was replaced by a composite part-by a fibre-reinforced plastic. Loading of the sidewall was monitored during operation. The side composite panel is made of welded duralumin, complemented by glass-epoxy composite. The composite part is composed of an epoxy matrix and glass fibre reinforcement (GFRP-glass fibre reinforced plastic). The reinforcing fabric has a plain weave. Holes and threaded holes were made in the aluminium inserts for mounting boards on the frame and mounting the electric vehicle units. Simulations of the behaviour of this sidewall and measurements during the operation were performed. Calculations were performed from both strength and deformation points. The result of calculations and measurements is that the composite sidewall designed in this way can be used for a given load of 300 kg.

In this paper, a novel method is presented for investigating suspension bushing based on mechanical properties of the bushing, their effective directions, spring stiffness and damping coefficient of bushing. The vehicle vibration model and suspension geometry parameters are used to optimise the vehicle suspension based on multi-body dynamics simulation (ADAMS/CAR) initially. Several experiment tests based on ISO 4128 and ISO 7401 have been performed in one of main Iranian automaker (SAIPA) in order to verify the ADAMS/CAR model. The grey relational analysis based on using Taguchi L27 orthogonal array is used to obtain the optimum suspension. Then the bushing characteristics are optimised considering the indicated method. This method considers a combination of ride comfort and handling qualities of vehicle as objective functions simultaneously. The results of optimum suspension are compared with typical Renault Logan which declares the accuracy and efficiency of this method in optimising suspension bushing.

Autonomous driving, is considered as the future of mobility, and research on this topics growing exponentially. On the one hand, these vehicles must be controllable, making rapid maneuvers possible, in case of a sudden accident situation, while on the other hand their motion must be stable, to maintain directional stability under disturbances. It is important to specify the so called "safety margin", the range of possible motions that the vehicle can produce with keeping its stability. The limits of the possible movement of a vehicle depend on its parameters. The aim of our study is to determine which parameters affect the controllability and stability of a vehicle. To find this, we used the "MRA moment method" to create the "Yaw Moment Diagram" in our simulation environment. This method is usually used to map the possible range of motion and judge the stability and controllability of a possible motion state. Here we will use a two track vehicle model, with nonlinear tire characteristics, and complete model of suspension linkage to create the MMM diagram of a vehicle with given parameters.

ASIM/GI-Fachgruppe Simulation technischer Systeme Die Fachgruppe Simulation technischer Systeme (STS) befasst sich innerhalb der Arbeitsgemeinschaft Simulation (ASIM) mit der Modellbildung und Modellstudien für die Simulation neu zu entwickelnder oder zu verbessernder technischer Geräte und Bauteile. In der Fachgruppe finden diejenigen einen Ansprechpartner, die sich mit der Bereitstellung und Anwendung von Werkzeugen und Programmen zur Modellerstellung bei der Simulation der genannten Systeme beschäftigen. Dazu werden Fachgruppentreffen und Fachgespräche zu aktuellen Themen organisiert. Themen sind u. a. Modellierung und Simulation mechatronischer und thermischer Systeme, Simulation in der Elektronikentwicklung, in der Medizintechnik und im Automobilbau, Echtzeitsimulation, neue Methoden der Regelungstechnik, Modellierungssprachen wie Modelica und VHDL-AMS, Modellaustausch-Stichwort Functional Mockup Interface (FMI) sowie auch der Einsatz von Simulationsverfahren in der Ingenieursausbildung. www.asim-gi.org/sts ASIM/GI-Fachgruppe Grundlagen und Methoden in Modellbildung und Simulation Die Fachgruppe Grundlagen und Methoden in Modellbildung und Simulation (GMMS) befasst sich in enger Zusammenarbeit von Industrie und Forschungseinrichtungen mit methodischen Entwicklungen zu Modellierungsansätzen, numerischen und softwaretechnischen Verfahren, Algorithmen, Simulationswerkzeugen sowie simulationsgestützter Experimentiermethoden (z.B. Optimierung). Weitere Schwerpunkte bilden: die Kombination von Methoden der Simulation und KI, Methoden der Verkehrssimulation und die Anwendung von Methoden der Modellbildung und Simulation in der Ausbildung. Letztere werden teilweise in speziellen Arbeitsgruppen behandelt. Generell sind von besonderem Interesse Methoden und Werkzeuge, die über mehrere Anwendungsdomänen hinweg eingesetzt werden. www.asim-gi.org/gmms/ Hochschule Ulm Die Hochschule Ulm ist eine Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften mit überwiegend technisch ausgerichtetem Studienangebot. Die Studiengänge sind breit angelegt, um den Absolventen vielfältige berufliche Möglichkeiten zu eröffnen. Individuelle Qualifizierung ist möglich durch die Auswahl von Wahlpflichtfächern, Studien-und Abschlussarbeiten, Fremdsprachen, Studienaufenthalte an ausländischen Partnerhochschulen sowie durch den Erwerb von Zusatzqualifikationen. Der Erfolg der Hochschule Ulm gründet auf der Zusammenarbeit mit der Wirtschaft. Sie schließt die Bereiche Forschung und Entwicklung über eigene Forschungsinstitute und mehrere Steinbeis-Transfer-Zentren der Steinbeis-Stiftung für Wirtschaftsförderung Stuttgart mit ein. Hiervon profitieren die Studierenden auch durch attraktive Praktikumsplätze und interessante Abschlussarbeiten. Ein ausgefeiltes Weiterbildungsprogramm für Berufstätige und andere runden das Angebot der Hochschule Ulm ab. 4 Literatur [1] R. Johnson und D. Wichern. Multivariate Linear Regression Models. In: Applied Multivariate Statistical Analysis, Herausgeber: Pearson Education Limited, 2014. [2] T. Lehmann, O. Özgen und J. Keller. Methodological framework for estimation of failure rates for various high-voltage battery systems. Daimler AG,

In this paper, vehicle cornering along roads with low friction coefficient is studied, and an autopilot design is proposed to satisfy desired handling performance. A novel hierarchical optimization approach is presented to generate offline solutions for vehicle cornering problem along roads with different friction coefficients and radii of curvature. A vehicle status definition is introduced as a function of vehicle states that contains data to indicate handling performance. At each control instant, vehicle statuses are calculated, and at the end of each scenario, they are clustered with k-means clustering technique. The vehicle status cluster centres are associated with the applied control commands. The pair formed by the vehicle status at cluster centre and the control command corresponds to a rule that produces the unique control command to be applied as a function of the vehicle status. The autopilot is constructed by a convex combination of these rules. This basic idea of autopilot design has been extended for motion along a specific rotation radius and friction coefficient; the control commands corresponding to arbitrary scenario parameters are obtained by a runtime scheduling of the weighted interpolation among the control commands corresponding to different scenario parameters. The proposed autopilot design is verified with vehicle motion under offline optimized control commands. The autopilot is also tested along roads with varying friction coefficient, and it is shown that the vehicle satisfies the desired handling performance.

This paper presents a viable concept of active vehicle suspension which resulted from practical analysis of the tasks such a suspension system should fulfil. To achieve optimum performance. suitable models of the vehicle and the test environment have to be devised. Taking as a basis a special mathematical formulation of the coupled system. consisting of vehicle model. test environment and controller. the parameters of a three-level controller structure are determined successively using a sensitivity-controlled optimization procedure. The optimization process and the results of simulation. clearly demonstrate the quality of the ac tive vehicle suspension system in connection with the proposed controller structure. Finally. the immense flexibility and the possibilities it offers are touched upon with constructional aspects of active suspension.

The present research work proposes a method for improving handling characteristics of the vehicle by controlling camber and toe angle using double wishbone suspension arms in an adaptive manner. This is accomplished by two telescopic arms with actuators which changes camber and toe angle of the wheel dynamically to deliver best possible traction and manoeuvrability. Active suspension controllers are employed to trigger the actuators based on the camber and toe angle from sensors for reducing the existing error. Hence the arms are driven by the actuators in a closed loop feedback manner with help of a separate PID controller. A quarter car physical models with double wishbone suspension is modelled in SolidWorks and simulated using MATLAB for analysis. The simulation result shows an improvement of 58% in camber and 96% improvement of toe characteristics. A prototype of the proposed system is developed and subjected to the same test as the simulation system. The prototype achieved an improvement of 46.34% in camber and a 93.35% in the toe variation of the active system over the passive system. Further, the prototype was able to achieve 89% of camber reduction and 45% of toe reduction with respect to the simulation.

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The paper proposes a unique approach to designing the plan and profile of a hump yard. For the formation of the subgrade in the cross-section, it is proposed to use one-petal and two-petal hyperbolic paraboloids (hypars), and also, it is proposed a form of a hypersurface of a hump yard, in which the guide is a curve with negative Gaussian curvature, and the formative is a parabola (a curve with positive curvature). In order to ensure rapid rolling of cars and carriages on the surface of the hump it is proposed to replace the parabola with the apex in the hyperbolic paraboloid with the apex at the bottom, with a brachistochrone. As a result, to design the surface of the marshalling hump we get a shell of negative Gaussian curvature.

Formula Student and Formula SAE are student competitions where engineering students must develop a Formula type vehicle according to a series of rules. Regarding to the brake system, these rules determine some requirements that the cars must be in accordance. This work deals with a performance evaluation of brake system of Formula type vehicle. First, a mathematical model was developed to achieve the balance of front and rear braking forces. This model takes into account the most important vehicle parameters that influence braking performance, as well as the tire/road friction conditions. Then, the results obtained from the model were compared against experimental data. During the tests the vehicle velocity, the lateral and longitudinal vehicle acceleration and the circuit pressure to the front and rear brakes were monitored. This mathematical model will be employed to development of brake systems to be applied to Formula type vehicle. Finally, a second experimental test was employed to evaluate the brake system performance considering the vehicle operating in competition conditions. The obtained results show that the mathematical model is suitable for brake system performance prediction. Moreover, the tests results show that the brake system is suitable under competition conditions.