Vehicle architecture and components

Duration

30h Th, 30h Pr, 30h Proj.

Number of credits

Lecturer

Pierre Duysinx, Marc Nélis, Marc Nélis

Coordinator

Pierre Duysinx, Pierre Duysinx

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This lecture aims at introducing and discussing:

• The general layout of a vehicle
• Study of a selection of major components and subsystems of the vehicle
• Discussion of the functionnal and of the manufacturing considerations 
• Inbtroduction to some modern design methodologies and tools used in automotive industry: optimization, concurrent engineering, integrated design...

• General architecture of the vehicle
• The car body and the chassis
• The suspension systems: types, design, suspension elements
• The steering systems
• The braking system: architecture, composants, ABS
• The transmission systems: gear boxes, clutches, differential, driveshafts...
• Passive and active safety
• Introduction to Advanced Driver Assiatnce Systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving
• Elements of vehicle aerodynamics

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

• Study of the general layout of a vehicle and the technology of the major subsystems and components.
• Learn some of the design tools and methodologies for vehicle design
• To be able to use modern CAE tools to investigate a problem from automotive engineering
• To be able to present orally and clearly some results about a complex design problem.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Basic mechanics, Machine design, Machine vibrations, Finite Element method, Cinematics and Dynamics of Mechanisms.
Vehicle performance
Vehicle dynamics

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

• Lectures to introduce the main automotive components and systems
• Seminars given by industrial experts from automotive sector
• Visits of automotive plants and components suppliers
• Group project about the overall design or a component of a vehicle prototype

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

The course is scheduled at first semester i.e. from mid September to mid December.
The lectures are given at University of Liege, on Monday Morning from 9 to 12h30
Industrial seminars and plant visits are planned with particular agenda. Some industrial seminars can be given on the site of The Campus Automobile in Spa Francorchamps.

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

Recommended or required readings

Copy of the slides (in English).
The course material is available on the web site of the course www.ingveh.ulg.ac.be
References books:

• J. Happian-Smith (ed.) "An Introduction to Modern Vehicle Design". Butterworth Heinemann. 2002.
• W. Milliken & D. Milliken. « Race Car Vehicle Dynamics », 1995, Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
• R. Bosch. « Automotive Handbook». 5th edition. 2002. Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
• J. Reimpell, H. Stoll, J. Betzler. «The automotive chassis: engineering principles ». 2nd edition. 2001, SAE.
• H. Heisler. « Vehicle and Engine Technology ». 2nd edition. SAE, 1999.

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

Any session :

- In-person

oral exam

- Remote

oral exam

- If evaluation in "hybrid"

preferred in-person


Additional information:

• The group design project will be evaluated on the basis of the report and on the quality of the oral presentation
• Oral exam on the theoretical lectures.
• Passing both the project and the oral examn is mandatory to get the credits. In case of a student would fail in one of the two parts (mark <= 7), the final mark will be the lowest one.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

None

Contacts

Pierre Duysinx, LTAS - Automtotive Engineering Institute of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, Building B52 Allée de la Découverte 13A, 4000 Liège Phone : +32 4 366 9194, Fax : +32 4 366 9159, Email : P.Duysinx@uliege.be

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