MECHANICS OF VEHICLES & MACHINES - 2021/2

Module Overview

This module provides an introduction to the mechanics of vehicles and machines with special emphasis on automotive components. The module will serve as a primer for more advanced (FHEQ Level 5 and 6) courses and involvement in the Formula Student Project.

Module provider

Mechanical Engineering Sciences

Module Leader

WATTS John (Mech Eng Sci)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

JACs code: H331

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

ENG1066 Solid Mechanics 1

Module content

Indicative content includes:

Powertrain

• Internal combustion engines and their performance and efficiency characteristics.


• Design of transmissions, differentials and drive train joints


• Powertrain configurations including FWD, RWD and AWD

• Chassis performance parameters


• Concept of weight transfer with focus on vehicle dynamics performance


• Brake system design and modern chassis control systems such as ABS, Electronic stability control.

• Tyre characteristics


• Configuration of suspension, steering and damping systems


• Concepts of vehicle understeer and oversteer


• Development of bicycle model for evaluation of dynamic vehicle response

• Kinematic analysis techniques of planar linkages and mechanisms


• Slider-crank mechanism


• Four-bar linkage mechanism

• Force and acceleration of linkages and mechanisms


• Method of work and energy

• Balancing of rotating masses


• Static and dynamic balance

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Coursework in lieu of in-class test.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate

understanding of scientific principles, methodologies and mathematics methods as well as the ability to describe particular systems and processes in the final examination. The in-class test allows students to demonstrate that they can solve a kinematics/kinetics problem within a given time. The vehicles-related coursework tests research skills and report writing as well as their ability to comment critically on design solutions found in industry.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• In-semester test             [ Learning outcomes 5]                     (30 min test)     {10%}


• Vehicles coursework       [ Learning outcomes 1, 2 ]                (6 hours)           {10%}


• Examination                   [ Learning outcomes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]      (2 hours)           {80%}

• Formative verbal feedback is given in tutorials


• Written feedback is given on the coursework assessments

Module aims

• a systematic understanding and critical awareness of the importance of individual components and systems of modern road vehicles
• a knowledge of the design of modern chassis, suspension and power train components
• an understanding of the energy efficiency characteristics and constraints of modern power train solutions
• a knowledge of basic calculation techniques relating to vehicle dynamics
• a comprehensive knowledge of the methods of investigating the motion of machines with and without reference to forces and masses
• an understanding of balancing of rotating masses

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Introduce the design and analysis principles of mechanisms and vehicles through theory with worked examples. This is delivered principally through lectures and tutorial classes, and includes an in-semester test on kinematics/kinetics on mechanisms and an independently conducted vehicles-related coursework involving a review of advances in vehicle design.

 

The learning and teaching methods include:

 

• 3 hours lecture per week x 11 weeks


• 1 hour tutorial (in groups) x 11 weeks


• In-semester test (30 min test, 6 hours preparation)


• Vehicles-related coursework (6 hours)

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

Reading list for MECHANICS OF VEHICLES & MACHINES : http://aspire.surrey.ac.uk/modules/eng2095

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.