The module aims at providing the basic knowledge for the planning of the main parts of the vehicle (cars and industrial vehicles). In particular those ideas concerning the main subsystems of the chassis (tyres and wheels, suspension, brakes, steering gear) analyzing in detail the functions, the most common structure and constructional solutions and introducing some methods of analysis of their behaviour. The module also has the goal of giving the students the instruments to compute vehicle performance in terms of speed, acceleration fuel consumption and handling.

The studennt is expected to learn a basics knowledge on the working of the basic components of a motor vehicle, including tyres brakes, suspensions, steering.
Ability to analize and simulate the main performances of a motor vehicle

The subjects dealt within the modules, Automotive evolution, Technical design, Mathematical analysis I e II, Geometry, Basic Mechanics are considered as a prerequisite for understanding the contents of this module.

1. Introduction
Aims and contents of the module.
Reference frames for the vehicle and the tires.
2. Forces and moments acting on a vehicle
Tire-road contact forces
Aerodynamic forces and moments
3. Performance of the vehicle
Distribution of ground loads and load transferl
Power required for motion
Available power
Choice of the gear ratios
Maximum performance (speed, acceleration, gradeability)
Fuel consumption
Braking on straight road
Kinematic steering and basic handling models
4. Design of the chassis subsystems
Constructional details of the most common suspensions for cars and industrial vehicles
Basics of elastokinematic analysis of the suspension
Constructional details of the most common type of steering gears used for cars and industrial vehicles
Basics on the kinematic analysis of the steering gear
Constructional details of the components of a hydraulic or pneumatic braking system
Elements for the optimal distribution of the braking power on the wheels
Bench work and methods of experimentation

Choice of engine and gears ratios necessary to attain the required speed and acceleration; computation of other dynamic performances and analysis of their sensitivity to variation of the design parameters.
Computation of the fuel consumption and analysis of its sensitivity to variations of the design parameters.
Importance of the kinematics of the suspension and of the points for attachment to the body; calculation of the characteristic angles of the wheel; analysis of the the effect of some geometrical variations.
Some projects will be done using the facilities of the computer lab

The recommended reference text is:
G. Genta, L. Morello, The automotive Chassis, Springer
Useful sources for further closer examinations:
Genta, Motor vehicle mechanics, World Scientific, Singapore, 2004
Reimpell & Stoll, The Automotive Chassis, Arnold.
Lechner & Naunheimer, The Automotive Transmission, Springer.
The texts of the exercises will be made available to the students through the website.

The exam consists of a written test with multiple choice questions and short exercises and a discussion and evaluation of the projects. The students can choose to have an additional oral examination.