Unit-I
1.3 Chassis and Frames
Chassis
Main Supporting Structure of vehicle consist of almost all major parts
except automobile body
Functions of the Chassis
• To support chassis components & body
• Withstand the static & dynamic load of different
components of chassis
Load of the chassis
• Weight of the vehicle and the passengers Only 1st point is a static load and all
others are dynamic loads
• Vertical load when the vehicle comes across a bump or hollow , which
results in longitudinal torsion due to one wheel lifted (or lowered) with
other wheels as usual road level
• Load due to wheel impact with load obstacles may cause that
particular wheel to remain obstructed while the other wheel tends to
move forward , distorting the frame to parallelogram shape
• Engine torque and braking torque tending to bend the side members in
the vertical plane
• Sudden impact load during collusion , which may result in general
collapse
Frame
All the components of the Chassis are mounted on a member
called frame
Conventional construction:
• separate frame is used
• Presently used in Heavy vehicles
Frameless / unitary construction
• no separate frame is used
• Used in light vehicles
Frame construction
• It is used in most of the heavy vehicles
• Constructions will vary according to the type of vehicle
• Generally made from Steel sections
• This type of frame has 2 long side members & 5-6 side members
joined with the help of rivets or bolts
Frame construction
• Cross members used to increase the strength of the frame
• They are inswept ( narrow) at the front and upswept (broad) at the rear
• The frame is narrowed down at the front to have a better steering lock which
provides space for pivoting & swinging of the front wheels
• Upset at the rear provided to give room for the vertical movement of the rear
axle as it travels over road bumps & other road inequalities
Frame construction
• Body brackets are provided to support the body of the vehicle
• Spring brackets are provided for mounting the body of the vehicle
• Extension of the Chassis frame ahead of the front axle known as Front overhung
• Extension of the Chassis frame ahead of the front axle known as rear overhung
Tubular Frame
• It is 3-dimensional design
• Tubular space frame chassis
employs dozens of circular
section tube, positions in
different directions to
provide mechanical strength
against force from anywhere.
• These tubes are welded &
forms a very complex
structure.
• For higher stre ngth required
by sports cars, tubular space
frame chassis usually
incorporate a strong structure
under both doors.
Advantages & Dis advantages
• Very strong in any • Very complex , costly
direction (compared and time consuming to
with ladder chassis and be built.
Monocoque chassis of • It engages a lot of
the same weight) spaces rise the door seal
and result in difficult to
access to the cabin.
• Impossible for
robotized production.
Frame Cross Sections
Channel Section – Good Resistance to Bending
Box Section – Good Resistance to both bending
and torsion
Tubular Section – Good Resistance to torsion.
Frameless chassis
• Also called as Integrated frame chassis
• It is used for light vehicle and mostly for cars.
• In this type of frame construction, the frame and body are integrated part
and on it the different chassis components are fitted.
• Light side members are used.
• It is designed for a specific vehicle and there is no flexibility to change the
body design for the corresponding chassis.
Frameless chassis
In case of accident, it becomes difficult to repair, set it right and properly align
the same.
The height of the chassis does not change once it is designed.
Due to the elimination of frame C.G. of a vehicle is lowered which gives more
ty stability specially for a fast moving vehicle
The dead weight of the vehicle is less as body floor works as a chassis and
extra cross members are eliminated.
Cost is less as body floor works as long side and cross members.
Types of Chassis
• According to layout
• Conventional
• Forward
• Semi forward
Conventional Chassis
• Engine is fitted in front of the driver cabin or driver seat such as in
cars.
• Affects visibility of driver
• Chassis portion can not be utilized for carrying passengers and goods
• Heavy Engine can be fitted, which can used to give more power
Semi Forward Chassis
• Half portion of the engine is in the driver cabin & and remaining
half is outside the cabin such as in Tata trucks / Tempos
• In this arrangement a part of the chassis is utilized for carrying
extra passengers
Forward Chassis
Complete engine is mounted inside the driver cabin, Driver seat is
just above the front wheel
More Boot Space Available as full utilization of chassis
