CHASSIS

Chassis is a French term pronounced as – “chassi”. Initially used to denote the frame parts or basic structure of the vehicle. It’s like the skeleton of the vehicle. The automotive chassis is tasked with holding all the components together.It is use to hold the weight of all the components.

 Generally there are following six types of chassis:

1.  Ladder frame
2.  Backbone chassis
3.   Space  frame
4.   Monocoque chassis  ULSAB Monocoque chassis
5.   Audi aluminium space frame

LADDER FRAME CHASSIS

A ladder frame is the simplest and oldest frame used in modern vehicular construction.

Two long beams that run the length of the vehicle and provide a strong support for weight and originally based on a carriage design.

Frame is made of two members that run along the length of vehicle and are mainly load bearing.

BACKBONE CHASSIS

Easy to manufacture and economical for low volume production. Most space saving other than monocoque. No protection against side impact. Used in small sports cars

            TUBULAR SPACE FRAME

A nodal triangulated truss network that attempts to distribute all loads into axial directions Space frame has small tubes that are only in tension and compression and has no bending or twisting loads

 

 

MONOCOQUE CHASSIS

Monocoque means single shell. A monocoque chassis consist of both the frame and the body. By this frame we can obtain good aerodynamics for the vehicles. Monocoque chassis also benefit crash protection. Because it uses a lot of metal, crumple zone can be built into the structure. 

 

USLAB MONOCOQUE CHASSIS

Enter the 90s, as tougher safety regulations ask for more rigid chassis, traditional steel monocoque becomes heavier than ever.

American's steel manufacturers hired Porsche Engineering Services to develop a new kind of steel monocoque technology calls Ultra-Light Steel Auto Body (ULSAB). Hydro form is a new technique for shaping metal to desired shape.

 

AUDI ALUMINUM SPACE FRAME

A technology that blends mass manufactured monocoque design with large cross section aluminium members.

FORMULA STUDENT

Formula SAE or Formula Student is a student design competition organized by SAE International (SAE, previously known as the Society of Automotive Engineers) or some times by affiliated society of SAE International. The rules are more or less same in all the events. The competition was started in 1978 and was originally called SAE Mini Indy.The concept behind Formula SAE is that a fictional manufacturing company has contracted a student design team to develop a small Formula-style race car. The prototype race car is to be evaluated for its potential as a production item. For designing the car there are certain restrictions set by the organizers in every aspects of design from the engine to a chassis material, that is given in their rulebook in a very detailed and clear manner in case of any doubt you can contact the organizers. the rulebook is made available prior to the virtual round at the time of registration.
The cars are judged by specialists on the following criteria:

Static Events

• Engineering Design
• Cost & Sustainability Analysis
• Business Presentation

Dynamic Events

• Technical Inspection (comprising 6 tests): Safety, Chassis, Noise, Tilt, Brake, and Tech (no points)
• Skid pan
• Autocross/Sprint
• acceleration
• endurance and fuel economy

For the event team must be entirely formed by the students along with the driver. This adds to the biggest constrain of the event that is the time. Along with that skill set, experience, money is also limited.  Before the dynamic event team must have to clear the static event or virtual round in which you have to present your fully assembled CAD model and the worst part of that is you can't bluff the judge as they are highly experienced industry experts and they will find anything which is not properly made.As per my personal experience in SAEINDIA SUPRA virtuals judges are not much interested in your calculations and formulas but they look for the basic approach and most importantly your rulebook knowledge. The dynamic event is organized in very controlled manner for the safety of the driver, for this safety rules are very strict and there no compromise in that in any way.
The event provides the students a great deal of opportunities for using their engineering and management skills in building the prototype. This creates an opportunity to work in team and apply your skills that develops your professional skills and to deal with different situations. Here you can actually work in every field of engineering from mechanical, electrical, electronics to computer science by introducing some innovative technologies in the vehicle like KERS (kinetic energy recovery system) and ECU for the control of engine.

FORMULA STUDENT CAR