Any vehicle, regardless of its type and purpose, consists of three main parts: engine, body and chassis. The chassis of the car is a system consisting of assemblies of the chassis, transmission and control mechanism assembled together. It is one of the most important parts of the vehicle, as it allows for the perception and transmission of all the forces that act on it during movement.
Chassis features
Suspension elements of the undercarriage reduce loads and compensate for vibrations when driving on bumpy roads and off-road. The subframe allows you to install the body, engine and other units on the chassis. The front and rear axles through the wheels transmit rotational motion and thus provide movement of the car.
The first cars produced in the last century had some difference from those that drive on roads today. All cars - both cars and trucks - used to have a frame on which all units and assemblies were installed (body, transmission, engine, etc.). Over time, only the trucks and buses left the frame chassis of the car. In cars, the functions of the frame began to be performed by the body.
Chassis classification
Thus, two different vehicle chassis designs can be distinguished .
Bearing body. In pursuit of reducing the weight of cars, all the functions of the frame were redefined on the body. Such a frame does not allow moving large loads, but at the same time provides greater comfort and speed.
Depending on the purpose of the vehicle, the following types of structures can be used:
side members;
spinal;
peripheral;
fork-spinal;
trellised.
Truck chassis
The most common are spar frames. They are two longitudinal beams connected by cross members. The shape of such beams can be completely different: tubular, X- or K-shaped. In the most loaded part of the frame has an enlarged section of the channel. A parallel spar scheme (beams are located at an equal distance throughout the entire chassis) is used on trucks. In off-road cars spars can be used, which have some axle divergence both in the horizontal and in the vertical plane.
The spinal frame is a single supporting longitudinal beam on which the cross members are attached. Often this beam has a circular cross section, due to which transmission elements can be placed in it. Such a frame provides greater torsion resistance than spars. Also, the use of a spine-type chassis involves the use of
independent suspension of all wheels.
The fork-spine frame has a branching of the longitudinal beam in the rear or front. That is, it combines the spars and the spinal beam.
Other chassis frame types are not used for trucks.
Other meanings of the term
In addition to the definition above, the word "chassis" can be used to describe self-propelled vehicles designed for the installation of various machines and mechanisms. Also, this term is applied to that part of the aircraft, which is used to move around the airfield, take off and land. As in the case of the car chassis, this part mitigates impacts and loads during ground movement of aircraft. Aviation landing gears, unlike automobile ones, can be constructed with wheels, skis or floats.
Often the meaning of the word chassis is confused with the concept of a car drive. The incorrect interpretation of the terms is due to the fact that they refer to almost the same part of the vehicle. Car owners are free to say that their car has a 4x2 chassis. But it should be understood that 4x2 is just a layout scheme from which you can find out the number of driving wheels, but no more. About the same, what is the chassis, has been said above. Despite the fact that the wheels and drive are part of the chassis system, it is inappropriate to use this term only for such a narrow description.
Suspension Types
The chassis of the car can have various types of suspension:
a) dependent:
- on longitudinal springs;
- with guiding pair levers;
- with two trailing arms;
- with drawbar;
b) independent.
Suspensions are equipped with levers, gaskets, shock absorbers and springs. The main purpose of this vehicle assembly is to absorb vibrations and vibrations during movement. The front and rear suspensions are different, since the design of the steered wheels requires the use of more complex components.