Automobile Engineering

Course Updated on 11/2019 with 2 + hours of content and 30 lectures

Topics which have been added

Earth Fixed coordinate system , Vehicle attitude and Euler angles
Dynamic force analysis of a vehicle and derivation of equation for tractive and braking force
Derivation of Torque transfer equation relating the torque developed by engine to the final Tractive force at the Tire through mathematical derivation .
Bicycle Model Derivation for defining Understeer and Oversteer condition mathematically with step by step explanations
Roll stiffness derivation in terms of spring stiffness .
Roll analysis - Lateral load transfer with Force balance equation

Vehicle dynamics is the study of behavior of vehicles in motion . The study is one of the most important activities in the Vehicle design and development cycle to design vehicles which drive well and are comfortable to ride in.

In this course, you will learn the

Concepts and mechanisms which govern the actions and reactions in vehicles all the way from how vehicles accelerate, brake, turn and respond to vibrations.
The Theory and concepts behind suspension design process including concepts of kinematics and vibration isolation.

This course will first build on the very basics of automotive engineering and Newtons laws of physics , friction etc and then move on to explain the phenomena taking place between the Vehicle and the road in different circumstances. At each section of the course you will be taking away insightful concepts with the understanding of How? and Why?

The course is filled with 5+ hours of conceptual learning which lays a strong foundation to understand the more advanced concepts of vehicle dynamics and suspension design.

This is not a mathematically intensive course and it doesn't aim to delve deep into the numerical treatment of dynamics rather aims to explain the underlying principles and concepts which are at play to govern the behavior of the vehicles.

You might have come across terms like roll, under-steer, camber ,caster and many more but don't really know what they mean and how important they are for the vehicle. This course will clear out those concepts.

Concepts covered

The Basis of vehicle dynamics and Basic laws of physics which govern dynamics
Concept of degrees of freedom, axis systems and importance of center of gravity
Types of Loading scenarios faced by the Vehicle and their free body diagrams.
The basics on the Tire and mechanism of Load generation
The Suspension Design process - How is it done progressively and the function of suspensions.
In-depth look at Suspension geometry design
- Wheel and steering angles
- Suspension travel
- Anti-features
- Roll center
- Camber change rates
- Elastokinematics
Longitudinal dynamics - Explanation of the mechanism of Traction force generation in Braking and accelerating and explanation of working of Anti-lock brake systems
Lateral dynamics- Understeer, Oversteer behavior of vehicle and root cause for that behavior in turning.
Fundamentals of Vibration isolation
- What is springing and damping
- What is damping co efficient , damping ratio
- Equation of motion of a generic vibration system
- Damping characteristics
- Why Under-damping?
What is Motion Ratio?
Roll control using springs?
Roll Over of Vehicles
- The reason
- How it can be controlled

If you are a beginner to the field and want to learn the concepts in an easy way , this course is for you.

If you are already into the field of vehicle dynamics , this course will serve as a reference to clear out concepts on basic aspects of vehicle dynamics.

The course contains hardly any math or high level physics concepts. If you are having a basic background in Math and physics , this course will help you understand Vehicle Mechanics at Entry level.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Build a strong understanding of the fundamental concepts which are at work in a vehicle which is in motion.
Learn how to design a basic suspension from scratch

Build conceptual understanding of parameters of suspension design
Learn the basics of vibration isolation and what is damping in suspensions?

Build a strong understanding of the fundamental concepts which are at work in a vehicle which is in motion.
Learn how to design a basic suspension from scratch
Build conceptual understanding of parameters of suspension design
Learn the basics of vibration isolation and what is damping in suspensions?

Syllabus

Introduction

Introduction to Vehicle dynamics

Block DIagram - Driver -vehicle and How is vehicle dynamics approached

Why study Vehicle dynamics?

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops a foundational understanding of the forces and responses in vehicles, including acceleration, braking, and cornering

Provides a strong foundation for entry-level roles in vehicle dynamics and suspension design

Lays a conceptual foundation for more advanced concepts in vehicle dynamics and suspension design

Suitable for beginners with a basic background in mathematics and physics

Taught by Mufaddal Rasheed, an experienced instructor in vehicle dynamics

May require additional resources for learners with no prior knowledge of vehicle dynamics or suspension design

Reviews summary

Vehicle dynamics: foundational concepts for beginners

According to students, 'Automobile Engineering: Vehicle dynamics for Beginners' is a highly effective foundational course for understanding vehicle behavior. Learners consistently praise its ability to demystify complex concepts like suspension geometry, tire mechanics, and vehicle attitude, making them accessible to beginners and hobbyists alike. The course is noted for its clear explanations that emphasize the 'how' and 'why' behind dynamic phenomena, rather than deep mathematical derivations. While providing a solid conceptual understanding, some advanced learners or those seeking extensive numerical examples might find it too basic, as it focuses on principles over detailed engineering calculations. Overall, it serves as an excellent starting point for anyone new to the field.

Pacing is generally good for beginners, but some parts vary.

"The pace is good for beginners, though at times it felt a little slow."

"Some parts felt a bit rushed, and others overly detailed for a 'beginner' course."

"While it says 'for beginners,' I felt some prerequisites weren't fully covered, making certain topics challenging."

Emphasizes principles over extensive mathematical derivations.

"It tends to stay at a high conceptual level. I wish there were more numerical examples or practice problems to solidify the understanding."

"The course is okay, but it felt a bit too basic for my needs. I was hoping for more in-depth mathematical derivations and engineering calculations."

"I found the course accessible because it explained concepts without heavy math, which was a big plus for my learning style."

Simplifies complex vehicle dynamics for beginners.

"This course is fantastic for anyone new to vehicle dynamics. The instructor explains complex concepts with such clarity, making topics like roll centers and anti-features surprisingly easy to grasp."

"Absolutely brilliant! As a hobbyist interested in how cars handle, this course provided exactly what I needed. The explanations on understeer and oversteer were eye-opening."

"Excellent course for a fundamental understanding... It truly helps you understand the 'why' behind vehicle behavior."

Lacks extensive practical exercises or detailed design work.

"I wish there were more numerical examples or practice problems to solidify the understanding."

"While it explains the concepts well, it doesn't prepare you for actual design work."

"The course could be improved with more interactive elements or case studies, making the theories more concrete."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Automobile Engineering: Vehicle dynamics for Beginners with these activities:

Participate in Discussion Forums

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Engage with peers and clarify your understanding of course concepts through active participation in discussion forums.

Browse courses on Vehicle Dynamics

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Read through the discussion topics and identify areas where you have questions or insights to share.
Post your questions or comments, providing specific examples or references to course materials.
Respond to the posts of others, offering your own perspectives and engaging in constructive discussions.

Review 'Vehicle Dynamics: Theory and Application' by Reza N. Jazar

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Expand your knowledge of vehicle dynamics by reading a comprehensive textbook that covers both theoretical and practical aspects.

View Advanced Vibrations on Amazon

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Read the assigned chapters and take notes on key concepts.
Solve the end-of-chapter exercises to test your understanding.
Discuss the book's content with classmates or the instructor to gain different perspectives.

Practice Suspension Calculations

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Reinforce your understanding of suspension design principles by solving practice problems.

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Gather practice problems from textbooks or online resources.
Solve the problems using the formulas and concepts covered in the course.
Check your solutions against the provided answer key or ask for feedback from the instructor.

Five other activities

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Create an Infographic on Vehicle Suspension Systems

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Enhance your understanding of suspension systems by creating a visual representation of their components and principles.

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Gather information from course materials, textbooks, and online resources.
Choose a visually appealing design for your infographic.
Organize the information into clear and concise sections.
Use images, diagrams, and text to illustrate the concepts.

Follow Tutorials on Vehicle Dynamics Simulations

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Deepen your understanding of vehicle dynamics by working through guided tutorials on simulation software.

Browse courses on Vehicle Dynamics

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Identify reputable tutorials or online courses on vehicle dynamics simulation.
Follow the tutorials step-by-step, building your own simulation models.
Analyze the simulation results and compare them with theoretical predictions.

Build a Basic Vehicle Dynamics Model

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Apply your knowledge of vehicle dynamics to develop a functional model that can simulate the behavior of a vehicle.

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Define the scope and objectives of your model.
Choose appropriate modeling tools and software.
Develop the equations of motion for the vehicle.
Implement the model in the chosen software.
Validate the model using experimental data or other methods.

Design a Basic Suspension System

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Apply your knowledge of suspension design principles to create a functional suspension system for a specific vehicle.

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Define the design specifications and requirements for the suspension system.
Choose appropriate suspension components (e.g., springs, dampers, control arms) based on the design criteria.
Design the geometry of the suspension system to ensure proper handling and ride comfort.
Analyze the performance of the designed suspension system using simulation or analytical methods.

Contribute to Open-Source Vehicle Dynamics Projects

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Deepen your understanding of vehicle dynamics and gain practical experience by contributing to open-source projects.

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Identify open-source projects related to vehicle dynamics, such as CarSim or OpenVehicle.
Review the project documentation and identify areas where you can contribute.
Discuss your ideas with the project maintainers and start working on a specific contribution.
Submit a pull request with your code changes and documentation.

Career center

Learners who complete Automobile Engineering: Vehicle dynamics for Beginners will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers: