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In manual transmission vehicles, Clutch has direct interaction with the driver and plays a significant role in defining the drivability and NVH of a vehicle. These key performance factors depend on the interaction of diaphragm and cushion springs of a clutch. For an automobile manufacturer, it’s essential to optimize the characteristics of these springs based vehicle performance requirements. A state of the art analytical model has been developed by modeling the diaphragm and cushion spring with exponential equations. Based on these models, response functions for release load, torque build-up, and pressure plate lift have been derived. Results achieved from these response functions are correlated with test data. Key contributing factors for peak clutch pedal load, vehicle launch acceleration, and disengagement point have been identified by sensitivity analysis. Multi-objective optimization is performed to select optimized parameters for vehicle performance improvement

The aim of the research was to explore and establish aspects that affect ageing of non-woven fabrics used in automobiles. One of the most vulnerable parts in a vehicle, at the behest of the customer, is the Floor Carpet. Original Equipment manufacturers are continually binging at doable options for providing low cost carpets that are functionally and aesthetically durable throughout the vehicle life. [1] Car interiors, especially carpet, must remain in impeccable condition to uphold a good resale value. Targeting the analysis of causes that affect ageing of non-woven fabric material will form the core study of the literature to follow. The establishment of which shall ascertain some viable solutions to augment quality of the contemporary non-woven automotive carpet.

In laboratory car crash tests, Anthropomorphic Test Devices (ATD) are equipped with piezoresistive and resistive sensors for occupant injury assessment. Accelerometers are inertial transducers that convert acceleration into electrical output which can be easily recorded by a Data Acquisition System (DAS). For an accelerometer, this electrical output mainly depends upon subjected acceleration, sensitivity of the accelerometer, excitation voltage and gain provided. Before use in testing, accelerometers are calibrated at a standard excitation (manufacturer decided) voltage to determine characteristics like Sensitivity, Sensitivity per unit excitation voltage, Zero Measurand Output (ZMO), Transverse Sensitivity etc. It is observed that these characteristics are highly dependent on the excitation voltage. In testing, due to limitations of DAS and/or other unwanted noise in the excitation voltage, these accelerometers are sometimes used at a different excitation voltage.

This article brings a practical analysis for determination of gravity center in unsymmetrical three dimensional bodies practically and graphically. The gravitational center of an object is the point from which if suspended, the object remains stable at all times, this is also called as center of mass of the object, or the theoretical point at which the entire weight of the object is assumed to be concentrated. In certain tests, the Center of Gravity (CG) of the Seat is required to be known, for load application. The CG is the point at which a SEAT would balance if it were possible to suspend it at that point. This paper deals with use of applied engineering and theoretical calculations to ascertain the CG of First and Second Row seats (individual and bench type). In this case the center of gravity location is expressed in units of length along each of three axes (X, Y and Z). Load balance equation is used to calculate the CG of the seat.

Continuously rising fuel prices and global concern on climate change have resulted in a need to deliver vehicles with increased fuel economy. This has to be achieved without compromising on performance, durability and cost. Passenger car manufacturers are looking at various ways to maximize fuel economy. Major part of fuel saving can be tapped from engine itself. This can be done by activities on engine as below: Improving overall combustion efficiency and hence BSFC Efficient thermal management. Weight reduction of engine parts or complete downsizing Hybridization. Reducing engine losses i.e. parasitic losses from auxiliaries and frictional losses. This paper is focused on the reduction of engine frictional losses (FMEP) through the use of low viscosity lubrication oils. Various factors in lubrication oil contribute to friction. Experimental approach to quantifying the effect of different parameters of lubrication oil on total engine friction is presented.

In a highly competitive market, one of the major challenges for an automobile designer is to lower the product cost while improving the performance. Therefore, from the vehicle comfort point of view, achieving a good ride, handling and NVH performance, while satisfying the low cost and low weight target needs attention from the concept stage of the development cycle. To achieve this balance, it is important to optimize the static and dynamic stiffness of the vehicle body. This paper focuses on the effect of vehicle body stiffness on the ride, handling and NVH parameters. It also addresses the relation between static and dynamic stiffness of the vehicle. The correlation of the stiffness values with the ride, handling and NVH performance is also studied through various experiments on the actual vehicle