Automotive Systems and Vehicle Engineering

What this unit covers

This page sits in the Vehicle and Transport Engineering strand of Mechanical engineering. Most of it is mind maps, and they follow the parts and systems of a vehicle. The Differential map asks what a differential is, how it applies to vehicles, who invented it, and how epicyclic and spur-gear types differ. The Disc Brake map begins with early patents and the first electromagnetically controlled brake. The Shock absorber (shock "damper") map explains what these devices do and how they work.

Design, efficiency and development

For the bigger picture, look at the maps on vehicle development projects and on the virtual car process. The first describes projects that range from a single model to a full model line with variants. The second covers the activities needed to build and test computer-based virtual cars. The Fuel Economy map covers measurement, units, where the energy goes, influencing factors and energy efficient technologies. The Design of a Driveline map looks at hydrodynamic bearings, viscosity, oil film thickness and the Sommerfeld number.

Where to start

1. Begin with An Introduction to Automobile and Vehicle for an overview.
2. Move to single-system maps: the differential, steering mechanism, disc brake and shock absorber.
3. Go on to Fuel Economy, Vehicle Dynamics and the driveline design maps.
4. Finish with the development and virtual car process maps.

Using maps and quizzes together

Read a map first, then test yourself. The quizzes include FSG Quiz Practice, a steering gears test and a general rules test. A multiple-choice quiz on vehicle frames and bodies suits those checking practical knowledge. If a question trips you up, go back to the matching map and read that branch again. The flashcard decks, such as Powertrain and Vehicle Revision, are handy for quick recall of terms.

Every resource here was made by GoConqr users and is free to open. Choose a map that matches what you are studying this week, then try a quiz on it.