Search Results

The current paper focuses on the compact HVAC component development for electric passenger vehicles running in countries where the external ambient conditions are harsh. Various previous studies have shown that the energy required for HVAC system alone is about 12-15 percent of the overall vehicle energy demands. Due to very high thermal loads, the Electric Vehicles operating in such countries will obviously fall under the higher HVAC energy consumption band. In addition to the energy demand, the cooling requirements like shorter pull-down time adds further challenges to the HVAC design. Another major challenge being faced by the EV manufacturers is the concerns due to range which has resulted in compact vehicles having less space for HVAC and other subsystem components. The current paper proposes an approach for replacing the conventional air-cooled condenser by liquid-cooled condenser. A liquid-cooled condenser will be much more compact than a conventional condenser.

Conventionally, the automotive outer panels, giving vehicle its shape, have been manufactured from steel sheets. The outer panels are subjected to loads due to wind loading, palm-prints, person leaning on the vehicle, cart hits, and hail stones for example. Consumer awareness about these two panel characteristics: Oilcanning and Dent resistance is increased, which has been observed in recent marketing studies. Apart from perceptive quality, another factor depending on the dent performance is insurance and respective cost implications. Dents can occur due to several reasons such as object hits, parking misjudgement, hail stones etc. Phenomenon can be divided into two types, static and dynamic denting. Static dent case covers scenario wherein interaction with outer panel is mostly quasi-static. Hail stones present dynamic case where object hits a panel with certain kinetic energy. Automotive companies usually perform static dent assessment to cover all the cases.

It is quite common nowadays to target a new engine development program in less than twelve months. Computer Aided Engineering plays a major role in reducing the overall product development lead time. Simulation Driven Design and Development helps the designers to bring the necessary confidence about the required functionality during the design stage itself. The current paper describes the development of Multi-Layer Steel (MLS) cylinder-head gaskets for a commercial vehicle engine. Currently, many engine manufacturers from the developing countries have either started shifting to MLS Gaskets for their current product lines or started new engine platforms development with MLS Gaskets to meet the current emission and specific power requirements. These gaskets with beads and stoppers provide excellent macro sealing around combustion chamber, oil bores and water holes under aggressive thermo-mechanical loads.

This paper describes the rapid design and development of thin walled powertrain components which act as external cover for engine subsystem assemblies. Computer Aided Engineering plays a major role in reducing the overall product development lead time. An approach by using ‘Simulation Driven Design and Development’ helps the developers to bring the necessary confidence about the components' required functionality during the design stage itself. During the design stage, typical inputs available for the development of these components are the broad dimensions obtained from the packaging considerations. The designer is required to develop the concepts targeting least noise radiation from component surfaces due to various excitations. Based on cost considerations, the designer can even opt for plastic materials instead of steel. The current paper considers two major noise radiation members namely valve cover and timing gear cover for rapid product development.