Unit 2126: Fundamentals of Automotive Engineering

1. History of Automotive Engineering

• Early inventions and milestones
• Evolution of automotive technology through the 20th century
• Key innovators and manufacturers
• Impact of historical developments on modern vehicles

2. Internal Combustion Engines (ICE)

• Basic principles of operation
• Types of internal combustion engines (e.g., gasoline, diesel)
• Engine components and their functions
• Thermodynamics and combustion processes
• Engine performance parameters and efficiency
• Emissions and regulatory considerations

3. Vehicle Dynamics

• Fundamentals of vehicle motion (acceleration, braking, cornering)
• Suspension systems and their role
• Tire dynamics and grip
• Steering mechanisms
• Stability and control systems

4. Automotive Materials and Manufacturing

• Common materials used in vehicle construction (steel, aluminum, composites)
• Material properties relevant to automotive design
• Manufacturing processes (casting, forging, stamping, welding)
• Advances in lightweight materials and their benefits

5. Automotive Electronics and Control Systems

• Overview of electronic control units (ECUs)
• Sensors and actuators in vehicles
• Engine management systems
• Anti-lock braking systems (ABS), traction control, and stability control
• Infotainment and connectivity technologies

6. Alternative Powertrains

• Electric vehicles (EVs): architecture and operation
• Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs)
• Fuel cell vehicles (FCVs)
• Advantages and challenges of alternative powertrains

7. Vehicle Safety and Crashworthiness

• Vehicle safety design principles
• Passive safety systems (seat belts, airbags, crumple zones)
• Active safety systems
• Crash testing methods and standards
• Regulatory requirements for safety

8. Autonomous Vehicles

• Levels of vehicle autonomy
• Key technologies (sensors, LiDAR, radar, cameras)
• Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication
• Challenges in autonomous vehicle development
• Ethical and legal considerations

9. Environmental Impact and Sustainability in Automotive Engineering

• Environmental challenges related to vehicles
• Emission control technologies
• Life cycle assessment of vehicles
• Sustainable manufacturing practices
• Future trends toward green mobility