REQUIREMENTS OF THE VEHICLE BODY

The vehicle body should fulfill the following requirements. It must be strong enough to withstand all types of forces acting on the vehicle. The forces are including the weight of the car, inertia, luggage, braking and cornering forces. Stresses induced in the body should be distributed evenly to all portions. Weight of the body should be as minimum as possible. It should be able to cope with impact loads of reasonable magnitude. It should have reasonable fatigue life. It must provide adequate space for both the passenger and the luggage. It should have minimum number of components. It must have sufficient torsional stiffness i.e., ability to resist the twisting stresses produced by irregular road surface. It should have good access to the engine and suspension elements. It must ensure a quite ride, easy entry and exit. It should create minimum vibration during running. The shape of the body should be such that the air drag is minimum. It is easy to manufacture as well as cheap in cost.

Frame Of Vehicle Body

The frame is the main part of the chassis. It is the backbone of the vehicle. All other parts of the chassis are mounted on the frame. It is the rigid structure that forms a skeleton to hold all the major part together. At the front end of the frame, the engine is mounted. The engine in turn is connected to the clutch and transmission unit to form a complete power assembly. The frame is supported by the wheel and tyre assembly. Some part of the steering system is connected to the frame and remaining to the body. The fuel tank is fastened to the rear end of the frame. 

Functions of the Frame: 

1. To form the base for mounting engine and transmission system. 

2. To withstand the engine and transmission thrust and torque stresses as well as accelerating and braking torque. 

3. Accommodate suspension system. 

4. Carry the other parts of the vehicle and its passengers. 

5. To resist the effect of centrifugal forces when cornering a curve.