Design and Development of Chassis Along with Novel Under Run Protection Devices for Commercial Vehicles with the Use of an Innovative Approach Resulting in Lighter Weight of the Vehicle

摘要

The paper presents design and development of chassis along with the novel under run protection devices for commercial vehicles. The concept was experimentally validated as per govt. regulations. In today's commercial market, no customer wants to lose payload for his vehicle, and ends up overloading it. It not only leads to accidents, but also deteriorates the life of different vehicle components which are designed for specific loading. We have addressed this concern by converting cross members of frame and under-run protection devices for front as well as rear of the vehicle into aluminum materials with patented cross sections. We have avoided the welding process and used high strength rivets. The riveting process used here is very suitable for the closed cross sections, as it is fastening operation where only the single side access is available. Finally with the introduction of aluminum cross members, Al FUPD and Al RUPD we have reduced the vehicle weight significantly resulting in 276 kg payload increment, which will come as an additional benefit to the customer. It has been tested digitally as well as physically with satisfactory results as per VECV durability and endurance testing standard.