Journal for Research | Volume 02 | Issue 09 | November 2016

ISSN: 2395-7549

Selection of c to Achieve Performance of Vehicle

Pankaj Raut
B.E Student
Department of Mechanical engineering
Institute Tata Technologies Ltd.

Abstract
Selection of powertrain for vehicle is depends upon vehicle type & application of vehicle. To achieve performance of vehicle,
engine torque at maximum revolutions, Transmission ratio, Axle ratio & tire plays important role. In order to understand vehicle
performance in theoretical calculation there should be proper selection of power train aggregates. All these aggregates
technically will evaluate the actual vehicle performances. For example, trucks are seldom run at their rated maximum speed. In
fact, they are usually operated with engine speed at maximum torque or at the speed where fuel consumption is minimized. In
climbing hills, there may be occasions when the engine revolution is raised to its maximum to produce the maximum
horsepower; however, the most efficient method of operation is to use the range of engine speed, which maximizes torque. If an
engine's speed range, producing maximum torque, is extremely narrow, a slight increase of rpm will cause a substantial loss of
power and sign of poor performance characteristic. In other words, engines with high maximum torque and horsepower are not
necessarily the most "powerful engine." Factors other than the maximum values of the torque and horsepower must be evaluated
in determining the practical performance of engines. Furthermore, a high performance engine must be combined with the correct
transmission and differential in order to produce the desired running performance. It is necessary to understand the factors
affecting its ease of operations. This Paper tells how to integrate powertrain and judge performance of vehicle according to
application and type of vehicle by reading performance curves and calculation.
Keywords: Powertrain, Vehicle
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

I. INTRODUCTION

Current scenario of vehicles is to produce more power and better fuel economy. For that care should be taken while power train
integration that power loss should not be minimum. For example, a high speed truck for carrying goods applications within intra
city. Truck need max speed 100 km/hr but at the same time it is able to carry heavy goods in hilly area or gradient area. Truck
mostly runs 90% on flat road. For such application we should optimize the power train integration such that it should get top
speed on flat road and max torque on tires in gradient road. To meet vehicle performance, should select an engine whose torque
curve is flat with respect engine rpm (see fig 1). Also consider transmission ration, Rear axle ration tire size (table 1) and set
Maximum speed of vehicle and % of grade ability.

II. OBJECTIVE OF WORK

Opportunity
Optimization of power train aggregates
Better fuel economy
Reduction of engine power loss in gradient road
Use the range of engine speed, which maximizes torque
Can set Vehicle max speed
Customer Impact
Customer satisfaction due to better fuel economy
Enhanced grade ability.

III. METHODOLOGY: - VEHICLE PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION

Vehicle speed
To optimize vehicle performance 1st set vehicle application. In this paper vehicle application is cargo vehicle which has to max
speed of 103 Km/h. This vehicle run mostly runs 90% on flat road. As per engine curve (Fig 1) and transmission ratio (Table1)
we can calculate speed at different gear ratio. Speed at different gear ratio as per equation (Fig 2).

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Fig 1

Table 1
Gear Ratio Efficiency
Reverse 6.875 0.903
1st 6.875 0.913
2nd 4.189 0.913
3rd 4.189 0.913
4th 1.542 0.913
5th 1 0.931
Rear Axle ratio: 5.571
Tire Size: 10R22.5 (static radius 0.492 meter)
Engine Max RPM: 3100
Vehicle max speed is at top gear (i,e: transmission ration 1 at 5th gear)
Vmax = 2R X N X 60
Yt X Ya
= 2 X 3.14 X 0.492 X 3100
5.571 X 1
= 103.2 Km/h
Where:
R is radius of driving tire in meters
N is maximum RPM of engine
Yt is gear ratio
Ya is rear axle ratio
This will be Maximum speed for vehicle on flat road with this max engine rpm corresponding transmission ratio and axle
ratio.
Correspondingly Vehicle speed at five speed transmission (Fig 2)

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 Selection of c to Achieve Performance of Vehicle
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Fig. 2:
Running resistance
Running resistance includes rolling resistance, grade resistance and Air resistance.

Rolling resistance is a resistance feel by tires of vehicle due to ground surface in contact.
Rr = X W X Cos
Where:
W is the weight of the truck (G.V.W.) transmitted to the ground through the tires
is the grade of the road over which the truck is traveling
is coefficient of resistance.
Grade resistance is the resistance to vehicle due to gradient of road.
Rg = W X Sin
Air resistance is a resistance due to dynamic drag of vehicle in running.
Ra = AV2
Where:
A is projected front area of truck (m2)
V is speed of truck in motion (km/h)
is coefficient of resistance.
Total Resistance = Rr + Rg + Ra
Vehicle weight: 14030 kg
Projected area: 5.07 m2
Coefficient of resistance (dynamic drag) : 0.0035
Contact surface resistance: 0.01
From the above value resistance at variable speed of vehicle with specified % gradient (Fig 3)

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 Selection of c to Achieve Performance of Vehicle
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Fig 3

Tractive Effort
Tractive effort is how much torque is transfer from engine to vehicle tire.

F = T X 0.95 X Yt X Ya X
R

Where:
T is engine torque (kg-m)
R is tire size (m)
is mechanical efficiency of power train
Yt is transmission gear ratio
Ya is rear axle ratio
Tractive effort at variable vehicle speed at different transmission speed with specified % gradient (Fig 4)

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 Selection of c to Achieve Performance of Vehicle
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Fig. 4:

IV. ANALYZE PHASE

By analyzing Fig 2, Fig 3 & Fig 4 comes to know how the vehicle perform with all the factor considering for powertrain
integration (Fig 5)
Vehicle performance curves can give you lot of information
The Maximum speed is defined as the fastest speed attainable by fully loaded truck (GVW Basis) on a flat road (0% grade)
A vertical limit A drawn from the maximum value at the end of the vehicle speed curve for fifth gear shows the maximum speed
of the vehicle. In this case, the maximum speed is approximately 115Km. From this see that the engine speeds at this time is
about 3600 rpm.
Maximum Hill climbing ability (Gradeability)
The intersection between the running resistance curve B and the tractive efforts maximum value (found in the first gear curve)
show the maximum grade ability. In this case the maximum climbable grade is about 34%

Fig. 5: Vehicle Performance Curve

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 Selection of c to Achieve Performance of Vehicle
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Moreover, the Fig 5 shows that when running at 80 Km/h (vertical Line), the maximum climbable grade is 2% in fifth gear,
and 3% in fourth gear. From the intersection of the vehicle speed curve and line C the engine rpm is 2400 rpm in fifth gear and
3400 rpm in fourth gear
The graph also tells that vehicle cannot climb a 5 % grade in fifth gear. The fourth gear tractive effort curve shows that, while
climb it can climb grade in fourth gear the speed must be dropped to 40Km/h
Surplus Tractive Effort
The surplus tractive effort is the difference between the tractive effort curves for each transmission gear and the running
resistance (Note that running conditions). This surplus tractive effort is available for acceleration and condition.
Lets determine the surplus tractive effort when the vehicle is driving at 50Km/h on a 0% grade in fifth gear. The value at the
intersection of vertical line from 50 Km/h E and the fifth gear tractive effort curve 280kg. The value at the intersection of line E
and the 0% running resistance curve 90Kg. The difference between these two values, 280Kg - 90kg = 190 kg is the surplus
tractive effort in fourth gear is 350 kg (440kg - 90kg)

V. CONCLUSION

This Paper tells how to integrate powertrain and optimize performance of vehicle, according to selection of powertrain sub
components with help of power train calculations using MS excel and reading performance curves of vehicle. According to
application of Vehicle and type of vehicle, power train selection will depend.
This paper helps to perform soft calculation in initial phase of vehicle project to select power train component for set customer
targets.
This paper suggest that each powertrain component is having same importance as that of power generating source (engine) to
achieve performance of vehicle with minimum fuel consumption to Happy customer.

REFERENCES
[1] Automotive Engineering Powertrain, Chassis System and Vehicle Body David A. Corolla: 2009
[2] Vehicle Powertrain Systems: Integration and Optimization Crolla, David; Mashadi, Behrooz: 2012

ABBREVIATIONS

Vmax Vehicle Max Speed

Rr Rolling Resistance
Rg Grade Resistance
Ra Air drag Resistance

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