Chassis
Achassis(US:/ˈtʃæsi/,[1]UK:/ˈʃæsi/;[2]pluralchassis/-iz/from Frenchchâssis[ʃɑsi]) is theload-bearingframeworkof a manufactured object, which structurally supports the object in its construction and function. An example of a chassis is avehicle frame,the underpart of amotor vehicle,on which the body is mounted; if therunning gearsuch as wheels and transmission, and sometimes even the driver's seat, are included, then the assembly is described as arolling chassis.
Examples of use[edit]
Vehicles[edit]
In the case of vehicles, the termrolling chassismeans theframeplus the "runninggear"likeengine,transmission,drive shaft,differential,andsuspension.The "rolling chassis" description originated from assembly production when an integrated chassis "rolled on its own tires" just beforetruckbodies were bolted to the frames near the end of the line.[3]An underbody (sometimes referred to as "coachwork"), which is usually not necessary for the integrity of the structure, is built on the chassis to complete the vehicle.
Forcommercial vehicles,a rolling chassis consists of an assembly of all the essential parts of a truck without the body to be ready for operation on the road.[4]A car chassis will be different from one for commercial vehicles because of the heavier loads and constant work use.[5]Commercial vehicle manufacturers sell "chassis only", "cowl and chassis", as well as "chassis cab"versions that can be outfitted with specialized bodies. These includemotor homes,fire engines,ambulances,box trucks,etc.
In particular applications, such asschool buses,a government agency likeNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) in the U.S. defines the design standards of chassis and body conversions.[6]
Anarmoured fighting vehicle's hull[7]serves as the chassis and comprises the bottom part of the AFV that includes thetracks,engine, driver's seat, and crew compartment. This describes the lower hull, although common usage might include the upper hull to mean the AFV without theturret.The hull serves as a basis forplatformsontanks,armoured personnel carriers,combat engineering vehicles,etc.
In theintermodaltrucking industry, achassisis a type of semi-trailer onto which acargo containercan be mounted for road transport.
Electronics[edit]
In anelectronic device(such as acomputer), the chassis consists of a frame or other internal supporting structure on which thecircuit boardsand other electronics are mounted.[8]
In some designs, such as olderENIACsets, the chassis is mounted inside a heavy, rigid cabinet, while in other designs such as moderncomputer cases,lightweight covers or panels are attached to the chassis.
The combination of chassis and outer covering is sometimes called anenclosure.
Firearms[edit]
In firearms, the chassis is abeddingframe onlong gunssuch asriflesto replace the traditionally woodenstock,for the purpose of betteraccurizingthe gun. The chassis is usually made from hardmetallicmaterial such asaluminium alloy(and less frequentlystainless steel,titanium alloyor recentlymagnesium alloy) due to metals having superiorstiffnessandcompressive strengthcompared with wood or syntheticpolymer,which are commonly used in conventionalriflestocks.
The chassis essentially functions as a more extensive pillar bedding, providing a metal-on-metalbearing surfacethat has reduced shifting potential under the stress ofrecoil.Abarreledactionbedded into a metal chassis would theoretically operate more consistently during repeated firing, resulting in betterprecision.With the increasing availability ofCNC machining,chassis have become more affordable and sophisticated as well as gained increasing popularity as these types of chassis can be expanded to accommodate customizable "furniture" (buttstock,pistol grip,etc.) andrail interface systemsthat provide mounting points for various accessories.
See also[edit]
- Airframe
- Backbone chassis
- Body-on-frame
- Bogie
- Coachbuilder
- Locomotive frame
- Monocoque,construction from a structural shell instead of a structural frame
- Undercarriage (disambiguation)
- Underframe
References[edit]
- ^"The American Heritage Dictionary entry: chassis".Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing.Retrieved2017-05-21.
- ^"Chassis definition and meaning".Collins English Dictionary.Retrieved2017-05-21.
- ^Klier, Thomas H.; Rubenstein, James M. (2008).Who Really Made Your Car?: Restructuring and Geographic Change in the Auto Industry.W.E. Upjohn Institute. p. 273.ISBN9780880993333.RetrievedApril 7,2023.
- ^Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers (U.S.) (1922).Official Handbook of Automobiles.National Automobile Association. p. 180.OCLC6360726.Retrieved10 September2010.
- ^Sturmey, Henry (2 April 1908)."The Use of Unsuitable Vehicles".Commercial Motor.Vol. 7, no. 160. pp. 146–147.Retrieved10 September2010.
- ^Grenzeback, Lance R.; Lin, Sandi; Meunier, Jacob (2005).Operational Differences and Similarities among the Motorcoach, School Bus, and Trucking Industries.Transportation Research Board. p. 13.ISBN9780309088213.Retrieved10 September2010.
- ^Starry p. 45, 79, 129, 143, 153, etc.
- ^Khandpur, Raghbir Singh (2006).Troubleshooting Electronic Equipment.McGraw-Hill Professional. p. 45.ISBN9780071477314.Retrieved10 September2010.
- Starry, Donn A. (2002)."Mounted Combat in Vietnam (Vietnam Studies)"(PDF).Department of the Army.Washington, D.C.RetrievedApril 7,2023.
External links[edit]
