Course detail

Vehicle Driving Mechanisms

FSI-QHVAcad. year: 2025/2026

The Vehicle Power Trains course introduces students to the basic concepts and layouts of the power trains of passenger and commercial vehicles with various drives. Computational models of power trains are a basic tool for finding optimal concepts and parameters of modern power trains. In addition to the engine itself, students are also introduced to the key functional units of the drive train for transmitting torque to the drive wheels. Learning in computer aided seminars is complemented by practical examples of the relevant parts of the power train.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

6

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

Ing. Lubomír Drápal, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Automotive Engineering (ÚADI)

Entry knowledge

Knowledge of mathematics taught at the bachelor’s level, including linear algebra (matrices, determinants, systems of linear equations, etc.), calculus, and ordinary differential equations. Knowledge of the basics of kinematics, dynamics and strength of materials.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Credit is conditional on active participation in seminars. The examination verifies knowledge acquired in lectures and seminars; it is a written exam and may have an oral part verifying knowledge after the written part.

Aims

The aim of the Vehicle Power Trains course is to provide students with basic knowledge about the conceptual design and computations of the power unit and other parts of the drive chain. The course should help students to understand the issues of design, load, vibration and noise of parts of the power train in a wider context, which they can subsequently apply in other specialized courses, and especially in practice.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

ACHTENOVÁ, G., BANĚČEK, J., KOLÁŘ, J. Převodná ústrojí motorových vozidel: návrh odstupňování převodovek. Praha: České vysoké učení technické, 2014, 1. vydání. 104 s. ISBN 978-80-01-05557-1. (EN)
BASSHUYSSEN, R., SCHÄFER, F., Internal combustion engine handbook: basics, components, system and pespectives. 2nd revised edition. Warrendale (PA): SAE International, 2016. 1130 s. ISBN 978-0-7680-8024-7. (EN)
DAVITASHVILI, N., BAKSHALIEV, V. Dynamics of Crank-Piston Mechanisms. Singapore: Springer Science+Business Media, 2016. 242 s. ISBN 978-981-10-0322-6. (EN)
FISCHER, R., KÜÇÜKAY, F., JÜRGENS, G., NAJORK, R., POLLAK, B. The Automotive Transmission Book. Cham (Ch): Springer International Publishing, 2015. 355 s. ISBN 978-3-319-05262-5. (EN)
GUZZELLA, L., SCIARRETTA, A. Vehicle Propulsion Systems: Introduction to Modelling and Optimization. 3rd Edition. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 2013. 412 s. ISBN 978-3-642-35912-5. (EN)
HEISLER, H. Advanced Engine Technology. 1st edition. Oxford (Great Britain): Arnold, 1995, reprint 2002. 794 s. ISBN 1-56091-734-2. (EN)
CHEN, Y. Automotive Transmissions: Design, Theory and Applications. Singapore: China Machine Press and Springer Nature, 2021. 570 s. ISBN 978-981-15-6702-5. (EN)
Kolektiv autorů VÚNM a ČKD. Naftové motory čtyřdobé. 1díl. Druhé vydání. Praha: SNTL – Státní nakladatelství technické literatury, 1962. L123-B3-IV-41/2490. (CS)

Recommended reading

ACHTENOVÁ, G. Převodná ústrojí motorových vozidel: diferenciály a děliče momentu. Praha: České vysoké učení technické, 2015, 1. dotisk 1. vydání. 56 s. ISBN 978-80-01-04855-9. (CS)
ACHTENOVÁ, G., KLÍR, V. Převodná ústrojí motorových vozidel: kloubové hřídele. Praha: České vysoké učení technické, 2018, 2. vydání. 44 s. ISBN 978-80-01-06470-2. (CS)
ACHTENOVÁ, G., TŮMA, V. Vozidla s pohonem všech kol. Praha: BEN – technická literatura, 2009, 1. vydání. 384 s. ISBN 978-80-01-06470-2. (CS)
CORNEL, S. Alternative Propulsion for Automobiles. Berlin: Springer International Publishing, 2017. 336 s. ISBN 978-3-319-31929-2. (EN)
GARRETT, T. K., NEWTON, K., STEEDS, W. The Motor Vehicle. Thirteenth edition. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2001. 1214 s. ISBN 978-0-7506-4449-5. (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme N-AAE-P Master's 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
  • Programme N-ADI-P Master's 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Lubomír Drápal, Ph.D.

Syllabus

1) Mechanisms of power units, kinematics of crank train
2) Dynamics of the crank train, computational models
3) Balancing inertial effects in the crank train
4) Balancing the crank train of multi-cylinder engines
5) Balancing the crank train of V engines
6) Vibration of drives with piston machines and its reduction
7) Cam mechanisms, dynamics of hybrid and electric drives
8) Concept of transmission devices, clutches
9) Manual gearboxes
10) Dual clutch transmissions
11) Automatic gearboxes
12) Gearboxes for hybrid drives and electric drives
13) Differentials, universal joints, all-wheel drive

Computer-assisted exercise

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Lubomír Drápal, Ph.D.

Syllabus

1) Use of Matlab software for analytical solution of kinematics and dynamics of a power train
2) Kinematics and dynamics of the crank train
3) Engine torque and its Fourier numerical analysis
4) Inertia effects in the crank mechanism and their balancing
5) Vibration of drives with piston machines and its computational modeling
6) Cam mechanisms
7) Dynamics of hybrid drives
8) Clutches
9) Gear stepping
10) Transmission shifted under load
11) Automatic gearbox
12) Gearbox for electric cars
13) Universal joints and differential