CASE STUDY

Greenpower Electric Car



Greenpower Electric Car

Part 1 - Part Identification and Function

Car Frame

The frame of the greenpower electric car supports the door pillars and the roof. It supports the roof on two or three pillars depending on whether the electric car is a two door or a four door (Engel, 1994, 55).

Immediately after the hood (bonnet), the A-Pillar supports the hinges for the front doors and the windshield (windscreen). The B-Pillar supports the pin that secures the front door locks and the hinges for the rear doors (if fitted). The C-Pillar supports the pin that secures the rear door locks (if fitted) and the rear window. Each pillar is identified by the side on which it is found (driver side / passenger side) and the pillar location: ex. Driver's A-Pillar or Passenger B-Pillar (Engel, 1994, 55).

Figure 1. Car Frame

Structural/frame damage is damage to any component of a vehicle that is part of the main structure of the vehicle, and/or any component designed to provide structural integrity. Examples of these components include any suspension mounting location that can't be removed, the lower frame rails, any upper frame rails, and in the case of anybody construction, the A, B and C pillars, windshield and rear window frames and rocker panels. Components that are bolted on are not considered part of the greenpower electric car's structure or frame. Note that this is a general explanation - there are exceptions.

Chain guards

Chain guards are a must-have component on bicycles that are ridden primarily for transportation. Chain guards keep clothing from getting caught in the drivetrain, keep grease off of street clothes, and in some cases, protect the chain from the elements. There are three general types of chain guards, each with their respective advantages and disadvantages (Gassmann, 1993, 77).

Figure 2. Chain Guard

Full chain cases completely enclose the chain, front chainring, and rear cog. They fully protect the rider's clothing from the drivetrain while also offering the major advantage of protecting the drivetrain from rain and road grime (Gassmann, 1993, 77).

Partial chain guards cover the upper run of the chain from approximately 3 o'clock on the front chainring back to the seat stay. When most people in the U.S. think of a “chain guard”, this is what they're thinking of. Like full chain cases, partial chain guards protect the rider's clothing from being soiled or caught in the drivetrain. Partial chain guards typically weigh less than full chain cases and they provide unrestricted access to the rear wheel for roadside repairs. Chainwheel discs are essentially chainrings without teeth that take the place of a second or third chainring on a double or triple crank. They provide a fair amount of protection, they're lighter than either partial chain guards or full chain cases, and they provide unrestricted access to the rear wheel for roadside repairs. Their greatest advantage is that they allow the use of a front derailleur. The chainwheel disc shown in the photo replaces the third chainring on a triple crank, providing some ...