BIW NOMENCLATURE

Below are the images given for a better understanding of the BIW
nomenclature. A BIW engineer is expected to identify the various parts
just by looking at them. And also, automotive design engineers should
be able to locate the parts and identify the sections they are part of.

Hood: It is one of the main components of the front half of an

automobile. The Hood panel, also known as the bonnet is a hinged
cover that rests on the Hood frame. It has an aerodynamic shape such
that it would minimize air resistance. Enhances the beauty of the car,
acts as primary protection in case of a front collision.

53
Roof panel: It is the section of sheet metal that forms the roof of the car.
Many cars have convertible or foldable rooftops. Many times the roof
panel is fitted along with a removable piece of glass called a sunroof.

Rocker: A rocker panel is a stamped steel piece that is an integral part

of your car's body structure. Rocker panels are located along the sides
of the vehicle between the front and rear wheel well openings, just
below the doors. You lift your feet over them every time you enter and
exit.

Tunnel: It runs longitudinally on the car floor and covers the driveshaft. It
separates the occupants from sensitive components driving the car and
thus prevents any damage.

Fender: A fender is a car body panel that houses the wheel via a wheel
well. It prevents sand, rocks, and other road debris from being sprayed
into the air by the spinning tire. Most fenders are made from steel but
some manufacturers make non-ferrous variants that are more resistant
to rusting. On a vehicle’s side profile, there are two fender locations
known as front and rear quarters.

Roof Frame: It is an almost horizontal part that supports the roof panel.
It gives rigidity to the top section of the car.

Cowl Panel: The “cowl” is located in the space between the hood and
windshield. This is the space where your vehicle’s windshield wipers are
located. This is the first line of defence protecting the car from debris,
small rocks, dirt, etc.

Below are given different supporting members that use magnesium

alloy in their structure.

54
55
Torque Convertor is a type of fluid coupling which is used to transfer
rotating power from the engine of a vehicle to the transmission. It takes
place of mechanical clutch in an automatic transmission. The main
function of it is to allow the load to be isolated from the main power
source. It sits in between the engine and transmission.

The Exhaust manifold is a tube for removing the exhaust gases away
from the engine cylinders. It collects exhaust gases from the exhaust
ports of the various cylinders and conducts them to a central exhaust
passage. Constructional Details and Parts The exhaust manifold is
usually made of the cast iron.

Exhaust Muffler reduces and adjusts the noise of

the exhaust system. Mufflers are the final piece of the exhaust system,
just before the tail pipe. There will be one or more muffler on every
vehicle.

56
1. Radiator Panel responsible for preventing the car engine from
overheating. When the engine is in use, it produces a lot of friction
and heat, and the radiator uses coolants to keep the engine
running at a healthy temperature. The radiator is connected to the
engine with channels through which a liquid is pumped.

2. Shock Absorber is a mechanical or hydraulic device designed to

absorb and damp shock impulses. This is achieved by converting
the kinetic energy of the shock into another form of energy
(typically heat) which is then dissipated

3. Instrument Panel Reinforcement is to provide support to

instruments in the panel which provides the operator with pertinent
information needed to operate the vehicle successfully. Some of
the more common gauges on instrument panels are
speedometers, which measure the speed of a vehicle
tachometers, which measure the number of revolutions or the
rotation speed of an engine; engine temperature gauges; and
fuel gauges.

4. Axle Housing is a theoretical or actual crossbar supporting a

vehicle, on which one or more wheels turn. An axle assembly on a
car or truck is the set of components that allows the wheels to
rotate freely. Two wheels are usually connected by a shaft known
as AXLE. It inside axle housing and is held in place by bearings
and/or bushing that allows it to rotate within the axle housing.

5. Suspension is the prime mechanism that separates your bum

(seated back side) from the road. It also prevents your car from
shaking itself to pieces. No matter how smooth you think the road
is, it's a bad, bad place to propel over a ton of metal at high
speed. So, we rely upon suspension. It prevents the road shocks
from reaching the vehicle frame, provides vehicle stability, good
road holding and keeps the occupants safe.

57
6. Body Panel. The main skeleton of the car body has two types
of panels: 1. Outer panel. 2. Inner panel. The
outside panels provide the shape of the car body whereas the
inner panels reinforce the shell of the body. The various curved
shapes are given to outer panels to provide the strength to panels.
7. Axle Beam is a bearing component of a car suspension, which
connects wheels and units of the running gear, transmission and
steering system of a car.

8. Tailgate is the board or gate at the back of a wagon, truck, station

wagon, etc., which can be removed or let down for convenience
in loading or unloading. In Cars it is also called trunk lid.

9. Door: It keeps the occupants safe. Being the closing member in

the car, it is meant to prevent any damage to the occupants. And
it is the first line of defence in case of side impact collision. It also
provides structural strength, look and load path in BIW.

10. Floor Panel: It forms the foundation of the car that bears the
load of all the other components and gives a base for several
mountings. It keeps the occupants separate from the road and
any debris, small rocks. It is unimaginable to have a car without its
floor panel.

58
 The BIW can be divided into these sections as given below: -

Body Side Structure:

A-Pillar Front most support to the roof

B-Pillar Second support to the roof

C/D-Pillar C is rear most support to roof in case of two row

seating system ,it will be third one

D-is the fourth support usually rear side of

quarter panel

Quarter panel Rear most panel a body side structure

Drip rails/Gutters An exposed channel applied to the roof over

the side window to direct water away from the
window

Ring Panel A structure panel connecting the rear side of

quarter panel

Body Side Structure:

• All Door

Hood/Bonnet A hinged panel providing access to the engine

compartment

Body Side Structure:

• Bows and Roof

Header Structural member above the windshield

with the forward edge of the roof panel

59
1. Crash Box: It is placed between the bumper beam and the side
rails of the BIW. It is an energy-absorbing component. During light
collisions also, the car body is sometimes irreversibly damaged. To
limit that the crash box has to crush in such a way that it can
minimize the impact and transfer the energy instead of localizing
it in one place. It reduces repair costs significantly in case of frontal
impacts.

Crash box

60