Types, structural elements of the car body and part names

Any passenger car is built on the basis of the body, and this is the largest part of the car, which performs many functions. The special body structure allows the car to withstand the stress of driving and absorb impact energy in the event of an accident. Also, this part of the machine serves as the base on which all functional parts and assemblies are mounted. Car manufacturers produce a wide variety of body styles, which makes each model unique in appearance. However, the same manufacturers adhere to the basic parameters in the manufacture, which characterize the type of body and its version.

Main types

Before you disassemble what the body of a car consists of, you need to highlight the main types of its execution. Passenger cars of mass production are produced in the following main types:

• sedan;
• hatchback;
• wagon.

There are other types, but these three are the main and most common.

The sedan body type is the most popular. The serial sedan has four doors for passengers, an engine compartment and a luggage compartment. This type of body is the most optimal for transporting passengers and small luggage.

A hatchback is a car with two doors for passengers, an engine compartment and a luggage compartment that is not separated from the passenger compartment. This type has restrictions on the transported cargo, and is also not very convenient for transporting passengers. However, this implementation has its advantages. Cars in this type of body have a lower weight and dimensions, which has a positive effect on its efficiency in terms of fuel consumption.

Station wagon cars are designed for heavy loads. The luggage compartment of such cars is characterized by an increased volume, which does not prevent the interior from remaining in full size. The station wagon device makes it possible to further expand the luggage compartment by folding the rear passenger seats.

Material and manufacturing technology

The body of a modern passenger car is made of high-strength steel, which goes through several stages of processing. The small thickness of the metal used makes it possible to significantly reduce the overall weight of the machine, which has a positive effect on its dynamics and efficiency. Despite the small thickness of steel, the body structure is designed in such a way that it is both light and strong.

On most modern cars, body parts are fastened together by spot welding. This makes it possible to ensure the reliability of the connection of elements and to reduce the number of edges and sharp corners, which are most vulnerable to corrosion. In the future, the automotive industry will use laser welding of parts. This approach minimizes the presence of bulges and depressions at the seams, and the body structure will become simpler and more reliable.

General body structure

To figure out what the body of a car consists of, you should consider the main parts that are included in its device. For a simpler understanding, the device of the car body can be divided into three compartments. What is the body made of? The general layout of the parts is as follows:

• motor zone - designed to locate the power unit and additionally performs the function of passive vehicle safety;
• passenger part - needed to accommodate passengers and vehicle controls;
• luggage compartment - used for luggage;

Consider what each of these elements consists of in more detail.

The motor part consists of the following main parts:

• front upper and lower crossbars;
• front spars;
• lower cross member for engine location.

The scheme of the engine compartment is designed in such a way that in the event of a collision, the spars and the front beam take over the impact energy. Deforming, they reduce the load on the passenger compartment. This design increases the chances of the driver and passengers to protect themselves from injury in an accident.

The layout of the parts of the passenger compartment of a passenger car is as follows:

• lower front beam under the windshield;
• front and rear cross members of the roof;
• side roof spar;
• front, side and rear racks;
• thresholds;
• bottom;
• reinforcing structures of the bottom.

In other sources, the names of body parts may differ slightly, but this does not change the essence of the matter. The above diagram allows you to understand in general terms what the body consists of and what its structure is.

All parts of the passenger compartment of a passenger car have the necessary rigidity, which ensures reliable fastening of facing and functional parts. In addition, the design of the passenger part is made in such a way as to provide maximum passive protection in the event of side collisions.

The luggage compartment of a passenger car consists of a rear panel and fenders. The layout of this compartment is designed in such a way that its structure allows it to withstand the loads from useful luggage, as well as provide passive safety in the event of impacts to the rear of the car.

The structure of the car body depends on the model, manufacturer and other details. However, in most mass-produced cars, the arrangement of body parts is approximately the same. Only sports cars and prototypes of conceptually new models, produced in the amount of several units, have a sharp difference. The body of such machines may have a different design.