Chassis
A
chassis (plural: "chassis") consists of a framework which supports an inanimate object, analogous to an
animal's
skeleton; for example in the construction of a
motor vehicle or of a
firearm.
|
1950s Jeep cowl and chassis FC for others to convert into finished vehicles. |
*In the case of motor vehicles, the term
chassis means the
frame plus the "running gear" like
engine,
transmission,
driveshaft,
differential, and
suspension. A body (sometimes referred to as "
coachwork"), which is usually not necessary for integrity of the structure, is built on the chassis to complete the vehicle. Commercial vehicle manufacturers may have "chassis only" and "cowl and chassis" versions that can be outfitted with specialized bodies. These include
motor homes,
fire engines ,
ambulances, etc.
*In an
airplane, the
chassis consists only of the landing gear or
undercarriage, not the
airframe itself.
*A
tank's
chassis (
hull) comprises the bottom part of the tank, which includes the
tracks, power plant, driver's seat, and crew compartment.This describes the lower hull, although common usage of "tank chassis" might include the upper hull to mean the tank without the
turret. Tank chassis often serve as basis for tank-converted platforms such as
armored personnel carriers,
combat engineering vehicles, etc.
*A
chassis in a
television,
radio, or other electronic device consists of the metal frame on which the
circuit boards and other electronic components are mounted. In the absence of a metal frame the chassis refers to the circuit boards and components themselves, not the physical structure.
*In
computers, the
chassis refers to the rigid framework onto which the
motherboard,
memory,
disk drives, and other equipment are mounted. It also supports the shell-like
case: the housing that protects all of the vital internal equipment from dust, moisture, and tampering. The term "
case modding" refers to the artistic styling of otherwise rather functional and plain computer encasings. Main article :
computer case for personal machines or
rack mount for commercial grade servers.
*
Body-on-frame*
Monocoque
