V

 

 

(V)

(Control Item, inverted delta symbol) are the products identified on drawings and specifications by engineering as affecting safety or government regulations world-wide (Ford derived)

 

VACUUM PLATING

The deposition of metal on base-coated objects by evaporation of a metal, usually aluminum, under high vacuum. Used to simulate chrome or other bright finishes in automotive design.

 

VALANCE PANEL

Sheet metal or plastic panel below the bumpers that conceals chassis components. (Also referred to as Modesty Panel)

 

VALLEY VARIABLE INFLATION SYSTEM

Surface between two higher surfaces. ACRS restraint capability is proportioned according to accident severity.

 

VARI-RATE SPRING

Spring providing variable effective length through cam action to suit load.

 

VAULT

An endwise flip.

 

V-BRACE

V-shaped reinforcement at ends of frame used as supports for tow hook or pintle.

 

VECTOR

A quantity that has both magnitude and direction, such as force, velocity, acceleration, momentum; represented graphically by an arrow indicating direction and, by its length, magnitude.

 

VEHICLE

Every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, excepting devices moved by human power used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.

 

VEHICLE ACCELERATION

The vector quantity expressing the acceleration of a point in the vehicle relative to the earth-fixed axis system (X,Y,Z).  The following motion variables are components of this vector, resolve with respect to the moving vehicle axis system.

 

VEHICLE AGGRESSIVENESS

The characteristics of a particular motor vehicle which determines the degree to which injury is inflicted upon the occupants with which it collides in a particular crash configuration.

 

VEHICLE AREA

(A)  is the projected frontal area including tires and underbody parts.

 

VEHICLE AXIS SYSTEM

(x,y,z)  This system is a right-hand orthogonal axis system fixed in a vehicle such that with the vehicle moving steadily in a straight line on a level road, the x-axis is substantially horizontal, points forward.  The y-axis points to the driver's right and the x-axis point downward. 

 

VEHICLE CRASHWORTHINESS

The characteristics of a particular motor vehicle which determines the degree to which occupant protection is achieved in that vehicle in a particular collision.

 

VEHICLE DYNAMICS

The relationship between the forces applied to a vehicle and the resulting motion.  

Vehicle ID
Vehicle Identification. ( Detroit )

VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

(VIN) The number assigned to the vehicle by the manufacturer primarily for identification and registration purposes.

 

VEHICLE PACKAGE

Drafting layouts which include provisions for all engine-transmission combinations, major options and designs for heater/air conditioning, defrosters, cowl structures, "A" pillar, windshield, steering column, etc. This provides sufficient information for component design activities to initiate mechanical prototype designs.

 

VEHICLE PITCH ANGLE

The angle between the vehicle x-axis and the ground plane.

 

VEHICLE RESPONSE

The vehicle motion resulting from some internal or external input to the vehicle.  Response tests can be sued to determine the stability and control characteristics of a vehicle.

 

VEHICLE ROLL ANGLE

The angle between the vehicle y-axis and the ground plane.

 

VEHICLE ROLL GRADIENT

The rate of change in vehicle roll angle with respect to change in steady-state lateral acceleration on a level road at a given trim and test conditions.

 

VEHICLE ROLL STIFFNESS

Sum of the separate suspension roll stiffnesses.

Vehicle Speed
The Vehicle Speed Histogram graph depicts the Histogram percentage of the total Trip Time the vehicle speed fell within the given bands. ( Detroit )

Vehicle Speed
Vehicle Speed Limiting prevents additional fuel from limiting being supplied to the engine after the Vehicle Speed has reached a preset limit. ( Detroit )  

VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE

Vehicle stopping distance is the distance traveled by the vehicle from the instant the driver starts to apply the brakes until the vehicle comes to rest.

 

VEHICLE TYPE

Refers to a series of motor vehicle body types that have been grouped together because of design similarities.


Vehicle Utilization
Driving Time divided by Trip Calendar Time. ( Detroit )

 

VEHICLE WHEEL BASE

Vehicle wheel base is the characteristic length upon which aerodynamic moment coefficients are based.

 

VELOCITY

Velocity is the rate of change of distance with respect to time.  Velocity is a vector quantity.

 

V-ENGINE

Cylinders arranged in V-form.

 

VENTILATED BOX CAR

Similar to an ordinary box car, but arranged for ventilation and suitable for the transportation of produce or other food stuffs not needing refrigeration.

 

VERTICAL (Bounce)

The translational component of ride vibrations of the sprung mass in the direction of the vehicle z-axis.

 

VERTICAL INTEGRATION

In truck design, having a single team design all components with the complete system in mind.

 

VIBRATE

To move back and forth unceasingly over the same path.

 

VIBRATION (Oscillation), General

Vibration is the variation with time of the displacement of a body with respect to a specified reference dimension when the displacement is alternately greater and smaller than the reference.

 

VIBRATION DAMPENER

A device used to dynamically balance a rotating mass such as an engine crankshaft.

 

VISCOSITY

Internal resistance of a fluid to flow.

 

VISCOUS DAMPING

Damping in which the force opposing the motion is proportional and opposite in direction to the velocity.

 

VISIBILITY

1. The state or fact of being visible   2. The relative ability to be seen under given conditions of distance, light, atmosphere, etc…

Visual Maintenance Reminder
When any maintenance limit has been approached within a preset percentage, the Check Engine Light will blink six times each time the ignition key is turned from off to on. ( Detroit )

VOLATILITY

Ability of a liquid to diffuse or vaporize.

 

VOLT

A nit of electrical measurement of potential.

 

VOLTAGE

The electromotive force that causes electrons to flow.  Voltage is the difference between two opposing charges, such as positive and negative plates of a storage battery.  voltage can be present without current flow.  But current cannot flow unless voltage is present.

 

VOLTAGE DROP

The "using up"" of voltage in a circuit.  Voltage drop can be caused by resistance in the circuit wiring, current consuming devices ( such as lamps, motors, etc..)  and by resistors.

 

VOLTAGE REGULATOR

A device that controls the voltage output of a generator

 

VOLUMETRIC EFFICIENCY

Volume of "free air" entering cylinder divided by intake stroke piston displacement per stroke.


VSG (PTO)
The Variable Speed Governor becomes activated when the engine runs above the Low Speed Governor and the vehicle is not moving. ( Detroit )

VSG Percent Trip
Variable Speed Governor Time divided by Trip Time. ( Detroit )

VSL Percent Trip
Variable Speed Limiting Time divided by Driving Time. ( Detroit )

VSS
Vehicle Speed Sensor. ( Detroit )

References

Detroit Diesel

Caterpillar User's Manual