DESIGN OPTIMIZATION OF CHASSIS

DESIGN OPTIMIZATION OF CHASSIS

ABSTRACT

In this seminar automobile chassis is selected as a case study for the use of optimization technique in engineering design. This is a paper of the work performed towards the stiffness optimization of an automobile chassis. The chassis used for the purpose of the project is a product of an Indian automobile company. This chassis has been modeled with beam and pipe elements using I-DEAS engineering software package, as a finite element model. Three-dimensional CAD software (such as CATIA or IDEAS) enables us not only to define kinematical relationships but also to investigate free traveling on newly developed chassis systems. By dosing so, potential errors can be minimized in the design phase, so that the costly prototype manufacturing can be prepared most favorable. Prototype parts are either built up at workshops.

Stiffness optimization has been attempted on the beam element models using the I-DEAS in order to obtain a stiffer model. The chassis is composed of channel steel members, the sizes of the side members are varied during optimization. The constraints on the optimization are the bending stiffness of the chassis. The final result is a chassis stiffer by around 27%.

INTRODUCTION

Automobile chassis is a simple but integral part of the vehicle. It is the golden line between the engine parts and wheels of the vehicle to which the component of the vehicle are supposed to be coupled. Its prime function is

 To provide the support to the radiator, engine and vehicle outer body.
 To prevent the engine and other parts of the vehicle from the stresses developed at the front and rear shafts.

Since the very beginning of motorcar manufacturing, engineers have been constantly working on the development and optimization of all chassis components in order to improve ride comfort and active safety at the same, longer service life expectations and the increased automobile competition have raised the demands of the optimal design based automobile parts with low investments of cost and time. In order to fulfill these demands extensive development work was carried out and it is still continue. So the optimization is carried out by various methods one of them is Finite Element Analysis.

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