The Single Trailing Arm Of An Off-road Vehicle Topology Optimization

The purpose of mechanical structures and mechanical components optimization design is to make designed structures who have lighter weight , smaller volume , more efficient , lower cost ,better reliability and so on. As a force-transfer part of the independent suspension , the single trailing arm will suffer traction , brake force , side force and moment and so on. Because of the complicated condition , it will cost a long period to design the arm according to traditional experience formula method , and the results are not very satisfied. However , with the rapid development of computer technique and Finite Element Method (FEM), the structure design theory and method have made a great progress , and some complicated engineering problems are resolved effectively. As one of the structure optimization method , topology optimization can provide the decision maker with more selecting cases at the beginning of structure design. And this can reduce the design cost and abbreviate the R&D period , so in recent years people pay more attention to the technology of topology optimization design.In this paper we choose HyperWorks software what is supplied by American Altair Software Corporation as the tool of topology optimization. HyperWorks is not only easy to use , but also has very powerful functions , especially about meshing technology and optimization function what make it superior in CAEplatform.This paper is a basic study about topology optimization design. Basing knowing about structure topology optimization design , learning HyperWorks software , we study density method topology principle based on FEM in detail. And established the CAD model of the single trailing arm according to the structure of an armored car's independent suspension , later we make the optimization design of the arm based on the CAD model. At last , we checked the intensity and stiffness of the arm , and carried model analysis.The conclusion and main conten of this paper show as following: First , in this paper we told the development history of FEM and topology optimization design based on reading many Chinese and English science papers , illustrate the concrete application of topology optimization technology at vehicle design. In this paper we study HyperWorks software , introducing main characters and basic analysis function . All make base for topology optimization design.Second , in this paper we meshing the base structure of the arm based on the meshing principle and quality requirement , and got high quality meshes. Later , we selected an appropriate material for the arm , and applied loads and constraints on the arm according to the boundary condition.Third , in this paper we introduced the development of topology , at the same time , giving the definition of topology. Basing on this , we told the principle of several topology methods. And we also explained the effect that computing arithmetic and two problems imposed on topology optimization result.Forth , in this paper , we defined the responses , the objective function and the constraints of the finite element model of the single trailing arm we established before. After computed with Optistruct , we obtained a good structure, at last , we carried static and model analysis on the new designed arm , theintension and stiffness satisfied the requirement ,and have a high coefficient of safety.Fifth , in this paper , we summarized all , and prepared next works about structure topology optimization design in the future.