Study on the Investigation on Design and Finite Element Analysis of a Compliant Clutch Fork Using Topology Optimization

Author(s):  
G. Arunkumar ◽  
S. Yuvaraja
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Zheng ◽  
Yi Cai ◽  
Kelun Tang

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to realize the lightweight of connecting rod and meet the requirements of low energy consumption and vibration. Based on the structural design of the original connecting rod, the finite element analysis was conducted to reduce the weight and increase the natural frequencies, so as to reduce materials consumption and improve the energy efficiency of internal combustion engine. Design/methodology/approach The finite element analysis, structural optimization design and topology optimization of the connecting rod are applied. Efficient hybrid method is deployed: static and modal analysis; and structure re-design of the connecting rod based on topology optimization. Findings After the optimization of the connecting rod, the weight is reduced from 1.7907 to 1.4875 kg, with a reduction of 16.93%. The maximum equivalent stress of the optimized connecting rod is 183.97 MPa and that of the original structure is 217.18 MPa, with the reduction of 15.62%. The first, second and third natural frequencies of the optimized connecting rod are increased by 8.89%, 8.85% and 11.09%, respectively. Through the finite element analysis and based on the lightweight, the maximum equivalent stress is reduced and the low-order natural frequency is increased. Originality/value This paper presents an optimization method on the connecting rod structure. Based on the statics and modal analysis of the connecting rod and combined with the topology optimization, the size of the connecting rod is improved, and the static and dynamic characteristics of the optimized connecting rod are improved.


Author(s):  
Saurabh Srivastava ◽  
Sachin Salunkhe ◽  
Sarang Pande ◽  
Bhavin Kapadiya

Steering knuckle connects steering system, suspension system and braking system to the chassis. The steering knuckle contributes a significant weight to the total weight of a vehicle. Increasing the efficiency of an automobile without compromising the performances is the major challenge faced by the manufacturers. This paper presents an effective topology optimization of steering knuckle used in a vehicle with the primary objective of minimizing weight. The study on optimization of knuckle is divided into two phases, the first phase involves making of a computer-aided design model of the original steering knuckle and carry out finite element analysis on the knuckle by estimating the loads, which are acting on the component. In the second phase, design optimization of the model of steering knuckle is carried out, and excess material is removed at the region where induced stress is negligible as obtained in finite element analysis assuming standard boundary and loading conditions. The paper describes a research work carried out to optimize structural topology giving the essential details. The methodology may be applied to optimize structural components used in applications where the ratio of desired properties to the cost, generally in terms of weight, is to be optimized. In the case of automobiles, strength to weight ratio has to be maximized. New researchers working in the area will have an understanding of the procedures, and further, the techniques may be applied to design in general.


2020 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 003685042093648
Author(s):  
Liansen Sha ◽  
Andi Lin ◽  
Xinqiao Zhao ◽  
Shaolong Kuang

Topology optimization is a widely used lightweight design method for structural design of the collaborative robot. In this article, a topology optimization method for the robot lightweight design is proposed based on finite element analysis of the assembly so as to get the minimized weight and to avoid the stress analysis distortion phenomenon that compared the conventional topology optimization method by adding equivalent confining forces at the analyzed part’s boundary. For this method, the stress and deformation of the robot’s parts are calculated based on the finite element analysis of the assembly model. Then, the structure of the parts is redesigned with the goal of minimized mass and the constraint of maximum displacement of the robot’s end by topology optimization. The proposed method has the advantages of a better lightweight effect compared with the conventional one, which is demonstrated by a simple two-linkage robot lightweight design. Finally, the method is applied on a 5 degree of freedom upper-limb exoskeleton robot for lightweight design. Results show that there is a 10.4% reduction of the mass compared with the conventional method.


2016 ◽  
Vol 681 ◽  
pp. 100-116
Author(s):  
Georgios A. Drosopoulos ◽  
Nikolaos Kaminakis ◽  
Nikoletta Papadogianni ◽  
Georgios E. Stavroulakis

The design of novel mechanical microstructures having auxetic behaviour is proposed in this paper using techniques of topology optimization for compliant mechanisms. The resulting microstructure can be modified in order to cover additional needs, not included in the topology optimization formulation. Classical structural optimization, contact mechanics, homogenization and nonlinear finite element analysis are used for this step. Thus, the modified microstructure or composite is studied with numerical homogenization in order to verify that it still has the wished auxetic behaviour. Finally, nonlinear finite element analysis shows how the auxetic behaviour is influenced by unilateral contact between the constituent materials, large displacements and elastoplasticity.


2011 ◽  
Vol 117-119 ◽  
pp. 1535-1542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua Wei Zhang ◽  
Wei Xia ◽  
Zhi Heng Wu

In this paper, the clamping unit of a two-platen injection molding machine was modeled by Pro/ENGINEER, and was imported to Altair HyperWorks. In HyperMesh module, the finite element model was set up, ANSYS has been used in the finite element analysis of the clamping unit and the deformation and stress results were obtained. Based on the topology optimization of HyperWorks/OptiStruct, recommendations to improve the structure of the clamping mechanism are presented; the results showed that less material was used while its performance was maintained.


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