Abstract
KEYWORDS:
structural analysis, design optimization, weight reduction, air cleaner, engine
ABSTRACT:
Design optimization refers to the process of generating improved designs. It can be achieved, either by numerical or structural design optimization. Numerical design optimization is performed by an optimizer. An optimizer is really nothing more than a formal plan, or algorithm, that is used to search for a “best” design. A numerical optimizer seeks to find an improved design by trying to minimize or maximize a prespecified objective. Throughout this process, it must adhere to the bounds on responses and design variables given in the design model. It does not have the intelligence to modify the objective or relax any of these limits and can be expensive in terms of time required for solving the mathematical model. Structural design optimization uses new vs. current design comparison method, enabling the use of some of the current design measured quantities (eg. accelerations, strain energy levels) in, either determining the acceleration levels that the new design is going to be subjected to or quickly evaluating (by the means of strain energy developed in the new design solution) if the new design meets fatigue life requirements. In the present paper, the support structure of a newly designed air cleaner support was analyzed, using finite elements, along with the current production air cleaner support. Objective was to enable a thorough view on the structural behavior for both air cleaner support design solutions, in terms of both modal behavior (dynamic analysis) and stress levels developed in these structures by several g type loading (structural static analysis), thus resulting in a structural optimization process (old design vs. new design).