Abstract
In this research, the suitability of the plastic tube for the weight reduction was judged through the stress-level analysis and the engine test. In numerical analysis, the change of stress level was predicted in accordance with the form and material of the tube. Among all researched forms, the straight-line tube and the corrugated tube were compared and various researches for corrugated pitches, diameters and thicknesses were performed. In the engine test, the tube was directly installed in the engine and the temperature was confirmed in accordance with the engine operation condition. Also, the suitability for the layout was evaluated and the reliability was confirmed through a repeated endurance test. Results of simulations, the diameter of the tube does not affect the stress-level in both corrugated and straight-lined tubes. And the more the pitch of the corrugated tube increases, the stress-level decreases. The more the thickness of the tube increases, the stress-level increases. In experiments, around of exhaust system is very high temperature, in the case of the tube, which is in close location to exhaust system, the installation of a heat projector is necessary in order to block the radiant heat or the layout should be changed.
KEYWORDS – Weight reduction, Plastic, Corrugated tube, Flexible tube, Thermal stress