International Journal of Vehicle Structures and Systems

Mohan Rajasekaran ¹, V. Hari Ram ¹, M. Subramanian ²

Affiliations
1 Dept. of Automobile Engg., Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Chennai, IN
2 Dept. of Automobile Engg., B. S. Abdur Rahman University, Chennai, IN

Abstract

Vehicle mass reduction is a major area of research in the automobile industry. Various techniques like reduced part break up, section reduction, material alternatives and load path design are widely being researched across the world. This paper presents a new technique of identifying materials for the components of minimal part break-up Body-In-White (BIW) in the conceptual phase using design of experiments and multi-objective optimization. Prime focus was on the methodology to effectively consider the materials for the parts without compromising the structural performance of the target components. BIW structural load cases like bending and torsion stiffness were considered to evaluate the structural performance. Material list is used as the design variable and then sampled using design of experiments to undertake multi-objective optimization. As a result, optimal material distribution and mass savings have been achieved for the BIW parts. The optimized design performance is closer to the baseline design. The proposed methodology may be widely adopted by engineers to optimally distribute the materials for the BIW components at various stages of the vehicle design.

Keywords

Design of Experiments, Multi-Objective Optimization, Body-In-White, Bending Stiffness, Torsion Stiffness.

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P. Robin Roy ¹, V. Hariram ², M. Subramanian ³

Affiliations
1 Dept. of Automobile Engg., Hindustan Institute of Tech. and Sci., Padur, Chennai, IN
2 Dept. of Mech. Engg., Hindustan Institute of Tech. and Sci., Padur, Chennai, IN
3 Dept. of Automobile Engg., BS Abdur Rahman University, Vandalur, Chennai, IN

Abstract

Emissions such as Nox and CO resulting from the combustion of the diesel engines in the commercial vehicles leads to environmental degradation and ozone layer depletion. Alarming environment trend forces the government institutions to develop and enforce strict emission laws for the next generation transportation vehicles. Stricter emission laws mean higher operating pressure, temperature, reduced weight, tight packaging space, engine downsizing etc. Engine cooling systems are the critical components in the managing the engine cooling requirement of the commercial vehicle. Generally engine cooling system includes radiator, charge air cooler, engine oil cooler etc. Product development of thermal management system using the traditional design process takes more time, resource and money. To solve the complex design problem, numerical technique such as finite element analysis is performed upfront in the product development of the radiator to evaluate the structure behaviour under mechanical loading. In this paper, internal static pressure analysis of a radiator is presented to showcase the benefits of using the finite element technique earlier in the product design phase. Pressure cycle life at a critical joint of the radiator is calculated using strain-life approach. Finite element analysis aids in visualization of the hot spots in the design, comparing different design options with less turnaround time. Experimental testing and prototypes can be reduced. Risk of a product being failed is greatly minimized by performing the numerical simulation.

Keywords

Engine Cooling System, Radiator, Finite Element Analysis, Linear Static Analysis, Life Estimation.

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Rajasekaran Mohan ¹, V. Hariram ², M. Subramanian ³, S. Padmanabhan ⁴

Affiliations
1 Dept. of Automobile Engg., Hindustan Institute of Tech. and Science, Chennai, IN
2 Dept. of Mech. Engg., Hindustan Institute of Tech. and Science, Chennai, IN
3 Dept. of Automobile Engg., BS Abdur Rahman University, Vandalur, IN
4 School of Mech. Engg., Sathyabama University, Chennai, IN

Abstract

The world’s climatic conditions rises and there is a demand for environment friendly vehicle designs. The automobile industry strives hard to ensure low carbon emissions. This refers to the mass reduction and fuel consumption. This paper investigates to achieve the overall Body-in-white (BIW) bending and torsion stiffness performance using Topology optimization and light weight internal reinforcements. The potential opportunity of achieving light weight structure using the efficient way of defining the internal reinforcements has been investigated. BIW at the conceptual design phase has been considered for the research. Topology optimization was performed considering the roof rail and the rocker as the design space with an approach of achieving the improved torsion and bending stiffness performance. The optimized bulk head design locations have improved the BIW stiffness performance with minimal mass increase in the BIW. This method can be widely used at various stages of the BIW design to identify the weaker sections and then design the load path using internal reinforcements effectively. The optimized internal reinforcements has achieved higher torsion and bending performance with minimal mass addition.

Keywords

Design of Experiments, Optimization, Body-In-White Stiffness, Multi Objective, Bending, Torsion, Bulk Heads.

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C. Dineshkumar ¹, M. Subramanian ¹, Jenorish Muthaya ², V. Deepan ²

Affiliations
1 Dept. of Auto. Engg., Crescent Institute of Sci. and Tech., Chennai, IN
2 Dept. of Auto. Engg., Hindustan Institute of Tech. and Sci., Chennai, IN

Abstract

In recent times most of the automotive vehicle accidents are increased day by day in India. Recent causes of the accident shows that more than 20% of accidents are caused due to health issues which occur to drivers while driving the vehicle. In the proposed project we had been monitoring the status of health condition of the driver by using sensors such as pulse rate sensor and temperature sensor. The heart beat rate falls below the lower limit and above the higher limit to the driver. The driver can be prevented from driving the vehicle when he is in extreme emotion such as heart attack, arrhythmias, heart stiffening or weakening, cardiomyopathy, stress, anxiety, depression etc. The speed of the vehicle is measured by speed sensor in the vehicle. The ultrasonic sensor which is used to sense the object placed in the front of the vehicle. The result is to create a system capable of contributing to the reduction of collisions. The driver who suddenly suffers from health issue especially heart attack while driving the vehicle cannot handle the vehicle because during heartache the movement of hands is difficult to control the vehicle which leads to accidents. The heart rate sensor placed in seatbelt of the driver and heat sensor in the driver seat. The sensors collect the data and send it to the control unit which interprets the data with the standard value and if some values are unusual may be in heart rate, blood pressure. The control unit sends out a warning signal to the driver and if the driver doesn’t show any reaction within the set time the braking system is actuated.

Keywords

Heart Rate, Pulse Sensor, Arduino Board, Ultrasonic Sensor, Braking System.

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