Title: Multidisciplinary design optimisation of elastomeric mounting systems in automotive vehicles

Authors: Zheng-Dong Ma, Chang Qi

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, 1002 W.E. Lay Automotive Laboratory, 1231 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109–2121, USA. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, 1002 W.E. Lay Automotive Laboratory, 1231 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109–2121, USA

Abstract: In this paper, a design optimisation problem with multidisciplinary objectives is considered for a general purpose elastomeric mounting system (EMS). The multidisciplinary design objectives include quasi-static, dynamic and stability targets. Elastic stability of the EMS is investigated for the first time with the development of a general formulation that determines the critical buckling force and buckling mode of the system. Optimisation is then performed to maximise the critical buckling force. The major contributions of this work include a systematic approach for the multidisciplinary design optimisation of EMS and the stability analysis and optimisation. The approach developed in this paper can be applied to a wide range of EMS design problems including body mounting system and powertrain mounting system. Reliability assessment of the optimum design is also conducted in order to consider uncertainties of the system parameters due to manufacturing and assembling variations. Design optimisation of a real vessel-mounting system in an innovative concept vehicle is used as an example to demonstrate the feasibility of the approach developed.

Keywords: multidisciplinary design optimisation; elastomeric mounting system; structural optimisation; stability analysis; buckling force; buckling mode; NVH; durability; crashworthiness; elastic stability; body mounting; powertrain mounting; reliability analysis; concept vehicles; automotive design; vehicle design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPD.2005.005947

International Journal of Product Development, 2005 Vol.1 No.3/4, pp.365 - 382

Published online: 03 Jan 2005 *

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