Finite Element Modeling of a stretched automotive conductor response under bending curvature

Abstract

The present contribution deals with a based FE model treating helically wrapped automotive conductor subjected to pretension force and bending curvature. It is shown that even with low pre-tension force generated by the fixing conditions of the automotive conductor, the bending stiffness varies between two bounds: maximum stiffness for small curvature then from a critical curvature it starts to decrease until reaching a minimum bound independently of friction coefficient and tension force. It can be also, underlined that in addition to the consideration of the inter-layer contact, this elaborated FE model takes into account the friction contact between the same layer wires allowing to the conductor more rigidity. As it can be noticed, this contact mode was neglected in previous literature models.