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In this work, a shock tower of a mid-size vehicle using steel (St)–aluminium (Al) hybrid-casting technology was developed with current shock towers as a benchmark. The use of this hybrid-casting technology, which features a ductile material connection between steel and cast aluminium, makes it possible to combine the design advantages of cast aluminium with the mechanical properties of high-strength steels. Based on this combination, a new shock tower concept was developed that offers advantages over the state of the art in terms of package, weight, stiffness and crash performance. To develop the new shock tower, connection points and package spaces in the periphery of the Honda Accord MY 2011 were analysed and defined. Based on quasi-static misuse load cases and topology optimization, it was possible to develop a load-compliant rib structure for the hybrid-cast shock tower reinforced by steel in the dome area. A so-called tension band for the IIHS small overlap crashworthiness evaluation test (SOL) was also integrated into the new shock tower to ensure homogeneous load distribution. The new shock tower was tested virtually in comparison with the reference steel shock tower and an Al-cast shock tower in quasi-static and dynamic crash load cases. In the quasi-static test, the hybrid-cast shock tower showed significantly increased stiffness. In the dynamic load cases, a significant overall homogenization of force distribution on the existing load paths in die front body structure was achieved. In addition, 5 mm package space for spring and damper could be gained for better driving behaviours of the car.
In this work, a shock tower of a mid-size vehicle using steel (St)–aluminium (Al) hybrid-casting technology was developed with current shock towers as a benchmark. The use of this hybrid-casting technology, which features a ductile material connection between steel and cast aluminium, makes it possible to combine the design advantages of cast aluminium with the mechanical properties of high-strength steels. Based on this combination, a new shock tower concept was developed that offers advantages over the state of the art in terms of package, weight, stiffness and crash performance. To develop the new shock tower, connection points and package spaces in the periphery of the Honda Accord MY 2011 were analysed and defined. Based on quasi-static misuse load cases and topology optimization, it was possible to develop a load-compliant rib structure for the hybrid-cast shock tower reinforced by steel in the dome area. A so-called tension band for the IIHS small overlap crashworthiness evaluation test (SOL) was also integrated into the new shock tower to ensure homogeneous load distribution. The new shock tower was tested virtually in comparison with the reference steel shock tower and an Al-cast shock tower in quasi-static and dynamic crash load cases. In the quasi-static test, the hybrid-cast shock tower showed significantly increased stiffness. In the dynamic load cases, a significant overall homogenization of force distribution on the existing load paths in die front body structure was achieved. In addition, 5 mm package space for spring and damper could be gained for better driving behaviours of the car.
Optimal body structure design is a central focus in the field of passive automotive safety. A well-designed body structure enhances the lower threshold for crash safety, serving as a basis for the deployment of other safety systems. Frontal crashes, particularly those with an overlap rate below 25%, are the most frequent types of vehicular accidents and pose elevated risks to occupants due to variable energy absorption and force transmission mechanisms. This study aims to identify an optimized, cost-effective, and lightweight solution that minimizes occupant injuries. Using a micro-vehicle as a case study and accounting for noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) performance, this paper employs Elman neural networks to predict key variables such as the first-order modes of the body, the body’s mass, and the head injury values for the driver. Guided by these predictions and constrained by the first-order modes and body mass, a genetic algorithm was applied to explore optimal solutions within the solution space defined by the body panel thickness. The optimized design yielded a reduction of approximately 173.43 in the driver’s head injury value while also enhancing the noise, vibration, and harshness performance of the vehicle body. This approach offers a methodological framework for future research into the multidisciplinary optimization of automotive body structures.
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